I want to pursue fashion design, specifically the intersection of fashion design and sustainability and am considering my options for transferring.
I’ve been interested in fashion from a young age; when I was younger, I took many art classes, drawing, etc. I took a fashion sketching class and loved it, but as I got older, my parents filled the schedule with more “practical” activities - tennis lessons, piano etc. (ie things that would look good on a traditional college resume). While I always enjoyed fashion and design, being a high achiever in all my activities and maintaining a top spot in my high school whislit managing a math learning disability (that had gone undiagnosed until my junior year) made it so that fashion was an afterthought for me. Focusing on “practical” activities led me to the “practical” path - applying to top schools to pursue a pre-prof track.
I came to Emory with the idea that maybe I’d work around the math pre-reqs to go into the B-school, or if not, work towards an interdisciplinary degree focused on entrepreneurship. After interning with a tech startup accelerator this summer, however, I’ve been forced to re-evaluate my path and where I want to be. While I do enjoy the excitement of entrepreneurship and working with startups, I feel the need to do something more creative, and consistently turn to fashion design when I think about what I’ve always wanted to pursue.
Being someone who is constantly looking forward, I understand the shift towards sustainability in fashion, and this is an area I’m very interested in along with bio design/innovations in fashion.
Basically, I’m looking for input about what my options may be. I know Parsons has the top program in the country for fashion design, however, I’m just starting a portfolio and would likely have to finish up my sophomore fall, if not year at Emory before starting. On the other hand, my path for what I’m studying at Emory isn’t exactly set either. I know Emory looks like the dumb easy choice, but I just see my self getting frustrated spending another 3 years not getting to study what I ultimately want to pursue.
Any input/advice would be greatly appreciated!
Fashion Institute of technology, Parsons School of design, London College of Fashion etc. are all good choices the deadline to transfer he past so you’ll have to do a junior transfer. To be fair Kenneth Cole is an Emory alum, so you might find what you need ( i.e. internship) at Emory of you actually took the time and looked for it.
Thanks. Yes, I know Kenneth Cole is an alum, but he broke into the field because his family was already in the industry (he was going to go to law school from Emory) - it was a matter of establishing his own brand. (http://www.emoryhistory.emory.edu/facts-figures/people/makers-history/profiles/cole.html)
Meant to post in transfer students so moving this thread.
@cisforcookies
it says 1976C next to his name, meaning he was Emory college class of 1976. So a trip to the career center could help you.
Can you be full pay at FIT or Parson’s?
If not you’re better off at Emory.
No matter what, go to the career center and ask for advice. You can’t be the rest one with this - they may point you toward internships that’s make you more competitive and help you see whether it’s really a career for you.
@cisforcookies
How’s the transfer search going?
Thanks for following up @emorynavy - I’ve been doing a lot of research looking into biodesign in fashion/sustainable fashion and have discovered a lot of great resources. I will likely end up staying at Emory for multiple reasons, but I’ll be pursing an interdisciplinary degree that combines my interest in fashion innovation and entrepreneurship. Not quite sure yet as to how I’ll frame this. My research led me to find that Emory is part of the Atlanta “ARCHE” program which allows students enrolled in Atlanta schools to take courses at other Atlanta institutions for credit. I’m looking to do this with SCAD ATL hopefully in the spring to gain some basic understanding/skills in design/textiles.
I would love to be in New York full time for school because of all of the opportunities here in the fashion industry, but for now I’ll have to improvise by commuting back to attend events/network when I can. For now, my main goal is to find internship opportunities in the industry during the school year as I want to gain experience working in different areas.
Thanks for your advice and input.