This blog post explores which experiences and strengths to focus on for an effective Fashion Design academic plan, introducing ways to convincingly demonstrate your commitment to a career in fashion.
Writing About Academic Experience and Reflections
“My Belatedly Discovered Dream of Fashion Design”
I had always wanted to become a designer, but I vaguely assumed that to do so, I needed to major in fine arts. However, upon researching, I discovered that studying fashion doesn’t necessarily require a fine arts major. This realization made me decide that even if it was late in the game, I needed to focus on my studies and apply to the university and fashion design department I truly wanted. With fashion design and becoming a designer as my goals, I examined my weaknesses. The subjects of Korean, Math, English, and Social Studies were crucial, and my weak areas were Math and English. While I scored well in Korean and Social Studies without much effort, my skills in Math and English were somewhat lacking. I realized that maintaining good grades was essential for managing my school records, and the foundation for improving grades was paying close attention in class to the teachers who gave the exams. So, my first goal was to focus as much as possible during class. Since my handwriting was slow and taking notes was difficult, I studied by recording the teacher’s lectures and listening to them again. I focused intently during class, reviewed any missed parts by checking the recording files, and actively sought out the teacher to ask questions about anything I still didn’t understand. As I focused more in class, I realized that the points the teacher emphasized often appeared directly on exams. By remembering these hints scattered throughout the lessons and concentrating on my studies, my grades significantly improved. My teachers were delighted to see my grades rise so much because of my focused class participation and actively helped me prepare for college. Through my improved grades and the trust I earned from my teachers, I learned that a student’s true duty is to listen attentively in class, approach studies proactively, and heed the teacher’s guidance. Moving forward, as I pursue my dream of becoming a fashion designer, I will be a student in the Fashion Design Department who studies honestly, gives my best effort, and believes in the power of passion.
Major School Activities and Reflections
“Leading the Costume Team for the Drama Club”
I chose the drama club for my extracurricular activity. Rather than acting, I enjoyed working as a production staff member directing and staging plays. Styling costumes for the drama club was particularly fun and personally meaningful. Finding costumes that fit the play’s theme and seeing appropriately matched outfits enhance the acting brought me immense joy. Styling for modern plays was especially fun—gathering friends’ clothes and selecting outfits that suited the actors performing. Seeing ordinary-looking clothes shine when used for performance styling made me feel the power of ‘clothes,’ ‘fashion,‘ and ‘styling.’ It was especially fascinating how clothing design could change not just the style but the entire atmosphere of the wearer. Through my activities in the theater club’s costume team, I discovered the mysterious charm of ‘design’ and personally realized how crucial it is for a designer to create clothes. Even if I didn’t become a designer, I wanted to study how the clothes we commonly shop for are designed, the processes involved in making them, and how they are distributed. That’s why I began dreaming of studying costume design.
