The Making of a Fashion Entrepreneur: Chloe’s Vogue Summer School Experience

Which Vogue Summer School course did you enroll in, and why?

I attended the Fashion Business course in summer 2025. I already loved fashion, but I wanted to understand more about how the industry operates beyond what I saw as a consumer.

I had also seen Vogue Summer School on social media, and the classes, activities, and overall energy looked so exciting that I knew I needed to experience it for myself.

The Fashion Business course stood out to me because it combined my love of fashion with my interest in how brands are built, promoted, and managed.

I was excited to learn directly from industry professionals and meet other students who were just as passionate about fashion as I was.

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 has an energy that is difficult to understand until you are actually there.

It is literally an “Empire State of Mind.” Everyone seems passionate and driven, but there is also a strong sense of community because people are connected by the excitement of being in the city and working toward their goals. Being surrounded by that energy made me feel even more excited about my own future.

New York also offers so many opportunities beyond the workplace. There is always a new place to explore.

It was meaningful to experience the city with people who loved the same things I did. We would attend class and learn about fashion, but then we could go shopping together, try a new matcha place, or explore a part of the city none of us had visited before.

Many of these experiences were new for all of us, and we got to be excited about them together.

Every day was fun, and everyone was genuinely ready to learn and experience as much as possible. I made friendships that continued after the program, and I still visit some of the people I met.

I expected to learn about fashion, but I did not expect to find such a close community while doing it.

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

Touring the Condé Nast offices was definitely the moment when the industry felt the most real to me. We saw how publications such as Vogue, GQ, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, and Bon Appétit each have their own voice and way of creating content, even though they are all part of Condé Nast.

Growing up, I watched Vogue’s 73 Questions and Bon Appétit’s YouTube videos, so being inside the building where that content is created was honestly surreal. I remember looking around and thinking, “How am I actually here?”

We saw Anna Wintour’s office, looked out at the New York skyline from one of the highest floors, and even met Anna Wintour right before we left. It was the perfect ending to an experience that had already felt unbelievable.

Atelier Insider began as a classroom project before growing into a broader platform and community. How did the idea first take shape?

Atelier Insider originally began as my tenth-grade personal project.

While researching sustainable fashion through social media, websites, and online forums, I realized that many people wanted to shop more sustainably but did not always know where to begin.

A lot of the information was scattered or confusing, and many sustainable brands were not receiving enough attention.

That made me wonder how I could make sustainable fashion easier and more interesting for everyday consumers.

I began developing Atelier Insider as an app where users could scan a barcode, search for product information, save their favorites, discover sustainable alternatives, and explore what is currently trending in sustainable fashion.

It began as something I needed to complete for school, but the more research I did, the more I realized that it could become something much bigger.

How has Atelier Insider grown since its founding, and what milestones are you most proud of?

Atelier Insider has grown from an idea for a school project into an app and online platform that I am continuing to develop.

I have had the opportunity to work with an app developer who helped me turn my original idea into something people will eventually be able to use. We are now working toward launching the app, which is something I am extremely excited about.

The platform has also grown across Instagram and TikTok, where we highlight sustainable brands and make information about sustainable fashion easier to understand. One of the most rewarding parts has been seeing people engage with the content and become excited that sustainability is receiving more attention.

It has shown me that people do care about making better choices when the information is presented in a way that feels accessible and relevant to them.

How did your experience at Vogue Summer School contribute to the growth of Atelier Insider? Were there any specific insights or skills you learned in the program that helped move the project forward?

Vogue Summer School helped me understand that sustainability is much more complicated than simply labeling a product as “eco-friendly.”

Climate Journalist Rachel Cernansky’s lecture taught me to consider the full story behind an item, including its materials, production process, working conditions, supply chain, and what happens to it after the consumer is finished with it.

The lecture also helped me understand sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” That gave me a much stronger foundation for the information I want Atelier Insider to provide.

Our final project also contributed to my understanding of sustainability. My group created SeaForm, a sustainable and size-inclusive swimwear brand.

While developing the concept, I discovered that many fabrics and design details are not as sustainable as they may appear. Even something as small as adding sequins can affect how a product is made or recycled.

I had to research more responsible fabrics and think about how we could make the brand exciting, inclusive, and sustainable at the same time. That experience taught me how much research goes into every decision and gave me new ideas for Atelier Insider.

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

Vogue Summer School confirmed that I want to study the business side of fashion and eventually own a fashion company of my own.

Before the program, I mostly saw fashion from the perspective of a consumer. I saw the final outfit, campaign, or product without always thinking about the decisions that happen behind the scenes.

The program showed me how many people, ideas, and strategies are involved in bringing one product to life. I want to be part of that process, especially through branding, marketing, and business development.

In the future, I hope to create clothing that I genuinely love and that other people feel just as excited to wear. Vogue Summer School allowed me to experience a small part of the future I want for myself, which made me even more motivated to pursue it.

What is your advice for future Vogue Summer School students?

My biggest piece of advice is to say yes to every opportunity and soak in as much as possible. Ask questions, introduce yourself to the speakers, get people’s contact information, and write everything down.

You are receiving a ten-day crash course in the fashion industry from people with experience and knowledge that you normally would not have access to.

I would also tell future students to make the most of New York and the friendships they form along the way. Some of my favorite memories were made outside the classroom while exploring the city with my friends. Take pictures, try new things, talk to everyone, and don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone.