Tag Archives: FIT precollege blog

FIT Photography Class Trends 2016

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Hey Precollegers!
Unlike most of the courses offered at FIT, photography is one of the subjects that isn’t fashion oriented. Walking around campus on a Saturday or Sunday, you’ll see a majority of precollege students donning the newest trends and designer clothing and accessories. However, in the photography department, things run a little differently. Not to say that photographers don’t dress well and are clueless on style, but most of my classmates and I possess a style that is practical, yet artistic. I have noticed some reoccurring trends that are present in the classroom, and I’ve decided to dedicate this week’s blog to photography class trends. I like to think of a simple description of a photographer’s style this way: photographer’s can’t care as much about how they look compared to other people—they’re too busy making sure that everyone else looks good.

1. Dark colors
Especially when working in the darkroom, darker colors are important to wear to hide chemical stains. Wearing black when shooting in the studio is also helpful to not distract from the shoot, and it’s easier to tell who the photographers are when they’re in all dark colors. The only downside to dark clothing in the studio is that you’ll be a little warmer due to dark colors attracting heat from light. Other than that however, when in doubt, I just opt for black.

2. Stylish but comfortable footwear
I’ve noticed that a lot of people in my class wear Vans and Doc Martens—comfortable shoes that are easy to style and can really add character to an outfit. I’m a huge fan of both shoes, and they also add to the cool-artistic- alternative vibe that photographers tend to possess. Yes, we know we’re better than you. And we’re wearing dark colors and angsty footwear to prove that. (I really hope that you’ve noted my sarcasm here).
3. Fjällräven backpacks
As someone in my class once said “This is the backpack owned by every art student ever”. At my high school, maybe 3 other kids have this bag, but walking into class on the first day I found myself matching with 4 other girls! These backpacks are from Sweden and were originally designed for Swedish school children, hence their playful and childish vibe. They are a very bold and unique shape, and add a lot of personality to any casual outfit. They are also just the right size to carry a photography binder and camera, two obvious necessities for this class. To personalize their bags, some of my classmates sew on patches or attach pins to them, too.
4. Thrifted pieces
A majority of my class are second hand enthusiasts—myself included. Thrifted jeans, flannels, jackets and t-shirts are often found on the students in my class. Comfortable, practical, and probably cheaper, thrifted pieces are perfect to wear in an artistic class with a lot of moving and creating. Although our outfits are pretty simple for the most part, one of a kind pieces are sure to add character to a seemingly basic ensemble.

Layers of black textures with statement Docs

Layers of black textures with statement Docs

3 ladies rocking their Fjällrävens--original and mini sizes

3 ladies rocking their Fjällrävens–original and mini sizes

Thrifted mom jeans, various vans, and dark colors

Thrifted mom jeans, various vans, and dark colors

Thrifted layers with darker and muted tones

Thrifted layers with darker and muted tones

I hope this post gave you all some insight on typical precollege photographer styles!

See you next week!
-Francesca

5 Ways To Love Layering

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Hello readers! As the mornings have gotten colder, I’ve reached a dilemma. I’m having trouble letting go of my fall clothes. I knew this moment would come, but not this soon. I’ve been avoiding pulling my winter coat out of my closet. This is unusual for me because winter is my absolute favorite season because of the clothes. However, I’ve come up with a solution that will get me by until the temperature permanently drops under 30 until the spring: Layering! This may seem like a simple solution, but I feel as if I’m getting very creative to keep warm. This styling trick has no rules, which makes it so much fun. I’ve gotten more compliments on my outfits than ever before. Here are my 5 favorite ways to layer:

  1. Get out your favorite sleeveless casual dress and wear it over a turtleneck or a long sleeve top. I’ve lately been doing this with a black faux suede dress and any warm shirt I can find. I feel very put together when I do this!
  2. Pair your thick cardigan with a light jacket to stay warm and add texture to your outfit. This is a wonderful way to transition into wearing a heavier coat and the pairing of different fabrics looks great together. Add a chunky scarf for when it is colder out.
  3. This may sound weird, but wear a statement sock that sticks out of your shoe over a pair of tights. Choose socks that are a different color than your outfit or have a cool pattern. Keeping your feet warm is important, so you might as well look cute while doing it!
  4. Wear as many thin layers as possible. Dressing like this will keep you so warm you’ll forget all about wearing a coat. Mixing fabrics will add dimension to your look and make it unique. Try it out and I promise you that you won’t be left in the cold.
  5. Throw a sweater over your button up top. This may be known as an exclusively preppy styling tip, but anyone can rock it. A patterned or colored sweater will make the formal button up seem more casual and fun while keeping you warm.

