This past weekend, I had the amazing opportunity to attend Teen Vogue's Fashion University in New York City. It was an incredible experience and I learned a lot about the fashion industry and met some great new friends. I'll admit, seeing how established some of those attending already were in their career was a little intimidating, especially for my somewhat "lost" and "searching" self, but everyone was very accepting and warm and extremely passionate about fashion. Here are five big things I took away from my experience:
1) The only person who can set yourself up for success is you. As Erika Bearman, the PR head of Oscar De La Renta, told us, at the end of the day, everyone else is going to be putting themselves and their lives first, not yours. It is up to you to motivate and push yourselves in whatever you want to do in life. Go above and beyond expectations and be extraordinary.
2) Look for inspiration in everything. A billboard, a pattern of wallpaper, an old man at a coffee shop- all of these can influence your work and life in insurmountable ways. Look up, look around, find the beauty in everything-- it will pay off.
3) Be open to trying new things. Walking into the door of Express on the first night of Fashion U was terrifying. I knew no one and had no idea what to do and who to talk to-- I almost left. But I pushed through it and had an amazing night and an amazing weekend. Do things you wouldn't normally do. You'll never know what something is until you try it.
4) Be open to criticism. Yes, there are always going to be people out there who are just trying to hurt you; but more so, there will be people trying to help you and raise you up. Listen to them, be open to what they have to say. Take their criticism and use it constructively, don't let it bring you down. Let it shape you and mold you into a better person producing better work.
5) Live your life. This is probably the most important piece of advice I received throughout this entire trip. People in the fashion industry are artists. Life shapes art. So go out and get life experience- hike, take late night drives, talk to new people, explore. This is something I often have trouble doing myself, often forgetting to go out and experience life and instead spending hours tackling a pile of homework, or studying, or wasting my day watching episode after episode on Netflix. It is important to go out and experience the world. Stop waiting for tomorrow, and live now.
All in all, it was an amazing experience and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in the fashion industry.
