Silvie Joseph. June 2025.
Field school participants standing in front of The Tower of London on May 8, 2025.
Hello! My name is Silvie Joseph and I am a 3rd year, going into 4th year, student studying fashion design and technology at KPU’s Wilson School of Design.
Through May 4th - 13th, 2025, I had the privilege of embarking on the 2025 Fashion Field School where I explored two of the most renowned fashion capitals of the world, London and Paris.
Throughout this experience, I was immersed into London and Paris’ current and past fashion scenes by exploring museums, participating in workshops, and touring stores.
Not only did the exposure to different cultures teach me just how much fashion can differ on the other side of the world, but it also taught me that there is so much out there that simply cannot be taught in a classroom.
The opportunity to travel abroad, even just for ten days, was truly life changing and left me with some incredible lessons and memories.
Welcome to a compilation of my new-found experiences, observations, and inspirations!
My journey began in London where I explored museums, participated in workshops, and toured stores.
My adventure continued in Paris where I toured iconic spots and wandered around many museums.
After ten days in London and Paris, I spent some time reflecting on what I feel that I got out of the Fashion Field School. Of course I learnt so much about fashion in London and Paris as both of these cities are absolutely filled with history, culture, and style; however, if I am being honest, I think my biggest takeaway was that at the end of the day I am simply just a person that is ever growing and learning.
I may make mistakes, misunderstand, speak too little, or too much, overreact, or underreact, yet life will continue on as it has been for millions of years. Nevertheless, with this in mind, it is up to me to make the most out of my life and find meaning where I can. There were times throughout the field school where I slept too little or felt that I was around others too much, making me feel a little crazy, but I tried my best to show up and to take in information and to learn because that is what matters most.
I had been handed such an incredible opportunity to experience just a fraction of what it would be like living abroad and taking full advantage of this wherever possible was the best thing I could do. I genuinely do not think there would have been any way for me to remember all of the details I can now recount if I had not written down my thoughts in my journal or sketched garments, views, and objects that stood out to me as much as I did. Not only do I now have a journal full of inspiration, I have a mind filled with inspiration too.
Actively trying to make the most out of my time along with reminding myself to be adaptive and openminded truly did help me make the most out my time away and now I am left with memories I know I will cherish forever. I feel grateful that these ten days in London and Paris have contributed to the person I am now and moving forward, I feel motivated and inspired to make the most out of the education I have left, while reminding myself that seeking out learning experiences beyond just the classroom is one of the best ways to grow.
Most of the field school participants outside of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. May 5, 2025.
A video compilation of my field school experience in which I reflect on how my time abroad aligned with and impacted me as a fashion design student