Senior Project Reflection

(1) Positive Statement

What are you most proud of in your 2-Hour Presentation and/or your senior project? Why?

I'm most proud of my information and the amount of research I had in not just my presentation, but my project overall. I gained so much knowledge and everything I learned was so important. I have a lot of pieces of research that I had as good sources and references and my mentor was also a great plus. It was noticeable just how much I really knew because I had so much to say for the presentation itself. I got a lot of positive feedback from people afterwards and it was great knowing that I didn't have to worry about making time. There was so much time put into my research binder and the things I was going to say during my presentation and it all paid off. I felt I didn't speak too much, but I spoke just enough, in order to keep everyone legitimately interested. I wasn't even nervous when I went up to present because I knew my topic. This is something we've spent the last nine months on. I had no reason to be anxious because no one in that room knew my topic the way I did. I'm so glad to say I know so much and have found a new appreciation for those in the fashion industry.

(2) Questions to Consider

a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your 2-Hour Presentation (self-assessment)?

AE

b.     What assessment would you give yourself on your overall senior project (self-assessment)?

P

(3) What worked for you in your senior project?

My mentorship was lovely and I couldn't have asked for a better place to complete my hours. I was so thankful that everyone in the building was always so willing to lend a helping hand. It was great having people realize I have great work ethic and see the passion I had for the topic of fashion. They always knew just how much information to give me in order for me to learn through trial and error. So of course, there were times I was given little direction, but I feel that's the way to go about it in that industry. It's important to pick up things like that. I made great connections with people that helped me complete a wonderful project and because of that, I'm incredibly proud of it. 

(4) (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would have you done differently to improve your senior project if you could go back in time?

I would have used my resources more. By that, I mean I would have gone to complete more than the required amount of hours for mentorship. I completed a total of 60 hours. Although the only reason I did not go complete more hours was because it was not up to me, I do wish I'd somehow found a way around it and had gone more. This is simply because I was at my happiest when I was surrounded by that environment and I loved what I did. There's no such thing as knowing too much information, so my research binder would have been even thicker than it already was. I always got told by Ogden that I knew my topic like the back of my hand, especially because of weekly research checks. I feel I would have been more likely to have gone and picked up more pieces of research from my mentor and done more interviews than those that were required, had I gone to mentorship more.

(5) Finding Value

How has the senior project been helpful to you in your future endeavors?  Be specific and use examples.

My senior project has been helpful to me in more ways than one. It is because of my senior project that I now have the opportunity to have a real paid internship with David Meister. This is also the reason I will have something beautiful to put down on my resume whenever I apply somewhere. They will see that I have experience working under a fashion designer and that's a great thing to have, especially because my mentor is a great reference. I don't think I ever would have had it in me to go into the fashion industry had it not been for this project. The senior project is the reason I know how to sew and therefore have created a few pieces/articles of clothing myself. I have a physical product to show. One of the most important things of all is that I gained confidence. Confidence to go out and talk about the topic with those that know the industry and have years of experience. I can now keep up and have a conversation about the processes of being successful in the industry and the things that are acquired in order for your fashion line to reach its full potential. All in all, I fell in love with the industry all over again and because of this, I hope to make a career out of it one day. My life revolves around fashion and the fact that I'm so confident that this is something I want to pursue, makes me so very happy. 

10: I am officially ready to present

I present tomorrow. The day is finally here. I am so terrified, I'm not what else there is to say besides the fact that I'm feeling so many things all at once right now. I wish more than anything that I was presenting second, just so that I could get it out of the way first thing in the morning. However, I have all my props and everything I'm going to put to display ready and my powerpoint is ready as well. I'm actually planning on going to sleep right after I finish this post so that I can get a good amount of sleep before I present. That's a scary thing. In 12 hours, I will be presenting. 

It's almost upsetting how all this work that I've done is all going to be done. I'm officially done after tomorrow. I can say I survived senior year and iPoly. (Okay, that's only kinda true, because we will still have  product presentation. Hopefully, though, I kick that presentation in the butt tomorrow. 

9: I PRESENT ON MONDAY

I know the title of the post is in all caps so it seems as if I'm incredibly nervous, but I've gone through my entire presentation a couple of times now and it seems pretty decent. I am incredibly confident in all the research I've gathered up until this point. I'm really eager to just present now so that I can finally say I've legitimately survived iPoly. Sure, I still have product presentation to look forward to, but I'm not even remotely anxious about that because we've done so many presentations that have only helped lead us into the final presentation. I think the only reason I'm even remotely anxious about the 2-hour is because it's the longest presentation we've ever had to do.

