Globetrotter Sam aims for fashion career

After a globe-trotting university experience, Sam Skotton Patino is planning to make his mark on the fashion world as he graduates from Leeds Beckett University.

Sam, who is graduating from BA (hons) International Business, completed a study abroad semester in Canada and a year’s work placement in Austria as part of his course, and is now set to head to France, where he spent his school career.

A self-proclaimed ‘sneakerhead’, he has accepted a place at the prestigious Parisian fashion college IFM in September and is excited to see where his next journey takes him.

He says: “I would like to grow in that field because my interest lies in fashion. That’s what I want to move forward to.

“My current partner is in Paris and I know the city well, so I’m very excited to start. I don’t feel like a stranger towards France.”

Sam arrived at Leeds Beckett from Vienna, and despite some initial confusion around campus locations, quickly settled into life at the university.

“When I got to Leeds, I thought that Headingley Campus was in the city centre and that would be my campus! I did enjoy studying here. I had a fun time interacting with other students. On the first day, there was Facebook groups for us to join and get to know each other. It was really good.

“Leeds Beckett is a great university. I made great memories, but also very honorable and fantastic friends, which enhanced my experience even more.”

On his first day, Sam’s fluency in five different languages caught the attention of lecturer Stratis Koutsoukos, and the two would strike up a close friendship that Sam views as influential to his positive experience at the university. 

He continues: “I see Stratis as my mentor. He was always there for me from the first day I arrived. 

“He was always close to students and trying to help them and is always there for us, even now. I really admire that. He’s a special human being.”

It was Stratis who encouraged Sam to apply for a study abroad semester in Montreal, which he regards as one of the best experiences of his life.  

“I wanted to go to France because my girlfriend was there. Stratis said that you should put yourself first because this is your time to explore and find yourself and see new things. He said that I’d fit in in Canada. He made it very clear about how important it could be for me. I just said: ‘let’s do it’.

“I applied, got accepted and had the best time of my life. I did not want to come back to Leeds! I had an amazing time and a very enriching six months. It was a real challenge, but a great experience.”

Later, Sam would go on to work for multinational oil organisation OPEC on a year’s work placement and put into practice what he had learned on his course. 

“I worked in the HR section. I was able to use what I learned at university – a lot of theories and concepts that I could see in action. I oversaw time sheets, and I also worked with the Finance team to make sure everyone got paid correctly.”

As he makes the move into fashion, Sam feels confident that the course he studied at Leeds Beckett has given him the base he needs to hit the ground running in Paris. 

He adds: “The reason I took international business in the first place was because I felt l needed the right orientation and support.  
“I thought that studying international business would be great basis for doing anything, because as Stratis says: ‘business is in everything’. That’s why the course is so valuable.”

With an eye on the future, Sam plans to secure a job at a major fashion firm, with a view to eventually launching his own brand. 

“It’s a ruthless and competitive industry, so I want to try and acquire as much knowledge as I can and move on from there, especially in the fields of marketing, branding and merchandising. 

“I want to move on to that area, see where that takes and see if I can join a major brand and go from there, and eventually I’d like to create my own brand too.”