Five things fashion school didn’t teach me

5 Things I Didn’t Learn in Fashion School — But Absolutely Needed

There’s this funny moment that happens when people find out I’m a designer and tailor. They’ll say, “Oh, you must’ve learned everything in fashion school.” And I just smile, because… if only.

Fashion school gave me theory, creativity, critique, deadlines, exhaustion, and some of the best memories of my life. But the career I built today? The business, the clients, the problem-solving, the confidence to tailor a gown or design for real bodies?

Yeah… I learned most of that outside the classroom.

So today I’m sharing five things I didn’t learn in fashion school—but desperately needed once I stepped into the real world of fashion, design, and entrepreneurship.

Because the truth is: the degree gave me a foundation. Experience made me a professional.

1. How to Sew (Yes… really)

Fashion school taught concepts, techniques, and the language of design.

But the actual hands-on sewing skills?

Those came before college, during late nights at home, teaching myself how to operate a machine and fix my own mistakes.

Fashion school just assumed we arrived knowing the basics.

I didn’t.

I figured them out on my own.

2. How to Design for Real Women

Fashion school uses size-0 to size-4 forms and models.

But the everyday woman—the one shopping, wearing, living in these clothes—is an average size 10.

Once I started dressing real clients, I realized how limiting that classroom standard was.

Body diversity isn’t a trend. It’s reality.

And it took designing outside school for me to fully understand fit, movement, comfort, and confidence on every body.

3. Alterations Are a Whole Different Skill

I always say: designing a garment and altering a garment are two different professions.

Fashion school prepared me to sketch, drape, and pattern.

But nobody taught me what to do when a client walks in with a gown that needs reshaping, restructuring, or resurrecting from the dead.

Alterations taught me precision.

Alterations taught me patience.

Alterations taught me how clothes really work on a moving, breathing body.

4. How to Run a Profitable Business

Let me tell you something: fashion school teaches creativity, not cash flow.

Nobody pulled me aside to say,

• “Here’s how much you should charge,”

• “Here’s how you find clients,”

• “Here’s how you create timelines,”

• or “Here’s how to manage your budget so you’re not sewing at 2AM for free.”

Entrepreneurship?

I learned that through trial, error, prayer, and Google.

A lot of Google.

5. How to Navigate the Fashion Industry

Internships open doors—but they don’t teach you how to walk confidently through them.

No one teaches you:

• how to network with intention,

• how to build your own opportunities,

• how to advocate for yourself as an independent creative,

• or how to survive an industry built on relationships, hierarchies, and timing.

Those lessons came slowly, through real experiences, real conversations, and real closed doors that pushed me to create my own.

The Real Education Happened After Graduation

Fashion school didn’t fail me—it just wasn’t designed to prepare me for everything.

What shaped my career the most were the moments outside the classroom:

Working with real women.

Fixing real problems.

Building a real business.

Learning through experience, not grades.

And honestly?

I wouldn’t change it.

Because those “missing pieces” helped me become the designer, tailor, and entrepreneur I am today.

If you’re in fashion—or thinking about entering the industry—just know:

School gives you a sketchbook.

The world teaches you how to fill it.