Returns on Visit

   As mentioned in an earlier blog post ("The Cultural Classroom"), it is no secret that I geek out over numbers and statistics.  This being said, my favorite time of my shifts at Loft come on the hour when the manager on duty's voice comes over my headset and announces, "okay, team! It's time for our one o'clock read," or whatever the hour may be.  This read includes net sales, conversion rate, numbers of transactions, returns on visit (or ROV), and more numerical reports.  Next, the manager will state where we need to be at the next hour, if we're behind or ahead, and encouragement on what we should be doing to help reach our next goal, now 58 minutes away. 

   Today my emphasis will be on returns on visit.  The ROV is simply a calculation that averages how much our company is getting based on each person that walks through our door, leaving with a purchase or not.  However, the ROV I want to discuss is only an inspiration of this calculation, not the actual number. 

   Over the past few weeks, with the various promotions, I have tuned in to how these promotions are benefitting our clients while even more so benefitting us.  I'm not talking about a monetary return but a physical return of a single customer. 

   What can we do as a company to transform a first time customer into a dedicated client?  Of course the experience is crucial.  It is important to client service, fulfilling our customer's every need, whether that may be styling, helping find a size, or giving them an honest and genuine opinion.  These factors of customer service helps put the client at ease, feel welcome, and trust the brand.  These are the simply building blocks of creating a return client. 

   But there must be more than just personal interaction to do this, a more calculated numerical way--and there is.  As I mentioned these recent promotions have helped open my eyes to the purpose of them.  Not only is the purpose to generate sales and create an illusion of discounts with markdowns as I discussed in the same earlier blog post ("The Cultural Classroom"), but the purpose also is to create recurring visits from a client. 

   These specific promotions are Friends and Family and Cash Cards.  Friends and Family is a designated time period where the entire store is 40% off.  Although Loft carries sales not too different from this year round, there is never a known end date. Even the managers usually don't find out what the promotion is or if it is going to be continued until opening the store the next morning.   Giving a specified range of dates allows the customer to stop I'm, browse, perhaps make an impulse buy based on fear of the item selling out during the sale, and coming back later that weekend with known confidence that the promotion will still be going on.  This helps make this customer become a more dedicated one. 

   Cash Cards even further dedicate our customers.  Loft Cash Cards, which began about a week ago, is a promotion we hold about once a season or a few times a year.  When shopping and purchasing $50 worth of merchandise for a designated range of dates, usually two to three weeks, the customer receives a $25 Cash Card in return to use at a later date.  The customer receives 1 Cash Card for each $50 spent, so either by making a large purchase, multiple purchases, or both while Loft is distributing Cash Cards, the client can easily build up a collection of savings.  This also helps influence add-on to a purchase.  "You're only $5 away from your second Cash Card!  Do you want to look at sale or jewelry to bump you up to a second Card?"  

   The main aspect of transitioning this said customer into a return client is when the date rolls around for her to redeem her $25 Cash Card.  This takes place after the two to three weeks that we are distributing the Cash Cards, and around this time period customers flood in for their savings. 

   These simple tactics are ones that benefit both our customer and our company.  By these first few initial visits, it is not difficult to turn this client into a regular--and even better, and advocate of our brand. 

Moving Back to Campus

No one ever looks forward to moving. A new place to live, yes, but the act of picking up every single thing you own and moving it to a different place isn’t fun. Moving makes a person realize just how much crap they have collected since the last year. I know personally I find receipts months old, too many half used lipsticks to count and endless clothing tags carelessly ripped off of new clothes. While there is no better feeling than being in a new space with a fresh new start, it can be a little overwhelming until everything has been put in its place. Personally, I'm looking forward to the familiarity of Philadelphia with restaurants I know are good and friendly faces on every street.

