Anita Grey

Self-development is a way of pursuing my dream. Realizing the importance of being competitive in this ever-changing developing world through self-education, I strive to constantly improve my existing knowledge in all fields of everyday life. From an early age I was familiar with most handicrafts, having attended extra-curricular classes. At the age of 11, I began to make my own clothes, firstly as a necessity, which then turned into a dream to become a fashion designer. To gain professional skills, I enrolled in Drawing and Sewing courses where I was accepted despite being three years younger than the minimum age requirements. Art school was my next step, where I had my first opportunities to participate and win several international competitions. To broaden my creative awareness and expand my knowledge, I continued my education in an Architectural and Design school, as it was the only school related to design in my city even though it wasn’t strictly in the field of fashion. Being young I realized the importance of applying my 100% effort to any kind of work I undertake, as hard work provides is rewarded by recognition. I have learned that once you enjoy your work, professional growth will increase at a pace directly proportional to your performance.

Becoming a fashion designer against all the conditions required willpower. Being granted with an educational scholarship to study abroad straight after I finished school, I believed that a degree in Architecture might not only further my interpretation skills but design awareness also. Unfortunately due to some health problems I had to quit my first university course, but in hindsight I also realized that learning languages would serve better as a first step, should one want to go international. The first degree I received was in Foreign Languages, more precisely English- a key to all doors and a necessary tool for enhancing one’s knowledge in any field, as most progressive periodicals are published in English. My plan was that having a second Specialist degree with honours as a Costume Designer would immediately introduce me to the World of Fashion; however I now see the naïveté in that expectation. I realized that due to different approaches across different educational systems, what we lack in Russia is critical appraisal, self-evaluation, analysis and observation, all of which I would like to develop in this prospective Master’s program. My desire for learning motivates me to leave my comfort zone in order to pursue continuous self-development, and this Master’s program is the perfect opportunity to be able to practice professionally at the forefront of the international fashion industry, learning and working together in close proximity with those involved in it. I am sure that the more we learn, the more we realize how much we have left to learn, and that is why I try to jump into any opportunity when it comes to professional growth.

It is not only professional experience that counts from my point of view. My perseverance brought me to India to work as a scarf designer after my first internship in USA, and then it was Italy that followed. Then, in Turkey I was working in a completely new field of pattern-making, working on designs of kid’s bed sets, and after that the opportunity to go to Morocco presented itself. The list is not finished yet, as I have already been invited to Japan and Germany to work on short-term fashion-oriented project works as well. Having already lived in seven countries, learning from people and being enriched by their cultures, I consider it a privilege to be able to share gained experience with the outside world through art. As the organizer and head of the Creative Studio “CEH” (rus. guild) that I arranged this year, I have tried to appeal to the creative side of each member by showing them how far they can go when guided by a dream, belief and will power. Just a few days ago, I came across a first-place certificate I was awarded in a creative competition about 12 years ago, that proved that I was ready to inspire and lead even from an early age. The demands and the inspirational description that were written on the rules and regulations section of the certificate surprised me as it correlates with my current philosophy: to enjoy the moment of creation and let the imagination represent itself in a material three-dimensional form.

The more we work, the more we learn. I understand the importance of teamwork, but also the value of giving enough freedom to each member of the Creative Studio “CEH” to express their creative vision and individuality, encouraging their personal development by allowing them to realize their full potential and establish a unique creative identity. This way, everyone’s personality is incorporated into their work, enhancing the possibility for the whole group to reach the highest level of performance. An idea is worth spreading and selling and prospective designers shouldn’t be afraid to think outside of the box. The experience I am having now teaches me how to organize and pace my work professionally, being independent and experimental when managing my time effectively to meet deadlines. This means of working is a great way to foster my personal growth and it helps me to discover and explore alternative approaches that support my project objectives and challenge my assumption.

Innovations combined with ideas are the harbingers of a successfully executed project. I came to the conclusion that I think with broader concepts than I can execute on my own at home. After five professional internships abroad, I have developed analytical and interpretative skills, helping me realize that there is always a target audience whose demands could be satisfied by my work. For example, many societies or communities require a more tailored approach in garment design which cannot be provided by mainstream producers due to local traditions and climactic conditions, differences in perspective on the portrayal of the human figure, or even physical differences in the bodies of local people themselves. This therefore presents countless opportunities for exploration. When it comes to colors, I follow the world of nature, being inspired by combinations; as a kinesthetic person it is important for me to feel the structure of fabrics I blend, but using fabric as the only material when creating a garment is not enough for me anymore. This year being a student of the Technological University I am eagerly take the opportunity and to collaborate with more than one department while creating a fashion collection, working with every kind of material that I can in addition to plain fabric, and leaving the boundaries of standard three-vector shallow dress development. Right now we are in the middle of creating wooden parts for my new garments and meanwhile I am investigating the flexibility of concrete and new characteristics of glue as new ways of finishing a piece. I am blessed to have three-dimensional sense when imagining an item of clothing and recognize the importance of visual interpretation skills when working in tandem with somebody else. The technical skills I have acquired over the three-year Sewing and Pattern Making course provide a base for the further extensive research necessary to tackle any kind of technical problem.