METAL Scholarship for LCI
As some of you may already know, last year we launched the METAL Scholarship in collaboration with LCI Barcelona for the Master’s program in Fashion Styling, Advertising, and Audiovisual Media. After a selection process that included a workshop by the magazine’s director, Yolanda Muelas, and a task where finalists showcased their fashion knowledge and creative skills by conceptualizing projects and creating a moodboard, the winner was David Pérez, a communication student with a background in fashion. He saw this master’s program as the perfect opportunity to expand his knowledge and gain the necessary tools to enter the job market. We talked to him to learn more about his experience. And for those thinking, “I wish it had been me,” stay tuned: we will be opening a new call for applications soon. Yes, this year there will also be a METAL Scholarship, and it could be yours. More information will be available here and on our Instagram profile soon.
Before we start, introduce yourself to our readers and tell us what you do.
My name is David Pérez, and I am a young fashion enthusiast. I was born in Palamós but have been living in Barcelona for five years, where I came to study Fashion Design—a decision I made very early on. Fashion is my passion and vocation, and no one in my circle was surprised by my choice. At the same time, I pursued a degree in communication (I have a year and a half left) to get a broader perspective on the fashion sector from a communicative and media standpoint. I am fascinated by how both fields can merge, understanding and communicating the constant changes and evolutions in the industry.
You have been studying the Master’s in Fashion Styling, Advertising, and Audiovisual Media at LCI in Barcelona for a few months now. How is it going?
I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to pursue this master’s. The experience has been very positive. It is providing me with new knowledge and the necessary tools to effectively and creatively develop in the fields of fashion styling and audiovisual media. I also highly value the diverse knowledge and perspectives offered by the various instructors we have had.
Why were you interested in this particular master’s program?
I knew it would give me the chance to delve deeper into fashion styling and its connection to advertising and media, complementing my previous education in design and communication.
How did you find out about the scholarship? Did you know right away that you would apply?
I found out about the scholarship through a post on METAL’s Instagram. At that moment, I knew I wanted to apply because this scholarship represented a unique opportunity to continue my education in my passion. Additionally, I had already been considering this master’s, and I felt very aligned with its profile. The collaboration between the university and the magazine to offer young people the chance to continue their education is wonderful. I knew that if I were selected, I would learn a lot and broaden my horizons.
Did you expect to end up being the winner of the competition?
When I applied and had to submit my portfolio in the first selection phase, I didn’t expect to be chosen at all. When I received the email saying I was one of the selected candidates for the test, I saw the opportunity getting closer. Although I was very pleased with the result and my work after the test, I didn’t expect to be the selected one since there were many of us with great potential.
How did you experience the selection process, and how did you prepare your application? Is there anything you think could be improved? Not about your application, but the process itself.
The selection process was exciting and overall a very good experience. To prepare, I improved my portfolio by gathering previous works related to styling and wrote a motivation letter, expressing how important this opportunity was and my eagerness to continue learning. In general, I wouldn’t change anything about the process, as I understand it’s complicated with many people involved and a significant scholarship at stake. However, I believe it could be improved by offering more detailed feedback to the candidates, providing a bit more clarity in the overall process. Several months of uncertainty can be challenging for people who need that time to prepare or change plans.
We mentioned on our website when opening the scholarship that the master’s program “aims to enhance everything that makes its students unique and foster synergies between different creative areas to provide students with enough tools to develop creative and effective solutions to the challenges society poses from a sustainable perspective and considering technological development.” Now that you have been in the program for a few months, would you say this has been your experience? What do you like the most?
My experience in the master’s program so far has been very enriching. I am acquiring a lot of knowledge and tools necessary to develop creative and effective solutions in the field of styling. I fully agree that we are being trained from a sustainable perspective and considering technological development. Moreover, we engage in many collaborations with students from other master’s programs, such as photography, creating enriching links between different creative areas. I highly value this interdisciplinarity and the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from various fields.
If you had to define this master’s program in three words, what would they be?
The three words that best define the master’s program are creativity, collaboration, and innovation.
If you had to recommend it to someone, why would you do so? Or in other words, what do you think are its strengths?
I would recommend this master’s to those interested in developing in the world of fashion styling, as it offers comprehensive training that combines creative, technical, and communicative aspects. Its strengths include the quality and diversity of the instructors, the variety of content, the dynamics and collaborations with students from other master’s programs, and the opportunity to establish professional contacts.
In these months, what is the most important thing you have learned? Do you have any particular message or advice that has stuck with you?
The most important thing I have learned so far is the importance of teamwork and the need to keep learning and adapting to changes in the sector. Especially valuing teamwork. A message that has particularly resonated with me is the importance of maintaining passion and curiosity in everything I do. Never stand still or close your eyes; always stay alert to changes, trends, news, and the context.
Studies, besides providing knowledge, are also expected to open doors to the professional world. What do you hope to achieve with this master’s program? Where would you like to see yourself in a couple of years?
I hope to acquire the skills and tools to work as a stylist in the fashion industry. Although I started my fashion studies intending to design garments, over time I realized that I identify more with the role of a stylist, and the master’s program is helping me reinforce this idea. In a couple of years, I would like to be collaborating with brands and projects that resonate with me to contribute my vision.
Have you always been interested in fashion? What is your first memory related to it?
Fashion has been one of my passions since I was very young. I remember little David making dresses and outfits for dolls, raiding my mother’s wardrobe, dressing up my brother, and putting on fashion shows at home. My favorite things to play with were scarves and shawls, as they allowed more creativity in creating looks.
We know that it’s not an easy sector, that it’s not all wonderful shows, parties, and celebrities in the front row. It also requires a lot of effort, long hours of work, and certain sacrifices. What would you be willing to sacrifice to achieve your goals and objectives?
Yes, I am very aware that this sector requires a lot of effort and sacrifice; it’s not as glamorous as it seems on social media. It is a tough sector but also very beautiful and enriching. I am willing to sacrifice time, comfort, and whatever it takes to achieve my goals and objectives. In the end, it is very gratifying and worth it.
It also involves a lot of collective effort, teamwork, as you mentioned before, and trust in your colleagues. You mentioned the other day that the final master’s project is a team effort, a great way to listen to others, cultivate humility, trust other’s criteria, and control your ego. How are you handling working with others?
I handle working with others very well, and it’s very fulfilling. I think it’s a very positive way to learn, see, and understand other points of view, and also manage values like trust, ego, humility, and sharing. It is very enriching to see how different perspectives and opinions can merge to create wonderful results. Teamwork is fundamental in the professional world, and with the master’s experience, I believe we will be much better prepared for it.
What’s next for you? Are you planning to continue your education or start applying what you have learned?
After the master’s program, I plan to finish my communication degree and start applying what I have learned in professional projects, contributing to the artistic community and the fashion sector in Barcelona.
