Life Update!✨
Updated: Jun 9, 2023
Life update blog, and this is so overdue. I am excited to share with you all my current new changes and goals. I’ve been getting a lot of questions and messages regarding what I’m currently up to and the status of BijouCREATES, architecture, where I’m located etc since graduating from Cambridge. So, I thought I would finally get to typing and resuming blogging with some updates on where I’m at, doing and future ambitions.
Admittedly I have been finding it hard to keep to my hopes of monthly blogging as I have been a little swapped under (as you will soon undercover!). Originally, I wanted to drop an update in February to kick of the new year. But to be honest I always find, the start of the year and winter to be quite a stagnant time. Spring is a natural time for emergence and new starts so let’s get into it.
1. Are you an architect yet? &.... Starting My Part 3 Course
The quick answer is no, I’m not an official Architect yet. buuut hopefully soon loading!
My first big change is that I have taken on the challenge and started my Part 3 in Architecture at University College London (UCL). My final stage to qualify as a UK architect! Yes, that’s right I’m at UCL all over again, and I have to say, it feels good to be back. If you didn’t know I started my architecture journey at the Bartlett in my undergrad, and it feels like such a full circle moment to be ending it there.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the process to become an architect, Message or comment below and I can try to write another blog on this, because as you’ve probably guessed it is a pretty long process. Let me not lie to you all, Part 3 is hard! The course is challenging, and I think I’m one of the youngest studying in my cohort. Normally you can take a bit of a break between finishing your masters and taking your part 3, which allows you to learn more context from working in practice, but I felt I wanted to get all my studying finally out of the way.
Whereas Architecture P1 & P2 (undergrad and Masters) is much more focused towards active design skills and creativity, Part 3 is much more about the laws surrounding British construction, building regulation, and legal contracts so very theory and technical detail based. So, a lot of reading a lot of new learning but it has to be done.😅
But don’t be stressed for me, I am still enjoying it. I’ve found it so great to be in such a diverse a range of students. Some approaching the course with 10-20 years plus working in architecture and the built environment and finally getting around to officially qualifying. Also learning about how many different paths people take towards studying and qualifying to be an architect in the UK has been so eye opening for me.
Part 3 has allowed me to consider a lot more critically about what I ultimately want to from my architecture career and what type of role I want it to take in my life, e.g., working in practice, independently, for a big vs small firm etc. Also, interestingly a lot of business skills and training is involved which has been super applicable to BijouCREATES!
2. Working in Practice
In addition to my studies, I have started working as a Part 2 architect for a practice in Surrey. Working in practice is also a need of Part 3 to qualify and gain the necessary experience. I am fortunate to be part of a fantastic team that is supportive, encouraging, and always pushing me to be my best. The skills and knowledge that I am gaining through my work are invaluable and will undoubtedly help me in my future endeavours. The projects we mostly carry out are residential and getting more to grips with the basic mechanics of architecture not only the conceptually side had been a nice progression and I think much needed. I would definitely love to bring more of my spatial design into BijouCREATES so watch this space.
3. Location, Location, Location!
Something my friends keep asking is where am I based! So, I have officially moved back down south from my Cambridge adventure, and I pretty much split my time between Surrey and London. Being closer to the Surrey Hills for my in-office work, but then spending a lot of evenings and weekends in London, for classes, Pop- shops, markets and creative meetings. So yes, we’re back to SWR and TFL draining my account as I am constantly bac and forth on a trains buuut that may hopefully be changing soon 🧩🚗👀✨.
4. What’s Next for BijouCREATES ?
But that's not all! I am also proud to announce that my business is thriving and slowly growing. BijouCREATES started originally as a passion project of mine, but over the past few months especially after completing my masters I decided to truly commit and drive more of my focus in developing and expanding my design house to see what it could become!
Two big pillars in my growth strategy for me was finding ways to begin outsourcing my manufacture of my designs, and also to push my items into more physical/ brick and mortar platforms. I set myself a goal at the start of the year of getting BijouCREATES sold in 3 UK shops and that’s why I’m so excited to announce that you can now purchase BijouCREATES at Diverse Brixton!
“The Gara Collection”, is a new collection using hand dyed Gara fabrics from artisans and disabled charity groups I collaborated with on my master’s research project.
Visit Diverse Brixton at
390 Coldharbour Ln, London, SW9 8LF to see the the full collection
also view the full collection here.
It has been an incredible journey building my brand, and I am excited to see it grow and evolve. I have been working tirelessly to create unique, high-quality pieces that are both stylish and sustainable, and it's great to see my hard work paying off.
Final Thoughts.
So, there you have it, an update on my life as a Part 3 architecture student, Part 2 architect, and an entrepreneur. I am grateful for all of the opportunities that have come my way, and I am looking forward to what the future holds. Running my fashion business alongside my studies and working in practice has not been easy, but it has been incredibly rewarding. I am constantly learning and growing, and I am excited about the possibilities that the future holds.
Thank you for reading, whoever you are, and as always, I share this blog in hopes that my journey inspires you to pursue your own dreams and passions whatever they maybe.