Purpose Statement

Statement of Purpose

In what ways will you contribute to the subject matter of the program? You should include a thoughtful description of your background, tentative plan of study or area of inquiry in the field as you now envision it, your professional goals, and how this graduate program will help you realize those goals.

PART 1

n what ways will I contribute?

Background?

Professional goals

Learn, educate and evolve. How can I continue to maneuver through the roads of

Throughout my upbringing with a single mom we were mostly taught survival skills and what would be our next step as adults. She wasn’t raising babies, she was raising adults. As you can imagine with as little to no time to dedicate to our studies because we were too busy helping around the house. I now realize the importance of letting kids ..”be kids” I still did very well in school, in fact in the top 10. It wasn’t until I went to college for the first time in my family that I realized that I actually needed to teach myself how to sit and study and memorize information. At this point my only running engine had deceased 3 years ago and everything she taught me had engraved in the front of my forehead. Throughout those college years, not a day went by that I didn’t think. “she was right”, “how could she have been so spot on with this future event”

A memory that I have and a long lasting one is when I was able to have free time as a kid I remember raging her closet as I think most young girls do. I tried everything on and at the time I was a 90s baby rock star, with sparking bdazzle and velvet hair elastics. A leather jacket with 5 inch moccasin heals. That feeling of invinsible, the urge of wanted to grow up just so I could get out my bland clothes into something more hip and cool. Something that I felt identified with.

The feeling of trying on those clothes was one where I felt comfortable, one where I felt at ease and I could be myself.

While I knew where I wanted to go during my studies I couldn’t exactly pin it to an exact job description or a title. I knew I wanted to create and enthusically love what I created. I chose to study International Business because I didn’t want to pigeon hole myself to a specific career. I’ve always thought that the idea of being adaptable/flexible will not allow you to be a prisoner of your life. Theres a great quote by Lao Tzu that hits home for me. “Men are born soft and supple; dead, they are stiff and hard. Plants are born tender and pliant; dead they are brittle and dry. Thus whoever is stiff and inflexible is a disciple of death. Whoeever is soft and yielding is a disciple of life. The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail.”

On that note I pushed really hard to finish my studies even though all odds were against me, my father passed away when I was 7 and my mother when I barely 15. It’s hard to write this but it’s important to me because I’m constantly reminded of their beautfuil souls daily. I am them, I am everything they taught me and am grateful for that.

Jumping in- My hands-on knowledge acquired in the industry from experience learning. Initially when leaving the financial world?, I imagined the fashion world would be much easier than expected. However, I was in for a grand surprise. In many ways it is comparable to the financial world. It is demanding, it moves fast, its non-forgiving and cut throat. In fact, I’ve learned so much by completely immersing myself in the fashion industry after starting a fashion project with a business partner that also happens to be a dear friend.

Cultural differences- The interaction with providers/ sellers in the fashion world has taught me that communication and persistence need to be effective/swift/precise. Why? Working with others in a developing country is overwhelming and different than what I was used to in the back home Few examples include; people are not punctual, they dance to a different beat. They have incredible talent but lack motivation. As Americans we’ve become extremely efficient.

Technical- Level of expertise in the financial world has prepared me for the technical portion of the fashion field…..

I like the ready to wear area and the resort wear. I like to create clothes that’s ready to make women feel great all the time. Creating garments that twist heads in a subtle respectful way. Making a woman walk with grace.

PART 2

Field as I envision it is ever changing and creating new spaces for new thought processes and ideas to come for new generations. It’s refreshing and ever changing

The idea of being able to create and have your full engagement without constant effort or being pushed. The idea of working efficiently when you’re able and wanting to.

Undoubtedly eager to pursue my field of burning passion and excel in my level of expertise. I have hands on experience in the fashion world through learning and hands on experience. My upbringing and expertise has led me to believe that this is exactly where I want to be and have not been so sure since. The desire are

Contribute international expertise in finance, fashion entrepreneurship and cultural awareness. Quality work because it’s the process of practice that leads to perfection and expertise.

