Path-searching in a Fashion School

Six months ago marked the end of a defining moment in my life. The courses I enrolled in the School of Fashion and the Arts (SoFA) have come to an end. It was a risk made so I could transition from my college degree (International Studies) into the career path I have been wanting since forever. Initially, I enrolled for a 6 month course comprising of 6 subjects but somewhere along the way the 'take home' work (which were PLENTY and heavy) didn't quite work out with my schedule. Eventually, 3 of the 6 subjects were dropped and I took the ones which I think are essential for the job/s I want - stylist and/or fashion writer.

For the first three months we immersed in the Basic Styling course with Miss Marina Benipayo. Basically, we tackled different fashion that emerged in different eras, we had to make our own moodboards on different topics, styled mannequin displays in 2 stores in the Trinoma mall, made our own shopping and trends page, and as a final project we had to produce our own editorial spread with "Hawaiian Theme" in mind. I've blogged about me and my partner's editorial output here. 

The class with Miss Marina Benipayo

After Christmas break, there were two subjects left for my second and last term in SoFA: Fashion Journalism and Styling Apprenticeship with Luis Espiritu. (Feed on fashion knowledge and get lost with Mr. Luis' travel posts on his blog.) 

In Fashion Journalism we did four articles, edited them time and again, and finally copy-edited them. We got to interview famous people for our Personality Profile, were given beauty freebies to do a Beauty Review on, given the privilege to assist in the Mega YDC Finale and create a Runway Review on the clothes that strut the catwalk, and selected specific 'fashion issues' for our Opinion Editorial. Obviously, no pictures coz everything is on paper. Meheh!


Last and not the least is Styling with Luis Espiritu. I, honestly, can say that this is my favorite subject out of the three. Reason being is we got exposed face-to-face with the world of fashion. I learned a lot about the styling world and how it is not glam-bamming all the time. It is fun, though! Especially if you love playing dress up all the time (still, not as simple as it is!) We got the chance to assist Mr. Luis in different photo shoots and a fashion show too! I'll let the pictures do the speaking :) 


P.S. All of the pictures below are from my friend's blog, Neil. Check his blog here. These are just a few of the shoots we did.

 Our first shoot: bridal gowns. 

c/o Neil

Shoot for an ad. Me and Joy.

Hair and make-up team working their magic

Style team working

Neil and Lindsay photo-whoring before the magazine shoot

Outfits

Working the camera

Backstage waiting game. Joy, me, Lindsay

Three of us working

Models waiting their cue to hit the runway

People who studied fashion courses, especially styling and fashion journalism, doesn't make them stylists or fashion writers right out because it all depends on the person's drive in order to be successful in this industry. But they definitely have more edge than those who haven't yet. Personally, I am grateful I took these courses because now I have a clearer idea what path in the industry I want to take and gained more knowledge as to how things work in the fashion world. I can also say it is a good way to establish connections in the industry.


Now I just have to put myself out there and work my butt off doing what I love.