My week with Celia Holman Lee: If you have a dream, you need to chase it!

I was asked to present the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Fashion Award to student Steisija Hanzena in recognition of her creativity, dedication, and passion for fashion.

The student has achieved great success in the Junk Couture fashion competition, and I just know that she will go on to do great things in fashion.

A group of Transition Year students from the school have progressed in the Junk Kouture heats and I was astounded by the influences, detail and flair that their hand-made sustainable outfit had on show.

Whenever I meet young people I always find I have so much to learn from them – and Steisija was no exception to this rule. The young lady was so articulate, well-spoken and had amazing insights into the fashion industry. I was asked to give a talk by the school, and present awards to the bright and bushy tailed students– and I was delighted to do so.

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I personally never found school easy, and found that life itself was my great education, rather than the confines of the classroom. This is the perspective I always try to impress on students. There is far more to life than the simple cut and tested school, university and job route that is often advised to our youth.When I was a young person, I followed my own star by setting up my own business and working for myself.

There are so many different routes nowadays, between apprenticeships and post leaving certificate courses. However, I always think if you have a dream you need to chase it, and that can sometimes mean you have to seek out and make your own opportunities.

For example, when I first envisioned my modelling agency, there was no template for me to follow – but I never let that hold me back.I always think if you can dream it, and you’re willing to work hard enough, you can be it. This is what I tried to impress on the class. Our children are our future, and that is what we should be investing in. There is nothing more refreshing than meeting with young minds to discuss ideas, and I took great joy in doing so.

The school has come on leaps and bounds since I attended – and the place was still run by nuns. The talk really made me think of how times have changed so much since when I came up as a student.

There are so many more opportunities and ways to get involved nowadays compared to my in time. My advice to any person – young or old – is to grab any and all opportunities offered to you. You never know where they may lead you.

-Xx Celia