• Renata Hernandez '22

  • Fashion Studies (MA)

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    Where are you from, and where did you grow up?
    I was born and raised in Mexico City.

    What languages do you speak?
    I speak Spanish, of course, but I also speak English. I am currently improving my French, and I also speak German, but at a basic level.

    How does Paris inspire you in your own work?
    I know it may sound a little bit like a cliché, but inspiration in Paris is everywhere. The architecture, the museums, the culture, even the way social interactions develop in cafés or brasseries around the city can be a source of inspiration. What amazes me the most is the fact that one moment we are in class talking about the historical background of Paris as a city of fashion and then, once the session is finished, I get to walk the same avenues where this history developed.

    What class are you most enjoying this semester?
    I would have to say that I am really enjoying Fashion Studies Key Concepts, with Marco Pecorari and Morna Laing. It has been a wonderful experience to broaden my view on fashion. I’ve learned how fashion is related to various other disciplines and how it is exactly this integrative factor that enriches our knowledge and interpretation of fashion discourses and helps us improve the way we represent or talk about fashion narratives.

    What attracted you to the Fashion Studies program?
    Since I was studying fashion design in my bachelor’s, I knew I wanted to focus more on the conceptual and historical part of fashion, but I didn’t know how to specialize in this topic until I discovered the Fashion Studies graduate program. It’s an immersive program which has allowed me to dig deeper into some of the bigger questions I had about fashion while doing collaborative projects with important figures in the fashion industry in Paris.

    Do you have a student job?
    I am currently working as a research assistant for the MA Fashion Studies program, and I must say that it has been a great opportunity to develop more personal relationships with the rest of the alumni and also with faculty members of Parsons Paris. It has been another way to immerse myself even more in both Parsons and Paris.

    Do you have any hobbies?
    It might sound boring, but for me it's all been about books and films. Either I am reading something related to the program or I am reading or watching something inspired by it. The program has sparked a lot of new interests in me; it has introduced me to some histories and discussions I had never engaged with in my life before, and that is something I am really grateful for.

    What advice would you give incoming students?
    I would advise them to come with a very open mind and a receptive attitude. Learn from your classmates, your professors and faculty, and also try to get involved in as many things as possible. Everything is an opportunity to learn and also develop yourself as a student and as a professional.

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