Today, I saw Ryan's presentation (we both present for Ortega) and I was so proud of him because he was probably even more nervous than I claimed to be and he did even better than I'd expected him to do. He did really well and it was all because he knew his information and he seemed so passionate about what he did. I can only hope that I don't blank on the information I have to talk about and I hope Ortega and the rest of the class likes what I have to say.

8: The Difference Between Designer and Non-Designer Dresses

I just realized while practicing my presentation is that my best answer had the shortest explanation. I'm not necessarily certain if that's a bad thing or not because if it's something that is really noticeable and Ortega doesn't like that, I CAN back up why it's the shortest answer, but I'd rather just avoid it. I feel I might have to just talk more about my best answer. I do have to avoid being repetitive, though. That's another worry of mine. I found that my longest explanation was for my third answer because for sewing and sketching, I'm going to show an example of one dress that is not a designer dress. Therefore, on this non-designer dress the seams will be noticeable. I will then go on to show an example of a designer dress and compare the two. Clearly, the designer dress has the prettier stitching because customers are PAYING for that. This explains why designer dresses/gowns are so much more expensive than dresses you see at Forever 21. 

My mentor always became so frustrated with me when I would show up to work wearing a cute top or dress from Forever 21 or H&M because she would always point out how lazily made they were. She'd continuously talk about how dresses I would pay $25 for from H&M would cost them no more than $5 to make. Especially because they buy so much because they stock up in great bundles. Also, their materials are considered pathetic and those in the design world scoff at stores like that. 

I've witnessed first hand a lot of the pricings for dresses/gowns that David Meister creates and they legitimately cost quite a lot to make. The dresses range from $50-$200 for fabric alone and then extra for labor. They then sell it to stores for anywhere between $300-$500 and then these huge stores like Nordstrom or Bloomingdale's will put it on the rack and sell it for $700-$1,000. It's hard to believe, but definitely true. This is something I want to talk about during my presentation because it was one of the first things that I'd ever learned from my mentor and it's really important for my third answer, which is sewing and sketching. 

7: Just a Quick Update

So senior presentations are great so far. I have yet to see a "bad" one and I hope it remains that way. In preparation for my own, I've completed most of my powerpoint and am buying all my materials for my activities tomorrow. Also, something I've seen that I've enjoyed about every presentation that I hope to incorporate into mine is that I hope to have my activities on point. Everyone has activities that coordinate perfectly with their answers and their EQ. Also, I think what would work best for me is if I save all my activities for the end. This makes sense because it allows for no interruptions and I could meet time and the rest of my activities will then flow smoothly. 

I am a little scared about foundation because it seems that a lot of people had completely different things to talk about when it came to their foundation. Hence, I'm not certain if my foundation is supposed to be about what the process was to finalize my topic and/or EQ (like I've seen for some) or if I'm supposed to talk about the general idea of my topic. (Also something I've seen in a few presentations thus far.) I'm going to have to ask for clarification on that so that I can get a better understanding and do well on that portion in my own presentation. 

6: 2-Hour Preparation

I'm currently preparing for my presentation, seeing as I go a week from today. June 3rd, to be more precise. I am very glad that I present the very beginning of the second week, simply because that gives me all of this week to watch what everyone else does and decipher the good and bad in each. I will then be able to use the good from every presentation I see and try and find ways to incorporate it into mine, while witnessing the bad in some and try and find ways I can stray away from that.

Something I realized that I haven't given much thought for my presentation is the set up of it all. I haven't decided what I'm going to do with the room (if I plan to do anything at all with it). I'm not necessarily certain what I can do to go above and beyond. Something else I also have on my to do list is that I have to split up the people in my presentation and put them into groups so that I can have each table with a couple of seniors (so that the juniors stay on task).

I also got my two hour lesson plan back from Ortega with some comments written on it and I'm really glad she seemed to like what I had to say on it. This will hopefully mean that when it comes to the information I have to talk about, I'm doing well. However, she did seem a bit confused on my sponge activity. So I'd assume I'll have to email her tonight/tomorrow and try and clarify it in simpler terms so that she may understand it. OR maybe it just won't work at all and I'll have to figure something else out.

So far, everything seems very doable. I hope to have all of my powerpoint and props finished by Wednesday (Thursday at the latest) so that I can spend three days just going over the whole thing. I'm really just excited to knock this thing out so that I can focus on product presentation.

