From Concept to Creation: An Unfiltered Exploration of Fashion Media & Styling

Why did you decide to enroll in Vogue Summer School?

Last summer, I decided to enroll in Vogue Summer School because I wanted genuine insight into the industry from the people who are actively shaping it.

Though my life instinctively revolves around fashion, I was craving perspective from editors, creatives, and executives who could aid my understanding of how ideas move from concept to creation. Hearing directly from industry leaders felt like a rare opportunity to see how an editorial board functions in a real work environment.

I’ve always imagined myself working in the arts one day, contributing to the kind of conversations that influence what we see and value. I knew that learning in the Vogue environment would give me a clearer, more grounded understanding of what that path truly entails.

Which course did you enroll in and why?

I enrolled in the Fashion Styling course because it directly connected to my experience interning with a fashion stylist in Los Angeles. Assisting on shoots showed me how much thought goes into every detail, from pulling garments and accessories and organizing racks to adjusting a sleeve seconds before a photo is taken.

I saw firsthand how styling is less about trends and more about storytelling and understanding the client’s vision and concept.

The course gave me the vocabulary and framework to better understand what I was observing on set. It deepened my interest in pursuing a future role on a fashion editorial team where those creative decisions shape a final narrative.

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

My favorite day of the program was our shoot day for our final project because everything we had been working toward suddenly became real. We had the privilege to use Vogue’s amenities to fully conceptualize and execute a photoshoot, working with models and collaborating as a small team to refine each look with intention.

My group and I also directed a shoot in the streets of the Financial District, which pushed us to think creatively about our environment. One of our locations included a pub across from our dorms.

We used unexpected backdrops to captivate the audience, like the back of a delivery truck. We simultaneously incorporated still life elements to add depth to the story.

That day was also especially meaningful because I met photographer Rhiannon Adam, whose perspective on visual storytelling left a lasting impression on me. It was the first time I felt immersed in the full editorial process.

Balancing structure with spontaneity brought to life the reality of working in the fashion industry, which can be both demanding and exhilarating.

What was your day-to-day experience like?

My day-to-day experience fell into such a special rhythm that New York started to feel like home.

On weekdays we would wake up early and walk to Blank Street for matcha before class, which became our morning ritual. Then we would head to the beautiful classrooms at Pace University where our days were filled with guest speakers, collaborative discussions, and hands-on projects like writing concept proposals or creating moodboards.

After class we would either participate in program activities or sign out to explore the city, sometimes going uptown, seeing friends who live nearby, or shopping in SoHo. On quieter nights, we almost always ordered takeout from Imm Thai and ate together in the student lounge while playing games and talking about everything we learned.

Back in the dorms, my roommates and I would debrief, snack, get ready for bed, and just enjoy each other’s company, which made the whole experience feel both inspiring and deeply personal. I am so grateful to say my daily experiences were enriching, but more importantly, I was graced with the time and opportunities to fill every free second with my new best friends.

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?

Although I’ve always been familiar with the city and its energy, being there in an academic setting gave me an entirely new perspective. Despite my many endeavours in New York, this time I was engaging with it through the lens of fashion and media, which made my experience more intentional.

Seeing the Condé Nast headquarters in person was especially impactful. It transformed something I had only associated with mastheads and magazine credits into a tangible place where real decisions are made every day.

The most interesting part of my experience was realizing how collaborative and strategic the industry truly is behind the scenes. New York stopped feeling like just an iconic backdrop and started to feel like a working ecosystem I knew I would be part of in the future.

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

Vogue Summer School shifted my perspective from simply wanting a career in fashion to understanding how to intentionally build one.

Andrea Linett’s talk was especially clarifying for me. Hearing about her path from styling music videos to working at Sassy and Harper’s Bazaar, and her later roles at Ebay Fashion and Victoria’s Secret, made the industry feel nonlinear but deeply relationship driven.

When she spoke about studying communications at Boston University and emphasized that majors are less important than building a well-rounded education, it relieved a pressure I didn’t realize I was feeling.

What stayed with me most was her insistence that assisting is the real way to learn, that connections matter, and that an accumulation of references is how we “speak” in fashion. It made me see college not as a direct pipeline to a job title, but as a place to think critically, collaborate, study history, and expand how I see the world while actively seeking internships and networking during summers.

Her honesty about rejection being redirection and people genuinely wanting to hear a young person’s opinions gave me confidence to take myself more seriously. After that talk, my future felt less abstract and more strategic and grounded in initiative.

What is your advice for future Vogue Summer School students?

My biggest advice for future Vogue Summer School students is to take notes constantly, not just to remember information, but to reflect on later. So many insights from lectures and guest speakers don’t fully click until you revisit them after the day, week, or even month ends.

I would also say to spend as much time as you can with your friends because you’re surrounded by students from all over the world. Each person brings a completely different perspective and experiences that will expand how you see fashion and creativity.

Be fully engaged in every class and conversation, even when you’re tired, because the program moves quickly.

And capture everything. I live vicariously through my camera roll now, and being able to look back at small candid moments, late night conversations, and behind-the-scenes snapshots makes the experience feel alive long after it’s over.