We were lucky to catch up with Dauriya Aizakhmetova recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dauriya, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career

To create an educational system that prepares students for a more fulfilling life and career, I would emphasize the importance of practical skills and passion-driven learning, drawing from my own experience in the fashion industry.

As the founder of the School of Couture, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of sewing and fashion in a child’s development. I’ve noticed how these disciplines help kids develop a wide range of hands-on skills that go far beyond the fashion world. Sewing, in particular, is a comprehensive activity that includes art, creativity, engineering, math, project management, patience, logic, and concentration. These are essential skills that will benefit any child, regardless of the career path they choose.

Throughout my more than 20 years of experience working with kids, I’ve seen how these skills, developed through sewing and fashion, have enabled our students to succeed in various fields—not just in fashion. This realization inspired me to create a space where young dreamers could learn not just the theory but the tangible skills they need to bring their ideas to life.

To prepare students for fulfilling lives and careers, the educational system should start by nurturing their passions from a young age. Education should be about more than just following a set curriculum; it should encourage students to explore, experiment, and create. By integrating practical, hands-on learning experiences, students can build confidence in their abilities and are more likely to persevere in the face of challenges.

Furthermore, the system should foster an environment where creativity is valued as much as academic achievement. Students should be encouraged to think outside the box, trust their instincts, and pursue their unique visions. When education is aligned with a student’s passion, the result isn’t just academic success—it’s the foundation for a lifetime of personal and professional fulfillment.

In short, the educational system needs to evolve to include more experiential learning opportunities, focus on individual passions, and support students in developing the practical skills they need to turn their dreams into reality. This approach will not only prepare them for the workforce but will also equip them with the resilience and creativity needed to thrive in any field they choose.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Dauriya (Dee) Aizakhmetova, and my dream and passion is to teach kids and prepare them for the exciting world of fashion. I am the founder of the School of Couture, a fashion school specifically designed for young children who dream of fashion. At our school, we have created a special program to nurture and develop children’s talents and skills, guiding them through the entire creative process—from the initial idea to the finished product.

Our curriculum includes sewing, fashion, embroidery, crocheting, knitting, pattern making, and more—everything needed to turn kids’ ideas into reality. We are also incredibly proud of our second major achievement: a specialized program designed to support the cancer community. We are deeply thankful to the Cancer Support Community of South Bay for their unwavering support and belief in our mission. This program helps cancer survivors restore their motor skills after undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy, offering them a pathway to recovery through creative expression.

Every year, the School of Couture organizes a fashion show exclusively for kids, where young designers proudly showcase their creativity. Over 100 children participate, sharing their visions and passion for fashion. For more than eight years, we have hosted this unique event, specially tailored for children. The entire atmosphere is kid-friendly, it provides the authentic feel of a professional fashion show, giving our young designers an unforgettable experience.

Our mission is not only to cultivate the next generation of fashion designers but also to empower all our students with practical skills, creativity, and resilience that will serve them throughout their lives.

Have you ever had to pivot?

My career journey began approximately 20 years ago when I was a student pursuing my third bachelor’s degree. My first degree was in business, the second in education, and the third in fashion and design. Due to the educational system in Kazakhstan, where each major is treated as a separate discipline, I was required to complete the full four-year program for each degree. By the time I began fashion school, I had already accumulated eight years of academic experience.

During my time in fashion school, I observed that many students were not adequately prepared for the unique challenges this field presented. Unlike other academic programs that focus on theoretical knowledge, fashion school demands practical skills, particularly in sewing, and requires students to spend extensive hours at the sewing machine. Regrettably, many students lacked a sewing background, which left them unprepared for the rigorous work that was required. Consequently, half of the students dropped out after the first year, and an additional 20% left by the end of the second year.

This situation was deeply concerning to me, as I recognized the incredible talent among these students. It was disheartening to witness them abandon their dreams due to the program’s demands. This experience marked a significant turning point in my life, as it inspired me to explore ways to address this issue and to find ways to support students in achieving their aspirations.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The most important lesson I had to unlearn was relying solely on logic and sticking to conventional thinking. Instead, I had to start trusting myself, following my gut, and chasing after my dreams and vision. Every successful journey is different, and this experience showed me how important it is to carve out my path rather than just follow the usual rules.

One of the biggest takeaways for me is that when you truly believe in your idea and it aligns with your passion, success isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable. It takes guts to trust in your own vision, but that trust is what ultimately makes dreams come true.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://schoolofcouture.com
• Instagram: schoolofcouture