5 Things I Wish I Knew My First Year of Fashion School

Two years ago I was a zealous freshman starting my journey as a fashion design student at Belmont University. I had no question fashion was for me; I couldn't wait to use the industrial machines and roam Textile Fabrics for hours. When assigned the first project in clothing construction, I was eager to get ahead of the game and be the first to finish my skirt to show off my sewing skills. Little did I know, that being the first done doesn't mean you have the best work. Here, you'll read five things I wish I had known during my first year of fashion school.

1) Opt for high-quality fabrics. Prior to my textile education which came later in Freshman year, I would walk through the fabric store and pick out whatever caught my eye. My first-year projects were full of polyester. There's a time and a place for polyester but at the time, I didn't understand that quality in a fabric makes a huge difference in the look of the final garment.

2) Master sewing basics. Although it's exciting to move ahead to more advanced skills, never underestimate the importance of the basics. I still go back to techniques I learned in my first semester of school. You never know when you'll need to hand-stitch a beautiful blind hem.

3) Collaborate with others. The fashion industry is full of collaboration. It's not just the designer in the room but the designer, the technical designer, the merchandiser, etc. Ask others for their ideas and when you're stuck, open up a conversation with other creatives in the room.

4) Never underestimate the power of a good outfit. Personal style is important. It's often said that fashion designers stick to black and aren't usually the ones dressed to the nines. A chic outfit never goes unnoticed and shows your professors you put effort into coming to class well-dressed.

5) Take your time. As previously mentioned, I always wanted to be the first done with every garment in my first year. Being the first done can be a good thing but not when threads are hanging loose and seams are puckering. Attention to detail is everything. Take your time and don't take shortcuts.