Student

Yuxuan Zhang

Seventeen-year-old Yuxuan Zhang, who is originally from China and currently living in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is looking forward to beginning his fashion career at FIDM in the fall of 2019.

Hometown: Shenzhen, Guangdong, China 

Admissions Advisor: Seung Kim

How did your advisor help with the process? My advisor was an indispensable part of my acceptance at FIDM. She was extremely kind and patient and made every effort to help in every step. Because I lived outside of L.A., we would usually communicate through phone and emails. Whenever I had questions about the application requirements she would always answer them and would even give me extra suggestions to make my portfolio and essay as good as possible.

Tell us a bit about yourself. Growing up in China, I had a different childhood than most of my peers here in the U.S. However, that didn’t prevent me from getting in touch with the American culture. While in middle school I got into basketball, and as a result, I was introduced to western music subgenres such as punk and hip-hop. I noticed that artists like Sid Vicious, Yung Lean, and A$AP Rocky all have a really unique yet expressive way of dressing. Always a bit rebellious, I found that extremely cool and wanted to be just like them. I enjoy being different from other people. And because of this, I would often receive criticism from the people around me. You were not supposed to stand out. Despite that, I’m still really thankful for my years in China, as it gave me not only the ability to speak two languages but also a better understanding of two different cultures and a wider view of this world. 

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? For me, getting accepted into FIDM was a huge honor. It was in a sense like an approval, which really makes me believe in myself more than ever. And also, as cheesy as it might sound, having a job. Being able to take care of myself and not depend on my parents is something that I am really proud of. 

What made FIDM right for you? One of the main reasons I chose FIDM is the vibe of the school. It is the key element that separates FIDM from all the other great fashion schools in the nation, making it irreplaceable. During the time I’ve spent at the “3 Day of Fashion” program there was this real sense of belonging that had never been felt before. The faculty was unbelievably friendly and responsible to its students and everybody was so passionate about what they were doing. These are the exact type of people I want to be surrounded by, for they will make me even more driven to become successful. 

What are your post-FIDM goals? After graduating from FIDM I would like move on to other schools to continue studying fashion and pursue an MFA in Fashion Design. After that I would like to start my own menswear line and if possible work for other designer brands as a creative director. Eventually, my goal is to set a strong foothold in this ever-evolving and competitive industry and to become one of the best menswear designers. And of course, in my way. 

What do you expect to learn at FIDM? Everything. 

Please Note: The information contained herein was confirmed at the time of original publication.

Categories:  Fashion Design Student