8 January 2024
Fashion at Bentley – as it is also known, on the South Metropolitan TAFE (SM TAFE) campus – is one of Australia’s leading fashion design institutions. Complete with cutting edge facilities and expert lecturers with strong industry connections, its excellent success rate of graduates has led to employment placements at Zhivago and One Fell Swoop, amongst other Western Australian labels.
If you were thinking of embarking on a career in the exciting and challenging world of fashion, SM TAFE lecturer Henrie Grochowski’s journey might just inspire you to learn more! Her story proves that no matter where you are in life, making your dreams come true is possible at TAFE. You can, simply, be more!
Henrie brings a rich tapestry of experience to her role as a lecturer, guiding the next generation of fashion students at SM TAFE.
Originally from the UK, Henrie moved to Perth in 2015 to study fashion at SM TAFE as an international student. The past eight years have seen her career dream transpire into reality; becoming qualified in the field, working at a couture bridal brand, and having shoots grace the pages of magazines.
Henrie worked in England as a Senior Buyer for a pharmaceutical company, moving to the other side of the world to Western Australia with her husband to chase her passion of styling fashion. Originally, she had wanted to emigrate to Perth to join family.
“However,” she explains, “I have always loved style and design, and found out about the fashion qualifications at SM TAFE. It was literally the best decision of my life to move to Perth and studying and now working here has totally changed my life. I feel so lucky and privileged to call this my job. To work with the amazing Fashion team, and get to work with, support and mentor our students is just incredible.”
After graduating from three nationally recognised qualifications at SM TAFE, Henrie began working as a Garment Technician at Essense of Australia, a WA-born designer bridal label sold globally.
Henrie’s talent has seen her shoots feature in STM magazine and European publications. Her SM TAFE graduate collection even made the front cover of COLE magazine, a renowned publication with circulation in London, the USA, Italy, Germany and Hong Kong.
In 2021, Henrie was given the opportunity to come back and work at SM TAFE and now with her journey into lecturing, students have the opportunity to learn from her exceptional artistry.
If you want to forge a future in the fashion industry, SM TAFE has places available in 2024 that may also help turn your dream into reality!
To follow Henrie’s study pathway, begin your training with the MST31022 Certificate III in Apparel, Fashion and Textiles(opens in a new tab) to learn to craft with precision. Elevate your studies with the MST50122 Diploma of Apparel Fashion and Textiles(opens in a new tab) , which can open doors as a junior designer or pattern maker.
Finally, the MST60122 Advanced Diploma of Apparel, Fashion and Textiles(opens in a new tab) provides advanced fashion management training.
“The last chapter of your studies in the Advanced Diploma is the pinnacle year of your studies, when you are given a platform to harness your individual style and do what you want from a creative perspective. This culminates in an incredible runway show where your original designs are showcased – it’s a true life highlight!” Henrie explains.
Learn more about courses in fashion at SM TAFE here.(opens in a new tab)
Henrie in the "Design Lines" fashion shop for students at Bentley Campus.
Henrie showcases her graduate collection on completing her Advanced Diploma. Credit: John Koh and Vivien’s Models.