FIT sample college essay

Fashion is one of the most passionate divisions of art because it so closely involves the human form. My passion for this industry evolved from my captivation with the corset. I have always been fixated with the human form, fascinated by both the mechanic and poetic aspects of the body. Instead of viewing the corset as a restrictive and manipulative tool, I empathized with the Victorian women who sought to emulate the shape of a flower. This interest spiraled into an understanding of how every textile, stitch, and shape of an article of clothing serves to either exaggerate or minimize the body’s curves. Instead of simply finding fashion as a means of expressing individuality, I fell in love with the ability to shine light on the beauty of human curvature. To further my understanding of the artistic history of the fashion industry, I indulged in a personal library of reference books. I took advantage of every available form of media dedicated to fashion, and eventually created my own collection of inspirations through a blog. Realizing that an artistic input was only one fraction of the skill needed to flourish in fashion, I began exposing myself to the business side of the industry. After modeling locally for three years, I completed my senior year of high school online to work in Manhattan for Next Model Management.

This opportunity allowed first hand observance of multiple career paths in the fashion industry, from editorial styling to digital editing. My first-hand look at what each job entailed, plus the chance to hear the stories of passion and motivation from each influential figure created a clear practical image of the fashion industry. Working as a professional at sixteen required quick maturation and adaption to a ravenous city. I learned to easily collaborate with adults twice my age, and communicate my own artistic viewpoints with other professionals who harbored copious years of experience. Discovering exactly how much business sense was required to work behind the scenes did not deter me from desiring a degree in fashion merchandising. Instead, I developed a deeper respect for the affluent professionals who had turned this art form into a stable career.

Aside from observing other careers in the fashion industry, my ardor for performance art was able to shine through high fashion modeling. My favorite experience was shooting for V magazine, which is famous for editorials encouraging abstract posing, styling, and photography. To actually touch and wear the clothing I had only been able to fawn over through publications was enough to make my love for fashion concrete. Collaborating with photographers and stylists to capture a magical image requires a sense of artistic harmony within the set. It is crucial to focus solely on creating a portrait, regardless of freezing weather or uncomfortably garments. Wearing spring clothing in the freezing winds of the Financial District is as painful as being tied into a corset. However, the clothing provided for editorials shape the body into a form as beautiful as any flower. Before turning seventeen or learning how to drive, I was able to navigate one of the busiest metropolitan areas in the country with confidence and ease. Maintaining a professional career while remaining a student required a flexible system of time management, prioritizing, and balancing responsibilities.

My senior year of high school could be compared to a first year at college or an internship abroad, as I returned home with countless new opinions and morals. Since this experience I have continued my research into new developments in fashion and art. Attending Teen Vogue’s Fashion University this fall inspired a new interest in the beauty industry, and the amazing illusions makeup artists create through highlighting and contouring a face’s bone structure. I also gladly accepted an offer to intern for the Style Features department of Teen Vogue for the spring of 2012, and begin another journey in the industry I have fallen head over heels for. I am immeasurably grateful to have had opportunities to expand my perspective of art and life, while creating a clear and practical understanding of what I want to achieve in the fashion industry. My passion for aesthetics, fashion, literature, performance art, and now business, has inspired me to develop a unique insight on the modern possibilities of the fashion industry.