For ASHS alumnus Bailey Wilks, creativity and problem-solving go hand in hand. Now working as a Garment Technologist for The Warehouse Group in Auckland, Bailey’s career combines technical expertise, design thinking, and a deep understanding of how great garments are made.
After graduating from ASHS in 2017, Bailey pursued his passion at Whitecliffe Fashion Tech (formerly NZ Fashion Tech), where he honed his skills in apparel design, patternmaking, and garment construction.
His early career took off quickly – by age 20, he was leading the Kaiwaka Clothing Team as their Patternmaker and Designer for New Zealand manufacturing. “That role was daunting at first,” Bailey recalls, “but it gave me invaluable hands-on experience in large-scale apparel production.”
Now, Bailey continues to evolve his craft – constantly exploring fashion technology, sustainability, and design innovation – and connecting with others in the industry to share ideas and inspiration.
Shaped by Support and Curiosity
Looking back, Bailey credits his time at ASHS for setting the foundation for his success. “ASHS helped shape my personal growth by allowing students to just be themselves,” he says. “We were encouraged to take on projects and subjects we were passionate about – that’s what helped me thrive.”
He also remembers the school’s well-known motto: “It’s not if you are bright, it’s how you are bright.” “At the time, I might have rolled my eyes,” he laughs, “but it’s stuck with me. That mindset really shaped how I approach challenges and creativity in my work.”
Bailey thrived in ASHS’s hands-on learning environment, especially through Impact Projects, which helped him build skills he still uses today – teamwork, project management, stakeholder communication, and time management. “Each project had an element of working with others and managing expectations,” he explains. “That experience was incredibly useful for my career.”
Lessons, Mentors, and Lifelong Impact
For Bailey, what stands out most about ASHS is the genuine care and encouragement he received from teachers. “They pushed us to do better, even when we doubted ourselves,” he says.
He credits Paul Stevens, who taught design, photography, and home room, as having a lasting impact. “Paul made sure his students felt heard and valued. He knew what made us tick, and helped us find what we were passionate about,” Bailey says. “He, along with teachers like Jessica (English), Rachel (Social Anthro), Toni (Biology), and Craig Dyason, who encouraged me into the fashion space, all played a huge role in where I am today.”
And while there were plenty of memorable moments along the way, Bailey says it’s the sense of belonging and lifelong friendships that stand out most. “ASHS created a space where we could truly be ourselves – and that’s something really special.”
A Place to Belong
Growing up in a small rural town before moving to Auckland, Bailey found ASHS to be a place where he could take charge of his own learning. “It was such a different experience from my earlier schooling,” he says. “At ASHS, I felt supported, challenged, and free to explore where I wanted to go. The opportunities through subjects, Impact Projects, and connections I made there have had a lifelong impact.”
Today, as he navigates the fast-paced world of apparel design and technology, Bailey continues to draw on the curiosity, confidence, and creativity that ASHS helped him discover. “That foundation gave me the courage to build a career that blends creativity with technical expertise – and I’m so grateful for that.”
