Interior Designer
"KLC will give a great base and a sound foundation which will enable students to enter the interior design world with the necessary skills."
What were you doing before KLC?
I have long been exposed to the challenging world of construction and design, and it is an area that has captured my interest and shaped my ambitions. The family business is based in the French Alps and has been engaged in the property and hotel development industry for the past 25 years.
Beyond the world of design, I competed at national and international levels in wakeboarding, downhill skiing and Formula Ford racing. This gave me valuable experience in the functioning of sponsorships as well as invaluable experience in hard work, perseverance and pressure.
Why did you decide to attend KLC?
The course appealed to me for two main reasons. Firstly, it meant that I could achieve a BA (Hons) within one year after completing the Full Time Diploma course. Secondly, I knew that there would be a limited number of students in the class which meant that I would have more time with the tutors and therefore more support overall whilst I studied.
Can you identify some of the highlights of your time at KLC?
One of the highlights was probably our first project on the BA course. It was the design of the entrance hall of Bank of America in Canary Wharf. We had to present our project to the client and the interior design firm. We were in one of the board rooms and, as the first project of the year, it was quite impressive. A memorable moment that I will keep with me for a long time.
Where did you find inspiration for your course work
The first source of inspiration I would say is my family, but obviously, I take a lot of ideas and inspiration from my travels and different cultural visits.
What challenges did you face during the course?
The main challenge I faced during the course was probably the essay part which was difficult for me as I am half French half English, so my English was not as fluent as some of the other students in my class. This allowed me to work harder on my written skills and improve my English.
How has your career evolved since KLC?
Since I left KLC, I decided to take a slight deviation from my degree course and I spent 6 months on the hotel side of our business working in all the different departments. I am now working full time on the property and hotel development side.
What exciting projects are you working on currently?
We have multiple projects we are working on at the moment, but our main focus is a new 5 star Palace Hotel in the French Alps, which would be part of the family group K Collection.
What are your career aspirations for the future?
My career aspirations for the future would be to develop and extend the family business outside the Alps in the next 5 years, hopefully, one day develop a hotel business in London.
What advice would you give to an inspiring designer thinking of studying at KLC?
KLC will give a great base and a sound foundation which will enable students to enter the interior design world with the necessary skills, knowledge and above all confidence they need to embark on an interior design or related industry career.
