Wide eyed, I stared at the graceful motions of a straight wooden bow pulled across the strings of the violin as the piece “Salut d’amour” by Edward Elgar richly filled the air. At the age of four, I was fascinated by the beautiful melody pouring out from the hairs of the bow. Upon such desires to learn such a skill, I embarked on a path to master playing the violin and began to explore melodies on the piano as well. Pressing keys on the piano soon became as familiar to me as moving a bow across my violin, which fueled my musical ambitions for the next eleven years. However as I approached the end of these years, I realized that my creativity in this particular area began to plateau. I felt confined to the sheet music and began to crave a new challenge which would expand my borders. The music notes gave directions for my fingertips on the instruments which reminded me of Albert Einstein’s quote that, ”The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.” I saw how this oxymoronic statement encapsulated my musical education where I was taught in a manner that limited my creativity.
Upon this realization, I was drawn to fashion because the extent to which I could express myself was limitless. With every stroke of paint or alloy of textures, it felt like I was taking a breath of crisp air as I entered into a new world of creativity. Unlike a sheet of music with its notes and lines, a sheet of fabric allowed me to go wherever my mind desired. Starting from my idea sketches to the finished product, it was exhilarating to see my inner visions actualized into reality.
My musical efforts were not all at a loss because they have shaped who I am today and continue to influence what I do, how I see things, and what I make of things. It serves as an inspiration and challenge to make my own works of art. Such experiences have only added pieces to my creative capabilities. Fashion has furthered my creative efforts by giving me the freedom to go wherever my impulses take me and has made room for my mistakes to become a part of a better end result. In the future, I hope to move to greater canvases, not confined to a classroom or an institution but those unexplored in the world. Following my education at The New School, I envision myself to be equipped with an arsenal of resources and to be inspired by the endless landscapes and environments I will encounter. Beginning with Elgar’s song, my eyes opened to the possibilities of creativity in the world, ultimately leading to my current aspirations to produce innovative works starting with an empty canvas. I anticipate new experiences and challenges, which I know will come with failure, but room to learn from mistakes, and even more room to triumph over the new lands of creativity that lie ahead.