One of the things I love most about UD is that it gives its students in almost every major real world experience prior to graduation. As an English Education major, I get to teach a high school class twice a week, and I am only a sophomore! If you think that sounds cool, just wait until you hear about my friend Samantha Isom’s experience working at New York Fashion Week earlier this month. Talk about some major #careergoals and #lifeenvy.
We interviewed Sam to find out more about this opportunity of a lifetime!
Samantha (Sam) Isom is a sophomore studying Apparel Design and Fashion Merchandising from New Castle Delaware. She is a music director for Vision A Capella on campus and is a member of the Baptist Student Ministry.
HC: How did you get the opportunity to go to Fashion Week?
SI: My friend Dan Koob, who is a senior Fashion Merchandising Major this year, interned with Agentry PR. Agentry has employed UD Alumni and they needed extra volunteers to help out with Christian Siriano’s show. Emails were sent out to people on the Synergy and UDress email lists. I signed up for those clubs during my Freshman Year so I received the email, sent in my resume and participated in a brief interview with Dan himself.
HC: What was your reaction/how did you feel when you found out you were going?
SI: I wasn’t sure what to expect when I got there, but I was very excited for some real world experience that I could put on my resume.
HC: When did you first become passionate about fashion?
SI: I have been passionate about fashion ever since I was a child and my mom bought me Barbie coloring kits and paper dolls. I was sketching my own designs and sewing clothes for my dolls since elementary school. My great-grandmother was an experienced seamstress and passed her love of sewing onto me.
HC: What did you do backstage at Fashion Week as an intern?
SI: I placed name cards and programs on everyone’s seat. After that I directed people to their seats before the show started and then was able to watch the show from the balcony.
HC: Did you have any celebrity sightings?
SI: I did have several celebrity sightings. I stood right next to the backstage door and held a sign that directed people to their seats. The stars would go backstage to talk to Siriano before the show. I greeted stars like Meg Ryan. I also saw stars walk in the show and the dressing room was backstage so I saw them walking around. Among these stars were an actor from Orange is the New Black, Selma Blair who played Vivian in Legally Blonde, and Ashley Graham, a famous model.
HC: What was it like working for Christian Siriano?
SI: It was very intense working for Siriano. If we saw him, we were told to stay out of his way. It was a busy day and a high pressure environment so there was little room for error, but most people were nice and personable.
HC: Now that you’ve gone to Fashion Week, would you do it again? How has it altered your outlook on the fashion industry?
SI: I would definitely do this again. It gave me an insight into the industry that I love and now I would even consider working for a PR agency.
HC: Do you think you would want a career similar to working at Fashion Week?
SI: Yes, I love working with people and there are a lot of people who are somewhat egotistical in the fashion world, so I would love to be a positive influence and a light in the industry.
HC: If you could walk in any designer’s show, who would it be?
SI: I have often dreamed of being a model since I am five foot ten and I get asked that so many times. I would love to walk in Siriano’s, Anna Sui’s, or Oscar de La Renta’s show.
HC: How did you think the show empowered women?
SI: The show celebrated all women and all body types. Siriano proved he can dress any body by having a range of models from traditional size 2 to plus size and also a variety of ethnicities. Everyone looked amazing and the clothes flattered their bodies.
Fashion week was truly a memorable and exciting resume booster for Sami!
All images courtesy of Samantha Isom