Mulberry respected her family and wanted them to support her goals even though she
knew “they were a little apprehensive.” She decided on her most desirable occupation “accessory
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design” and she began “researching schools.” While doing this research she continued to work
on ideas and practice her craft at home and high school. I will never forget the little hand-beaded
bag she created in class. It was so intricate, and well crafted––as if it came out of the nineteenth
century couture salon in Paris. Mulberry finally found “one program for accessory design. It was
the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.” Her parents still wanted her to stay in
Michigan; “they really wanted to know” and be “sure that was what she wanted.” Her adventures
in New York and going to FIT was her “favorite part of my education, but also the most difficult,
but I loved it!” and if she “hadn’t researched everything available, I may have never ended up
there.”
Her determination and follow-up gave her the opportunity to make her dreams a reality—
a career in fashion design. Many students have similar dreams to follow an art career pathway,
but struggle to overcome the lack of support found in this research. Ultimately, these findings
suggest that, as the world looks for new ways to reinvent thriving industries and embrace new
successes, a fresh look into the opportunities of the Arts should ensue.