Starting Year 2: My University Journey So Far In Fashion Design

22 September 2018 Style & Fashion

Where has the time gone? This time around last year, I was getting ready to move from London and start my first year in university, studying Fashion Design. It’s been such a whirlwind! The gulps of mocha, daily commuting, studying & late night assignments, traveling to Milan, self realisations, humbling moments, receiving correction etc. I loved every part of it! If you haven’t read how God showed me favour to enter this degree without having to go to college to study fashion, like my peers did click here

There are so many things I can’t put into words that I have learnt as a fashion designer in my first year of university. The 1st year has really matured me and given me a direction of who & what I want to be perceived as, as a designer by the public. It helped me find myself, my niche and style and the direction I want to go years from now. This realisation had to start with me being honest with myself and admitting that what I thought I knew was really nothing. The bible says in 1 Corinthians 8:2 (ERV),

“Those who think they know something do not yet know anything as they should.”

THE GARDEN: my hand drawing for textile print

I soon realised why I was led to do this in the first place. The vision I had for my creative life of fashion designing needed this wealth of knowledge and skills! These are a few things I learnt in my first year:-

Detailed sewing
Pattern cutting, types of darts and dart manipulation
Zips insertions
Life drawing in design
Visual design and concepts
Theory in Design
Art in fashion and using art to create textile prints.
Fibres in fabrics & textiles; types, the making, finishings, the difference between cheap & quality fabrics.
Trend forecasting,
Types & Names of collection seasons,
Lighting in fashion,
Fashion market levels; haute couture, designer, bridge brands, mid market, high street, supermarket.
Logos, 3D digital drawing, specs.

This degree also opened doors of opportunities to visit fashion exhibitions and galleries in the UK at a discount or for free (I have a 1year pass). Some few years ago I used to visit art galleries but I somehow stopped, so this rekindled the interest I had in Art. Furthermore, in my first year, there were organised trips for fashion students to travel to different locations in Europe. It’s was a privilege to have access to all this.

The icing on the cake is knowing that God is in this with me, that He will not leave me nor forsake me. Through the visions He gives me, it assures me that I will be okay and that He will open doors for me. What ever your career, job or passion is, just know that God cares about it and will be with you on it. If there is anything you are desiring to do in your career or gifting, I encourage you to involve God and He will pave a way for you. Trust Him! I also encourage you to stay true to yourself even if many don’t clap or understand your vision and goals, stay true to your standards and vision and most importantly, work hard and remain humble, grounded and faithful. Remember don’t use your passion to just make money but use it for service to the public; that is the only way your that your passion will add value to society. What I means is that you will not be swayed when other money opportunities present themselves by becoming “Jack of all trades and master of none”. When you love what you do, you will stick to it, you won’t get lost in translation whereby people don’t really know who/what exactly you are, you will establish your identity; regardless of whether you make a profit or not. This principle is what separates the great and the average. Lastly, this year I will be documenting via my Instagram, a lot of my uni everyday life and also my day-to-day outfits/look. You can follow me on Instagram here. If you are interested in fashion, I hope you can be inspired, can learn and glean from me, from what I will be sharing with you. Bring on the 2nd year! Thanks for stopping by x

Lot’s of Love

Dephne