This Friday I am moving not only out of my apartment in NYC, but also my subletted apartment in Philly. I am consolidating two apartments worth of stuff into one, which will prove to be extremely interesting. Of course, I haven’t started packing at all yet. Moving also comes with the stress of renting U-Haul trucks and coordinating schedules. Luckily my parents have been extremely flexible with me and are handling a lot of the details of the move. It’s just my job to get everything organized and ready to throw into the truck. Since I was only in New York for three months I packed pretty light for my summer in the city, which I am grateful for. Moving out of my Philly apartment will be more of a challenge since I haven’t been there in three months and have no idea what to expect.

I have to say, as excited as I am to be back on campus, I’m not looking forward to going back to commuting for the last few weeks of my internship in New York. Granted it isn’t for a very long amount of time, but I will miss the ease of living in the city I work in. I’m looking forward to beginning my senior year and going back to the life of a student in a city I already know and love.

Pre-Fall Trunk Show

Nicole Miller at the Bellevue is excited to host a pre-fall trunk show this weekend, August 22nd - 24th.  We will be featuring future styles from the fall and resort lines.  The Nicole Miller fall campaign reveals the "#nmwarrior", a strong, independent woman who shows off her fearless fashion sense and projects the phrase, "You don't have to wear a suit to feel strong".  As we take a look at the sharp styles that are lining up on our racks we start to see some metallics and rocker inspired looks  for fall.  For resort, bright accents and bold prints are the only way to go.  Separates are taking over although Nicole will never disappoint with her dresses as she continues to stay true to the brand.  Stop in the Bellevue to take a peak at what's to come or make an appointment for an exclusive experience with one of our fashion consultants!

Some inspiration for the fall line!

A few of our favorite looks from resort!

Call 215-546-5007 for your trunk show appointment!

Visit our social media sites to check out the #NMWarrior campaign!

http://instagram.com/mkd_associates

https://twitter.com/mkd_associates

http://www.pinterest.com/MKDAssociates/

https://www.facebook.com/mkdandassociates

You Learn Something New Every Day

After five months interning at Michael Kors I have to say I know my way around the block. Generally speaking, I am familiar with almost everyone on the team, can handle my daily tasks with ease and have no problem when it comes to helping with projects. I’ve become extremely comfortable with my internship and know the ins and outs of my day-to-day here as an intern. That was up until yesterday. Yesterday I was asked to complete a task completely new to me. I was to act as the corporate receptionist while the current receptionist went on her lunch break.

The receptionist at Michael Kors Headquarters is the fist person all guests are greeted by. It is her duty to welcome all guests (people coming in for interviews, other companies coming in for meetings, etc.), and connect them to the third party they are meeting with. The receptionist also answers the corporate phone, which rings nearly off the hook constantly. It is her job to transfer calls to the correct person or department.

While an hour at her desk doesn’t seem overly difficult, I was surprised by how stressful her job really was. In one hour at reception I was faced with customers calling to demand refunds on damaged products, while others raving about how much they love the brand. People from all over the world called and requested transfers to departments I wasn’t aware we even had! The most stressful part of working reception? Having multiple people waiting for meetings while the employee they are meeting with is unreachable. There is a strict protocol when it comes to reaching the MK employee. The receptionist is to call their extension no more than ten minutes before the appointment time. If they don’t pick up, she is to email them and the subject must be “______  from ______ is here to see you!” No more, no less. Certain employees like to be texted, not called when their appointment comes in. With thousands of employees at Michael Kors is can be extremely overwhelming.

Today I am filling in for the receptionist again. I’m hoping that after one day I will feel more confident. Her best advice to me was to remember, the receptionist is in charge of the lobby. Stay calm and never forgot that you’re the boss.

The D&M One-Two Punch

The Design and Merchandising program teaches students the building blocks of design, strategic planning, organization and fundamentals of business. The curriculum touches upon multiple facets of creative and business industries, which is one of the reasons why the program is so great. Not every D&M dreams of being a stylist or working with clothing directly. The number of directions that are possible after graduation are endless.

