Each year, Vogue College of Fashion offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for its Undergraduate and Master’s students to visit New York and meet the most celebrated names in the industry. BA (Hons) Fashion Communication and Industry Practice students Angelina Struk and Alexandra Haworth walk us through their itinerary from gallery and agency visits to speaking with fashion icons like Anna Wintour and Michael Kors.
Stepping into Style: Visiting Patricia Field
The first item on the agenda was a visit to Patricia Field’s ARTFashion Gallery. Field is a legendary fashion stylist and costume designer best known for her iconic looks on Sex and the City and The Devil Wears Prada. During a lively Q&A session, Field introduced us to her creative team, consisting of Michael Robinson and Gianni-Evian Hassanah, who gave incredible advice and shared memorable anecdotes about their careers. Afterwards, we browsed the boutique — many of us leaving with unique designer pieces and souvenirs to take back to London and Madrid.
Breaking Down the Process: Art + Commerce Production Insight
In the afternoon, we headed over Brooklyn Bridge to visit the leading global creative talent agency Art + Commerce. Producers Andrew Chung and Des Magness gave a presentation, explaining their roles before opening the floor for questions. Many students were unfamiliar with the multifaceted role of a producer, making this experience uniquely insightful.
From managing talent to overseeing logistics, producers are the engine behind major creative moments. For example, the production of Edward Enninful’s final British Vogue cover, shot by Steven Meisel and featuring 40 iconic women, required immense coordination behind the scenes.
Bianca Peace, BA (Hons) Fashion Communication & Industry Practice remarked afterwards: “I’ve always known I wanted to go into production, but hearing directly from Andy and Des gave me such a real, behind-the-scenes understanding of what the job involves. It made the whole thing feel more achievable. I left feeling inspired and more certain than ever that this is what I want to do.”
Behind the Pages: Inside the Editorial World of Condé Nast
The next day, the highly anticipated visit to the Condé Nast headquarters unfolded: a dream come true despite the 8am start.
The day began with a presentation by Virginia Smith, Global Fashion Director at Vogue, and Willow Lindley, Fashion Market & Collaborations Director at Vogue, in the iconic Fashion Closet that houses the clothing and accessories used for Vogue photoshoots. They described the creative process behind their most recent issue sitting with photographer Annie Leibovitz and model Gigi Hadid.
As we took in our surroundings, Dame Anna Wintour entered the room. Introducing herself as “Anna from Vogue”, she welcomed the our questions and responded with poise and eloquence. From there, we were guided back to the Empire Suite on the 34th floor, where Ivan Shaw, Corporate Photography Director at Condé Nast, led us through a curated selection of images from the Vogue Archive, illustrating the profound influence Vogue imagery holds within the fashion landscape.
A series of “Conversations with Students” talks followed, featuring an impressive lineup including Sache Taylor, Special Events Director at Vogue; Ian Malone, Experiences Development Manager at Vogue; Nicole Phelps, Global Director at Vogue Business; Mark Holgate, Fashion News Director at Vogue; and Danielle Kwateng, Executive Editor at Teen Vogue.
Reflecting on the conversation, Holgate noted, “There’s nothing better than chatting with the next generation of fashion stars — the people who are going to shape the industry in the future. It was inspiring to me, and I hope it was inspiring to everyone who was there too.”
Between the Conversations with Students segments, we enjoyed lunch in the Café alongside Condé Nast staff, fostering genuine connections and conversations. Following the break, Jon Piereth, Director of Studio Operations at Condé Nast, led a tour of the studio, offering a behind-the-scenes perspective of the creative process, including the very space where Vanity Fair’s popular lie detector series is filmed.
The day concluded with a talk from Marissa Elias and Vanessa Salvaggio from the Talent Acquisition Team at Condé Nast, who provided invaluable advice on how to start out in the industry and craft a compelling application.
Kwateng reflected on the experience, saying, “Media is facing a very challenging time, but there’s also a lot to be excited about. I’m regularly reminded of that optimism when I meet young people like the Vogue College students. They’re asking the right questions and acutely aware of the socio-political climate of the world — but have the vigour to make change. It was such a pleasure getting to chat with the visiting group.”
The event wrapped up with a champagne reception, leaving us in awe of the depth of information and encouragement we had received. As we returned to our hotel, smiles on our faces, we reflected on the unforgettable experiences of the day.
The Art of Attraction: Mesmerising Window Displays at Bergdorf Goodman
The fourth day of the trip began with a visit to iconic luxury department store, Bergdorf Goodman, to observe the visual merchandising of the store. Famous for its selection of luxury brands, celebrity clientele and theatrical window displays, we were led on a private tour before the store opened with Window Production Manager Randy Gunderson, Designer Carl Tallent and Visual Director Melanie Allegra, to showcase their current visual merchandising.
The windows featured Alessandro Michele’s Pavillon des Folies collection including Valentino Gararvani accessories, the Chairish Emporium at Bergdorf Goodman and more opulent displays presenting the latest fashions and accessories.
The team talked through the conceptualisation process for the window displays, which are designed to be viewed from different viewpoints: whether that be across the street, in a taxi or as a pedestrian. The windows are purposely designed to grab attention, and we learned that it is only up close that passersby can view small details within the displays.
Gunderson, Tallent and Allegra then walked us through the merchandising of the store with each floor exhibiting its own distinct theme. The dramatic displays and artistic flourishes offered not just a retail visit, but a memorable luxury retail experience.
From Mood Boards to Models: A Deep Dive into Michael Kors’ Spring 2025 Collection
Later that day, we visited the Michael Kors headquarters to meet the Creative Services Team, with presentations from Samantha Brown, Global Communications & Events Director; Nicole Guion, Global Communications Manager; and Daniela Bollino, Global Public Relations Director
The team guided us through the brand’s Spring 2025 ready-to-wear collection, including the Mediterranean-inspired mood board for the new ad campaign featuring Danish model Mona Tougaard, shot by renowned photographers Mert & Marcus.
Michael Kors made a special appearance for a question-and-answer session, which was the highlight of the visit. He encouraged personal expression, advocated for wearing daring outfits while you’re young, and gave advice on how to receive and handle constructive criticism in an opinion-driven industry. We left with not only valuable industry knowledge but a pair of sunglasses and a generous goodie bag!
Image by Alexandra Haworth
The recent trip to New York was more than just a glimpse into the fast-paced world of fashion — it was a deep dive into the heart of the industry. From visiting leading fashion houses to engaging in conversations with influential creatives, the experience offered us an unforgettable perspective on what it truly means to work in fashion today.
Lauren Jane Hosier, BA (hons) Fashion Communication & Industry Practice, perfectly summed it up: “It was an enlightening and once in a lifetime experience that I am forever grateful for. The unique and exclusive industry insights were truly invaluable and something I will continue to carry throughout my time at Vogue College of Fashion.” This sentiment echoed throughout the group, as each moment in the city helped shape a clearer vision of our future paths within the industry.
By Angelina Struk and Alexandra Haworth, BA (Hons) Fashion Communication and Industry Practice first-year students
