Fashion School doesn’t teach you sh*t
As the new year rapidly approaches, we are determined to make one of our annual resolutions a reality this time: decluttering old papers, documents, and clothes.
Knowing that our biggest hurdle lies within our closets, we embark on this task with great motivation, starting by sorting through old notebooks, papers, and jottings. Soon enough, we find ourselves with several garbage bags filled with various items, now resting outside our apartment door.
Among them, we stumble upon our old folders from fashion school—four hefty pieces, each approximately five centimeters thick. Holding three and a half years of our lives in our hands, a question arises: Did anything in those folders truly leave a lasting impression?
To put it plainly, no.
Our lack of recollection doesn’t stem from forgetting a large part of the material or not paying attention during our studies.
Rather, some of the content is vastly disconnected from the reality of the fashion industry and the everyday life of creative individuals like us. It’s a common oversight among many fashion universities—they prioritize teaching creative thinking, elaborate concepts, and standing out from the crowd at all costs, often leaving craftsmanship by the wayside.
Questions like “How do we create something timeless?” and “What do consumers truly desire, and how can we deliver it?” are seldom addressed.
Instead, the emphasis remains on conceptualization, writing texts that require more than just a proofreading loop, or simply striving to create the “best of the best”—something unprecedented.
Despite the claim of having faculties composed of industry professionals, many schools fail to equip their instructors with effective teaching skills. Consequently, we often find ourselves under the guidance of educators who have never mastered the art of imparting knowledge. In such situations, a red pen becomes our best friend and ally, gliding over neatly printed texts, adhering to the mantra of “kill your darlings” rather than “kill our work.”
Furthermore, alongside the romanticization of the future, diminishing self-confidence, and misguided focus within study programs, there is a significant gap in understanding the value of our work and how to monetize our profession. As freelance authors, for instance, we grapple with questions like “How much should we charge for our writing?” and “What is the true worth of our time, and what if we find ourselves entangled with unscrupulous clients?”
However, this raises a fundamental question: Can fashion, writing, or any creative process be taught effectively? Undoubtedly, a basic understanding, interest, and passion are prerequisites. However, true success requires a combination of 20% talent and 80% hard work. To be frank, this is not something that can be easily acquired within the confines of a school.
So, what have we gleaned from our experiences? Navigating and finding our path in such a diverse environment is an ongoing, never-ending process. Perhaps we’ll reconvene during the next cleanup, where we’ll delve further into the insights gained along this perpetual journey of discovery and growth.