The beauty of our program is that it offers a one-two punch of sorts. We have the opportunity to experience all different areas of creative and business through a wide variety of courses. We are then allowed to go out into the real world for six months and apply of our lessons from school.

Interning during my junior year is the best experience I could have asked for. After being in class for two and a half years I was able to acquire the tools that would allow me to strive at my internship. I had taken a wide variety of courses and my skill set was where it needed to be. After five months of interning I have to say I have learned much more than I ever expected to. Being thrown into such a fast passed industry can be quite a shock to the system. While I do love working in creative services and being involved in the projects the people around me are working on, I know that I don’t necessary love working for such a massive corporation. These types of realizations don’t come from textbooks or quizzes, but experiencing the environment first hand.

Interning, no matter what company you work for, is a hugely rewarding experience. Not only have I learned more about the fashion industry, but I’ve learned so much more about myself and what I want out of a career.

Long Days, Longer Weeks

As I mentioned last week, I have a retail job in addition to my Co-Op. This makes me a full time working girl! I am working seven days a week which make this next month long and tiring. I cannot wait to be back in Philly and just have school on my plate! I do not have a job while in school but with only six months until I graduate, I should get used to working!
Although my jobs are in related fields, they are both completely different. My internship is much more fulfilling to the point where I do not even mind going into the office during the week. However, my retail job is pure hell. I stand for ten plus hours finger spacing and fixing hangers! My back and my feet are not too happy about it. I love helping customers put outfits together but the store I am working for does not have customer service on their priority list at all. I make it a point to help shoppers as much as possible to gain a little human interaction and creativity from such a meaningless job.
One month and I will be back at Drexel! Can't wait!

The Final Fall Term

As I approach the completion of my internship at Michael Kors, the reality of the end of my college education is beginning to hit me. Not only has the summer flown by, but that last three years have passed in an instant. I remember being a timid freshman scared to death that I would get lost getting to my first day of classes in Nesbitt.

The last three years have shown me what I am truly capable of. I have learned more about myself than I expected to. Entering senior year makes me feel a mixture of emotions. On one hand, I’m nervous to go back to school after six months without papers and exams. I’m eager to be back on campus surrounded with friends. I’m stressed about getting a job come graduation. All of these thoughts bubble around in my head. I’m anxious and excited and scared to see what the next few months bring.

In addition to taking a full term of classes this fall I am currently applying to internships. After commuting the first three months of Co-op I feel prepared to do it again- only this time, I’ll tone it down to two days a week. I’ve been on a few interviews and am excited to see what will happen. My fall term is looking pretty crazy between an internship in New York, full time classes and working at the Loft. I know it sounds like a lot but I want to prove to myself I’m capable of juggling. After all, life is a complete balancing act. Why not learn how to manage early on?

The Michael Kors Brand

As a Design and Merchandising student, my professors have constantly taught about the importance of branding.  Branding is monumental to a company’s success, for without a clear messaging it is impossible to get through to the customer you’re trying to reach. Having a consistent brand identity and vision helps establish a perspective. Interning at Michael Kors, an internationally recognized brand, has further drove home the importance of this concept for me.

The term “Jet Set” is used around my office as frequently as “hello”. Designers, copywriters, and managers are constantly asking one another if the work being produced fits the “Jet Set” brand. Michael Kors offers ready to wear and accessories for the “Jet Set” woman and man. Every piece of collateral put out by my office must fit in with the “Jet Set” mold. If something is too trendy it will immediately be shut down. What does it mean to be “Jet Set” you may ask? A Jet Setter is glamorous yet casual, sophisticated yet indulgent, iconic yet modern. While these words may seem to juxtapose each other, within the world of MK they provide a sort of road map for the creative team. Every department at Michael Kors follows the same brand parameters. From the designers to merchandisers, every employee has the Michael Kors brand engrained into their brains. 

