THEY are going from seminars in Southampton to the catwalks of New York as a trio of fashion students prepare to take the Big Apple by storm.

Remarkably not one, but three students from Southampton Solent University have secured internships at one of the biggest labels on the planet.

Catherine Ford, Elise Parkes and Thelma Dhlovu are preparing to take up six-month placements at Hugo Boss in New York, where they will get first-hand experience of what it takes to run a successful fashion house.

All three girls, who are fashion management with marketing final-year students, applied for the sought-after places and beat competition from across the globe to secure their internships in different departments across the organisation.

The girls will be based at the New York headquarters of the company, which is responsible for dressing the hottest names in showbusiness including actors Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon and Eddie Redmayne and celebrities like Nicole Scherzinger and the Duchess of Cambridge.

Catherine, 21, said: “We all had our second interviews and were just waiting to hear. We were absolutely shocked, really surprised and so excited.

“But now it is starting to sink in it is a bit scary as well to think we will be in New York for six months.

“The good thing is that we have each other.”

Thelma will be working with Hugo Boss’ senior visual merchandising manager on the company's showroom and window displays in New York’s luxury department stores.

Catherine, who has already worked at British fashion retailer All Saints, will deploy her skills at Hugo Boss merchandising, while Elise will work in gifting and product placement, helping manage the Hugo Boss PR closet of sample clothes and accessories.

Course leader for their degree, Israr Jan-Parker, said: “It is a superb opportunity, and very rare that three students, not only from the same university but from the same course, are offered these positions.

“Work placements and live projects are an integral part of our industry-focused degrees, creating confident and employable students.”

Applications are still being taken for Southampton Solent University’s specialist fashion degree courses. Visit solent.ac.uk/courses to find out more.