5: Update (Again)

I just got my I-Search paper back this weekend and was very pleased with my grade! I received a P on it and I'm very proud of it because a lot of research went into it. Also, there is exactly two weeks until the day I present! I'm not nearly as prepared as I'd hoped I would be during this time because it seems like so much is going on right now. On top of figuring out everything for my 2 hour presentation, I also have to worry about core stuff. There's a lot due dates for all four teachers coming up very soon and it's all just coming together.

I hope to be able to complete all my core stuff and put most of my focus for next week on finishing up a few last things for my 2-hour presentation. It seems like I have so much time because the last time I really checked, I still had several weeks (months) before I had to worry about this, but it's fast approaching. I still have to figure out what my second activity is going to be for my presentation because as of right now, I only have one activity. The first one was "promising/good" according to Ortega (my 2 hour teacher), but that isn't going to cut it. Clearly, I need another one so that I can be sure to not only meet the time requirement, but also so that I can be able to thoroughly give examples and explanations of my answers.

My lesson plan was completed and written in great detail, too. Hence, I'm very proud of that. So within this week, that leaves me with several tasks to complete. I have to finish my Powerpoint and start running through it a couple of times within the next two weeks. Then, I have to make one poster to be a visual aid (I already have one from my 30 minute presentation. Finally, I'll have to gather together all my props for my presentation/activities.

Mentorship

Literal:

• Click here to view log. 

• Mary Vilchis - 626-934-4141

Interpretive: 

The most important thing I gained from this experience as an intern with David Meister was that I learned to appreciate everything that people tend to overlook in the fashion industry. I witnessed how much time and effort is put into creating a piece. There are so many designs created and only a few get chosen in the end. I also came to the realization that not only do the fashion designers have a tough job, but so do the employees that work for them. It's a team effort, similar to iPoly, in the sense that, you're all in charge of an area and you all have a job to take care of. However, if someone slacks off, you pick up the job and help them because if one area suffers, so does everyone else. 

I for one, was asked to do multiple jobs. There were days where I would file stacks of designs to put in binders that would be recorded later. Whereas, other days I was asked to watch my mentor calculate the costs/money spent throughout the month and see what the calculations came out to and see how much we made/lost. There was also days I'd organize new and old fabrics that would later be used for a gown. No matter what I was asked to do, though, I was given instruction (not a lot, but some) so that I could pick things up and figure them out myself. My mentor basically threw me out to water and I chose to swim, rather than sink.

As an intern there, it was so critical to stay on top of everything because it's all trial and error and it’s first hand experience that I gained in the process. Interning helped me become exposed to all levels of the company and become familiar with the processes that are made to achieve creating a fashion line. I was fortunate enough to intern for not just anyone, but for David Meister. He has a group of wonderful people helping him create beautiful things. Completing a total of 60 mentorship hours wasn't difficult in the slightest because it wasn't even a job to me, but it was just doing something I love and am incredibly passionate about.


Applied:

I was asked to complete so many tasks, but through it all I got to see the importance of all my answers. My answers were as follows; interning, sewing/sketching, and knowing how the business works/working in retail. I got all three of my answers from my mentorship. An obvious one, interning was because that's exactly what I did. Interning is where all your connections with those in the fashion industry are made. I came to this conclusion because my mentor told me that David Meister was an intern prior to becoming a fashion designer. He also then went on to attend Fashion Week.  Interning was my first answer and my best answer. 

I also came to realize the importance of sewing/sketching through my mentorship because I had to opportunity to meet with seamstesses and sketch artists. I learned that sewing/sketching is part of the foundation to it all in the industry. It's important to sew/sketch in the beginning of your career because  Through my mentorship, I learned that sewing is important for a designer if they have a vision that no one else can see and if they need to show it, they can pick up the needle themselves and create what they are talking about. Then we have sketching. Sketching is like breathing to designers.Some people think they can get away with it if they become successful enough to have others work for them and make their clothes, but it is still critical that the designer knows how patterns and the pieces are put together so they can successfully communicate what they want done. 

Finally, with my mentorship, I learned that knowing how the business works/working in retail is important because I spent a lot of my time watching my mentor Mary check and make sure they were not losing money and there was a decent amount of math involved. Most of it is basic math skills, but nonetheless, it was critical to understand. She had me see these softwares that keep track of their data. It was emphasized that one of the greatest things people choose to ignore about being in the fashion industry is that the money involved plays a huge factor in deciding a lot of your work. Think about it. You need to pay people to work for you, as well as models, fabrics, locations to have fashion shows, and places to advertise for you. That is a lot of money to consider. If you do not know the business side of things, your company/clothing line will fail because you can lose money and in some cases, you will not even realize it.