Straight from the offices of Michael Kors, here are the brand pillars that every aspect of the Michael Kors Corporation holds true to. And I have to say, they do a fantastic job sticking to this set of buzz words in every facet of the brand. 

JET SET

SPORTY

SEXY

GLAMEROUS

STYLISH

CHIC

EASY

SOPHISTICATED

LUXURY

AMERICAN

NEW YORK

VERSITILE

MODERN

ELEGANT

LASTING

COMFORTABLE

ICONIC

"I'm Every Woman"

   Like any other retailer or brand, Loft has a label attached to it--no pun intended.  It carries a stereotype, assumption, or some other predetermined notion that others group with it and its shoppers even without knowing much else.  For example, Urban Outfitters would be the edgy, expensive retailer that reaches a "hipster" crowd, while Abercrombie and Hollister are overpriced cookie-cutter fashions that tweens are infatuated with.  Loft's label?  Loft is simple and classy workwear, also known as trousers, trousers, and more trousers.  Loft is the classic "mom" label.

   I would by lying if I said that I did not hold these notions as part of Loft until my employment with the company.  However, soon after working for Loft, I faced a complete 360 flip in my opinion.  Sure, Loft houses lots of trousers and basic "mom" wear, but the company is much, much more than that.

   So when asked my favorite thing about the brand, I answer with an unusual answer coming from someone whom used to buy into the stereotype.  My favorite thing about Loft as a brand is the versatility in style and clientele.  Sure, some of the fashions may be pretty straightforward and basic--but not all of them.  And even the simpler ones, I find clients trying on or coming in styling them in a beautifully unique way.

   As a Design and Merchandising major, many of my classes have touched about fashion versus style.  Fashion is what you purchase, what is sold, the clothing itself, while style is what you do with it.  You may be fashionable without being stylish; the clothes wear you.  Or you may be stylish without being fashionable.  A great example of this in popular culture would be Lady Gaga or Katy Perry.  Their way of dressing is not based on fashion or the latest designs.  However, they have their own unique method of style that makes them individuals.

   Going back to Loft, this company is exemplary at providing fashion that indirectly provides style.  The fashions Loft sells have great range without looking like a smorgasbord of clothing thrown under one label.  We sell everyday $10 tees and tanks to your basic workwear, as well as a more out-of-the-box refined line we've named "New Dress Code."  Loft also recently launched a line under their name last fall called "Lou & Grey."  Lou & Grey is a refined casual line that helps its users look put together, not lazy, while also at comfort.  This line includes leggings, parachute pants, tees, dresses, and more.  It did not take long to become my favorite section of the store as it has a bit more edge in its designs.  With all of these options said, it is no wonder that the women that come into Loft are multiple generations, demographics, and races.  My latest inspiration came from a Muslim woman who came in wearing one of our dresses paired with tan pants, her traditional headscarf with a glam headband slid over, and a statement necklace.  She was the best example of style that I have seen come through our doors.  The dress with pants did not look sloppy or like it should not have been together, something I never would have even thought to attempt.  I especially love that she dressed for her culture and religion while also dressing for her passion of style.  This woman clearly had an individual style that made her shine, inside and out, all while wearing Loft that was never showed styled that way in ads or on mannequins.

   Lately, I have been finding myself more and more pleasantly surprised at finding inspiration from our clients.  They prove to be a wonderful example of style that embodies what a Loft woman really is--a perfect balance of work and play while still looking at ease, put together, and unique.

When Enthusiasm Goes Too Far

Being eager to learn from an internship is a quality that all employers are looking when hiring. The desire to learn and grow from an interning experience is more than natural, and enthusiasm goes a long way. With that being said, there is such a thing as being too eager and aggressive at an internship.

