Why I Chose To Study Fashion Abroad?
I worked with a well acclaimed designer in India for seven years after completing my undergrad in textile design from NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology). My job allowed me to focus and work with artisans at the grassroot level and this gave me a thorough knowledge about the functioning of the textile industry.
After seven years though I was enjoying my work, I started feeling a bit stagnant as I wanted to explore more. I didn’t know where to go or what else I could do to explore new possibilities in the field; because, I was already working with one of the best designers in the niche area of my interest. My mind new I needed a fresh perspective and that’s when I decided to explore the possibilities of studying abroad and working in a fashion capital.
Paris and Milan were on top of my list of fashion cities but due to the cost of living, I decided to choose a different place which had a different pace from India all together. So, I applied to Fashion Institute of Technology in New York after doing some research. Though I knew, it would be a risk applying to only one institute – I knew I wanted to study only at the best.
It took over a year to prepare my portfolio and pre-requisites that are required to submit along with the application form especially because it was going to be a huge investment for me for over a year in New York. My research gave me a thorough knowledge about what I wanted to achieve by going there and made me focus and showcase a very strong narrative in my portfolio. I wrote about a very clear and expressed my strong opinion and the path that I wanted to take after completion of the course in my SOP and I think that got me the admission as the chances for International students securing admission at Fashion Institute of Technology, New York is only 10%.
My decision to pursue Fashion Designing to give an impetus to my technical skills in pattern making, garment construction and draping turned out to be a pilar of strength to the vision I have for Indian textiles and world fashion. I’m happy that my program has taught me to ‘how to use’ and work with the limitations of Indian textiles and turn them into ‘modern’ pieces of fashion. The knowledge I gained during the course has helped me bridge the two worlds.
Apart from studying at one of the best institutes in the world, it was in New York – a city that’s always very lively and fast paced that I needed to get a global view for a career in everyday clothing; because the city is all bubbling with creatives from around the world and gives a new perspective to anyone who lives there for sometime. Also, attending a school after having worked for seven years, made me see things from a totally different perspective. It was a fine mix of combining my hands-on experience with academia and gain more knowledge and change my approach towards fashion.
I intended to start my own brand and be an Independent Consultant for various brands in USA, India and Europe who work in the stream of sustainable fashion and handcrafted products after graduating from Fashion Institute of Technology, New York but the pandemic forced me to stay indoors. However, staying idle irrespective of any challenging situation has never been my agenda so I decided to sew masks for health care and essential workers using the sewing machine which I had carried along with me from India. A team of 40 volunteers and two professors helped me with the cause and we donated over 25k masks in three months (March-June 2020) during peak time of the lockdown.
Shifting to the U.S. has enabled me to develop myself on a fuller scale and it has given me the opportunity to grow. I would strongly recommend to all fashion enthusiasts who are aspiring to study fashion designing abroad to ensure that one must clearly define the purpose and intent of wanting to study in the particular university or country on the SOP. Also, travelling abroad with an open mind helps one to unlearn and learn new things and easily adapt to new perspectives. Keeping only the main goal in mind at all times even if the path chosen is difficult is the only thing which makes one emerge as a successful person.
– NIKITA SHAH
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