Thus, I had my three answers.

4: Update

Here's just an update with how things are currently going for me. My exit interview was this past Friday and I did alright. I did not use specific examples, hence Purther said I should consider using specific answers for why my best answer is the better answer for my 2-hour presentation.  As for Pittman, she didn't suggest anything and for the most part, I'd assume she'd enjoyed what I had to say. It was nerve-wracking, but because it's something that I've been researching for months now, it also flowed really well. 

Also, my mentorship hours were completed Friday, as well. I completed a total of exactly 50 hours with my mentor, Mary Vilchis. As far as I know, I'm going to continue going and doing hours with her until summer begins, simply because I love it there and if they need the help, then I'm certainly available. I hope this is a good sign and that they invite me to go from time to time. I also have high hopes for myself and hope that eventually they even hire me.

As for my actual 2-hour presentation, I just recently started working on the powerpoint because that is currently the only thing I have to be worried about. Now my exit interview is over, my I-Search paper was turned in, my research count has been finalized (for quite some time now) and I've found out who/what to prepare for. Now all I have left to really prepare for is my 2-hour itself and my product presentation. I would definitely say that I'm nervous, but I'm also just glad to finally be getting it over with. By getting it over with, I don't mean I had a terrible time doing all of this, but I am anxious about several things. I'm afraid of not making time and not having enough people interested in what I have to say. I hope I find the right words and do really well. Overall, I am very happy with how far I've gotten. 

3: A Very Important Source (Also referred to as my bible)

Although my mentorship has been one of my best sources, I can say that my bible has come in a very close second. The Teen Vogue Handbook: An Insider's Guide to Careers in Fashion is one of the greatest books I've ever picked up and I'm not just saying that because I feel like I have to. This book has given me insight on a world that I thought I knew and could have sworn I was familiar , but really didn't know a lot about. This book is a resource for those trying to break into the industry, but have no idea where to get started. It talks about how to be a fashion designer, stylist, model, photographer, etc. It was unlike a lot of my other research because it was enjoyable. Researching isn't always the most entertaining thing to do, but I actually looked forward to cracking this book open. One of the greatest things it taught me was that one does not attend a specific school or follow a certain study, because the possibilities on how to make it big in fashion are pretty much endless. One does not just emerge just ready to be employed. There are common threads of advice and this book serves as a road map for younger people such as myself. The book is a practical reference guide that teaches things like; how to build a portfolio, how to dress for an interview, and how to land the internship of your, uh, dreams. Well, not necessarily the internship of your dreams, but cut the book some slack, it isn't a miracle worker. You have to start somewhere! Referring now to my title, this book was my bible. I thank my parents for having given this to me for Christmas because I don't know where I would have gotten a great majority of my research without it. This is why this book is now my bible. I praise this book for having all the answers I've needed and more.

Exit Interview Questions

1) What is your essential question?  What is the best answer to your question and why?

What is the best way for a fashion designer to achieve a spot in LA Fashion Week?

My best answer is interning because that's where connections are made. It's important to know in the fashion industry that it isn't always what you know, but rather, who you know. If you intern, you're being given the chance to meet others that work in the industry and sometimes if you're fortunate, you'll even meet other designers. Experience as an intern can teach someone things that cannot be learned in design school. It is so critical because it’s all trial and error and it’s first hand experience that someone gains in the process. Interning could help someone become exposed to all levels of the company and become familiar with the processes that are made to achieve creating a fashion line. If you are fortunate enough to intern for anyone, it’s a once in a lifetime experience to be able to work for a designer, even if it means fetching the fashion designer’s cup of coffee in the morning and running around the office making copies of the fitting schedule for this month. In the long run, it pays off. They’ll be quick to remember you and the things you do for them and if they're content with the things you do, they'll move you up gradually.

(2) What process did you take to arrive at this answer?

I spent lots of hours with my research and my mentorship. I came to the realization from the very beginning that interning was one of the more obvious answers to my EQ. However, just because it was an easy/apparent answer, didn't mean that I couldn't go about it in a smart way. I kept searching for answers through research, but after talking to Pittman about it for a bit, she told me it was okay to state interning as my answer. Little by little, I found more research that helped to back my first and best answer up. 

(3) What problems did you face?  How did you resolve them?

