I recently read an article about the pressure fashion students face as someone who is studying in a “non-traditional” field as some would say. And although I have only completed 1/8 semesters, I can already relate.
Before my first year of university started, many of my friends’ parents would ask what I was going to study in the fall. I told them all I would be taking Fashion Communication at Ryerson University. I don’t know how many adults I told, but the only supportive ones seemed to be my family. Every other adult had the same reaction: “what are you going to do with that degree afterwards?” or “why did you choose fashion?” Their facial expressions ranged from confused to surprised to “what the heck is she thinking?” I don’t think a lot of adults quite understand the field of fashion or how it could be a career and not just a hobby. Unfortunately, these negative reactions took more of a toll on me than they should have. I had a lot of thoughts of self doubt and really questioned whether I wanted to invest so much time, money and emotion into something so uncertain.
Soon after school started, I realized this is where I want to be and this is what I want to be studying. My friends’ parents are now asking how school is going and when I tell them that it’s very stressful and demanding, I get the same facial reactions. However, now they’re confused and surprised that the program is so intense. Even students in other programs are taken by surprise when I explain how stressed I am. On multiple occasions, I’ve been told by students who thought it would be an easy program because it’s so hands on. But what they don’t realize is that the hands on projects aren’t necessarily easy and on top of that, we still have to write papers and exams. It’s extremely discouraging when you’re studying the only field you can see yourself in and others don’t realize how much blood, sweat and tears are going into it. One of the worst parts of being in a creative course is knowing that you can improve upon a piece of art or your seam line could be better, but time doesn’t always allow you to keep ripping out your work and redoing it. I’ve been saying “it’s good enough” way too much recently because the workload is endless.
As the article mentions, a lot of students are very bothered by the lack of recognition they’re receiving for all of their hard work. It’s very frustrating when others don’t take your stress seriously because you’re “just studying fashion” which couldn’t possibly be difficult, right? And I know I’ve only completed one semester and I haven’t gone through the entire program which only comes with even more stress. But it’s disturbing knowing that fashion students all over the world are feeling the same lack of recognition and stress that I am. I guess it’s also somehow comforting knowing that I’m not alone in the struggle to make sure that fashion school doesn’t come before my sanity.
As a first year, my advice might not be as credible as a fourth year’s, but just know that studying fashion isn’t a questionable decision despite what others say. Your stress is as real and valid as any other student’s. And all of the tears and sleepless nights that go into all of your hard work will pay off. I highly recommend reading this article, even as a reminder that you’re not alone in the struggle to be recognized as a fashion student.
