Why did you decide to enroll in Vogue Summer School?

I decided to enroll in Vogue Summer School to gain more knowledge of the business and marketing side of the fashion industry. I also enrolled because I live in a state where fashion isn’t as popular or influential. I know very few people who share the same love for fashion as me, and I’ve struggled to build my fashion community in Arizona.

In attending Vogue Summer School, I have found people with similar interests from almost every state and even from other countries. I left the program with a newfound knowledge of the fashion industry and friends in every corner of the world.

Which course did you enroll in and why?

I enrolled in the Fashion Business course. I’ve always felt I was good at marketing and coming up with creative ideas, but I wouldn’t have called myself knowledgeable in fashion.

I knew that by attending this program, I would unlock great learning experiences and the ability to hear from professionals in the fashion industry who hold important jobs—some being positions I didn’t even know existed.

Having been a creative all my life with a love for music, design, art and theater, I wanted to explore the more technical side of the fashion that I love so deeply.

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?

Studying in New York City has always been a dream of mine and I always felt pulled to the city. It was amazing to experience the college dorm life and getting to know the busy city streets.

The most interesting thing I learned during my time at Vogue Summer School was definitely the countless jobs to choose from in the fashion industry. Many think of either a fashion designer or magazine editor when it comes to working in fashion, but there is so much more opportunity beyond roles like these.

Another learning that will stick with me is that fashion is more than what you wear every day—it’s what you communicate without speaking.

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

My favorite day of the program was visiting Condé Nast, specifically the Vogue offices. We had an in-depth tour of the two floors dedicated to Vogue and got to experience their office environment. It was interesting to see people’s workspaces and how they incorporate their inspirations into the space.

We even got to see Anna Wintour at work. It was the best feeling when she smiled at our class. Afterwards, we went to the top floor of the Condé Nast building and took in the gorgeous view of the city.

What was your day-to-day experience like?

Every day of the program felt like a dream. Before heading to our lecture, I would grab breakfast with my roommates at the dining hall. During lectures, we got to hear from a different person every day about their job in fashion, how they got to where they are, their favorite parts of the job and many other aspects of their career.

On certain days instead of a lecture, we would have site visits to places like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Condé Nast or a fashion brand.

After the lecture I would grab lunch and then head to class. Here, we would discuss the morning lecture and how to apply that information to the group project (creating and launching a brand).

In our free time, I would check out with a couple of friends to explore the city or get dinner.

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

My experience at Vogue Summer School highly influenced my perspective on what my future could look like and showed me the many different paths I could take. I feel more confident in my path to the fashion world, and I know I want to work in marketing.

I was also able to dive deeper into my passion for sustainability and how that could be incorporated into my career. I don’t have a dream job, but I would love to work at a magazine or for a fashion brand in the future.

Living in New York City for two weeks allowed me to get a taste of the city as a campus. Overall, the program gave me experience in many different areas, from developing marketing strategies to navigating the city streets. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience studying fashion!

What is your advice for future Vogue Summer School students?

My best advice for future Vogue Summer School students is to be engaged during every learning experience and to soak in all the information you can. I learned so much from just being present and taking many notes to look back on. The material you consume here will stick with you forever.

I also encourage future students not to be afraid of reaching out to others, whether it be teachers, lecturers or other students. If I learned one thing, it’s that connections are incredibly important for your future!