One of the biggest obstacles I’ve had to overcome was finding time to see my mentor because she works the same hours I attend school. It was difficult for me in the very beginning, and even now, to find days where I’m available. However, though difficult, it is not impossible! It has especially been hard having to keep my mentorship there. A lot of people would give anything to have my job. Therefore, I could easily be replaced. I’m also the youngest intern/worker there. I wouldn’t say it was necessarily harder on me, because I would like to think that I’m just as strong-willed and motivated as everyone else in that building, but at times, it has proven difficult to be taken seriously. However, I clearly am working well! I've proven to them that I have strong desire to work in that industry and I have dedication above all else.

Also, it took me a long time to get approved by the offices/company to even work there because of my age and lack of experience. So I was actually told to lie and say that my mentor, Mary Vilchis and I were related and that I would only be there a couple of times. Eventually we'd let it slip that she indeed wasn't my mom and fortunately by that point, they'd already learned my work ethics and decided to keep me there. 

(4) What are the two most significant sources you used to answer your essential question and why?

The Teen Vogue Handbook: An Insider's Guide to Fashion is my first significant source and it was my 30th piece of research. This was the book where I got my three answers. My three answers included; interning, sewing/sketching, and knowing how business works/working in retail. In the book, it states that interning was important because it's the best way to ensure success. It also told me the best place to intern is with a smaller label, because you'll become exposed to several levels of the company. You become familiar with the customers, the inspiration behind the designs, and other background of the business. I know of this because this is what I've done so far and what I've achieved with my mentorship. My second significant source was my mentor, Mary Vilchis. She is David Meister's assistant. David Meister is a well-known American fashion designer that is best recognized for his gowns/dresses. My mentor said that when interning, you can learn to view the trends and the industry from the perspective of high-end designers. So using myself as an example,wWorking as an intern, I'm always around clothes. I touch them, see them, try them on, and see others try them on. I pick things up by osmosis. If I'm fortunate enough, they'll keep me around. I start from the bottom of the chain and as time progress, I make my way to the top.

(5) What is your product and why?

My product is what I made for my first independent component. I learned how to sew. So for product presentation, I have something to physically show. I created several articles of clothing. There's a correlation between the component and my essential question because sewing was a part of one of my answers. Although it was a tedious task to sit there for hours and work with my hands, it was a satisfying feeling at the end because of what I had to show for it.  Whereas, before I started this project, I had never picked up a sewing needle. I have this new appreciation for seamstresses that are hired by fashion designers and designers who make their own clothes. With my product, I can go on and say I'm more experienced than a number of other people my age that want to one day enter the fashion industry. 

2: A Day At The Office

The last time I'd gone to do mentorship house, I was asked to "bag dresses", meaning I just had to put dresses in these fancy bags that would later be picked up and shipped out to stores. Believe me, it isn't as easy as it sounds. I bagged a total of 200 dresses/gowns and it took me a total of three and a half hours to do just that. So you can just imagine how tedious the task is. At the time, it didn't seem like a great task to do, but since I'm only allowed to do so much at the office, I wasn't going to complain. I'm not even going to lie, my arms were killing me the rest of the day and the day that followed. However, I was told just today by my mentor that these dresses were some of the ones I'd bagged. My fingers made contact with dresses/gowns worth more than my closet. Of course I was incredibly careful and I already knew that these weren't cheap, but these were expensive. Since they're from the signature collection, they're worth quite a pretty penny.

 Today, we also got some new fabric samples in. There weren't many, but I felt like a child opening up gifts on Christmas morning. Although it was just a box of scraps of fabrics, these were new possible fabrics that would be used for the next collection they would be working on. As much as I would love to post some of the example fabrics, I can't because they're "in the works" and I'm very limited on what I can and cannot post.

We also watched an ad for something for the website and me along with everyone else in the office spent more than fifteen minutes trying to guess whether or not "slenderizing" was a word. Indeed, it is a real word. After I confirmed that it was a real word, I was offered a donut. I was incredibly excited about that donut (and the cool cow print napkin they sat it on), so I posted a picture of it. 

All in all, today was a rather eventful day and I was incredibly proud of myself because I spent a great deal of it communicating 

with those in the office and I'm not typically one to speak. I was even 

congratulated for my work ethics today because I was socializing 

and I finished double the amount of work I typically do in less time.

2014 Interview

1.  Who did you interview and what house are they in?
Lizzeth Acuna, East House

2.  What ideas do you have for your senior project and why?
"For my senior project I'm planning on doing it on either karate or cake decorating. The reason why I want to do it on karate because I'm a black belt and I'm pretty sure I'm knowledgeable enough to even be able to pull off the project. I also have a mentor for this already. I'm also considering on doing my project on cake decorating/ baking because I'm not too terrible at it and I know a few people that could mentor me." 

