Damla Atik

DAMLA ATIK

Fashion designer based in Stockholm.
@damlaatik

The other week I went for an Absolut weekend in Stockholm to visit Damla Atik, who is there doing a 3-month Design Assistant internship at the girls section in the H&M office.

Hi Damla!
Do you find life hard at the moment where you are now?
Sometimes. It depends. At the beginning it was hard because it’s a new place. But I think I’m used to changing cities, because I left my hometown when I was about 17 and set up my own life. I didn’t want to be like a tourist in Sweden and it was a fight that I was having with myself. Feeling like a tourist makes me feel like…little bit nervous (chuckles) and I don’t like it. But now I feel as if I used to live here before. So life is not that hard anymore.

How did you come across this opportunity to do an internship here at H&M in Stockholm?
My carreer advisor in uni, London College of Fashion, recommended me to this company because at that moment H&M were asking for interns from my uni. So she gave my contact details to them and luckily they contacted me. Then they came to my college, interviewed me there and I got accepted after showing my portfolio.

What were your biggest fears and expectations before coming here?
I was a bit scared of the “darkness” of Stockholm. But it was not a big deal, I got used to it. I met loads of people and because of them it became more fun now. My biggest expectation was to make a great number of contacts, friends and get as much as I can get from the H&M company. I think I’ve been very proactive, I’m not a lazy person, that’s why I achieved the goals I wanted to achieve.

How does a work day at H&M look like?
H&M office is very fun. The hours are very flexible, I can come in late and leave early as long as I finish what I have to finish. I make sure that I do all the tasks they give me and never postpone things. I never do like ‘Oh, I’ll just do it later’ because I have to stay very professional.

So do you spend more time sitting at your desk rather than collaborating with others?
Yes. I sit at the computer designing things making sure that I have my headphones on, music is motivating.

Would you say that Sweds are friendly towards the foreigners working with them?
In our company everyone is very friendly. I can’t make a generalisation, but I think it depends on you – if you’re friendly, others will be friendly back to you and it doesn’t matter where you’re from.

What is your best advice for other young people building their careers?

Never postpone things.
Never say tomorrow.
If you want to do it, just go for it. Now.
Live the moment.
Don’t look back.
Don’t think about the future too much.

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