Professional goals

Learn, educate and evolve. How can I continue to maneuver through the roads of

Throughout my upbringing with a single mom we were mostly taught survival skills and what would be our next step as adults. She wasn’t raising babies, she was raising adults. As you can imagine with as little to no time to dedicate to our studies because we were too busy helping around the house. I now realize the importance of letting kids ..”be kids” I still did very well in school, in fact in the top 10. It wasn’t until I went to college for the first time in my family that I realized that I actually needed to teach myself how to sit and study and memorize information. At this point my only running engine had deceased 3 years ago and everything she taught me had engraved in the front of my forehead. Throughout those college years, not a day went by that I didn’t think. “she was right”, “how could she have been so spot on with this future event”

A memory that I have and a long lasting one is when I was able to have free time as a kid I remember raging her closet as I think most young girls do. I tried everything on and at the time I was a 90s baby rock star, with sparking bdazzle and velvet hair elastics. A leather jacket with 5 inch moccasin heals. That feeling of invinsible, the urge of wanted to grow up just so I could get out my bland clothes into something more hip and cool. Something that I felt identified with.

The feeling of trying on those clothes was one where I felt comfortable, one where I felt at ease and I could be myself.

While I knew where I wanted to go during my studies I couldn’t exactly pin it to an exact job description or a title. I knew I wanted to create and enthusically love what I created. I chose to study International Business because I didn’t want to pigeon hole myself to a specific career. I’ve always thought that the idea of being adaptable/flexible will not allow you to be a prisoner of your life. Theres a great quote by Lao Tzu that hits home for me. “Men are born soft and supple; dead, they are stiff and hard. Plants are born tender and pliant; dead they are brittle and dry. Thus whoever is stiff and inflexible is a disciple of death. Whoeever is soft and yielding is a disciple of life. The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail.”

On that note I pushed really hard to finish my studies even though all odds were against me, my father passed away when I was 7 and my mother when I barely 15. It’s hard to write this but it’s important to me because I’m constantly reminded of their beautfuil souls daily. I am them, I am everything they taught me and am grateful for that.

During my studies I felt in control and a painter on a blank canvas with the liberty to draw my own picture. I studied abroad in Japan, Singapore, Dubai and India. The learning was incredible. Being completely immersed in a country without limits and Professors to guide you along. The highlights of my studies weren’t the factory visits and CEO speeches, although they should have been. My highlight being able to dress as if I had been living there for a long time. I wanted to feel what it was like to live in their shoes- literally. In Japan I wore Kimonos with vibrant colors and detailed prints. While I embraced their culture I was welcomed with bright smiles everywhere as if I was being thanked for trying to be a part of their culture. It didn’t look all credible but I tried and was so happy to do so. Embracing a long-standing history of traditional culture and encompassing color palettes developed in the Heian period.

In Dubai I wore an Abaya, a long elegant cloak worn by women in the UAE and it their national dress. Traditionally black color, it covers the whole body except the face, feet and hands. I was awed by the feeling and the lesson learned during this experience. Raised in a Colombian culture that I frequently visited. Women walk around flaunting almost everything. I immediately realized a truth while wearing an Abaya, I felt empowered. I felt that I was and could be anyone under my Abaya and didn’t need to flaunt physical attributed to the world. It was what was underneath that matter. The knowledge, the memories, the learnings I carried with me. I didn’t need to wait on anyones approval for my outfit that day. It was one of the best learning experiences thus far.

There was a seed always planted within me and one I still carry delightfully. After graduation I went on to be an Analyst for Banco Santander. A Spanish bank with vibrant people and dull offices. My routine required an early 4 am start and a late 7pm ending. About three months into my office space I thought “can I really sit in chair and look at a screen for the rest of my life?” I continued to work because I was making great achievements. The people I worked with enjoyed having me around and I was a great addition to the team. The highlight of this stage was I was thrilled to walk in like I owned the place. One of my favorite work outfits was a black and white pinstriped tunic that I wore with elegant legging and a leather stripe on the side paired with black classic pointed toe heels. I walked in feeling like a million bucks and then some. I sat at my desk after a long day and thought to myself “what a waste of an outfit.” I carried on with doing excellent work nut realized I needed to make and a change and make it sooner rather than later. Before I deteriorated any further.

