Fashion tends to be one of the most misunderstood programs offered on campuses. Colleges cannot even agree whether fashion programs should be held in the art department, in business, human studies, social sciences or in communications.
To make matters worse, much of the general population fails to understand that there is a difference between the different areas of study in fashion, nevertheless, regardless of whether they're studying design or FMM, there are always a few attributes that all fashion students share.
1. You've grown accustomed to people underestimating your major.
2. AND having to explain the difference between different fashion programs.
3. You're used to functioning on little to no sleep.
4. You have a favorite fashion designer and will fight to the death if anyone disagrees.
What did you say about Valentino???
5. You also have a favorite era.
6. You know the Adobe Suite like the back of your hand.
If you're an FMM student you are also entirely too familiar with excel.
7. You've been asked to repair clothes on more than one occasion.
Even if you aren't a design student.
8. You're constantly inspired, sometimes at the worst possible times.
You've woken up at 3 am, to jot down an idea and have considered pulling over while driving before to make sure you capture a concept, while it's still fresh in your mind.
9. You're a city person.
Since the fashion industry tends to be centered on the coasts, you are basically required to live in a major metropolis.
10. Even you don't always know what FMM stands for.
Is it fashion marketing and merchandising? Is it management? Does anyone know?
11. Fashion week is your Super Bowl.
12. You know that freshmen will always put entirely too much effort into their wardrobe.
By the time you get through junior year, though, most of the upperclassmen no longer has the time to commit to looking nice EVERY day. You can wear yoga pants without any sort of guilt.
13. You face extra pressure when picking out outfits for job interviews.
If only the other majors knew the pressure.
14. You dread the words "spec sheets".
Can you not? Please?
15. You have a very strong reaction to Kanye West and his foray into the fashion industry.
Whether you love or loathe Yeezy there's no denying it's made a huge mark on the industry.
16. You also have a definite opinion on the Kardashian/ Jenner tribe.
They tend to be very polarizing.
17. You could never go to New York without stopping at the Met's costume exhibit.
One of your life goals is to attend the Met Gala.
18. At least one girl at your school has a blog.
19. You've "done it for the aesthetic".
And you can describe your aesthetic in three words or less.
20. Personal branding is very important to you.
21. You're always doing research.
The fashion industry is perpetually changing. You have to keep up on these changes if you want to stay relevant.
22. You're ambitious.
There's no secret that the fashion industry can be harsh, nevertheless, you carry onward eager to make your place in the world.
