The Harsh Realities Of Fashion School
An honest guide on what to expect when studying fashion.
Fashion school has recently been glamorized and amplified into an institute of glitz, events, design, and catwalk shows. But this is a far cry from reality - trust me, I endured it for four years. Not enough people give honest and raw experiences, especially regarding fashion school. Most of it is fabricated- don't get me wrong, I am all about manifesting, but there is a fine line between manifestations and blatant lies, so do not worry; I am here to speak the truth. This article will provide insight into what fashion student life is really like, so buckle up. It's going to be a bumpy ride.
Let's begin with some background knowledge: I am a university alumna who graduated a few months ago. Since then, at least five individuals have asked me for advice regarding fashion school. Well, here it is for you all to digest as a collective: I always knew I wanted to pursue a creative career, so I enrolled in a fashion and design establishment. The first thing I noticed was that it was different from what I had imagined; maybe I was naive to believe there would be much more creative freedom, but this was not the case. I completely understand that fashion is a craft and skills have to be learned before you can jump into the fun stuff; however, I was not prepared for how exhausting and complicated the journey would be.
Eventually, after months and lots of practice, you become less overwhelmed regarding the construction side of things, but the list of steps you must remember is endless. It's more than just design you are educated about. You learn about many different avenues in school, such as marketing, graphics, and writing, but the most crucial element is garment making. With such a variety, you can guarantee many sleepless nights; even when you believe you are prepared and organized for hand-ins, get ready to work until the deadline; energy drinks will become your best friend.
Another critical factor is your school; if I had to do my experience differently, I would opt to study at a more imaginative and eccentric university. It would help if you were encouraged to break boundaries and think outside the box, to completely utilize your innovative and unique minds in opposition to conforming and being confined to the norm. Please also remember that any feedback is meant to help you fulfill a brief and does not mean your concept or idea is dumb. You need thick skin to survive and hold your head high when things don't work out as planned.
In addition, two intertwining factors are finances and making connections. You have to have funds in order to purchase fabrics to create garments for classes, which can be highly costly, mainly when producing collections. This aspect ties closely with having the financial means to meet, travel, or complete unpaid internships or work. Trying to break into the sector is hard enough, never mind the economic and geographical factors causing this even more strenuous. The apparel industry is the new Nepo baby hotspot; although it is vast, it all comes down to who you know, despite how talented you may be. In other words, no connection, no job.
Like everything in life, there are ups and downs, emotional rollercoasters, and turbulent times, but this aspect only makes you human. I admire individuals who work in the fashion industry; their work ethic is on another level. Videos and reels on TikTok and Instagram never show this side of the industry and the roles' actuality. It's no wonder why so many young and influential individuals are lured into the business and sold a dream.
My only hope is that changes can be made to make fashion school worthwhile and, most importantly, enjoyable for what it is. If you are committed and want to go down this path, remember to keep going; when you want something, you will eventually achieve it. So have courage and follow your passions: it's your story, and you can do whatever you want.
Good luck, future students! You'll need it.
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