Where are they now? – Jessica Woo (2023)

Catch up with Jessica Woo in New York

After graduating from Pymble only two years ago in 2023, I’m now studying fashion design at Parsons School of Design in New York City. Within the first month of moving to New York in September 2024, I was working backstage at New York Fashion Week, coordinating models and organising the runway order and order writing for Coterie, a premier trade event. Being only 18 at the time, it felt surreal to work at these two major events in the fashion calendar.

Something about me is that I will always put my 100% effort into anything. Knowing that I wanted to pursue a career in the fashion industry, it only made sense to move to the fashion capital of the world. Working hard to make this happen, my life has changed immensely. New York is a city where so much is constantly happening. On top of school, I’ve been attending events and meeting industry professionals like David and Sybil Yurman, founders of the jewellery company David Yurman, and Simon Porte Jacquemus, founder of Jacquemus, while also interning for a senior thesis collection that was featured on Vogue runway. It’s inspiring but sometimes intimidating when you’re surrounded by people who all have that same passion and drive as you.

I always get asked how I ended up in New York and what the application process of getting in was like. A large part was my portfolio, something I had been working on extensively for many years, and of course, good grades and extracurriculars too! Textiles was my favourite subject at Pymble, and in Year 10, lockdown emphasised this as I was inseparable from my sewing machine, making new tops and dresses despite having nowhere to wear them. In Year 11, I was working as a design intern, heading to the studio after school and staying there late at night before a full day of school the next day. I continued this internship throughout Year 12, and on the side, I was also building new techniques, working on a flatbed knitting machine, beading and couture construction techniques. Throughout this whole time at Pymble, I was also a dancer, highly involved with the program as Dance Captain and performing with the eisteddfod team. Time management was definitely important, as much as I loved this busy schedule and constant work, I was still completing all my school assignments.

I applied to some of the top design schools—Parsons, Fashion Institute of Technology, Central Saint Martins and London College of Fashion, and while I was waiting to hear back, I worked at another internship and stayed in Sydney studying business and law. April came around and many happy tears were shed after receiving offers from all these universities.

So why New York? The hustle, the opportunities, the atmosphere. Of course, moving to a new city by myself comes with its challenges, but it has taught me to become extremely independent and only more determined. From buying my own groceries to networking and dealing with the nerves of starting a completely new chapter of my life, making this move has been so rewarding. The lifestyle of the city is something so refreshing and meant to be. As everyone is living their own lives, minding their own business, it’s a reminder to work hard to get things done or sometimes slow down and take a break.

Finishing off my freshman year, during my summer break, I landed an internship with Vogue Australia as an editorial intern, where I’ve published two bylines on GQ. A day-to-day consists of lots of writing, editing and e-commerce updates. My past work experience has always been design-related, so it’s been super insightful to take on this new perspective on the digital content side of this industry.

My work ethic and determination are something Pymble has built in me, to work hard and push myself to achieve goals. The reality of New York is competitive and cut-throat, but growing up in the disciplined environment of Pymble and dance has prepared me for the big steps I’ve already had to make. From extracurricular activities, friendships, to the support of mentors, these factors have definitely inspired me to pursue this path.