We launched head first into the project and it led us to Colombia South America, where the options to create are endless, labor is less expensive and there is free trade between the U.S. and Colombia. When we arrived to the city of Medellin we were thrilled to grasp a air, maybe a it was a better grasp on our future. We were delighted about being able to start new and create. We researched everything from fabrics to accessories to how to haggle prices. Fast forward a year later and it is still a mighty work in progress.

I knew I wanted to continue my studies and this time around I knew that I wanted to be more specific with my choice. I’ve been to New York since I was kid and family lives there. One particular friend lives there and something about the city inspires the motor rat in people. I’ve always liked that Parsons is in the center of the fashion district and offers the high paced speed that the fashion industry needs.

I then decided to sign up for the Fashion Business certificate to see if Parson was actually going to be a right fit for me and if I was going to enjoy the process. I couldn’t have been more spot on with my decision and one person who has supported me. Taking the classes at Parsons has allowed be to be engaged with the material while being able to work at my own pace. What differentiates learning now from my bachelors learning is that when the information is presented, I actually enjoy the reading. I want to continue too learn. The information is one that I have already learned or one that I can continue to learn and apply to the real world. I don’t think the information is going to waste and that is important. Professors understand the need for flexibility and are ALWAYS there for more assistance on the subject or even outside of the subject. One professor for instance goes above and beyond for her students. Introducing Zoom office hourse and her whatsapp number in case we ever have a question with a problem. She constantly reiterates that we should reach out. During these interesteresting times, that is priceless information. Understanding that the school will be there as much as the professors will is nice.

Parsons has created a community with close nit peers and easy access to information from all over the world. The idea of adaptation and flexibility are the two words that come to mind when thinking of a choice of a masters programs. When considering the masters program, there were no options left to think. I’ve known from the moment I walked in for information. The white archway entrance, with room filled with students eager to learn. The walls painted with student design each different in their own special way. A place where being different and creative something special is highly encouraged. If creating is my passion I couldn’t think of a better place to continue my endeavor.

PART 3

The urge to want to continue the road to success, I’d like to continue to learn and experience the fashion world through its own eyes and features. There’s a lot the constantly needs to be grasped and understood that is endlessly changing. This is the part of fashion that I enjoy. The pace, the idea of trying to keep up with it. Finance is cool and all, I got to wear fancy outfits but with what end goal in mind? A sedentary life that was going to eat me away at a much faster pace than I was ever going to grow. I couldn’t have been surer of anything in my life.

I want to continue to expand my horizons and allow myself to suburg myself in the knowledge of highly experienced creators and professionals. One thing I’ve noticed while taking classes at Parsons is that Professors have such detailed immense experience from all over the world. I want to be that, I want to be a part of that.

This idea of always adapting is one I’d like to create not only for my career path but for life in general. I want to make sure that I follow through with that because its value driven, to the point of instinct. Engraved in my DNA. In other fields, some would think of it as wishy washy or lack of commitment and this is why I feel just right at Parsons. The horizons are endless.

What would I like to do with my degree?

I want to propel forward and consume knowledge, I’d like to be surrounded with fashion expertises from one spectrum to the other. Fully consumed in my own world nonetheless.

Building your own brand takes time and effort, it’s a painfully slow but fulfilling process. It requires adaption along the way. I want to continue to build this brand while learning more along the way. Applying what I am learning along the way. Many choose the path of least resistance. The Urban environment

I’d just like to get out of here. I ‘d just like to continue to grow. Stagnant is not for me

Build a future of long term success and be part of an authentic collaborative environment.

Why do I think this is the fit for me?

Generally speaking I want to do something that enriches my passion, that wakes me up in the morning. Essentially create something for myself. If sitting behind a desk was for me I would have remained in that same spot for some time, but I chose not to. I want to continue to expand and grow out of my comfort zone. Ideally with something that I am passionate about, Since I was a little girl I always wore my mom’s clothes and posed for the camera as a hobby. I studied modeling but came to find out I was too short for the cause but I still knew I wanted to be a part of the fashion world. I know its cut throat but I like that, but its competitive.

Tentative plan of study, area of unquiry

Tentative plan of study

With the undoubtfully want to succeed is how I like to approach my daily activites . That education is the way to create ones path road of success. That oppurtunities do exist with excellent school and a plan of action.