Skip to main content
Southampton Solent University logo
Southampton Solent University logo

Bianca Maria Pianigiani

Job title:Supply Planning Coordinator - Diamonds

Employer:De Beers

Studied:BA (Hons) Fashion Management with Marketing

What has your career journey been since graduating?

I landed a job in fashion with a company where I had completed a placement during my course, so started straight after graduation! I did admin for the production team, then moved to coordinating the reprocessing/quality checking of the goods. After a couple of years, I moved to cover roles in production and product development for small leather goods for luxury companies. A few years later, I literally stumbled into my current job, which might seem like a big change but, actually, only the product is a bit different, the logics of supply planning I had already learnt are very much applied in the same way. Never underestimate your ability to be flexible and versatile: it is your most powerful skill!

Did you feel that the course prepared you for going into industry?

I loved the course! It had everything I wanted to learn: the management, the creative part, constant industry insight, tutors coming from the industry who demonstrated how to put theory in to practice. I thought it was brilliant. Looking back I can appreciate how much hard work my peers and I put into finishing the course, it was intense at times, with long hours of classes, seminars and study sessions, but looking at where we all are now and how we'll we are doing, I would re do it again and again.

Have you been able to use the knowledge and skills you learnt on the course in your job roles?

Yes - the skill to be analytical and logical about the situation you are working in. Be practical: most problems have extremely simple solutions. The part I enjoyed the most about the course was getting "briefed" for our projects as if we were in the workplace: presentations, building campaigns, mapping a management or business development strategy for a company. The constant reminder to learn to recognise what theory applies to your reality and if it can be put into practice.

What did you enjoy about your time at Solent?

The course merged two of the things I was most passionate about: fashion and management, I was constantly driven to give my best and learn as much as I could at the time. My tutors were all equally passionate and caring, they were sharing their knowledge from their experiences, and dispensed advice as if they were our caring parents. I remember them all fondly.

Image of Bianca Maria Pianigiani

The best part of my job must be the diamonds, for sure! Although my role is purely strategic, including buying and planning of stock flows according to forecasts, knowing that the products we work with are so very precious, plays a part in enjoying my role. The constant challenges keep it interesting, this job and team are what makes me walk into work with drive and motivation

Share Bianca Maria 's story



    Course Studied

  • BA (Hons) Fashion Management with Marketing

    Do you want to be at the forefront of fashion, launching the latest brands and leading styles? Gain strategic marketing skills and business insight ready for a commercial career in fashion.

  • Related courses

  • BA (Hons) Fashion Styling and Creative Direction

    If you have an eye for style, make-up and content creation - this degree can help you turn your creativity into a fast-paced and exciting career.

  • BA (Hons) Fashion and Beauty Media

    Use your passion for fashion and beauty to become a multi-skilled storyteller – guided by our industry experts and using professional facilities to deliver content and campaigns for UK brands.

  • BA (Hons) Fashion Photography

    Bring your unique style and photographic vision to the world of editorial fashion to push the boundaries of fashion image-making.


More stories from fashion and beauty

  • Fashion and beauty

    Chloe Gill

    Influencer and PR coordinator

    Pretty Little Thing

    5 min read
  • Fashion and beauty

    Hope Laforce

    Executive Assistant

    THE EDIT LDN

    5 min read
  • Fashion and beauty

    Skye Reed

    Visual artist and image-maker

    5 min read