Learning Fashion from the Inside out

Mar 8

Internships are often the first real glimpse students obtain into the professional fashion industry. While studying fashion provides significant information and creative skills, working in a design environment demonstrates how those skills can be applied in real-world situations. My design internship allowed me to experience the creative process from an entirely different perspective.

My first internship after my freshman year was a design internship with MT Bespoke Services. MT Bespoke Services specializes in brand consulting, tailoring, as well as line production, so there were many different sectors for me to use my skills. I had begun working with Micheal before I went to college, taking intro to design classes, because at the time I was unsure whether I wanted to go into the design or merchandising track. During this internship, I had a valuable mentor who showed me the details of many different aspects of the industry. I had the opportunity to create line flats, sew and edit garments, as well as give client presentations, among many things.

One of the most eye-opening aspects of my internship was seeing how much teamwork goes into the design process. While designers may have their views, transforming an idea into a finished product involves collaboration among designers, merchandisers, manufacturers, and other professionals. Seeing how different roles interact allowed me to better understand what is involved in the industry.

During my internship, I also observed how concepts change during the design process. What begins as a simple idea or sketch frequently undergoes several alterations before becoming a finished garment. This experience taught me that creativity is more than simply inspiration; it also involves problem-solving, adaptability, and perseverance.

Another essential lesson I gained was the value of attention to detail. Every decision, from fabric selection to manufacturing procedures, impacts the finished result. Observing the meticulousness of these decisions heightened my appreciation for the craftsmanship and thoughtfulness involved in fashion design.

Overall, my internship experience helped me connect what I learned in school with how it works in the real world. It provided me with exceptional insight into the realities of the fashion industry while also improving the abilities that would serve me well throughout my career. It was an amazing first internship, and I am grateful to have gained so much knowledge early in my career. Experiences like these remind me that growth frequently occurs when we leave the classroom and interact directly with the industry.