FIT, the most famous fashion institute in the US, the training ground of Calvin Klein, Nina Gacia and Kappa, for the first time has welcomed a direct Vietnamese applicant, Vu Khac Trung.

Vu Khac Trung (first from the left) and his friends at FIT.

Betting

Just 1.62m tall and looking as frail and young as a high-school student, Vu Khac Trung’s energy makes others envious.

Before going to the US, he was an excellent student in a special English class at the HCM City-based Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School. But lying deep in his heart had been the dream of becoming a fashion designer since watching a fashion show on TV at the age of 12.

When it came time to choose a university after leaving high school, Trung applied to FIT in New York. His friends told Trung he was “crazy” while his family was very worried, and angry as well.

To show his talent and passion for fashion, Trung registered to take part in the Vietnam Collection Grand Prix 2007 while preparing for his final exams.

Under great pressure, he got excellent marks on his final exams and made it into the top 25 contestants of the fashion contest. He won the “Colour of the Year” and the “Youngest Contestant” prizes.

Trung then went to the US to take part in the FIT enrolment exams. His limited English and fashion knowledge thwarted Trung in this challenge.

“We are very sorry!” Trung received a short announcement from FIT just a few days after the interview. For the first time, he knew what failure was.

“I felt something missing and very lonely!” Trung recalled that time, when he wandered alone in New York. He had some change in his pocket but he couldn’t call home to ask for more money, afraid that his family would know the truth.

After several weeks of disappointment, Trung tried to stand up.

Belief

Trung reviewed his shortcomings and registered to attend an English class at New York University and researched Vietnamese and international fashion magazines day and night.

His wallet was nearly empty but Trung decided to live economically and not do many extra jobs to devote time to studying. He knew that if he failed again, he would lose everything.

In three months, Trung’s TOEFL points jumped from 62 to 96/120. His knowledge of fashion also improved greatly. He continued applying to FIT and set a goal: enter FIT or return home!

Trung’s effort was rewarded.

“I don’t know how many Vietnamese students there are at FIT but according to FIT’s enrolment bureau, I was surprised to learn, I’m the only Vietnamese high-school student who has been directly admitted,” Trung said.

His dream is earning enough money to come home once a year and creating his own fashion brand in the future.

VietNamNet/TT