Please~! Give advice for my essay~

Hello~

This essay is for applying to Global Fashion Management(graduated course) of FIT.

My strength is marketing experience and my weakness is my GPA.

I wonder whether this writing shows my passion for studying at FIT or not.

Thank you for your help.



Regards,

Nicole



It was a sunny afternoon and I was on a bench in front of Cairo University, Egypt during my trip to Africa. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a handful of female students, draped in chadors come out of the library. I was intrigued to find their movements and gestures to be very cautious and discreet as I assumed it was to do with their social norms. Then something caught my eye which made me grin. Peering just slightly through their dark chadors were glittering high heels with matching pantyhose. Furthermore, I observed earrings, colorful skirts and even jeans which are fashion favored by young women in other liberal societies, hidden behind their religion.

Then, it hit me. A person’s passionate will to express their beauty through fashion cannot be stopped or withheld by anything and anyone. Not even religion. Priceless paintings and sculptures do not even come close in providing satisfaction and happiness to a person than having their own beauty appreciated more. Fashion revitalizes people and breathes new life into them everyday. I believe this power of fashion has led me to write this essay.

I have never felt so much energy in my life since I had entered into the fashion industry in 2004. Moreover, I am both ecstatic and grateful to discover fashion as not just a career but my life’s passion. To further fuel my passion, I thrive in planning fashion and trade shows as well as consumer/market research, design trend analysis, color scheming and textile production. Due to my drive to succeed, I was able to establish businesses both locally and internationally while being awarded the Gold Medal for Outstanding Trade Performance by Korea government for delivering dramatic sales results in just 2 years.

However, what’s more important is that I want to build a strong foundation on knowledge based on fashion and businesses related thereof. I strongly believe my attendance at FIT will lead me to deliver my academic goals and successfully lead my professional career in the fashion industry.

While studying the Global Fashion Management Program, I’d like to focus on Global Marketing and Fashion Brand Management which is closely related to my experience as a marketer for about 4 years. Also for developing global brands and expanding business into multi-national markets, I’d like to study Fashion for Global Markets and International Team Management as well. I especially like FIT’s highly-reputed curriculum which includes seminars in Hong Kong and Paris which are the fashion capitals of Asia and EU markets respectively.

I have 3 unique qualities that will assist me in achieving my academic goal at FIT. First of all, the hands-on experience with brand and consumer in the market as a Marketing Brand Manager for 4 years. I had the opportunity to work with the multi-national corporation, Seagram as a Brand Manager after my university graduation. I was in charge of global brands like Johnnie Walker and Crown Royal and prior to launching these brands in the market, I had to segment the market, target the consumers and position the brand into that particular group of consumers. Next, I planned, developed and executed advertising, PR, trade shows, below-the-line brand/sales promotions, value-added packs and all other brand-related activities to meet the brands’ objectives. It was an excellent opportunity for me in building my marketing knowledge.

Secondly, my university major being Interior Design, I have the knack of understanding and skillfully coordinating color, texture and shapes. I discovered while working in the fashion industry that these skills were essential and critical in becoming a successful merchandiser. Additionally, I have never stopped painting since I was 8 years old which is the significant reason why I still maintain primal senses in creating great art and design with my trained eye.

Lastly, my ability to communicate orally has been achieved through international trade shows and contract negotiations while working for Seagram. This in turn has greatly improved my Business English skills which will help me in communicating with foreign students. With this quality, fluent communication with various nationals at FIT will develop me into a cultural integrator in the business field.

I also have a tendency to be overtly passionate about something. Ten years ago while my studies were of Interior Design in university, I was intrigued with photography. This fascination had led me to travel over 20 countries, taking photos of people from various cultural backgrounds and through this, I was able to broaden my horizon, think open-mindedly and of course raise my photography skills. However, this ‘venture’ didn’t let me maintain the grade point average to the level that I had wanted. Nevertheless, I had never once regretted my decisions. Now, I precisely know what I want out of life but am concerned that grades from 10 years ago might become a barrier. Even so, I’m currently engrossed in building my career as a successful global fashion merchandiser and I can assure you my minor grade slipup will not affect my academic endeavors in any way.

Looking back, it did not take long for me to decide on my life-long goal as my family is immersed in the fashion world as well. I was raised by two wonderful ladies, Grandmother who was the Master Dressmaker for Korea’s Traditional Royal Court and my Mother who was her successor, and was constantly reminded of fashion throughout my life. However, there were times when their way of working seemed ineffective and not commercialized. In becoming a career person myself, I found their integrity to maintain tradition and authenticity was the key in preserving cultural diversity while being flexible in their own way. I remember people who were deeply touched when they saw dresses that my Grandmother had made for them. I also would like to breathe life into the hearts of people through fashion as a successful merchandiser. My first step in fulfilling this dream is FIT.

Thank you.