Meet Lydia Troy! A sophomore at Kent State, currently majoring in fashion merchandising with a minor in costume design. When Lydia isn’t working hard with her studies, she likes to spend time behind a camera, working her way down a runway and dressing up as a Disney Princesses. Her love of fashion has taken Lydia all around the country as well as places around the world.
HerCampus (HC) : What are you involved in around Kent State?
Lydia Troy (LT): I am not too involved on campus however; I am always looking for new ways to help out fundraisers and charity events. For example, recently I volunteered to be in the Dare2Care Fashion Show in Cleveland to help support against bullying LGTB. I also love to support the Greek Life Philanthropy events and help raise money for each amazing cause. Occasionally on Thursday’s I enjoy going to Cru, a Christian fellowship group.
HC: How do you spend your time off campus?
LT: Off campus I am extremely busy. I work for a local company called Tiaras and Treasures inc. my job is to dress up as the desired Disney Princess and surprise the Birthday girl at her Birthday party! While I am there I get to sing a long with the children, play games, and do a makeover! In my future I would potentially love to work for Disney and actually be a real face character. Not only is it exciting for me, I find that it is truly really rewarding. I also model for Taxi Talent Management. I have had the pleasure working with Dick’s Sporting Goods, Step2, Nexcom, Westcott, and have had the chance to do freelance work with other very talented photographers. Zaleski Productions has also been an exciting part of my life. I have had to chance to do Bridal runway with their company, the Hall of Fame Fashion Show, model in New York Fashion week and also help out with The Power of Purple, a fashion event to benefit the Lupus Foundation.
HC: Where have you travled to?
LT: Last year I had the chance to work with a small wholesale business company called SoHo Chick located in Wooster, OH. Within this internship I was able to model the clothing for their brand while traveling throughout the year. I was invited to travel to FAME, a New York trunk show and MAGIC, a Las Vegas Trunk show a couple of times during the year and summer. During the trunk shows I helped design the booth background and helped set up everything while I promoted their line by wearing their clothes and helped sell to the different vendors and buyers. I was truly blessed to have had that wonderful opportunity being a young, fashion merchandiser and meeting so many talented people while also learning the behind the scenes of the Fashion world. I was then offered to be an assistant designer for the company this past summer. I was invited to travel to Hong Kong and China. During my trip to Hong Kong and China I was able to experience Hong Kong’s Fashion week. While being there Kamni (the owner of SoHo Chick) and I went to different sample markets, and fabric markets to pick out samples for her next summer collection. I was also able to design flats and collaborate with different vendors in order to figure out which garment would sell and also look the best. We then visited the factories where the fabric and garments were being produced.