Teen Vogue Fashion University Day 2

"Journalism is not a dying field"-Teen Vogue Editor in Chief Amy Astley

Plaid Skirt: Forever 21

Sweater: Urban Outfitters

Collared Button-Up: H&M

Boater Hat: Forever 21

Cat Socks: Forever 21

Creepers: Primark 

Denim Jacket: Forever 21 

Lipstick: Clinique 

Sunnies: Forever 21

I've wanted to work in the fashion industry for a long, long time. But because I wasn't an Upper East Side New Yorker with a million connections, I thought it was impractical to pursue a career in fashion. This past year, however, has blessed me with many opportunities that have made me realize that it's impractical NOT to pursue a job that fills me with so much energy and makes me feel so alive. Day 2 of Teen Vogue Fashion University really solidified this conviction of mine. I think many of us are afraid of the unknown, which is why there is so much negative stigma surrounding creative careers. Unlike the path of an aspiring doctor, the road to a job in fashion journalism, creative writing, or film is a rocky one filled with holes of complete darkness with no promise of light. Although the choice to walk down an unpaved path is a gamble, I truly believe that if you have unwavering passion and love for what you do, everything will work out. Yes, I am scared to death because for the first time in my young life I'm not standing in a place where A and B will lead to C, but that's life. The real world comes with no guarantees and the only thing you can do is find what makes your heart beat faster and your eyes shine brighter and follow that light with all you've got. I mean, how many novels result in the anti-hero spiraling down the dark abyss due to chasing money over passion? You'd think we'd learn from the greats, no? With that, I write: Whenever you find yourself at a crossroads, keep your soul in mind. 

Now unraveling myself from that tangent to give you a recap of the incredibly inspiring day dos of TVFU. I think it's important to recall this empowering day, especially since Conde Nast Publications just declared the end of its internship program in 2014. This is undeniably heartbreaking news because so many fashion greats started off as interns, but I believe in the youth. Let's bring back the electric atmosphere and endless verve of this magical weekend to work together to become a part of such a prestigious, glamorous, and inimitable industry! #millennials 

Day 2 of TVFU consisted of classes followed by a Teen Vogue x Topshop party. To see photos of the panels and my selfies with firecracker soul Andrew Bevan (Teen Vogue Style Features Director), Designer Eddie Borgo (Miley Cyrus wears his jewelry! #bangerz), and lovely Kate Phelan (Topshop Creative Director) check out my Instagram: chameleonsoulx 

I took classes from Designer Joseph Altuzarra, Designer Thakoon Panichgul, Designer Eddie Borgo, and Topshop Creative Director Kate Phelan. Here are my favorite quotes from the panels:

Joseph Altuzarra:

-On staying true to yourself in the fashion industry: "Knowing what you stand for and sticking to it takes confidence. You do have to know who you are and stay focused and stick up for what you stand for."

-On pursuing a career in the fashion industry: "Fashion is not that glamorous so you have to do it for the right reasons and not just to be photographed, meet models, etc." 

Thakoon Panichgul:

-On interns: "My pet peeve is when interns come and exert too much personality. The ones that are more introverted are more interesting." 

-On pursuing a career in the fashion industry: "It's important to stay focused and stay nice. Focus on what you love, not who people want you to be. Get retail experience!" 

-On creativity: "Thinking creatively comes from the heart. If you're meant to be a creative person you'll always think creatively."

-On transitioning from a business major to a fashion designer: "It's not a matter of doing one thing or the other. You can crunch numbers and think creatively." 

-On inspiration: "You always have to find inspiration in every single thing. I'm always looking for inspiration that's the opposite of what everyone else is looking into." 

Eddie Borgo:

-On the fashion industry: "Be good at math. Business is very important. I design 30% of the time, everything else is business related. Fashion is about relationships." 

-On inspiration: "History is important in fashion. I get a lot of my inspiration by incorporating the past and present into my jewelry." 

Kate Phelan:

-On street style: "Street style is very inspiring for editors of magazines. How you translate your ideas through clothes is not different from how you define ideas in magazines."

-On the Topshop Girl: "There isn't one Topshop Girl. There are so many different characters and personalities in our clothes." 

-On the fashion industry: "I remember dragging suitcases through jungles and being attacked by monkeys, but all your hard work always pays off in fashion. You can see your work come together." 

-Advice: "Try everything. Look at what happens in retail and on the magazine side because they feed off each other. Social media is incredibly important! And always remember to enjoy yourself and enjoy the fact that you're there to learn." 

As I'm sure you've gathered by now, classes were very informative as well as comical. People in the industry are so cool. My favorite moment outside of classes was when Teen Vogue Editor in Chief Amy Astley declared that journalism is not a dying field. She discussed how journalism is just changing form and thriving on the Internet rather than in print. She stated that she believes well-known magazines, like Teen Vogue, will never cease to exist because humans crave information, especially in the age of social media where there is so much instant info at our fingertips. Because there is so much information nowadays, there is also a lot of unreliable information, which ensures that prestigious publications will always come out on top because they have quality news. Go Amy! 

Pinch me moments included walking past It Girl Alexa Chung on my way to the Teen Vogue office. I'm the type of person who doesn't realize the presence of a celebrity until it's too late aka no photo. She was one of the speakers at TVFU, so I know for sure it was her. This happened to me again at the Teen Vogue x Topshop party when I was shopping next to model Jourdan Dunn. I didn't think it was her because I didn't expect her to be at the party and I didn't want to ask if it was her and be wrong because that's super awkward. Then, one of my TVFU friends (pictured above in the cool H&M white skirt) ran up to me and was all, "Omg I just snapped a photo with Jourdan Dunn!!" Poop. 

I think the cherry on top of this ice cream sundae of an event was getting a Shopbop tote FULL of freebies: a pair of jeggings (now I can get the comfort of leggings whilst wearing short T-shirts and sweaters woo), the newest issue of Teen Vogue, Topshop makeup, Bvlgari perfume, Herbal Essences shampoo and conditioner, Pantene hair gel, Olay cleansing system, a notebook and pen, coupons, and Eddie Borgo earrings! My love for free shiz is unparalleled. Basically, Day 2 of Teen Vogue Fashion University was AMAZEBALLZ. 

Music:

1) Streets of New York and Beneath My Skin by Minor Soul. Listened to them play live in an NYC bar. One of the singers is friends with my friend and they are talking to Maroon 5's label. Super chill acoustic tunes. Def worth a listen. Plus they're British heh. 

2) Cavalier by James Vincent McMorrow. No words. Pure genius. "I remember my first love." 

P.S. I'll be working with some mind-blowingly awesome folks in the near future and I'm BEYOND excited, so stay tuned. :) 

xx