"Fashion is the most powerful art there is" -Blair Waldorf
Education
During my time studying Apparel, Textiles, and Merchandising at Central Washington University, I took in and applied knowledge from every aspect of the industry. My professors created a well-rounded curriculum that set me up for success no matter what path I choose to take after graduation. Throughout my academic journey I was able to travel to many major fashion capitals and events, learn from top industry professionals and brands, and make invaluable connections. I feel extremely well prepared to take on my part in the fashion world.
Personal Strengths
I owe my family, mentors, and professors all the credit for building my strengths as I have grown. I have always been a very determined individual. That being said, I am much more likely to excel at something I enjoy, which says a lot about what I consider my strengths. I am a curious person, and due a lot of research to understand aspects of life, school, and work. Though I may not have been more than average at math and history in school, I have always have a love for writing and poetry. The highest grade I’ve received at school was nearly a 99% for the whole course in an upper level literature class. This skill has helped immensely in my studies, especially in communications. It is also the reason I am so interested in blogging, magazines, and creative writing. Something that has also been innate in me since I was young is my involvement in leadership activities. When I was younger, that meant cheerleading, being in 4 clubs, and lots of volunteering. In college, it was leading the Student Fashion Association as President and finding myself connections and job opportunities on every trip. I took on the role to share my creative ideas and grow closer to those who were also interested in fashion. The fashion program has also taught me many industry-related skills, such as graphic design, digital merchandising, and proficiency in Adobe/Microsoft applications.
Values
The things I value in life are a combination of my upbringing and my own evolution of ideals. My family taught me to value traits of honesty, accountability, and self-worth. I am very blessed to have been raised by such a supportive family. It is for that reason that I value a concrete group of friends while away at school. I like being a part of a team that supports one another. Lifting one another up and supporting my peers is also very important to me. I have a strong passion for sustainability, especially in the fashion industry where so many aspects can be improved upon environmentally and ethically. I have been involved in many efforts to help this aspect of the fashion world. Years ago, I did a clothing drive for recycling textiles, and singlehandedly gathered over 1600 items to be re-used. I delivered over 60 trash bags worth of clothing for this cause in just two weeks. I am excited to take part in the positive change happening currently in fashion.
Technical Knowledge
The Apparel, Textiles, and Merchandising major has prepared me to be well-equipped for the industry. Out of all the classes we take (you can find a list under the education tab), there are a few ones to note that have been extremely helpful and applicable to all aspects of the trade. The Consumer Textiles class has given me an eye for textiles. In this course, each student learns how to break down any given fabric. I learned about various fiber and yarn types, the coloration and finishes of materials, how to identify wovens vs knits, and much more. This class has changed the way I look at and interpret clothing. The information I learned will aid me in any and every potential job in the fashion industry. I also took a digital merchandising class that teaches students how to use a variety of Adobe applications to create various fashion-related works. I can develop mood boards, ads, digital designs, swatches, line sheets, and portfolios. Probably my favorite course was Fashion Trend Analysis. In this class I learned how to forecast trends and how to put together trend presentations that are visually appealing, cohesive, and unique. This knowledge has already proven to be beneficial to me. These are just a few of the many classes I have and will take to prepare me for my career.