10 Lessons... (So Far)
1) Get the muslin right.
The muslin and final fabric are not always the same. You may have sewn up the muslin and are working with a silk dupioni for the final fabric. Make sure to leave some ease or add a little extra to the final fabric to ensure for a better fit.
2) Late nights are counterproductive.
If working through the night meant I would get an A on my drawing portfolio, then why didn't I get an A? Well working through the night only causes you to do silly mistakes like sew a pant leg to an armhole (we're not Margiela, so to an extent, we must follow the rules of fashion). After a certain hour, your mind isn't fully there because those are the hours where you should be resting.
3) Execution is everything.
You can have a well thought out idea for a pair of trousers, but if not executed the right way, the project will end up a dud. (A lack of research, time or skills can also result in poor execution as well).
4) Show up to a critique on time.
It shows professionalism. It shows you are ready to showcase your work and that you met the deadline. Fashion school is similar to the real world industry and if you demonstrate professionalism in school, your professors will take notice. That can separate you from another student when applying for a job.
5) Quality really matters.
Do not think of it as a mere project you are turning in for a grade. Your work showcases who you are. Your work speaks for yourself. If you decide to serge the seams instead of doing french seams on a silk kimono, people will notice. There are no shortcuts to producting great work in fashion.
6) Make sure to SLEEP and EAT.
Do not wait until the last minute to start a portfolio and pull all nighters. Time management is crucial and the body needs sleep in order to function. Hours go by in the studio and it won't even seem like it. Make sure to take breaks for meals during the day.
7) How you dress is not (necessarily) important.
Appearance always matters & yes, this is fashion school so we might be expected to dress differently than (normal) college students, but our wardrobe is not everything.
We are not graded on how we dress. One misconception is that everybody in fashion school dresses like they are going to the Met Gala. This is not true. We are still regular college students, but we may have a different sense of style based on what we know or have learned about fashion. Wear what is comfortable. I sew in ripped jeans and tank tops. It works for me.
8) RESEARCH! RESEARCH! RESEARCH!
Everything done in life requires research. Before I start a project, I allow myself an alloted amount of time to do research. Nothing in fashion school can be done without research. It is the gateway to any project. I have also noticed that when I allow myself to do research, the execution of the project is better.
9) Schedule breaks.
Fashion school is busy. There's always sewing, drawing, internships, keeping up with trends and much more that has to be done. Schedule time to exercise, hang with friends or find a hobby that is not related to fashion. The brain always needs a break. (For me), a lot of inspiration comes from doing non-fashion related activites and when I'm in my downtime, so I value breaks.
10) LOVE all aspects of fashion design.
If you don't, you won't like it. It sounds cliche, but love for what you do is what will keep the drive alive.