I’m sure everyone has worked with a person so eager to get ahead that they don’t mind stepping on other’s toes. Learning how to deal with different personalities is a huge part of growing up, both socially and professionally. I make it a priority to get to know the people I interact with on a daily basis in my office, whether that be the doorman, my fellow interns, or my supervisors.  Not everyone follows this same code. Maybe they are preoccupied with projects or distracted, I’m not entirely sure. When interning, you never know where those around you will end up working. Having connections with fellow interns is just as important as with your supervisors, in my opinion. I have met interns who have worked for some amazing companies and had both great and terrible stories I can learn from.

I know that my attitude towards my peers isn’t one shared by all of the young people entering this industry. From our first days as freshmen we are taught to be prepared to work hard. Fashion is competitive and ruthless at times. I have found that the ruthless ones are the ones just starting out, not the seasoned executives in the office. People who are so eager to land their dream job that they miss out on the journey. Yes, interning isn’t always glamorous, but it is a part of the process. I know I wouldn’t want to jump right to the top of my field without experiencing what happens at the base. Some intern tasks may seem menial, but in the grand scheme of the corporation make a huge impact. I hope that my career journey will be shared wit those that I have had the chance to form relationships with along the way

Nicole Miller Gets Rescued

This past Sunday, Nicole Miller at the Bellevue partnered with Rescue Spa at 1601 Walnut Street for an afternoon of pampering with top notch services provided by Rescue and brand new fall styles from Nicole Miller.  Mothers and daughters from Nicole Miller Philadelphia gathered to tour and experience the beautiful setup at Rescue.  They were greeted by the expert technicians from Rescue and our very own fashion consultants from Nicole Miller.  With facials, manis/pedis, and massages booked, guests enjoyed the company of successful and inspiring women along with a few afternoon cocktails.  Several guests picked up some staple Nicole Miller cashmere pieces as well as some fresh styles for fall.  As we continue to celebrate Mary Dougherty's 20th year in business, we continue to partner with local businesses to showcase Philly's hidden treasures!

Schedule your service at Rescue Spa to experience a day of relaxation!
http://www.rescuespa.net

Visit Mary K. Dougherty and Associates' events page to check out more Nicole Miller Philadelphia Events!
http://mkdandassociates.com/new-events

How To Be The Intern With Style

As Design and Merchandising students, we have been trained to look at the rules of design in all aspects of life. In art, culture, and fashion our education at Drexel has taught us how to be inquisitive, creative and innovative. No wonder I feel like a kid in the candy store almost every day I walk into my office. My eyes are welcomed with the gorgeous wardrobes of my coworkers on the daily. I see Louboutin's on Tuesday's, Chanel on dress down day, and more "It" bags than I can name. We are lucky to be a part of an industry that welcomes expression in the way we dress for work. I could never be one of those people who puts on one of three basic suits every morning. It would be impossible not to feel a little left out of the designer fun the full time employees at Michael Kors take part in. As an unpaid intern I mostly dream of the luxurious closets of the women I work with. I wonder if they shopped at Second Time Around as a 21 year old too. I not-so-secretly pray that one day I can look as fabulous as they must on the subway.

Not having a gargantuan budget for clothes has forced me to be creative with my work wardrobe. By no means do I slack. I have found that the key to dressing for work in a fashionable office like mine is one of my favorite sayings, "fake it 'til you make it". I have scoured over sale sections to find a full mid length skirt to pair with a cheap tank. I thrive in stores like Loft (50% associate discount heeey!) that sell on trend pieces at more affordable prices. I also love a good sale. I will peruse the sale section in almost any store just for fun. You never know what you may find! Spending a lot of money on trendy clothes that will be out next season isn't a luxury afforded to me just yet in life. I tend to spend a little more on classic pieces, like a great pair of black skinny pants, or comfy buttery leather flats. Those types of investment pieces instantly add value to the fun trendy items you bought for cheap. Looking put together and completing the look can be achieved with an added accessory or a smear of lipstick.

There is nothing I have come to relish in more is a compliment on a sale find from a woman in designer.

