The following essay was written by a successful applicant who got accepted to top fashion design and textile programs at some of the top fashion schools. The schools she got admitted to included Parsons, the London school of fashion, and the Royal college of arts. Read this essay example to understand what such top programs are looking for in an applicant.

Sample Personal Statement Design and Textile

Shivers run down my spine as I am transported back to the darkest day of my life. As a toddler, I witnessed something so disquieting that I froze at that moment. I witnessed something so raw that, ever since, my impressionable mind has been in a frenzy – unable to recover from it. Then, I saw my mother trying to set herself on fire.

Standing helplessly in one corner, I was caught in a daze. Seeing your mother trying to give up on life like that is beyond disturbing. No one can ever understand where I come from as they have not walked my path.

However, the same past has transformed me into the strong individual I am today. Since that day, I decided I could not be at the mercy of a ruthless man, for my mother was my father. This epiphany gave me a goal. To become an independent woman and survive without being dependent on anyone.

That night something magical happened. Our guardian angel helped my mother reconsider her weak choice. We escaped the moment and moved back to my maternal grandparent’s house, leaving behind my father. I have never met him since.

Being a single parent, my mother struggled to make a living for her three infant children. She fought with all her might to provide us with every possible comfort. She taught us that, as do winters, springs find their way. Her aspiration has always been to make a better life for us.

Despite all the dark empty holes in her life, she taught me to make drawings and fill them with beautiful colors. And in art, I have found my escape. I draw my mind. The sun comes up every morning. Every day is a new beginning to a life full of different shades of hue. It’s charismatic. If you focus on the bright things, the dark emptiness disappears, the roots start to grow, and little buds of happiness form.

That’s why even in conversations, my mind wanders to what I want to draw next and how to fill it with colors. I am just optimistic that life will lead me to great heights. These are the things I have learned from being raised by a strong mother. A strong mother gives you the confidence to be who you want. You do what you want and aren’t afraid of expressing yourself.

In my case, I draw and construct designs. My mother has moved mountains, and so will I. Being a hardworking lady, my mother wasn’t always by my side. She worked tirelessly, so I used to spend most of my time with my grandfather. He, too, was a man of great wisdom. Unfortunately, by the age of 9, I lost him. I was broken and shattered. That was the moment I froze again. I had spent most of my childhood with him. He always encouraged me to grow and pursue my dreams to every possible limit. My life experiences represent my turmoil, resilience, and strength to conquer. I aspire to change my vision into reality now.

My philosophy behind Fashion and Textile design is more than designing clothes. The design never remains the same; it changes with the environment, just like life changes every minute. Some like to call it a fad. For me, every single design is a story to be found, heard, and felt. I speak through lines, designs, and colors. I channel my art into designs and fashion silhouettes. Fashion is beauty, enthrallment, and secrecy. Fashion is my passion. Hence, my work is a depiction of myself.

I have done my undergrad in Textile and Clothing. The degree comprised fashion illustrations inspired by drapery and designs that evoke emotions. The way it induces diverse sentiments is beautiful. I want to communicate different emotions to people and untangle the anonymity of how clothing can modify the environment.

My true passion for fashion flourished while doing my thesis in the final year of my undergrad. I developed color-therapeutic Adaptive Clothing for children suffering from cerebral palsy because I feel that color, design, and lines have the power to heal.

Currently, I’m working as an assistant fashion designer at Zara. At work, one of my responsibilities is to visualize ideas and transform them into tangible women’s fashion apparel. In addition, I develop fashion silhouettes for different fabrications and technical specifications of fashion cutlines using photoshop. Teamwork has helped me elicit sources of inspiration for seasonal range collections. This experience has made me confident and helped me contribute to a world where colors and designs speak of people’s minds. It’s an inspiring experience to know that a part of me lives in their stories.

This might be a chance for me to identify my local culture on an international platform. This will bring uniqueness and diversity to the entrepreneurial world of my country, where chauvinists oppress women. Being a strong woman, my mother has been an asset to me; it’s time for me to become an asset to other women.

I seek a long-term career where I can articulate my artistic talent and passion for fashion and open my mind by exploring the skills I could never do in any other field. My experience was unforgettable, and that surely made me what I’m today. I have armored myself in it. If I get this chance, I can gain a career that I’ll love for the rest of my life without regret.