Student

Haotian Wu

Haotian Wu (who also goes by Kevin) has a a degree in Economics from UC Irvine, but after finding his true passion, he's headed to FIDM to pursue a Professional Designation degree in Fashion Design.

Age: 25

Hometown: Dalian, a small northeastern city in China

Previous College/Work: I have a B.A. in Economics from University of California, Irvine and worked for the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC USA) as a banking service specialist after graduation.

FIDM Major: Fashion Design Professional Designation

FIDM Start Date: October 2018

Admissions Advisor: Susan Pope

How did your advisor help with the process? Susan is very kind and warm-hearted. She is always very patient and willing to answer any question that I raise. Also, she gave me confidence after seeing my portfolio. I am very happy that my work gets approved by someone who works in the field of fashion and is knowledgeable of fashion. I thank her for her kindness in helping me get into FIDM.

Tell us a bit about yourself. I like freedom. I don’t like fixed rules, instructions, and other restrictions. I like using my mind to imagine, explore, and create new things instead of following roads that people have already passed. I think that fashion attracts me because there are always new ideas, trends, and inspirations emerging in the field of fashion. And, as I see and explore in the world of fashion, I can keep breaking my comfort zone and start to accept new things. These new things will become the source of my ideas and inspirations. Eventually, I can really make something that expresses my uniqueness and characteristics. Making something different is what I love and what I am passionate about.

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? I am proud that I have made close friendships with some people who have great souls. I am happy and I feel lucky that I am able to build a great relationship with these friends and I wish that we can be best friends forever. I am very proud of my decision to go to FIDM. For so many years, I didn’t have a clear idea about what I want to do or pursue. When I was a kid, I was told to study hard because good grades could get me into a good school. So, I just followed teachers’ instructions and parents’ advice and tried to be a hard-working student.

When I came to America in 2011, I still did not know what I wanted to do. I maintained a good GPA in order to get to a good college because a high ranking college reputation would make my parents and relatives proud. Then I started to panic after I graduated because this time there was no goal set up for me. I was no longer a student and I still did not know what I wanted to do. I got a job in the bank and I did not like it because I knew that I did not belong there. I could not stand wearing the same suit, doing the same transaction, following the same drill, and literally meeting the same customer with the same need every day. I eventually told myself to pursue what I am passionate about, what I am interested in. And, I am glad that I did. I feel proud that I actually made it.

What made FIDM right for you? I really like FIDM’s small scale of classes. It ensures that students literally have a one-on-one teaching environment with instructors. Therefore, the academic quality is no doubt great. Also, instructors are experienced and knowledgeable people who work in the field of fashion. Studying with them also means many opportunities for students to have internships and jobs.

What are your post-FIDM goals? My goal is to build a special point of view of fashion. And, by studying at FIDM, I want to master skills to help me turn my thoughts into an actual collection.

What do you expect to learn at FIDM? At FIDM, I am expecting to learn all the skills to make clothes. These skills are tools. What I am truly interested in learning at FIDM is the knowledge and aesthetic taste of fashion.

Describe your entrance project. I wanted to design something that I'd want to wear, something that fits my aesthetic taste, and also something that reflects my identity. I am not a tall person, therefore, I like playing with proportion. This is why I prefer a cropped top and a high-waist bottom. I don’t like things to fit on my body. Being influenced by one of my favorite designers, Yohji Yamamoto, I prefer the oversize, flowy vibe. I want to wear something that shows who I am. I used some very obvious Chinese elements such as koi and bamboo in a classic Chinese shanshui printing style and ancient Chinese clothing with long and wide sleeves.