Internships Create Friendships

When I first moved to the City I was shocked with just how many interns flock to Manhattan every summer. Almost religiously, every few people I meet out on the weekends seem to be chasing the same dream I am in the Big Apple. I have met people interning at Fortune 500 companies, working 50+ hours a week and even some who have already received job offers with their said employer come graduation. Intern networking is hugely valuable, especially in the fashion industry. You never know who you will work with at a different company in the future, or what connections coworkers have made elsewhere that you can tap into. My favorite part of my internship are the friends I have made this summer.

Being immersed in New York seems a lot less overwhelming when experiencing it with fellow newcomers. I was lucky enough to make fast friendships with two girls interning in Creative Services with me. Nicole, Kelly and I met on the 19th floor at Michael Kors. Considering our different college experiences we have remarkably similar dreams, goals, and senses of humor. We all attend different colleges; Nicole is at Miami University in Ohio studying Graphic Design, while Kelly studies Graphic Communications at Clemson. All three of us were new to the city and were able to experience many New York first's together. All of us recently turned 21, so naturally NYC nightlife was on our lists of to do's from the beginning.

The three of us learned how to navigate to and from each others apartments, the bar's with the best happy hours close to our office, and our favorite new SoHo boutiques to shop at. I loved hearing about their college experiences and seeing the differences between mine and theirs. For example, Clemson is a huge football school. Kelly regularly attends the games and it has monumentally shaped her time as an undergrad. Drexel's lack of football was never something I noticed until hearing her stories of victory games and rivalries. While we may have differences, the three of us share a number of things in common. All three of us are in sororities, which has become a huge part of our college experience.We all plan to work in creative fields and hope to call New York home after graduation.

This past Friday I had to say goodbye to Kelly and Nicole. It is a beautiful thing when your relationships at work go beyond professional and become true friendships. I know that the three of us will stay in touch long past the end of the summer and the end of my time at Michael Kors. New York brought us together this summer, and will bring us together again come graduation.

MK Interns on Kelly and Nicole's Last Day

Too Blessed to be Stressed

   A renowned playwright once asked "to be or not to be," in his ever so famous Hamlet.  The question I am asking this morning is not "to be or not to be," but rather "to have or not to have."  More specifically, I am referring to having a job while balancing a full-load of college courses.

    You may have noticed I have been absent throughout this past week, a little bit longer of a break between posts than usual.  This absence is not due to forgetfulness or carelessness but to lack of time.  I am a usually busy girl.  I tend to over-schedule because I enjoy keeping busy rather than being bored and lost as to what to do with my free time.  Lucky to have found my calling in Design and Merchandising at Drexel and retail at Loft, I throw myself into any and all opportunities I receive because I know they are not work to me but what makes me happy.  This quarter these opportunities include 20 credits of classes at Drexel, approximately 20 hours a week at Loft, and a fellowship branding two start-up companies with little to no branding background, adding up to about more hours in a week than given, leaving me with approximately -10 hours of time to myself.

   This is in no way a complaint.  As I stated before, these are viewed as opportunities and gifts, not work.  I love what I do and prefer a busy schedule.  However, over the past week or two, I have noticed a change in my attitude and perspective.  In the past, pushing myself and scheduling more than I have time for has put my health at risk, leaving my parents to worry and warn me to only do the bare minimum.  I have always ignored their warnings, but this is the first time I have felt what they've said and bought into it, knowing I need a change in my lifestyle.  Even when busy before, I always found at least 10 minutes a day to myself.  Sure, I had busy days where that was not as easy to fit in, but as a whole,  I found some downtime during the week.  Over time, I have noticed that I know longer have this.  I am pushing myself too much, taking on too much, and overall feeling more overwhelmed than I ever have (which is saying a lot).  I was positive the day would not come where I agreed with my parents' beliefs on my scheduling.

