Kadeem Fyffe, '13

What was your most valuable experience while at University of Richmond?
My opportunity to study abroad in Milan, Italy was by far the most valuable experience during my time here at Richmond. Study abroad was one of the main factors in my choice to attend UR; the idea of being able to immerse myself in another culture for a semester was very alluring. I knew I wanted to go to a fashion capital...and Milan was an obvious choice. While there, I developed my Italian language skills and my fashion design skills. Also, it was with the design vocabulary that I gained from my studies in Milan that prepared me for the rest of my academic career here at UR.

What is your next step after graduation and what led to this opportunity?
I will be attending the Parsons New School for Design, in New York City, to study fashion design. This has been a goal of mine since I started at UR and I made sure I constructed my classes and curriculum around my goals. Without the help of my primary faculty mentor, Johann Stegmeir, I would not be moving on to this next step.

What do you wish you knew earlier, while at UR?
That I did NOT want to be a journalism major. It would have saved me some time and a few units.

What is one piece of advice for current students?
Utilize every available resource to study exactly what it is you want. This school has too many resources, and too many fabulous faculty and staff who have the students' best interests at heart, to let that go to waste. Get involved and don't take anything for granted. Never feel entitled to anything, go out and work for it.

What do you most look forward to in your life post-UR?
Reaching my goal of becoming a creative director of a prominent fashion house and eventually running my own label. Also, living and experiencing all that is New York City.