2008 Woodie Awards
Off the runway, behind the scenes
Students learn how to break into fashion industry
Kelly Daley
Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: A & E
On March 31 at 6 P.M. in the Pitt Center Boardroom, Career Development held a panel for students interested in pursuing a career in the fashion industry.
The fashion industry encompasses a lot more than just shows and designers.
"I think that the fashion industry is huge and really competitive to get a job. I know girls especially like to pay attention to what's in fashion, and is very lucrative," said junior Julianne Fiorentino. "The panel was really informative and gave me a lot of useful information."
According to gidc.org, apparel has a $172 billion market nationwide, and the industry employs 4.64 million people in the United States alone.
"The fashion industry is so hard to define. If you say the word "fashion," people instantly think of glamorous clothing, but it means so much more-photography, hair, makeup, jewelry, and accessories-it is made up of many components," said Elizabeth Lowery, Career Placement Advisor for Career Development.
Professionals from these various components of the industry gathered to speak about inside secrets, offer advice, and provide tips to everyone interested in pursuing a career in fashion.
"I think it's important to hear what people who are inside of the industry have to say and you can learn a lot from their experience. It gives you an advantage entering the industry," said junior Meagan Collins.
Speakers included Brenda Lynn, owner of Brenda Lynn; Alumni Carissa Ruiz, product development for Coach; Lindsey Worster, public relations for Vineyard Vines; Faye Power, design intern for Tehya; Chris Grant, a recruit for Abercrombie & Fitch; Deanna Tierney, editor for CraftStylish; Marc Feldman, founder of the World Fashion Council; and Irena Simeonova, Co-Chairperson for New England Fashion and Design Association.
"Fashion is not just couture and high end, either. Did you hear that Walgreens just started their own line of clothing? Fashion is everywhere," said Lowery.
The fashion industry offers a wide variety of jobs. These include public relations, nonprofit, design, retail management, and many more.
The fashion industry encompasses a lot more than just shows and designers.
"I think that the fashion industry is huge and really competitive to get a job. I know girls especially like to pay attention to what's in fashion, and is very lucrative," said junior Julianne Fiorentino. "The panel was really informative and gave me a lot of useful information."
According to gidc.org, apparel has a $172 billion market nationwide, and the industry employs 4.64 million people in the United States alone.
"The fashion industry is so hard to define. If you say the word "fashion," people instantly think of glamorous clothing, but it means so much more-photography, hair, makeup, jewelry, and accessories-it is made up of many components," said Elizabeth Lowery, Career Placement Advisor for Career Development.
Professionals from these various components of the industry gathered to speak about inside secrets, offer advice, and provide tips to everyone interested in pursuing a career in fashion.
"I think it's important to hear what people who are inside of the industry have to say and you can learn a lot from their experience. It gives you an advantage entering the industry," said junior Meagan Collins.
Speakers included Brenda Lynn, owner of Brenda Lynn; Alumni Carissa Ruiz, product development for Coach; Lindsey Worster, public relations for Vineyard Vines; Faye Power, design intern for Tehya; Chris Grant, a recruit for Abercrombie & Fitch; Deanna Tierney, editor for CraftStylish; Marc Feldman, founder of the World Fashion Council; and Irena Simeonova, Co-Chairperson for New England Fashion and Design Association.
"Fashion is not just couture and high end, either. Did you hear that Walgreens just started their own line of clothing? Fashion is everywhere," said Lowery.
The fashion industry offers a wide variety of jobs. These include public relations, nonprofit, design, retail management, and many more.
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