AMFI was the degree programme that fitted her like a glove. She chose the Fashion & Management track and now works as Sectorlead Textile & Apparel at the international non-profit organisation GS1. In this role, she helps companies make their production chains more sustainable, among other things. A dream come true.

Always learning something new

The first year at AMFI was a leap into the unknown for Jeanet. "I very quickly realised that I had chosen the right degree programme. I learnt so many new things: from sewing and making a brand book to visual thinking. I still benefit from the perseverance I developed then. The workload was high, but I enjoyed everything I did.”

Doing something that you believe in

Although Jeanet did not know exactly what she wanted to be when she started, one thing was clear: she wanted to make a contribution to a more sustainable future. "In the first two years at AMFI, it was not clear which jobs in the sustainable area would suit me, but I knew there was a lot in the textile industry that could be improved. I wanted to do something that I really believed in. The Fashion & Management track gave me the space for further exploration. At AMFI, you not only learn a trade: fashion, but also general management skills that you can immediately apply on the job. Gradually, all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place.”

Creating a sustainable collection

Something Jeanet will always remember is the iNDiViDUALS project, in which students from the three different graduation tracks work together to create a fashion collection. As CSR manager, she saw to it that the collection was sustainable as well as circular. Jeanet: "My role made me clearly see the connection between the students from Management, Design and Branding. It was like we were running a real fashion company as a team. The result was a fully sustainable collection that we presented at a live fashion show. In addition, as a surprise, we had set up an exhibition to showcase the production chain. Very cool to be given so much freedom and to create something beautiful.”

Across the border

In her third year, Jeanet decided to take on a new challenge outside the Netherlands. She pursued a minor in Mönchengladbach, Germany, specialising in technical textile knowledge and sustainability. "I was keen to go abroad because of the extensive range of subjects offered at Hochschule Niederrhein. It has made me the person I am today. After these six months, I had taken more courses on technical textile knowledge and sustainability. I could immediately apply the knowledge I had gained in practice.”

Making an impact in practice

Immediately after returning home, Jeanet did an internship at a company that makes workwear for governments, such as defence, and other clients. During her internship, she worked on a rebranding that became a circular brand, introduced a refurbishment programme, and worked on improving the social side in the production chain. "Together with a team within the company, I also set up the first Digital Product Passport (DPP) in the Netherlands, a passport containing information on the origin of raw materials used, certificates, and the extent to which the materials are reusable. This gave me the opportunity to get to work directly on sustainable innovations.”

Travelling for work

Jeanet now works as a sector manager at the international non-profit organisation GS1. She supports textile companies in their preparations for new DPP legislation. She also travels the world to work with stakeholders. "Recently, I visited a number of factories in Pakistan and combined my visit with a few weeks of travelling the country. That I now get to work for a more sustainable fashion chain is a dream come true. It motivates me to make an impact in this sector.”