How is The Coronavirus Crisis Affecting Fashion Students
Hannah Myers, a senior at The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), is just one of numerous students who won’t have a chance to present collections at their respective graduate shows. Amidst the fashion design program’s most critical semester, students are forced to adapt to the new reality.
We asked Hannah to share some firsthand experience and how she approaches the challenges of these curious times.
P: Many graduate shows and graduations have been cancelled, but we would love to know what you and your friends are doing to stay proactive and use your skills?doing to stay proactive and use your skills?
HM: In order to stay proactive, there’s truly not much one can do if you don’t have the proper supplies at home. I myself left my sewing machines in my NYC apartment but I am stuck on Long Island at my parents’ house. However, I have still been beading and sketching for my first garment that will be due soon and thankfully I have all of my sewing done. I am also looking for a PGM form to drape my projects on and am planning to purchase one online. Our class has a group chat online, so it is super comforting to talk and vent out our frustrations. Graduation is postponed, and our show is cancelled for now, but we are all suggesting alternative ways on displaying our work for the near future.
P: How does online fashion education work at the moment, considering the development of looks, making samples, and patterns is so hands on needing the school’s studios, machinery and fabrics?
HM: It really is hard to make this a new normal when the students at FIT are so inspiring and we all have such passion that we genuinely want to be in the studios puling all-nighters together. This “online art school” is quite frustrating to be honest and isn’t nearly as productive. We can’t go looking for fabrics because everything is closed too however, I have been buying supplies online. The one good thing I do want to take away from this is the sustainable aspects this can bring to the table. More online work and visuals will help our environment but not having hands on experience is very limiting. Online art school is not art school, we just don’t have any other choice right now and will hopefully grow from this experience.
P: How are you and your friends dealing with working from home?
HM: I think the only way we are able to get through this is knowing that we are all in this together and we can’t get mad at a situation that has never happened. This is new to everyone. We all facetime each other showing the work we are doing whether it's sketching, beading or those who are lucky enough to have the supplies, start a new garment. It feels weird but I guess it’s the “new normal”.
Graduation is postponed, and our show is cancelled for now, but we are all suggesting alternative ways on displaying our work for the near future.
P: Are you borrowing sewing machines, and creating in home studios? Adding to that - where do you get the supplies?
HM: I am planning to go back to NYC to go pick up my machines in a few weeks. I also am planning to buy a PGM form as well. FIT has given the option to provide free dress forms, but they aren’t pant forms and since all my classes are lingerie and swim design, I need a pant form.
P: What will happen to graduate shows?
HM: As of now, it is all up in the air on what to do for the shows. I woke up to an email this morning considering a virtual fashion show where each student would have to make their garment in a 3D design however none of us has ever done so, so it’s extremely limiting for us. I suggested to have an exhibit in the fall to people to see our work, so I pray that the design committee considers that instead. I am very for the new 3D virtual designs using software like clo3d. I think it is a very sustainable thing to bring into the fashion industry but considering this is our senior year, have yet to learn it and we as a class have already finished our first garments, I think it’s not fair that we can’t showcase our work.
P: You were able to see how harshly the industry got impacted by the outbreak. What perspective this crisis gives you?
HM: I think this crisis from some aspect was supposed to happen to us as a species. I think this will help us realize that we don’t need to waste and use a lot of things that we have in the past. Working from home sometimes can be good. The air pollution is not as high and the environment seems happier. However, I am worried about the economy. I am “graduating” in May and I know for a fact it is going to be extremely difficult to find a job. I had to have my internship be cancelled and many of my friends in the industry are getting furloughed or fired. I think all I can do at this time is to learn to brand myself better. Start figuring out a business plan for the near future and not worry about the things I have no control in anymore. This is all a learning experience and it is scary, but I feel like we will all come out stronger and more aware.
