Tips from FashionCampusNYC

Well last night was the final night for the Fashion Campus NYC program. Overall, I really feel that the program helped me to put things in perspective.

The first night we heard from Uri Minkoff, founder, CEO and brother of Rebecca Minkoff. He truly is a brilliant guy and a few simple things he said have stuck in my mind. One of the most important things he said was that you should be at least two of three things; you should be nice, you should be on time and you should have a good product. He explained that if you are nice and have a good product, people will forgive you if you're late, whereas if you're rude but have a good product people will still hold that against you. Throughout the night Uri really emphasized how important it is to be nice in this industry. There are so many people who will step on people's toes just to get what they want and while it is important to be passionate and driven, it is just as important to treat people with respect.

The next night, Tuesday, we were broken up into workshops that we chose. I chose to participate in the Social Media/ PR workshop. PR professor, Tom Handley, spoke to my group. He was extremely smart and funny and truly does know everyone there is to know. He was not afraid to joke with us and use real life examples to explain to us how essential PR and Social Media are for the success of a company.

Last night there was an industry panel that consisted of someone in Business Development at Bumble & Bumble, founder of four card, a PR company founder, a product copywriter at Ralph Lauren and a Brand Manager at Sam Edelman. All of these people had great insight and tips for students looking to break into the industry. Here are a few things I learned from them...
- When it comes to your resume, less is better. People tend to look at resumes very quickly
- It is extremely important to research a company before you go in for an interview
- Do not be fake when it comes to networking, network with purpose
- Try new things even if you fail
- Ask for what you want.

After the panel spoke, there was a social with food and various industry leaders looking to meet potential interns. I spent my night enjoying the delicious food and talking to as many people as possible.

This event really was a great learning experience. It helped to remind me of simple things to remember when trying to find a job and it also informed me about various positions in the fashion industry that I didn't even know existed. Overall, this was a great experience and I highly recommend other students to get involved in these types of workshops.

Fashion Campus NYC

Through LGC I found out about a program called Fashion Campus NYC. It is a program for students and young professionals that is held at Parsons The New School for Design. This program offers a keynote address from a well-known fashion industry leader, workshops held by industry professionals, a speaker panel of young fashion business professionals and allows you to network with fashion business executives. In order to attend this event you must apply by answering a few questions, include a transcript, have at least a 3.0 GPA and be receiving credit for your internship.

After hearing about this program I knew I had to apply and was soon accepted! The event kicks off tonight with the keynote speaker, the CEO of Rebecca Minkoff. Another great thing about Fashion Campus NYC is that they allow you to choose which workshop you would like to attend. They have many options like Visual Merchandisng and Buying, but I chose to participate in the PR/Social Media workshop since that is what I am most interested in.

 I really have strived to take full advantage of every opportunity that came my way this summer and I really feel that I am doing just that. I highly recommend everyone on co-op to do the same. I will blog more about the event later this week.

It's been awhile

It has been awhile since my last post! Over the past few weeks I have realized how much I really do love working for Alex and Ani. When I walk in the door in the morning I am walking into a place I feel comfortable at, like a second home. This is a feeling that cannot be bought, only one that can be found. The energy here on a Monday morning is upbeat and positive, making the most hated day of the week a little sweeter. Though it is 9 in the morning I feel happy and energized. This company really embodies what they advocate; positive energy. The energy in the corporate office is always positive, friendly and uplifting. People are always conversing, laughing and saying hello to one another. It's crazy to think that I am a part of an integral part of the company's success; their employees. This truly is a great place to work for. I can picture myself here. I love the people, I love this company, I would love end up here after I graduate. 

Restaurant Stops

This past weekend I explored new restaurants in NYC, which seems to be my new favorite thing to do. When I was living in Philly I usually frequented the same restaurants without ever really trying anything new, so while I am living in NYC I am really taking advantage of the great food options.

Friday night I met up with some friends after work. My one friend who goes to NYU recommended a small Mexican place close to Union Square, he had never tried it but had heard great things. The restaurant was called Tortaria. It is a small reasonably priced Mexican restaurant with amazing margaritas! Truly a great hang out for a Friday night after-work drink. I ended up eating the cheese quesadillas which were only $7 (extremely cheap for NYC) and we all got a margarita pitcher to share. Living in NYC with two unpaid internships has really made me appreciate a good deal since I have little cash to spare.

Sunday morning my friends and I were starving so we began walking around 2nd Ave looking for a small brunch place. Since brunch seems to be the thing to do on Sunday mornings, it is usually hard to find a place that isn't completely packed or completely overpriced. After searching for a while we came across a small place between 5th and 6th Streets. Frank Restaurant ended up being a great choice. Without any hesitation I chose the eggs benedict (my favorite breakfast meal) that came with a small side of hash browns. This ended up being one of the best eggs benedict I have ever had. I really recommend this place if you're looking for a small quaint place with great food. I know I will be there almost every Sunday for that eggs benedict.

I feel like I am constantly writing about food on this blog but with so many amazing restaurants, I just have to spread the word.

Exploring New Territory

Recently I found myself having dinner in the West Village. I had never been before and was really looking forward to exploring a new area.

This area reminded me so much of Old City in Philadelphia. It was full of town houses with very little high rises. It ended up being a breath of fresh air compared to the hustle and bustle of Times Square (where I unfortunately reside).

Because I ended up loving this area so much I decided to take my visiting friends there. After searching through immaculate infatuation (an app/website that provides photos, descriptions and ratings of restaurants by location) I finally decided on a restaurant called Morandi in the West Village. The plates were very different and had a great deal of flavor. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone living or visiting NYC. In addition to the great dishes, the staff was very friendly and the environment was very young.

After visiting the West Village I realized that if I were ever to move to NYC after gradation, that would be the first place I would search for an apartment. The area is very underrated but is quaint and full of young professionals. Definitely the place I want to be.