This immediately got me thinking that she could/should go see Rene's presentation and/or JD's. Rene's because he's doing Karate and JD because he's doing Pastry Arts and both of those express similarities/are identical to what she has in mind for her own project. 
3.  What do you plan to do for your summer 10 hour mentorship experience?

"For my summer mentorship hours I'm planning on going to my karate class and simply teaching the class. I've already spoken with the teacher and he's okay with it. Also, worst case scenario, I can just go assist a cake decorating instructor while they're teaching class. "

4.  What do you hope to see or expect to see in watching the 2013 2-hour presentations?
"Well, I just hope to get some ideas for my senior project because to be perfectly honest I really haven't given it much thought yet. Also, I'm just hoping to see what type of things I could do for my own senior presentation." 

5.  What questions do you have that I can answer about senior year or senior project?

"Well, one question I've always had about senior year is how hard is it to survive it? Also, are there any pointers on how to survive because I'm really worried because there come times when my middle name is procrastination." 

To which I responded with, "Senior year was one of the toughest years for me simply because senior year is all on you. You may have help from teachers and mentors, but besides that, it's a one man show. By that I mean, you pretty much set aside major group projects (which is weird and something we're clearly not used to here at iPoly.) However, just meet the deadlines and you'll be fine. Unfortunately, I myself am a huge procrastinator and that's a majority of the reason I spent so much of this year stressing out. If I could give any tips, I'd say just make sure whatever you end up choosing as your topic, make sure you love it and you're passionate about it. Keep up with research and don't be afraid to talk to your mentor because they're there to help and everything should come pretty naturally and easily. Hope that helps!"

Blog 22: Final 3-Column Chart

Click here to view my 3-Column Chart!

1: Mentorship

As of right now, I have a total of 34 hours completed (not including the ten hours I did this summer) and my mentorship/internship with David Meister will soon be ending. I'm incredibly happy with what I've completed so far. I've had the opportunity to work with plenty of incredible people that I wouldn't have known otherwise and for that, I am grateful. Although this experience is in a sense, supposed to be seen as work, I consider this just doing something I love. It seems with every time I go in, I'm trusted more and more. Who else would trust an eighteen-year-old high school student with gowns that costs more than my closet individually?

Anyway, here's a really recent photo of some of the newest gowns added to the David Meister collection. These are dresses that are going to be used for celebrities for upcoming events. This is also the same rack that once held dresses that were worn to the Oscars just a few months ago. At this current moment, I'm not sure where these dresses are going to be worn to, but I'm certain I'll be told soon.

Now this photo is just about 1/4 of the binders that hold designs. This is typically my "usual". The task I'm asked to do most often is look through, file, and just organize these binders in a specific order. These binders contain cost sheets. Cost sheets are sheets in which show the design and how much the design is worth and how much it'll cost to put together. Cost sheets are important because when someone needs to look back at a design/sketch or details that went into making it, they look at the cost sheets. They're put in alphabetical and numerical order.Whenever one cost sheet is out of place, I'm typically to blame. 

Independent Component 2

Literal:

(a)  I, Arista De la Riva, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.

(b) The source that helped me complete my independent component was my grandmother, Aurora De la Riva. She taught me how to sew and she taught me .
(c) Log for 30 hours. Click here.
(d) I sewed/made several articles of clothing (I may even wear one for my 2-hour presentation) throughout my Independent Component. 

Interpretive:

From the very start of this component I had one goal in mind: to create a "spring/summer" fashion collection with my grandmother. I, along with some help from her, created three articles of clothing that had a significant theme to follow. I represented this collection with brighter and more fun fabrics. I created a color blocking dress, a fun printed dress, and even a beach cover up (something to wear over a bathing suit at the beach). It is stated in Fashion Now, "The reason Fashion Week is so important is because it's a chance for labels to showcase their new collections, for example Fashion Week in LA takes place in March and the collections usually consist of a spring/summer vibe." My essential question also happens to relate to Fashion Week and I feel my 30 hours completed represent what a designer needs to have in order to attend Fashion Week. In the end, I created three things I'm proud of and wouldn't mind wearing (which I didn't think was possible). 

