At MIC (Majestic International College), education never takes place solely within the classroom.We believe that the lessons that truly touch the heart often come from those who have "walked the path."
Recently, Holly Wang Yajing, founder of the British vintage brand MissPatina and a Chinese designer, visited MIC and delivered two warm and inspiring lectures to students from both the BC and UK divisions: From London to the World: A Chinese Female’s Journey in Fashion Entrepreneurship.
"I was 18 too, sitting in an international school classroom just like you," Holly began, instantly bridging the gap between her and the students. She encouraged them, saying, "I want you to know that you can achieve your dreams.
Holly’s story is not just empty encouragement—it’s a path she truly walked. At 17, she suffered a severe car accident, broke her leg, and was bedridden for six months. Yet she didn’t let it defeat her; instead, she named herself "Little Toughie." At 18, she embarked on her journey to study in the UK, starting from a stall at a handmade market in East London, and step by step, she founded her own vintage brand, MissPatina.
She admitted that in the early days of her entrepreneurial journey, she slept only four or five hours a day, took no holidays for the first five years, slept in warehouses, cut threads, wiped away tears, and kept moving forward. It was this resilience and passion that supported her through broken cash flow, employee resignations, loneliness in a foreign country, and countless other challenges.
Today, international superstar Taylor Swift has been spotted wearing her designs on magazine covers, streets, and at airports. The lead actresses of Doctor Who and Game of Thrones have become her "walking mannequins." Her clothing has graced Topshop’s windows and London Fashion Week. She has been invited to speak at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, and the Guildhall in London. She has received the Hurun Future Star Award for Outstanding Contribution to UK-China Relations and the 2024 UK Chinese Women’s Entrepreneurship Award.
During the lecture, Holly didn’t preach grand principles. Instead, through photos, clothing pieces, and real-life stories, she brought her 20-year journey of chasing dreams vividly to life. "I’m just an ordinary Chinese girl," Holly said with a smile from the MIC podium. "If I can do it, so can every one of you here."
After the lecture, Holly and her team passed by the MIC student-run coffee corner. A student busy making coffee and milk tea immediately recognized her and said, "Holly, I was sitting in the front row during your talk—your story is truly inspiring!"
The students then explained that this coffee corner is their "entrepreneurial testing ground," where they turn their passion into practice. Here, they personally mix drinks, learn operations and management, and all the proceeds go back to supporting the daily operations of MIC’s student clubs. Deeply moved, Holly bought six cups of their handmade drinks on the spot and gently encouraged them, "Keep this passion and perseverance alive. Every attempt you make is a stepping stone to a bright future!"
A cup of handmade drink—where the spark of entrepreneurship resonates through connection.
At MIC, the visit of an outstanding international talent like Holly is no accident. It is part of the school’s educational philosophy of "connecting global resources and cultivating an international perspective." We believe that true internationalization doesn’t begin only after stepping out of the country—it starts when you meet the world right here on campus.
In the future, MIC will continue to invite more outstanding international talents with stories, passions, and perseverance to step onto our campus, allowing every sharing session to plant a seed that quietly takes root in students’ hearts. With both divisions working together, inspiration knows no limits, and dreams are just in time.
