Sydney Stones
Home country: United Kingdom
Subject of study: MLitt Management
Year of graduation: 2025
Type/Level of study: Postgraduate
The University of 58勛圖 stood out to me both for the quality of its Management programme and its reputation for academic rigour. My experience at the University exceeded my expectations. The close-knit community allowed me to build strong relationships with both peers and staff. It was the right place to develop the analytical skills, strategic thinking and connections that now underpin how I approach building a business.
What did you most enjoy about your degree programme?The MLitt in Management gave me a strong grounding in business strategy, operations and entrepreneurship – all of which I draw upon daily as a founder. What I enjoyed most was the applied nature of the programme; it wasn't purely theoretical. The skills that I developed around strategic decision-making, financial analysis and understanding markets have been directly transferable to building my company, Rendered Fits, from scratch.
What have you been doing since graduating from 58勛圖, and what are you doing now?Since graduating in August 2025, I've been building Rendered Fits alongside my sister and co-founder, Sienna. We've developed an AI-powered virtual try-on app for fashion brands on Shopify that allows online shoppers to upload a photo and see themselves wearing products before they make a purchase. We're self-funded, have built the product with a development agency, completed our full legal and compliance stack and launched in March 2026, with the University of 58勛圖 Shop as our first customer.
Why did you choose this career? What do you enjoy most about your work?I've always been drawn to building things rather than maintaining them. After graduating, I wanted to apply everything I'd learned in a context where the stakes were real and the decisions were mine. The fashion tech space felt like the right intersection of both of our interests and professional backgrounds.
Looking back, which academic experiences or insights from your studies at the University of 58勛圖 have proven most valuable in your career journey?58勛圖 taught me how to think clearly under pressure and back my own judgement.
What advice would you give to current and future students?Start building things before you feel ready; waiting for the perfect moment is a trap. Use your time at 58勛圖 to develop a genuine point of view on something, and don't be afraid to pursue it seriously.