Applied:

The IC helped me realize/come across a better answer. If it isn't too late, I definitely would like to change my answer My EQ is, What is the best way for a fashion designer to achieve a spot in LA Fashion Week? My answers are currently: interning, having a background in business and working in retail. I might want to consider changing "having a background in business" to "knowing how to bring a design to life" or something along those lines. I do believe that knowing how to sew is critical because you could have the most creative mind in the world and have a bunch of clever ideas, but if you can't create these images you have, you have nothing. So, though it may be important to be able to sketch a design, it is just as important, if not more important to know how to physically create the product.  

Three Column Chart First Draft

• Three Column Chart 

Senior Project and ESLRs

1. Effective Learner
2. The reason I believe I've shown most effort and accomplishments in being an effective learner is because of my senior project as a whole. More specifically, my independent component was to learn how to sew. I created several articles of clothing and even fixed up some that belonged to family members. In this, I had to manage my time well and keep up with my hours as well as, I needed to be creative. I was creative with the different things I decided to make. I can now say I have a perspective of a designer because I've learned one of the basics/building blocks, which is sewing.
3. Here are two photos. One of which shows me working on a pair of shorts made out of an old bedsheet. The other is the product. (More photos of things I made for my independent component are shown in the blog titled Independent Component 1.

2-Hour Meeting Answer #3

1. My essential question is, "What is the best way for a fashion designer to achieve a spot in LA Fashion Week?

2. The third answer to my essential question is to have a background in business. (Know how important money in the fashion industry is)

3. 

• It is important to consider taking a few summer courses or opt for checking out books on the topic. Being a designer involves much more than just sewing and sketching. Sure, it's great to be creative and have a bunch of ideas, but being in the business means being like a sponge. You need to know the design concepts and most importantly, the money concepts.
• "You need a lot of money to put together a show. Which is why it's crucial to know a lot about business (money) and know your basics in math. Putting on a show at fashion week whether NYC or LA is expensive, which is why you start off by putting a few smaller shows and become recognizable with your original designs and hopefully your great connections. From there, you work your way up." states a sale's representative in New York that works for David Meister. 
• At the end of the month, there is money that needs to be made. One of the greatest things people choose to ignore about being in the fashion industry is that money plays a huge factor in deciding a lot of your work. Think about it. You need to pay people to work for you, as well as models, fabrics, locations to have fashion shows, and places to advertise for you. That's a lot of money to consider.  

4. My mentor, Mary Vilchis helped me come up with my third answer along with one of my pieces of research, titled "The Teen Vogue Handbook: An Insider's Guide to Careers in Fashion".

5. I plan to learn more about the math/money that goes into creating a fashion line and a fashion show. I work in that section of the office with my mentor anyways, and that's pretty much what she's in charge of.

Fourth Interview Questions

1. What is the best way for a fashion designer to achieve a spot in LA Fashion Week?

2. Why is it crucial to get your start in retail?

3. Why is it so important to intern if you want to become successful in the industry?

4. What are some specific obstacles you had to overcome while working to achieve your spot?

5. I've heard money is a huge factor because you need a lot of money to have your line out out there, why is this so?

6. Why is networking hard so important?

7. What are the differences between LA and NY Fashion Week?

8. How do you distinguish yourself at work?

9. What would you do if you've been persistently pursuing a spot in LA Fashion Week and things still aren't happening for you? Sould you adjust your approach?

10. What qualities are important, as a designer?

11. For those that don't live in a big metropolis, what advice would you give them for getting their name out their when trying to achieve a spot in LA Fashion Week?

12. Where do you look to for inspiration when creating designs for your line that appears in a show in LA Fashion Week?

13. Is there anything that should be avoided when trying to achieve a spot?

14. If someone wants to become a fashion designer, where do they begin?

15. What is your favorite thing about LA Fashion Week?

16. What is your least favorite thing about LA Fashion Week?

17. What do you have to offer for this year's LA Fashion Week?

18. How does someone prepare themselves for LA Fashion Week? 

19. Once the fashion show starts, what do you do? What are you in charge of?

20. What is the most surprising thing about fashion week that most people would be shocked to know?

2-Hour Meeting Answer #2

1) What is the best way for a fashion designer to achieve a spot in LA Fashion Week?

2) The second answer to my essential question is to intern with David Meister. 

3) Once you've had experience working in retail (my first answer), the next step is to intern, intern, and well, intern. 

