In the fashion industry, situations often make us feel inferior compared to others, whether in terms of skills, personal style, or financial conditions. However, everyone has their own value, and choosing and doing what is most suitable for oneself is what makes us shine and confident.
"GET FASHIONABLE ON A BUDGET"
This is a motto that I strongly believe in, which refers to dressing appropriately for one's financial situation. To become more confident, it's important to determine a reasonable budget for shopping and learn how to mix and match clothes or reuse items sustainably and flexibly. Design students often modify their old clothes to make them more stylish and fresh. Not buying expensive items doesn't mean that we are "less fashionable".
LIMIT COMPARING STYLES/ AESTHETICS
Each person has their own unique and independent creativity in aesthetics. Sometimes, we become insecure by paying too much attention to others and what they express. I am always interested in the diversity that each individual brings. Constantly elevating one style and diminishing another can be harmful. Comparing doesn't make us more confident, and it can even lead to setting an unrealistic "standard". Taking an objective and positive approach to everything helps us feel lighter and more confident by not being too emotionally affected.
TAKE INSPIRATION, BUT DON'T DEPEND ON IT
In fashion design, sometimes we have the mentality of looking at big brands or successful former students and telling ourselves that we want to be like them. This can be motivating but can also easily turn into self-doubt. Take inspiration from other outfits, but strive to develop your own unique style to cultivate a sense of creativity. Confidence comes from the effort to create one's own "intellectual property".
PRIORITIZE "FASHION SKILLS"
"That person is really good at sewing," "they are so skilled," "their drawings are better than mine"... This is a common mindset among newcomers in the fashion industry, and even as a senior student, I sometimes fall into it. The solution is to determine long-term goals as well as our own strengths. For example, those who want to become a pattern designer should focus on excelling in pattern making and sewing. By doing so, we won't be overwhelmed by aspects that are not a priority for us.
APPRECIATE THE BODY, VALUE COMFORT
Sometimes, our families are surprised by how often we as fashion students don't feel pressured to wear something to "hide" one part of the body or "highlight" another. Maybe it's because we are exposed to and inspired by many ideas about "breaking boundaries". Of course, when going to school or work, we still need to be neat and presentable. However, fashion people don't always look stylish, and many days we just dress casually like everyone else, simply because it's comfortable.