This is the best way to stay warm and fashionable this season. Layering lets me survive cold, brisk mornings in New York until I finally decide to wear a coat.

Have a great week!

 

Thanks for reading,

Kenzie Davis

A few things FIT has taught me

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NYCnewcropped“Never give up on what you want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts”- Albert Einstein.

Throughout the year and a half that I have been taking Precollege classes at FIT, I have learned many things, not only about fashion and putting together a great outfit, but also about life and myself. The first lesson I learned is that traffic lights and signs are more of a vague suggestion. Drivers will go where they feel like going, when they feel like going, and will not stop for you no matter how cute your outfit may be.

The second lesson I learned from my FIT Precollege experience is real responsibility. This class made me become far more prepared than I could have ever dreamed!! It has made me take on the responsibility of waking up early, getting to my locations on time, and having all the materials I need with me on hand. It has really helped me to grow up in the sense that in the big city you need to be your own best friend and rely on yourself to be organized and have everything you need taken care of ahead of time.

Overall, and I think most importantly, the biggest lesson I have learned is that a bottle of water in New York City costs two dollars, not four. And if anyone tries to sell it to you for four, you should swiftly walk away. Just kidding–although this is true.  The biggest and most important lesson I have learned from this experience is courage. I live in a small town that is quiet for the most part, and the idea of going to the city every weekend was the most exciting and most terrifying thing I could ever think of doing. So I did it. And from pushing myself I have learned that I am a lot stronger than I thought and can handle a lot more than I believed I could. At the end of my first semester class I was riding the train home with my FIT certificate in my hand and I will not ever forget the real sense of accomplishment I felt holding it. It wasn’t just a piece of paper, or even an award for completing that class; it was a symbol that I had grown as a person and pushed myself beyond any boundaries I ever thought I could push past.  I had overcome my fears, walked into the big city alone, and come out of the experience with new friends, skills and many life lessons.

These are just a few of the things that FIT and New York have taught me, and will teach anyone else who lets them!   I am thankful for this experience, and wish Happy Thanksgiving to all.

-Emily

The End

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This is my last post for this session’s blog. These past three weeks went by very quickly. I enjoyed my classes this semester very much. I enjoyed learning new skills. I enjoyed some of the people who I met. I enjoyed my professors. These classes have given me a new motivation for fashion, a new motivation for pushing myself to do better. Who knows what I’ll do when I grow up but what I’ve realized is that at this point it doesn’t really matter. I’m not wasting time by taking these classes because I have all the time in the world. And even if I don’t use these skills in the future, I’m enjoying them now.

I’m sad that it’s over but I know I’ll be back, if not this fall or spring then definitely in the summer.

Thank you, good luck, and good-bye.

Sophia

What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

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What do you want to be when you grow up? A question asked to every single person under the age of 22 from their first day of kindergarten to the day they graduate college. I hate it because I think it’s a cop-out from adults who don’t know any other way to relate to kids. Who don’t know what to say or how to act so they try to relate in a way that they can understand. It’s a definition. A way to compartmentalized people into groups. All any of us want is definition. A way to explain everyone and everything.

I personally hate answering it because I feel some sort of commitment. Like after I say what I want to be that that’s it. That’s who I am and what I have to do. For the longest time when someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up the answer was plain and simple: a fashion designer. Now I have begun to change my mind. My definition of myself had changed, lines have been blurred, truths have been lost. My future isn’t so clear anymore. I don’t know what I want. Now my cop-out answer to that cop-out question is fashion designer because that’s simpler than the truth: I don’t know.

After writing this blog I have become interested in fashion journalism. Working for a magazine or some blog sounds like a lot of fun, who knows if in the next ten years there will still be real magazines.  I have turned into a thing I used to hate and have become what I thought I didn’t want, but what I realize now was that I didn’t know what I was talking about. I love writing about fashion, I love sharing my ideas with people. I have lost some motivation for sewing and designing but who knows. I have years ahead of me to decide, we all do. Nothing is really permanent. We put so much weight on decisions like college and career because we are afraid of making a mistake. But if we regarded these things with more of an open mind, and remembered that there is always room and time for a second chance, maybe things would be a little easier, and maybe we would all be a little happier.

Sophie