In my efforts to apply for an Honours Degree at FEDISA – I found it tough and quite

confusing at first, as I could not strongly establish my reasons or motives. I decided to

break it into the pros and cons by beginning from an objective view. One can clearly
see that the benefits of an Honours degree are paramount, with the individual receiving
both physical growth and psychological/mental growth. From figures provided by
Statistics South Africa (2018), I discovered the unemployment rates of both youth (15-
34) and young adults (35-64). The success of one receiving employment is much
higher when one has a tertiary degree as supposed to having lower qualifications. Also,
according to a list of benefits by exemplary institutions such as Stanford University
(2018) and similarly stated in other institutions, Honours helps with:

1. In-depth research throughout your life.

2. Demonstrating to potential employers that you have the capabilities that
encompass practical/theoretical work.
3. Developing and honing useful skills for many different circumstances such as
discipline, judgement, self-confidence, mastery of material and more.

The evidence is also shown in the success stories of those who have obtained the
Honours degree – gaining the ability to further themselves and contribute towards their
career/studies. All these would give someone reassurance to start as what more is
needed? I kept thinking to myself – what is stopping me from applying without
hesitation? Numerous questions were posed to myself, to those around me in their
own directions as well as the ever-critical internet – nothing to point to a steady, firm
decision. Without stopping, I looked at the very foundation: why did I even start fashion?

Stated in It’s Time for a Fashion Revolution, White Paper (Ditty, 2015), “fashion is our
chosen skin”. It represents one’s medium of self-expression – internally, our feelings
and emotions; externally, our stories and history. I remembered that I began a fashion
career because I felt that I did not have the freedom to be myself. The privilege of
having studied BA Fashion Design helped discover a world in which there are so many
possibilities, challenges and conventions to break and transform. I can raise my voice
without fear; gather inspiration from numerous places, cultures and things; create and
innovate without hesitation. Fashion can be moulded to whatever is desired – shaped
into many different forms. As I readied myself for the end of my BA studies, I realized
that the journey to be free as an individual through creativity and artistic liberty is
deeper in meaning and is not at its end. The knowledge, understanding and
experience received have the power to make the unexpected happen. They can
provide the means to literally defy the norms and make lasting and continuous impacts
for not only oneself but for others. The wisdom and truth behind countless people’s
encouragement and advice finally hit me: What you lack now, you can gain in future
as there is no ending to one’s capabilities and skills. Take hold of the opportunity to
reach the dreams of sharing the deep love for fashion with others. Be open-minded
and cultivate knowledge and understanding so that you can bring change you desire.
Perspectives, knowledge and, lives.

With my ambitions set and thoroughly reading through the FEDISA Honours
programme outline (2018, p. 35), I now firmly recognize that this course has so much
instore. In brief, it will be able to help me obtain new insights, materials, tools and other
things I may lack. With any given project – I strive not to just get done; however, to
present work that is engaging, thought-provoking and unique. These stem from the
values of diligence, passion, creativity and pure enjoyment of learning – all of which I
believe fulfil the expectations of what is needed from an Honours student. Clearly
understanding that this course is complex, I believe that my observant nature,
adaptability and willingness to receive aid, will help me stay focused, calm and self-
motivated. These are learnt traits from having experienced the intense projects from
Visual Arts (high school), external and internal projects related to the BA Fashion
Design degree and other life experiences.

As one may also realize from above, my interests within fashion concern these
concepts (also interlinked):

1. Fashion as not just a business model, but an art on its own.

2. Fashion concerning people – the human psyche/condition; how societal issues
impact the human condition.
3. Using fashion as a physical tool to overcome barriers as well as mentally
strengthen and empower people.

From a young age (having to deal with these concepts personally), I have tapped into
these as they are intriguing and provide one with a different light in which to view the
world. By committing to these, information has been gained on the happenings of the
world, the people involved in them, their influences as well as what resulted afterwards.
Recently going through articles and graduate theses, one can see that there are
already so many existing theories and ideas out there for these broad topics. I wish to
explore and understand them and develop my own thoughts. Ultimately, my biggest
desire is to share my findings, learn from different opinions and hopefully present
propositions that in the end, add value for the many lives.

With everything stated, it is a sure fact that there will always be room for fear of the
future and doubt in one’s abilities. However, it matters just the same how one
overcomes those things, go forward and just begin. It was no coincidence that my love
of fashion brought me out this far in life’s journey and I have no intentions to stop the
excitement. If given the opportunity I whole-heartedly believe that I will be able to step
up to the challenges offered by the Honours programme at FEDISA whilst giving it my
all and adding input. To leave you with one last thought,

“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through

knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” (The Bible, Proverbs
24:3-4).

Wordcount: 998 words

List of References

Ditty, S., 2015. It’s Time for a Fashion Revolution, White Paper. [pdf] Fashion
Revolution CIC. Available at: <https://www.fashionrevolution.org/wp -
content/uploads/2016/08/FashRev_Whitepaper_Dec2015_screen.pdf> [Accessed 4
November 2018].

FEDISA, 2018. Programme Information Guide. [pdf] 35. Available through: FEDISA
website
<http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/1ac4b1_a7dd60e741a740d29b795df19acb79eb.pdf>
[Accessed 4 November 2018].

Stanford University, 2018. Advantages and Considerations for Pursuing Honors.

[online]. Available at: <https://undergrad.stanford.edu/academic-planning/planning-
honors/advantages-and-considerations-pursuing-honors> [Accessed 4 November
2018].

Statistics South Africa, 2018. Statiscal release: Quarterly Labour Force Survey. [pdf]
Statistics South Africa. Available at:
<http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0211/P02112ndQuarter2018.pdf>
[Accessed 4 November 2018].

The Bible: New International Version, 1978. New York: Biblica.

Bibliography

The University of Sydney, 2017. 5 reasons why you should do a one-year honours degree at
Sydney. [online]. Available at: <https://sydney.edu.au/campus-life/student-
news/2017/08/16/5-reasons-why-you-should-do-a-one-year-honours-degree-at-
sydney.html> [Accessed 4 November 2018].

Wright State University, 2018. Honors Program: Advantages and Benefits. [online].
Available at: <https://www.wright.edu/honors/the-program/advantages-and-benefits>
[Accessed 4 November 2018].