Fashion MA Graduate Yangyang Xu on her journey from Kingston University to Project Runway

That's the advice Yangyang Xu has carried with her throughout her career, from studying Fashion MA at Kingston University to competing on Project Runway Season 22.

After graduating from Kingston University, Yangyang's journey took her from London to New York, where opportunities with major fashion brands eventually led to one of the most recognisable stages in fashion television. We spoke to her about finding her creative identity, life as a Kingston Uni student and what it was really like competing on Project Runway.

What first inspired you to pursue a career in fashion?

I've wanted to work with clothes for as long as I can remember. When I was around 14 or 15, I already knew fashion was what I wanted to do. At the time, some people thought it was a surprising choice because I was doing well academically, but I felt drawn to art and design and wanted to follow that path. That decision eventually led me to study fashion at university in Shanghai before looking abroad for the next step in my education.

Why did you choose Kingston University's Fashion MA?

I was applying to a number of schools in Europe, but Kingston University stood out for a few reasons. One of the biggest was that the Fashion MA was a two-year programme, with a placement year. Most master's courses in London were only one year.

I was also impressed by the graduate work I saw and the programme's focus on practical skills. Friends who had studied at Kingston told me how much they had learned and how intensive the course was, which gave me confidence that I would leave with real experience and not just a qualification. Looking back, I'm very glad I chose Kingston University.

What was it like arriving in London and studying in Kingston upon Thames?

London felt incredibly inspiring from the moment I arrived. I spent a lot of time visiting museums and galleries such as the V&A and Tate, exploring different neighbourhoods and soaking up the city's creative energy.

What I appreciated about Kingston upon Thames was that it gave me the space to focus. Being slightly removed from central London meant I could really dedicate myself to my work without constantly being distracted by everything happening in the city.

Some of my favourite memories are simple ones. Spending long days in the studio with classmates, taking breaks by the river, grabbing a drink together and then heading straight back to work. It was a period of intense creativity and growth that I still miss.

What stands out most about your time on the course?

The freedom our tutors gave us to develop our own ideas.

They would challenge us, but they never told us exactly what to do. Instead, they encouraged us to think about who we were as designers and what kind of work we wanted to create in the future.

One question that has stayed with me is: Who are you as a designer?

It's something I still ask myself today. The course helped me develop confidence in my own creative voice and taught me to trust my instincts.

How did Kingston prepare you for industry?

The facilities were fantastic. We had access to specialist equipment, including knitting and sewing machines, laser-cutting technology, and a wide range of studio spaces. I even used some of the university's specialist laboratories as part of my master's project.

Having access to those resources made it possible to experiment, test ideas and develop work to a professional standard.

How did your career take you to New York?

The placement element of the course played a huge role in shaping my career.

While I was at Kingston University, I was fortunate to receive an internship offer from luxury fashion house Dries Van Noten. It was an exciting early opportunity and an important encouragement as I continued to develop my creative practice.

After Kingston, I continued to work across fashion, print and graphic design, which became an important part of how I developed my creative identity. Working across different disciplines helped me think about storytelling in new ways and expanded how I approach fashion design today.

As my experience grew, opportunities began to open up internationally. I completed internships and freelance work with a range of brands before relocating to New York, where I continued building my practice across fashion, print and visual design. Exploring these different creative fields has helped me develop a broader perspective as a designer and continues to influence the work I create today.

How did you end up on Project Runway Season 22?

Completely by accident!

At the time, I was exploring what I wanted to do next and happened to have a little more time than usual. A friend sent me a casting call for the new season of Project Runway, so I thought, "Why not?" and submitted an application.

I recorded a short video, filled in the application form and honestly didn't think much more about it. A few days later, someone from the casting team got in touch and the process began. After several rounds of interviews and conversations, I found out I'd made it onto the show.

What was it really like competing on Project Runway?

It was exciting, overwhelming and unlike anything I'd experienced before.

You're completely immersed in the experience. We couldn't contact family or friends during filming, so it felt like living inside a creative bubble focused entirely on the competition.

One of the biggest challenges was having to make creative decisions under intense time pressure. In a normal design process, you might spend days or even weeks developing and refining ideas. On Project Runway, you have to trust your instincts, make decisions quickly and commit to them. That taught me a lot about confidence, adaptability and believing in my creative vision. This is an incredibly valuable skill for any designer.  

One of the strangest moments was watching the judges react to our garments without being able to hear what they were saying. We could see them discussing our work on screens, but we had no idea what they were thinking.

When I eventually had the chance to speak with the judges directly, I was incredibly nervous. But receiving feedback from respected figures in the fashion industry was a valuable experience and something I'll never forget.

Looking back, what advice would you give current Fashion MA students?

Just keep working and keep creating.

Fashion can be a difficult industry and there will be moments when you question yourself or wonder whether you're heading in the right direction. But every project teaches you something and every challenge helps you grow.

You can be ambitious and have big dreams, but action is what moves you forward.

Follow Yangyang Xu's work on Instagram @yangyangxu_ and watch her journey on Project Runway Season 22.

Interested in studying Fashion MA at Kingston University? Discover how our students develop their creative identity, build industry connections and gain the practical experience needed to succeed in the global fashion industry.