One round trip, please: New York City - Bachelor's thesis - Wilhelm-Lorch-Stiftung... and back!
Spending my internship semester in New York City not only opened up the world of the Big Apple to me, but also gave me the opportunity to have other unique experiences and adventures.
After an influential visit to New York City at the beginning of my studies, it was clear to me that I wanted to spend my internship semester here. Of course, this big goal in front of my eyes means a lot of work, not only when applying for the visa formalities. Nevertheless, sitting on the plane at some point and actually having reached your destination is a breathtaking feeling. For the stay on site, students can apply for the scholarship of the Promos Program of the DAAD. I did my internship at the company V.Fraas directly at Bryant Park in Manhattan. There are always internships available, not only in textile design, but also in management.
L(ifestyle) Train from Bushwick to Manhattan and back
I used this inspiring and special time as a foundation course for my Bachelor's thesis and my fashion theoretical research. It started with a little impulse during the subway ride to my work from Brooklyn to Manhattan. New York City is one of the most culturally diverse design capitals in the world. In particular, the New York Subway is the catwalk of everyday life and became my source of inspiration for my thesis in textile design with the title "L(ifestyle) Train from Bushwick to Manhattan and back". Analyzing a subway ride from a textile point of view resulted in 15 textile snapshots. These style snapshots were examined from a fashion theoretical point of view and transformed into my textile design collection.
After successfully completing my bachelor's degree, I was recommended to apply to the Wilhelm Lorch Foundation with my creative and quite special work. The application was almost forgotten, but shortly before another stay in NYC, I received the information that I was one of 15 award winners. In addition to a cash prize, I was allowed to participate in the 60th Forum of the Textile Industry in Heidelberg on May 2 and 3, 2018. Furthermore, I am proud to represent the Hochschule Niederrhein and in particular the Faculty of Textile and Clothing Technology together with two other fellow students, Vera Gail and Sophia Wiskott, who were awarded in the field of technology. Incidentally, no other college or university had so many female winners of the Wilhelm Lorch Foundation award this year.
It is worth chasing even the craziest dreams - perhaps they will open up more and more wonderful opportunities. Studies are not only a time of apprenticeship, but in our field we should use them to develop ourselves on all levels. With the distinction I close a round chapter of my bachelor study time. With the support of the Wilhelm Lorch Foundation, I hope that an equally exciting master's degree at the Hochschule Niederrhein will follow.
Author: Katharina Grobheiser
Bachelor's theses supervised by: Prof. Schmitt, Prof. Dr. Wachs.
