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Interview with Kelsey, 2nd Year Bachelor Fashion Design & Technology Student at IFA Paris – Shanghai Campus
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Interview with Kelsey, 2nd Year Bachelor Fashion Design & Technology Student at IFA Paris – Shanghai Campus

By November, 2021April 7th, 2022No Comments

For those born after the 90s, the Douban social media platform is well-known. The Doubaners discuss with each other and share their experiences on some common topic on this social media.

Kelsey, a senior member under the Douban group of self-taught talents, also a sophomore of IFA Paris Bachelor of Fashion Design & Technology, has shared her fashion work in her Douban group during this summer vacation, which has brought in hundreds of comments.

Please share some of your experiences with us, and how did you get interested in fashion?

Kelsey: When I was young, I felt fashion design sounds amazing and glamorous. But when it came deciding about my career pursuit, I struggled for a long time. In my second year of high school, my mother bought me my first sewing machine and I started making skirts.Work by 2nd year Bachelor Fashion Design & Tech. student Keysley

Work by 2nd year Bachelor Fashion Design & Tech. student Keysley

I have started to make some simple clothes for my dolls, which was not without its challenges. To solve these problems, at that time, I would search and read different advices and DIY tutorials posted online in my free time. My interest in fashion design was getting stronger and stronger, and the support from my parents also encouraged me a lot .

What do you think is the biggest difference between the first year of study in IFA Paris and self-study?

Kelsey: The curriculum here is a professional standard training, which not only provides an efficient answer to the problems I encountered before but also presents a broad picture of the industry.

Cutting, patternmaking, and sewing comes natural to me now thanks to listening to my teacher. It is a very enlightening experience! In class, I can’t help feeling amazed by all the new techniques that I keep on seeing and replicating.

It is also in IFA Paris that I started to understand what design is. We need not only to “make” a dress, but also to go through a whole process from inspiration to the realization of our ideas. Fashion design study brings me into a virtuous circle. The more I learn, the more I feel the sense of accomplishment, the stronger confidence I will have in my professional skills.

Work by 2nd year Bachelor Fashion Design & Tech. student Keysley

Work by 2nd year Bachelor Fashion Design & Tech. student Keysley

What is your favorite course?

Kelsey: My favorite course in the first year was sewing, because the sewing course gives me the highest sense of accomplishment. Under the instruction of our sewing teacher, I learnt how to make a real shirt step by step. The feeling of becoming a true craftsman arose from my heart spontaneously. When I took my shirt home, my parents asked me, “Is this really made by yourself? Didn’t you buy it?” This is the highest compliment I could get!

Besides studying, do you participate in any other student activities in IFA Paris?

Kelsey: In the first year, I participated in two mini fashion shows and a hat festival in school. The first show was based on an upcycling project while the second one showcased denim garments.

Although the two events are organized in school between classes, it is processed in a professional way with lighting, music beat and choreography all carefully coordinated. Students from all levels are involved in the production process. Each group is responsible of a particular task: dresser, makeup, modelling.

When the hall were lined up with school audience, the beat of music started, and the lighting flashed, it was easy to be infected by the atmosphere.