Finding a Place at the Nexus of Fashion and Finance

Why did you decide to enroll in Vogue Winter Break?

You know when you read something and realize it’s exactly what you’ve been looking for? That’s how I felt when I came across Vogue Winter Break.

I had the opportunity to meet professionals and real changemakers in the fashion industry while getting to explore fashion through the lens of a business mindset.

This was exactly what I needed to experience as someone who is interested in finance, marketing, and fashion.

The fashion landscape where I live is not particularly prominent, so I was fascinated to learn about how trends are created from the very heart of the industry and how professionals pioneer the future of fashion.

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 is a special place. It’s home to a great volume of talent, so the experience of studying there was a storm of constant inspiration and unique perspectives.

The city served as an escape from the suburban lifestyle that I’m used to. It was tremendously refreshing to see people from all over the world expressing themselves. It inspired me to embrace my own identity more confidently and express my creativity and passion for fashion through my personal style.

What moment from the program made you feel closest to how the industry really works?

I remember taking my seat at one of our daily lectures and being beyond excited because Eunice Chi, previously Executive Director of Global Consumer Revenue at Vogue and Architectural Digest, was speaking to us about branding.

For the longest time, I always felt like I was chasing a fictitious career that mixed my passion for finance and fashion. I had always viewed the two industries as separate, forcing me to believe I would eventually have to choose between them.

As Eunice Chi spoke, she demonstrated how finance and business strategy are the cornerstone of a successful fashion house.

Through her words, I could see a clear picture of my place in the fashion industry and, for the first time, feel a closeness to the industry that I had been longing for.

Can you describe your final project?

The final project my team and I created was designed for New Yorkers. Throughout our time in the program, we realized a pivotal problem that members of the fashion industry are facing—a drastic disconnect between the average salary of someone working in fashion and the prices that top fashion houses charge for clothes.

We recognized that it was not realistic or sustainable for someone earning $80,000 a year to spend $2,500 on a single coat. It was obvious that New Yorkers wanted to dress fashionably while remaining sustainable, sophisticated, and practical. Our team created a brand that satisfied these needs while also being affordable.

Our brand was called GRÂCE, and we focused on creating timeless, chic designs, with a focus on using luxurious, enduring materials including merino wool, organic cotton, and cashmere.

I was proud of our final project because GRÂCE demonstrated how fashion can be both aspirational and accessible, and that consumers no longer have to choose between affordability, sustainability, or style.

Approaching emerging brands from both the lenses of creativity and affordability is not just a possibility, but a necessity.

What were some of the most valuable skills you gained from working on your final project?

Working together with people from all over the world was a first-time experience for me.

My group had students from all corners of the US, as well as the United Kingdom and Australia. Because of this, everyone had unique perspectives on what kind of brand to create and where to take the final project.

Being a good listener was crucial to everyone having a chance to voice their own ideas. It was also important to work as a team and make sure that everyone’s vision was showcased in the final project.

Did the program shift your thinking around your future studies or career path?

Of course it did! Vogue Winter Break provided me with the resources to reinvent how I envisioned myself in the future. I was able to get a firsthand look at how I could merge my passions into a job that fully encapsulated my interests.

I realized that being passionate about both finance and fashion is something to take pride in and not something to be conflicted about. The program lifted the weight of having to choose between the two.

Now I see that pursuing a degree in finance while continuing my extracurriculars in fashion will allow me to fully utilize my analytical and creative skills and pave a fulfilling path forward.

What was something about the program experience that surprised you?

The drastic contrast in the way the fashion industry is portrayed in the media and what it feels like to be involved and meet professionals in the industry.

All the instructors at Vogue Winter Break were well-established in the fashion industry and have left their mark in unique ways, whether it be through creating their own brand, inspiring social change through fashion, or being trendsetters.

All of the instructors were eager to help students find ways to expand their skill sets and gain the knowledge required to be successful in the industry. Being in the program felt like being a part of a community that was there for a bigger purpose—to inspire change.

The program was an opportunity to discover our paths in the fashion industry with the help of the instructors, rather than just another academic activity to highlight on a résumé.

What advice would you give to Future Vogue Winter Break Students?

I would tell all future students to fully immerse themselves in the program as soon as they arrive on campus. You might not realize it, but every conversation, lecture, and experience is an opportunity to grow in amazing and unexpected ways.

I highly recommend taking advantage of everything the program has to offer. If you happen to see a instructor that intrigues you, go ask them a question. You never know how even the shortest interaction can make a drastic impact on your life.

Most importantly, remember to be yourself! Vogue Winter Break is an opportunity to express who you are and find out where your place in the fashion industry might be, so remember to be genuine, make connections, and have fun.