Sofia Van niekerk
Belfast,Down
Summary
Aspiring fashion design professional with a Foundation Degree in Arts focused on Fashion and Textiles. Demonstrates a strong willingness to learn and adapt, utilising effective communication and teamwork skills to engage with peers and clients. Committed to exploring sustainable design practices, contributing innovative ideas that enhance both creativity and environmental responsibility.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Retail Assistant
British Heart Foundation
Belfast, Down
09.2025 - Current
- Kept shelves neat, clean and organised through visual merchandising.
- Greeted customers upon entry, offering assistance and guidance to enhance shopping experience.
- Handled customer inquiries and complaints with professionalism, offering solutions to meet their needs.
- Maintained a tidy and safe shopping environment, following health and safety guidelines.
- Built and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Analysed customer feedback to refine designs and improve future collections, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Implemented sustainable design practices, focusing on eco-friendly materials and reducing waste in the production process.
Deli Assistant
SPAR
Belfast, Down
08.2021 - 10.2021
- Prepared a variety of deli items, including sandwiches and salads, adhering to hygiene standards.
- Maintained cleanliness of the deli area, including counters and equipment, following health regulations.
- Provided exceptional customer service, resolving complaints and answering queries promptly.
- Maintained clean, hygienic food service counters through regular sanitisation.
- Wrapped and packaged prepared food for customer takeaways.
- Stored stock and checked temperatures to promote food safety.
- Swept mopped and wiped all surface areas using appropriate cleaning solutions to comply with quality and cleanliness standards.
- Arranged deli displays attractively, enticing customers and promoting sales of specialty items.
Education
Higher National Diploma - Fashion design
Fashion design academy
Belfast01-2028
Foundation Degree in Arts - Fashion and textiles
The Open University
Belfast01-2026
GCSEs - Fashion and textiles
Belfast Metropolitan College
Belfast01-2022
Skills
- Customer service
- Visual merchandising
- Stock management
- Design analysis
- Team collaboration
- Effective communication
- Patience and empathy
- Till and cash handling
- Resilient under pressure
- Outgoing and enthusiastic
- Product knowledge
- Multitasking efficiency
- Store cleanliness maintenance
- Face-to-face selling
- Superb time management
- Fashion design principles
- Trend analysis
- Product development
- Sustainable design practices
- Retail operations
- Fashion design basics
- Fashion design appreciation
- Fashion design techniques
- Sustainable fashion knowledge
- Client engagement
- Willingness to learn
- Commitment to excellence
- Analytical and critical thinking
Timeline
Retail Assistant
British Heart Foundation
09.2025 - Current
Deli Assistant
SPAR
08.2021 - 10.2021
Higher National Diploma - Fashion design
Fashion design academy
Foundation Degree in Arts - Fashion and textiles
The Open University
GCSEs - Fashion and textiles
Belfast Metropolitan College