Why did you decide to enroll in Vogue Summer School?

Growing up, I loved dressing up with my sisters and wearing my mom’s purses, and I learned that the feeling of wearing clothes that fully express your emotions is unmatched. When I heard about the opportunity to travel to New York City and collaborate with individuals who viewed fashion in the same way, I knew I had to go.

Which course did you enroll in and why?

All three Vogue Summer School courses (Styling, Media and Business) sounded very appealing to me. I was ultimately between Fashion Styling and Fashion Media and when it became time to make a decision, I enrolled in Fashion Media. After talking with my parents, it became clear that Media would be the best fit for me because it would allow me to learn about the marketing and behind-the-scenes aspects of the fashion industry.

What significance does studying in New York City hold for you, and what was the most interesting thing you learned or experienced during your time there?

New York City is the fashion capital of the world, and being there and learning from mentors who work at Condé Nast was inspiring. The city is diverse and constantly moving; everywhere my peers and I went, we met people from completely different backgrounds. Having access to world-class museums, lectures and organizations that I had only been able to read about before gave me a clearer idea of what I wanted to do in the future and pushed me to achieve my goals.

It was inspiring to be able to visit the World Trade Center and be around so many influential people in the city. The most interesting thing I learned was the amount of collaboration that happens in the offices at Vogue. Everyone’s desks are connected, and I was really able to see how different editors work together to produce an edition of the magazine.

Describe your favorite day of the program. Where did you go and who did you meet?

When collaborating with my classmates on our final project, we took to the streets of the Financial District and interviewed individuals for a column that we were writing. Each of us interviewed New Yorkers and asked them, “Do your political views shape your fashion identity?” It was impactful to hear from New Yorkers with varying backgrounds.

On the final day of class where we presented our projects, my class had the honor of having Sache Taylor, Special Events Director at Vogue, oversee our September issue project. My group’s central idea was titled “Fashioned by Identity”. As head speaker of our project, I described our process, challenges and creative mindset behind the magazine. Sache Taylor provided amazing feedback and insight into how we could make our magazine even better. Presenting our project to an industry professional was an absolute honor and my favorite day of the program.

What was your day-to-day experience like?

I was definitely one of the earlier risers in my term. I would often wake up around 6 so I would be able to get ready and grab a coffee before class. I loved getting to class early, around 8:50, so I could settle into the classroom and get prepared for the lecture. I had lectures from 9:30-12:30. These lectures were life-changing. All of our speakers were very open about their college experiences, internships, their failures and successes, and how they grew in the industry. I took notes to remember small details and tips that they provided in my class.

During our lunch break I would usually take time to myself by either grabbing something small to eat or stopping by the dorm. Then around 1:15 I would head to my other building for our small group classes. From day one we started brainstorming our project: The September Issue. My professor, Keanan Duffty, was exceptionally helpful and helped us navigate our projects.

Class would end around 4:30, and I would head back to the dorms to talk to my roommates about their days. I was fortunate enough to have roommates that took the other Vogue Summer School courses, Fashion Styling and Fashion Business. During the first week we had required nighttime activities which were either a fun social activity or a trip that we would take together. In the second week, my roommates and I would often go to dinner or travel to SoHo. During the week you need to be checked in at 9:30 which allowed me and my roommates to work on homework or our final projects at night.

How did your experience at Vogue Summer School influence your perspective on your future studies or career path?

Before attending Vogue Summer School, I was unsure of what field of fashion I wanted to go into. As I stated previously, I was deciding between doing the Fashion Media and Fashion Styling courses. The most beneficial part of this program was meeting many industry professionals and learning how they navigated their roles. When I was given the opportunity to get critiqued by our guest speakers, I was able to pinpoint my mistakes, grow from the corrections and strengthen my projects. The Fashion Media course solidified my plan to double major in fashion and journalism or business.

What are you considering as a profession once you graduate?

After the wonderful experience I had at Vogue Summer School, I became interested in studying at Vogue College of Fashion for a Master’s degree. I’d also love to move to New York and work in the fashion industry. On the last Wednesday of the program, my class took a trip to PR Consulting where I learned about the public relations sector of the industry. I had never explored public relations as a career option before, but after seeing the incredible work that is produced by the company, I think that it’s something that interests me. Another profession that I’ve considered working in is social media. Social media is going to be a part of our world for a long time, and the sooner we are able to connect with different generations the better equipped companies will be to explore different consumers.

Do you have any advice for future Vogue Summer School students?

Vogue Summer School is an amazing opportunity and I would recommend it to anyone who is serious about working in the fashion industry. Although there are many fun things to do while you’re in the program, my one piece of advice for future Vogue Summer School students is to focus on the work that you produce for your project. It’s easy to get distracted by fun activities and lavish dinners while you’re in the city, but the key to making the most of the program is doing your work to the best of your ability.

Another piece of advice is to be to be as social as possible. I recommended to my roommate that they download LinkedIn to stay connected to professors and fellow classmates after the course ended. By doing this, you are able to stay connected with your peers when you begin entering the industry.

Explore Vogue College of Fashion’s programs for teens in New York City and online.