   Back to the question at hand--to have [a job while a student] or not to have [a job while a student]?  I have had a job since I was 14.  I value work, I appreciate work, and I strongly believe it builds character, an eager work ethic, and financial skills.  Being such an avid supporter of having a part-time job while being a student, I, only naturally, have been shocked in the past (both in high school and college) by comments made my peers regarding having a job.  "Ugh, I might have to get a job," and "I don't have time for that," are phrases I have heard regularly, as if they were being asked to scrub mold off of a dirty floor with a toothbrush Cinderella-style.  I stand by my beliefs and have argued that to peers.  "I cannot imagine not having a job.  I have had one since I was young, and it has built my work ethic throughout the years," I say to them, proving a job does not have to be work with the right outlook.  It is a privilege to learn.

   So finally, to answer our question, I think you can guess where I stand.  Despite finding myself overwhelmingly busy, I know it is essential to building a good balance in life, another critical skill to have.  Despite hearing numerous times from friends and family that I may be working too much or that having a job while taking a full load of college courses is unrealistic, I stand by the choice--or chance--to have a job.  I may be overwhelmed this quarter, but this is no way indicates that I need to quit my job.  Instead I am able to scale back on hours and have learned the hard way to appreciate my personal time off and create a better balance than I currently have.  Working while college is not way easy but it has given me opportunities that others will not have, such as networking, a regular paycheck, and intense understanding of retail.  With that I leave you one of my favorite phrases: "too blessed to be stressed," and that sums up my thoughts regarding working while in school.

NM Interns Take NYC

Early this week, the Nicole Miller Philadelphia interns and Mary Dougherty ventured up to NYC for a fun day of fashion! We first arrived at Mary's and then headed up to the city. Our first stop was the retail location in Soho.  We were welcomed by the manager, Anna, and sales staff of the store and took a look around. It was really cool to see the same styles being merchandised differently and to soak up the cool and luxurious atmosphere. We then stopped for a quick bite to eat followed by some amazing cupcakes from Baked by Melissa. Next, we made our way over to the showroom where all of the magic happens. Nicole Miller is one of the last companies today that still features an in house designer, pattern makers and full production team. As we roamed the creative halls and offices, Mary introduced us to everyone that plays a vital role in the creation of such gorgeous garments, including Nicole Miller herself! Nicole was kind enough to chat with us and pose for a few pictures before we headed out. Our final stop was the Intermezzo market show. Here, we visited the Nicole Miller booth where the sales representatives of the company sell to retail locations that are interested in carrying the lines. The Nicole Miller Philadelphia buying team always makes a trip up to view the upcoming deliveries and put in their orders. After exploring and experiencing many different aspects of Intermezzo, we decided to call it a day and head back to Philly.  We are so thankful and excited that we were presented with such an amazing opportunity to experience Nicole Miller New York City with such a successful mentor. As many of us begin to wrap up our summer internships, we reflect on the great fun, friends and fashion at Nicole Miller!​

Fabric rolls from the Nicole Miller Showroom

The Nicole Miller booth at Intermezzo

The NM interns with Nicole Miller!

Retail Experience

I have recently obtained a part time job to help fund my commute. Since I really only have retail experience and my major is Design and Merchandising, I applied to a local boutique called Molly and Zoey in the gorgeous Pier Village, Long Branch. Going from working in a fashion closet at one of the biggest Public Relation firms to working in a teen geared boutique is obviously polar opposite. I have really learned to love my internship with Krupp Group. Now that I know the routine and my daily responsibilities, my days go by quickly with all the required work! I have also just signed up to assist behind the scenes of Fashion Week. I cannot wait to share that experience!
Back to the small town boutique...the hours are not my favorite and the clothes are not my style which is good for my wallet but it makes me appreciate my time in New York. I basically spend my hours finger spacing hangers and cleaning up after customers. I will like it after I receive my first paycheck but I am definitely looking forward to fall term to start!
Life back in New Jersey is definitely different than my days spent abroad.