Szkutnicka joined PolyU in 2017 and has a considerable fashion pedigree. She graduated from London's Central Saint Martins and worked with mentor Isabella Blow on a series of avant-garde projects photographed by Karl Lagerfeld, Michael Roberts and Judy Blame. The former director of the study-abroad programme at the London College of Fashion for 15 years, she's also the author of two books on fashion. At PolyU, she aims to produce "creative, forward-thinking designers who will be encouraged to evolve their personal design identity and bring a new proposal to the fashion landscape."
In other words, Szkutnicka knows raw talent when she sees it – and such is Zheng. "Jessica's work contains her design DNA, which sets her apart from many other young designers who don't necessarily know who they are or are unable to express themselves visually," she says. Szkutnicka thinks time spent in the UK can only be positive for Zheng. "Going to study the technical aspects of design in the UK will be highly beneficial for her, as it will place her in a dynamic, foreign environment that will stimulate new ideas and emotions. Plus, of course, she will be challenged with a higher level of design experimentation and practice."
