Fashion content creator inspired by South Asian roots

A career in fashion communication calls for Hanan Ahmed, who is sharing her heritage through her work.

Hanan, 23, was one of thousands to celebrate their academic achievements in Teesside University’s summer graduation ceremonies.

“It’s a very surreal moment but also a huge relief seeing all my planning and hard work come to life,” said Hanan after completing the BA (Hons) Fashion within Teesside University’s School of Arts & Creative Industries.

She added: “I can't believe it’s officially done. The past four years have flown by, and there were many moments that I will treasure going forward.”

Through her course, Hanan developed a fashion magazine dedicated to putting a spotlight on South Asian culture and fashion.

She also styled and produced a collection of South Asian garments, which she showcased at a special fashion show.

Hanan said: “The thing I enjoyed most about my course was that I was encouraged to be myself in a creative way.

“My mam and dad are of South Asian heritage, and I was born and raised in Middlesbrough. With my final project, I explored and shared my own cultural roots.

“I was able to style and direct photoshoots that featured in a magazine that was created by me. This helped me to show the beauty and magic behind South Asian culture and how it has influenced Britain.”

Hanan curated a year-long blog series for Talking Teesside, which evaluated fashion trends and offered advice on how to dress for the season.

She now plans to pursue a career within fashion journalism and digital marketing.

Hanan said: “Teesside University has helped me develop strong communication skills, including written communication, presenting, and effective teamwork. This allowed me to contribute meaningfully and work towards achieving my goals.”

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