“Hosting a Clothing Flea Market Event”
I’ve been interested in clothes since I was young, and shopping for clothes alone was a hobby of mine. As a result, I ended up with a lot of clothes in my closet. Many were bought on a whim following trends, so I quickly grew tired of them. That’s when I thought, why not hold a flea market to sell these clothes to friends at low prices? I wrote a business plan proposing to sell clothes cheaply and donate the proceeds to a good cause, then submitted it to my teacher. She agreed to let us hold the event on the condition that the profits would be used for a worthy cause. She also suggested it would be better to do it with other friends rather than alone. So, like-minded friends gathered up clothes, accessories, and shoes we rarely used and opened the flea market. Since I was already known as a student with great fashion sense, many friends came to the event and showed interest in my clothes. I sold them by recommending designs that matched their tastes. My focus wasn’t solely on selling clothes; I prioritized recommending outfits that suited my friends, styling them, and having meaningful conversations. That’s actually why I wanted to start the flea market in the first place—more than selling clothes, I wanted to connect with friends through fashion. I spent time discussing styles and recommending outfits to friends I was awkward with or had never really talked to before. Word spread about my styling and recommendations, drawing more friends than expected. I ended up selling almost all the clothes I prepared, accumulating a decent amount of profit. After settling accounts cleanly, I donated the proceeds along with separately saved clothes to a children’s welfare organization. Styling friends and selling items was fun, and donating to a good cause using my skills and possessions felt incredibly rewarding.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation and My Reflections
“Choir Competition: Sticking with My Tone-Deaf Friend Until the End”
Our school held regular choir competitions. In my sophomore year of high school, I met a friend who wanted to give up on the choir competition because they were extremely tone-deaf. They were seriously troubled, feeling too embarrassed to sing because they were so tone-deaf and worried they were holding back their friends. Honestly, revealing your insecurities to others is incredibly difficult and takes courage. But I also understood how painful it must be to be forced into something against your will. So, we had an open and honest discussion with our classmates. We agreed to help him however he wanted, just as he had said. Listening to him, he explained that he wasn’t ashamed of being tone-deaf and wanted to overcome it, but his greater fear was that the choir competition, being a contest, might cause trouble for his friends. After hearing his story, my classmates and I decided to choose a song that would be easy for him to sing with us, practice together, and prepare for the competition in a way that would help him overcome his fear of being tone-deaf while also showing our teamwork. We selected a song with a simple melody that our tone-deaf friend could easily follow. We began helping them find the right pitch through daily practice sessions. Our friend responded well to our support and practiced diligently. Ultimately, at the choir competition, our tone-deaf friend blended in seamlessly without standing out, and we achieved a third-place finish. I believe that by not leaving my friend’s difficulties behind but overcoming them together, I learned about caring hearts, cooperative spirits, and ways to understand others’ feelings. And I developed the value that, rather than giving up without trying, attempting anything and seeing it through to the end yields its own rewards and achievements.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation and Career Plans
“A Child Deeply Obsessed with Clothes, Dreaming of Becoming a Designer, Even If Late”
I’ve always loved buying new clothes and mixing and matching them to create various styles, but I only dreamed of becoming a designer later in life. I initially thought pursuing fashion design through art would be difficult due to my lack of interest in fine art. However, as I moved beyond vague notions and researched thoroughly, I discovered paths to fashion design that didn’t require formal art training. While my design sensibilities might seem less polished compared to other art students who started earlier, I am confident I can invest more time and effort into design precisely because this dream came to me later in life. It’s no exaggeration to say my love for clothes has been with me since birth, so I’m confident I’m ready to pour my passion into fashion design.
My parents have always encouraged and supported me in buying clothes, experimenting with different combinations in my wardrobe, and wearing them out. This made pursuing fashion design later in life feel less daunting. Rather than asking, “Why do you buy so many clothes?”, they actively offered suggestions like, “This piece would look great styled this way,” or “That one would work well with this outfit.” Watching my parents dress stylishly also deepened my awareness of clothing and styling from a young age. Observing them and receiving their support allowed me to steadily nurture my passion and love for fashion. Alongside my parents’ support, I was born with a talent for style and a knack for leading trends, and I’ve always made good use of that sense. Now, as a fashion design student, I want to develop that talent, learn how to express my sense, and lead Korean fashion trends as a fashion designer. I won’t just pour my passion into it; I also won’t neglect the studies needed to cultivate my passion as a fashion designer.
If admitted to the Fashion Design Department, I plan to consistently pursue my major studies while also engaging in external activities related to design and clothing. If possible, I want to gain extensive experience by creating clothes myself, presenting them to people, and even selling them. It would be especially meaningful to make clothes through club activities and wear the garments I create. I have even greater expectations for learning to make clothes. I believe that when I can make clothes well, I will be able to create designs that are both comfortable and beautiful. By understanding the structure of clothing, I will strive to learn the true meaning of clothes myself. I will build my skills as a designer by going through the process of applying what I learn. I will become a designer who pours their passion into fashion and expresses that passion, and furthermore, I will become someone who brings honor to the school.
