Finding Her Place in Fashion: Sadie Rose on Her Vogue Summer School Experience

Photo courtesy of Deb Knoske Photography.

Why did you decide to enroll in Vogue Summer School?

I have always been captivated by fashion, and I decided to enroll in Vogue Summer School because I wanted to explore where I could fit into the industry. The opportunity to grow, learn and discover more about fashion through the world’s most iconic fashion brand was a dream come true. Vogue Summer School was the inspirational experience I needed to help direct my path within the fashion industry.

Which course did you enroll in and why?

I enrolled in the Fashion Business course because I was interested in learning about the “why” behind Vogue.

A lot of times when people think of Vogue, their minds immediately go to the iconic covers, celebrity interviews or models on the magazines. All of those things make the brand special, but I wanted to explore the business behind the glamour.

When enrolling in Vogue Summer School, the careers I was most interested in were in fashion journalism and marketing. My interests were vast, but I knew there was a course meant for me.

The Fashion Business course focuses on market trends, consumer behavior and retail strategies. It allowed me to understand the motive behind the decisions that fashion companies make and processes around marketing activities such as advertisements, product placements and celebrity photo shoots.

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 heartbeat of America. Vogue is the heartbeat of fashion. The opportunity to immerse myself in both was absolutely life-changing.

Learning to navigate the city and balance having fun while soaking up the educational experience was challenging but extremely rewarding. It was a wonderful opportunity to see what it would be like to live in New York City ahead of making college decisions.

Not only did I learn so much, but I also had the time of my life in the most magical, lively city in the world. A bonus was sharing these experiences with friends I continue to keep in touch with today.

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

My favorite day of the program was when my class and I visited the Condé Nast headquarters. We got the opportunity to visit the New Yorker office and see their collection of cover illustrations. Then, we visited the 25th floor and saw the offices of several Vogue editors.

After touring the floor and glimpsing the layout of upcoming Vogue magazine covers, my class and I briefly saw the iconic Anna Wintour. She was standing outside of her office working on the next cover.

My entire class and I were enamoured by her. We saw her the day before she resigned as the Editor in Chief of US Vogue.

After the field trip, my class and I continued to talk about our perspectives on what we saw and learned that day.

What was your day-to-day experience like?

Every morning I looked forward to accessorizing with my roommates, sharing fashion advice and picking out my favorite outfit. I would grab a coffee then head to my lecture at 9 A.M. I was always excited to see who the guest speaker was and what we would learn.

My favorite lecture was when we talked about how businesses target specific consumers. Now, every time I see an ad with a new Gen Z celebrity, I know exactly what audience the company is targeting.

At noon we had our lunch break. Then we would head to class where we had conversations about the lectures. We would then break into our groups for our final project. After class we had free time and were able to explore the city with our friends.

After that I would study and complete my homework from the day. The academic routine mixed with newfound independence made the overall experience memorable and one I would highly recommend!

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

Throughout all the lectures at Vogue Summer School, the common theme was always that your career path will not be a straight line, and your future in the fashion industry will look like no one else’s. This advice changed the way I view my future in fashion.

With the world of social media, it’s easy to look at what others are doing and want to do the same. However, what I learned at Vogue Summer School is that the most important thing is to follow your dreams.

As Vogue’s Executive Editor Hilary Milnes told us, “You have special traits and things to offer the industry. You must ask how the industry fits in your life as much as you ask yourself how you fit into the industry.”

This advice is how I started to think about combining my passions for a future career. I love writing and I love fashion. I began to ask more questions about what being an editor at Vogue would entail.

In the program, I had access to several editors, teachers, guest speakers and mentors. Whenever I had questions about career options or opportunities, I was able to ask anyone around me. I still don’t have all the answers about my future in fashion, but I do know that because of the program, my eyes have been opened to many different career paths.

What is your advice for future Vogue Summer School students?

In the words of Olivia Dean, my advice would be to “dive.” Ask questions, reach out to the guest speakers, talk to your classmates, take notes and make the most out of the experience.

Not only did I learn as much as I could, I made lifelong best friends. Reach out! You won’t regret it.

After launching your future with Vogue Summer School, don’t be afraid to reach out to local stores and boutiques and ask about internship opportunities. Any step, big or small, is one step closer to your dream.