Mia Sylvia Herrod, 2018 Textile Design Graduate, named in Forbes 30 under 30

My name is Mia Sylvia and I am the founder and creative director of MiaSylvia, an international textile installation studio that creates large-scale sculptural artworks for weddings, events, fashion and cultural spaces around the world.

I studied BA (Hons) Textile Design at the university at a time when I was still discovering what kind of artist I wanted to become. Looking back, it was a formative chapter in my journey. It gave me the space to experiment, question ideas, develop my creative voice and begin imagining what a life built around art might look like.

Whilst my career has evolved in ways I never could have predicted, the foundations of curiosity, creativity and resilience that were nurtured during my time there have remained with me ever since.

One of the things I remember most vividly is the freedom to explore. There was much of a gradual realisation that creativity isn’t about finding the right answer; it’s about learning how to trust your instincts and follow your curiosity. I had some fantastic tutors that left me with lifelong wisdom on how to break the mould and listen to my intuition.

I remember spending long hours experimenting, making mistakes, questioning my work and often feeling uncertain about where I fitted within the creative industry. At the time, those moments felt uncomfortable, but in hindsight they were incredibly valuable. Learning to sit with uncertainty and keep creating anyway has become one of the most important skills in both my artistic practice and my business.

One of the many reasons I am in the industry I am in now is from the experiences I jumped into that the university offered. For example, at one of the exhibitions we did in a local church, my work was seen by a wedding photographer who then invited me to a photoshoot.

My career has taken a wonderfully unexpected path. What began as a personal artistic exploration has grown into an internationally recognised creative studio, delivering projects across Europe, North America, the Middle East and beyond.

Over the past few years I’ve had the privilege of creating large-scale textile installations in some of the world’s most beautiful locations, teaching masterclasses internationally, building a talented team and developing a business that has recently surpassed £1m in annual turnover. This is huge for me as no one in my family has been to university and I come from a single parent upbringing in a council estate. 

Whilst I’m incredibly grateful for milestones such as being recognised in Forbes 30 Under 30, what I am most proud of is building something that remains deeply aligned with my values. The studio has become more than a business; it’s a community of artists, makers and collaborators who believe in creativity, craftsmanship and meaningful human connection. Creating opportunities for others whilst continuing to make work that feels authentic is something I am enormously proud of.

The biggest lesson was learning that creativity is not a straight line. University taught me how to think critically, embrace experimentation and remain open to unexpected outcomes.

As a business owner, I now realise those lessons are just as important as any technical skill. Running a company requires constant problem-solving, adaptability and a willingness to evolve. The ability to stay curious, ask questions and continue learning has been invaluable throughout my career.

I think many people imagine successful careers as a series of carefully planned steps, but my experience has been the complete opposite. My journey has been incredibly squiggly!!!

There have been periods of uncertainty, failed ideas, financial challenges, rejected opportunities and moments where I questioned whether I was heading in the right direction. Yet many of the opportunities that ultimately shaped my career emerged from unexpected detours.

Perseverance, for me, isn’t about relentlessly pushing forward at all costs. It’s about staying connected to your purpose whilst remaining flexible about how you get there. Often the path only makes sense when you look back. The key is to keep showing up, keep creating and trust that not every chapter needs to make sense immediately.

Being recognised in Forbes 30 under 30 is a huuuuuuuge honour, but what feels most meaningful is what it represents.

For me, it isn’t simply recognition of a single achievement. It’s recognition of years of persistence, creative risk-taking and believing in a vision that often didn’t make sense on paper. It’s a reflection of every project, every lesson learned, every challenge overcome and every person who has supported me along the way.

Coming from a creative background, there can sometimes be pressure to choose between being an artist and building a successful business. This recognition feels like a reminder that the two can coexist. It celebrates creative entrepreneurship and hopefully encourages other artists to trust that their ideas have value.

More than anything, it feels like the beginning of a new chapter rather than the destination. I’m excited about what comes next and grateful for the journey that has brought me here.