Student
Advanced Fashion Design Student Sakura Mizutani's DEBUT Collection Celebrates Individuality
Advanced Fashion Design Student Sakura Mizutani has loved to create since she was a child growing up in Japan. After learning about FIDM via the host family she stayed with upon her arrival in Los Angeles, Sakura applied and was accepted to be one of the elite students who would design a DEBUT runway collection and learn how to launch a fashion label. We chatted with the International Student about individuality, how FIDM is helping Sakura get closer to her career goals, and how she’s finding support during the coronavirus pandemic.
Tell us about your DEBUT collection: My collection, “Out of the Box,” is inspired by a “box” and by men's clothes, because the oversized designs express the strength and coolness of women. I imagined that the brain and a box are the same shape, but even though they look the same, they are different from the inside. Each person has a different way of thinking and feeling, everyone has the same shaped box, but inside of our box we store different experiences, save different memories, and we build our confidence and personality. I want to tell people that it is okay to be different from others through my collection, so I used a range of gray tones and designed different shapes to express individuality. My fabrics are mainly wool and cashmere. I hope that this collection will inspire people who want to build confidence in themselves.
What was your path to FIDM? I loved to create things since I was a child and as I grew up I thought I wanted to become a designer. When I first came to LA, I lived with my homestay family and my host mother used to be a designer. She told me about FIDM and after that I decided to apply.
How is FIDM helping you get closer to your career goals? At first, I struggled with adjusting to the culture differences and learning styles, but my teachers helped me to develop my abilities and my advisors guided me to learn about fashion. Also, there are many students who are working very hard to achieve their goals, so the good environment helped me to do my best. I've had to make sacrifices to be here, but I received a lot of knowledge in return.
No one could have imagined a global pandemic would force DEBUT to be cancelled. How are you supporting one another or comforting yourself during this difficult time? This unprecedented time has caused events and fashion shows to be cancelled, but fortunately FIDM decided to postpone DEBUT. I am in contact often with my friends and family; I also keep a positive attitude and stay hopeful that this will be over soon so that we can have the opportunity to show the audience our collections.
What do you hope people take away when seeing your designs? My designs are created from a variety of styles for different people to choose from, and I hope that the people who like my collection feel the confidence to be different from other people, through my collection.
FIDM regrets that, due to precautionary measures brought on by coronavirus, or COVID-19, we are canceling this year’s DEBUT and related events. In compliance with government recommendations, we plan to reschedule the event when it is possible to do so. We take the safety of our guests, students, staff, and faculty very seriously and thank you in advance for your understanding during this uncertain time.
Please follow us on Instagram for updates on how we are showcasing all of the student work from DEBUT.
Categories: Advanced Fashion Design International Student
