Fashion designers, beauty experts, social media mavens, oh my! While the majority of my peers donned bikinis and wide-brimmed hats on a sunny beach for spring break, I hopped on a plane to New York City for the 2015 Teen Vogue Fashion University (TVFU) program.
After applying for TVFU in January, I patiently (read: frantically) waited to hear back about whether or not I had gotten accepted. I had the opportunity to participate in Fashion U back in 2013, but this year’s program offered so much more. I just had to go!
Once I got that magic email a few weeks later, I wasted no time in putting together outfits and hairstyles for my trip. I couldn’t believe I’d be going back to the “Big Apple” again!
The program lineup was phenomenal. Zac Posen, Michelle Phan, Jessica Simpson, Mickey Rapkin, Vashtie, and Kristen Joy Watts were some of the guest speakers present at the Condé Nast headquarters for the weekend. It was exciting to hear them talk about how they got their start in the industry and how we, as young professionals, can start building our own brands and climbing the ladder of success. It was also exciting to get a huge bag full of freebies (Oscar de la Renta bracelets, anyone?)
And while the seminars, panel discussions and the mix & mingle event at Express in Times Square were awesome, my absolute favorite part of the trip was being able to tour the Teen Vogue office! I was in awe from gazing at all of the shoes in the fashion closet and peering into the glass windows of the editors’ workspaces. It made my dreams of being a fashion journalist more real. I could really be working here in the future.
Of course I was a little sad after our “graduation ceremony” that Sunday (I didn’t want to leave!), but I was ecstatic that I could add another piece of experience to my résumé. I left feeling inspired, energetic, and ready to take on the world! And despite me missing my flight on the way home, I must say that my weekend at TVFU was nothing short of perfect!