Teen Vogue Fashion University

This past weekend I had the time of my life at Teen Vogue Fashion University. I spent the weekend learning about the ins and outs of the fashion industry from top designers, stylists, editors and entrepreneurs. The weekend was also filled with fun social events like a kick off party at Express and shopping event at Topshop.



I actually missed the kickoff event that Friday at Express because I was on the 5 hour bus ride from Penn State to New York (womp, womp). Of course I attended the actual day-long event on Saturday filled with classes and seminars . The day kicked off with a panel led by editors from Teen Vogue. This is where I met the amazing Amy Astley, editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue. The editors talked alot about what it takes to survive in the magazine industry and how you really have to be ambitious and driven to succeed. As "fabulous" as the industry looks on the outside, it's actually really cut-throat and without being persistent you won't get far.


After the Teen Vogue editors panel, each "Fashion U" student then attended their own schedule of classes led by leaders in the industry. My first seminar was led by DanniJo.


I actually didn't know much about DanniJo before TVFU but I'm so happy I went to this seminar and had the opportunity to meet them. They're sisters who didn't even have a background in fashion and one day decided they wanted to start their own jewelry accessories company and now their products are worn by top celebrities and has become an international brand. I was just amazed by that because I don't have a background in fashion or much experience either. My experience is in entertainment. But it's encouraging to know that as long as I'm willing to put forth the work I can be just as successful as the next person even if they have more experience in the industry than me.

In between classes Teen Vogue had fun activities for us to take part in like getting our hair done by stylists, signing up to be a Teen Vogue It Girl, getting our "aura" future told (much more fun than it sounds) and of course a photo booth set up for us to take pictures.



Other speakers at TVFU included Coco Rocha, Christian Siriano, Alexa Chung, Oscar PR Girl and editors from Vogue.
 

After the seminars on Saturday we went shopping at Topshop with a 15% discount off the entire store just for us! Oh and mind you, freaking Jourdan Dunn was there! I shopped with a top fashion model! Can we just digest that information for a minute because I'm still kind of freaking out.



So what did I get out of Teen Vogue Fashion University? Other than an awesome swag bag filled with goodies like Bvlgari perfume and hearing from top professionals, I ended up meeting a PR rep from Express at the Express seminar I attended on Saturday and I gave him my information. He loved my online portfolio so much he invited me for an interview later this year which could lead to an internship. I attended this event hoping to get my foot in the door for Fashion PR and I ended up getting a foot, arm and leg in the room.

We kicked off the last day of TVFU with a seminar led by editors from Vogue and a movie from Vogue called The Editor's Eye. It all ended with graduation. We received our diplomas and Amy Astley signed them herself which was such a big deal to me because she's one of my inspirations and I hope to follow in her footsteps.

Oh and Teen Vogue commented on my graduation photo and I just can't hide my excitement about that either.

All in all, it was an amazing successful event and I am definitely applying to attend next year! #FashionU #ClassOf2013

If you have any questions about TVFU feel free to comment and I'll to do my best to answer :)

Categories: Fashion, Magazines, New York City, Teen Vogue

Goodbye Finn

I haven't watched Glee in years so I don't consider myself a Gleek, but that show introduced me to new faces of talent the day it premiered and one of those faces was Cory Monteith.

This past Thursday, Glee aired their tribute episode for Cory Monteith/Finn Hudson and I think it was perfectly done. They didn't talk about how Finn passed which I think was the right thing to do. They didn't shy away from Cory's drug problems but as Kurt explained it's not about how he died, but how he lived.

While I'm really not a fan of Naya Rivera, her performance was my favorite. She broke down during her rendition of "If I Die Young" and I don't believe she was acting. Even her scene with Sue Sylvester was real and I think it was a great way to get Sue to say her goodbye to Finn as well since her character is just so mean to everyone. But when Santana just screamed in the middle of the song and ran away, I find it hard to believe that was in the script. That was all Naya.

I really wished Rachel Berry could have been in more of the episode but I understand why she wasn't. Considering all that Lea Michele was going through at the time I commend her for finding the strength to be apart of it at all. The way she sang "Make You Feel My Love" turned me into an emotional wreck. When she called him "her person." You could see that fine line between Lea showing how much Rachel loved Finn and how much she loved Cory.

I think the episode was a great way to say Goodbye to Finn as well as Cory. It even had a few comedic points to lighten the mood. Of course Finn's jacket became a symbol. With his brother Kurt wanting to keep it, and then Kurt giving it to Santana only for it to be stolen. Everyone thinks Puck has it since he stole the tree dedicated to Finn and has been desperate for something to remember Finn by, especially the jacket. But we later find out Mr. Schuester has it and he cries for the first time in the episode. By the end, I really wanted the jacket for myself too. Goodbye Quarterback.

Categories: Glee

Internships 101 with Seventeen Magazine

I am going to make a more conscious effort to update my blog at least once a week. It can be really hard to do when you're juggling a full schedule of classes as well as an internship but I will do my best. As for what I've been up to...

                             

This past weekend I attended Internships 101, an event hosted by Seventeen Magazine. It was held at the Hearst building where Seventeen resides in New York. Even though I rsvp'd for the event, it was still first come first served which meant there was a chance I wouldn't get in. My plan was to get there by at least 11 a.m. since it started at 1 p.m. My slow behind never made it there until around 12:20 p.m. When I got there the line was ridiculous but I had a good feeling I would make it in. 20 minutes later the line became even longer and wrapped around the building. I later found out they were only taking 150 people. Luckily I was one of those 150.

                          

We were escorted (with cameras following us...yikes!) upstairs to a conference room. Actually it felt more like a cinema. There we met Ann Shoket, the editor-in-chief of Seventeen Magazine. She hosted the beginning of the event and gave some great advice about acing the internship interview. Next we met Howard Grier, the Associate Publisher of Marketing at Seventeen. He gave great advice about how to construct a resume and cover letter to catch the eye of employers. I got to talk to him after the presentation and he helped me polish up my resume. The presentation also featured a mini fashion show by the Seventeen Style Pros of some of the things you can wear to various jobs regardless of whether it's in the fashion industry or just a normal office setting. Some other amazing people that shared a few words were Amy Levin, Founder of Collegefashionista.com and Lauren Berger, Founder of Intern Queen.

                               

After the panel we got to talk to some of the speakers as well as enjoy a few snacks. I browsed some of the clothing options because I still need to figure out what I'm wearing to Teen Vogue Fashion University. I also met an alumni who works there in sales (can you say connection?!). I even made some new friends who seem to be geared toward the same path as me.

                                             

Overall the event was amazing. I was interviewed by Seventeen following the event so hopefully I end up on the website. I would definitely go again if they do it next year. It's a great way to network. I even walked away with a goodie bag and won a prize filled with internship essentials.

                                   

Categories: Fashion, Hearst, Internships, New York City, Seventeen Magazine