• Take opportunities as they come and go out to designers. By that, I mean to invest time in the future. Get a nonpaying internship, even if they only offer a part-time position. The experience will be worth it in the long run and it will help me to get my name out there.
• As an intern there I was told by my mentor that it's worth making sacrifices to ensure success. Real world experience can teach me things that I can't pick up at design school. Sure, design school is meant to sharpen skills and create industry connections, but it is not the only factor in determining success. The best place to intern is with a smaller label, because I'll become exposed to several levels of the company. I become familiar with the customers, the inspiration behind the designs, and other background of the business. I know of this because this is what I've done so far and what I've achieved with my mentorship.
• When interning, I learn to view the trends and the industry from the perspective of high-end designers. Working as an intern, I'm always around clothes. I touch them, see them, try them on, and see others try them on. I pick things up by osmosis. If I'm fortunate enough, they'll keep me around. I start from the bottom of the chain and as time progress, I make my way to the top.

4) The source that helped me come up with this answer was The Teen Vogue Handbook: An Insider's Guide to Careers in Fashion. This was my 30th piece of research. This was a fantastic book because it gave great insight on the countless ways to becoming recognizable in the industry. Another great source was my mentorship because my mentorship is interning with a designer and I was told from both my mentor and my research that a great deal of fashion designers get their start with interning.

5) I plan to continue my study of answer two by looking more into statistics and articles about fashion designers who got their start with interning for other designers of their time.

Independent Component 2 Plan Approval

1) For my independent component, because it didn't work out the first time because there was such short notice, I hope to get around to helping assist in any way possible with my mentor at a fashion show. Fashion week in Los Angeles occurs this March, so I hope to go to some meetings and fittings and the set up. It's perfect timing and it could give me great experience with everything behind the scenes of a fashion show. 

2) For a fashion show, you need the following; a theme, location, models, a crew, publicity, and lots of rehearsal. That would mean several weeks of planning and that's a lot of hours. Not only am I certain that I'd get 30 hours, I'm sure I'd get more than that especially because my mentor is always more than willing to help. I'd prove that I attended and helped with the process with word from my mentor and pictures. 

3) My working EQ is asking what the best way to achieve a spot in LA Fashion week is. The designer I work for is involved in LA Fashion Week. I would get to see the hard work put into having a successful line put out for fashion week. The designer I work for would obviously have a great idea as to how he got to fashion week. This helps me answer my EQ because I get to see just what the process is for David Meister this time around. This easily goes hand in hand with my EQ perfectly. Not only that, but it is great experience.

Independent Component 1

Literal: 

(a) I, Arista De la Riva, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.
(b) Aurora De la Riva: (626) 325-4452
(c) Click here!
(d) I didn't know how to sew. I've never really felt the need to learn, so my grandma taught me. No sewing machines were used (though we attempted, but we couldn't figure it out. Instead, we just used needles.

Interpretive: 

Learning how to sew is an essential step in becoming relevant in the fashion industry for obvious reasons. Once ideas are sketched out, designers have to have their designs created and brought to life.



Without someone their to sew, their designs would be nothing, but sketches and drawings on pieces of paper. So I took the opportunity to sew a few things with my grandmother and it proved difficult, but got easier as time progressed.   The following photos are from the time I'd spent working/sewing different things. I don't have all of my products here, but I do plan to show all of them during my two-hour presentation.

Applied: 

My independent component helped to understand how difficult it can be to piece together something and sew it. The most difficult part for me was just having the patience to do the sewing by hand and I felt more accomplished with the result at the end. Despite the fact that I became frustrated often because of the  gazillion times I'd accidentally stabbed my finger with the sewing needle. I will never underestimate the time seamstresses put into these types of things ever again, that's for certain.

Rough Draft of 30 Minute Presentation

Click here for Rough Draft.

Third Interview Questions

1. What is the best way for a fashion designer to achieve a spot in LA Fashion Week?

2. What is LA Fashion Week?

3. What is the process of achieving a spot in LA Fashion Week? 

4. How should a fashion designer get their name out there?

5. What might be the biggest obstacle a fashion designer would have to overcome in order to earn a spot in LA Fashion Week?

6. Does a designer know they've "made it" if they've been to LA fashion week, if so, why?

7. What are some qualities a designer should have that would help them become recognizable in the fashion industry?

8. Who would you expect to see at LA Fashion week?

9. Why is fashion week in LA a big deal? 

10. How did you feel about yourself once you claimed a spot in LA Fashion week?

Blog 11: Mentorship 10 Hours Check

1. I am doing my mentorship with a fashion designer's assistant at David Meister.

2. My contact is Mary Vilchis. 

3. I have completed a total of 11 1/2 hours so far. 

4. I have helped filed the book of designs, I've learned about the money and how the pricing works, I've met "the team" of people in the production process, as well as I've helped maintain the big binders that hold all the designs they've had over the years.