We Got an Internship!
Caroline Langley
Major / Minor: Apparel Merchandising with a minor in Business
Company Interned For: Global Visual Group
Banson NYC: Did Banson NYC contribute to getting this internship? Explain.
CL: Banson NYC had everything to do with me getting my internship. If I hadn't of gone and explored NYC I would've never decided to move there for a summer. Banson NYC also allowed me to see people my age doing what I've always wanted to do - which is intern in NYC. That kind of boosted my confidence and made me go after what I wanted. When searching for an internship, the first thing I did was ask Holland if she had any contacts that I could reach out to, and of course, she did. I contacted a few of them that attracted my interest and ended up getting the one I wanted the most!
Banson NYC: Do you have any advice for students looking to intern in your field of study?
CL: Try and if you don't succeed, try again. If someone turns you down and offers the position you want to a different candidate, try somewhere else and learn from that first experience. Also, don't be scared to put yourself out there. If you don't reach out to the people that you know you might miss out on an awesome opportunity. Lastly, believe in yourself. You can do anything you set your mind to - including land an amazing internship!
Banson NYC: What made your internship unique?
CL: My internship was unique because I was able to work under so many different positions. Every day was different because I was helping different people. I worked under the creative director, the sales team, and the showroom managers and each required different tasks of me. I would walk in every day knowing the day would hold something different than the day before.
Banson NYC: What attracted you to your internship?
CL: I have always thought of myself as being a creative person with a creative mind and visual merchandising seemed like the perfect fit for that. I also researched the company before applying and learned that it is very successful and a growing company.
Banson NYC: What personality traits do you think are important to have to prepare you for success in an internship?
CL: Being open minded is a very important quality to have. Like I said in an above question, you never know what the day is going to hold so you have to be able to handle whatever might be thrown your way. If you go in open mindedly it will all work out! Secondly, having a strong work ethic is crucial. People notice this and will always want someone who works hard over someone who doesn't. Lastly, I would say that confidence is important - always believe in the quality of your work and other people will too.
Banson NYC: Do you think the experience you gained during your internship will be helpful for future internships and/or jobs? If so, explain.
CL: Absolutely! The knowledge I gained in itself will help me for years to come. I was able to work under people who have been in this industry for years and the things that I learned from them were priceless. They taught me about running a successful business and also a lot about the visual merchandising side of this industry.
Banson NYC: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
CL: I see myself settled down into a company that I have been with for a few years in a city that I absolutely love! I know I will still have a love for fashion as well as this industry.
Rachel Kaplan
Richmond, Virginia
Major / Minor: Fashion Merchandising with minors in Marketing and Public Relations
Company Interned For: Buffalo Jeans
Banson NYC: What are some of your daily tasks or assignments?
RK: Everyday I had a different assignment which was amazing! Some of them included pulling samples to be sent out to magazine editors, stylists, or celebrities; assisting the retail coordinators in the Buffalo shop at Macy's Herald Square; or updating Available to Sell (ATS) reports to send out to sales representatives.
Banson NYC: Did Banson NYC play a part in your preparation for your internship? Explain.
RK: Yes! My group visited Buffalo on one of the summer tours I participated in. I loved the atmosphere so I kept the company's name in mind and when it came time for me to apply for an internship, Holland passed along the contact information.
Banson NYC: What personality traits do you think are important to have to prepare you for success in an internship?
RK: I think you need to be hardworking, positive and personable. You have to be willing and able to complete any task with a positive attitude and treat the people around you with respect and kindness. These traits allow you to have an enjoyable and worthwhile experience at the workplace.
Banson NYC: What courses did you take previously that helped throughout the internship?
RK: My first year of college I took a class called Intro to Fashion Technology which focused on teaching students to use Microsoft Excel and Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Being able to use Microsoft Excel helped me be able to complete line sheets efficiently which allowed me to complete more tasks and gain more experience.
Banson NYC: What made your internship unique?
RK: I didn't work in just one department and everyday was different. While I would send out samples or complete research on bloggers, I would also assist the men's sales team in handling best-seller reports and then helping women's design team organize the next season's samples. I gained experience in many different aspects of the fashion industry.
Banson NYC: Do you think the experience you gained during your internship will be helpful for future internships and/or jobs? If so, explain.
RK: Definitely! Because I worked with so many different people at Buffalo and completed such different tasks, I learned so much! I was definitely pulled out of my comfort zone for some of my assignments which now allows me to be adaptable to any task in the future.
Banson NYC: Do you have any advice for students looking to intern in your field of study?
RK: Find any way to gain experience! Whether it's working a retail job, finding classes at your high school or college, joining an organization or club that pertains to what you're interested in or starting a blog, just get involved! It'll give you some experience and something to add to your resume.
Mary Ciampi
Brielle, New Jersey
Major / Minor: Fashion Merchandising with a minor in Communications
Company Interned For: Medusa's Heirlooms
Banson NYC: Did Banson NYC contribute to getting this internship? Explain.
MC: The first time I saw Medusa's Heirlooms was on my college Banson NYC showroom tour my sophomore year. I got contacts from going on the Banson NYC tour. I would never know about any of the showrooms without the help of Banson.
Banson NYC: What did you learn in your internship and what challenges did you overcome?
MC: I learned how to work with customers and be prepared for changes last minute and working in an industry that is ever changing. The challenge I had to overcome was a long two-hour commute each way. It tool great energy to devote to my work and full commitment to Medusa's Heirlooms.
Banson NYC: What courses did you take previously that helped throughout the internship?
MC: The courses I've taken for my fashion merchandising major are all ones in which we work in groups. Working with different people definitely gave me practice for talking and working with buyers coming into the showroom.
Banson NYC: What made your internship unique?
MC: Being hands-on in a company as unique as Medusa's Heirlooms and learning from Kathy Hausman made it unique. She let me make decisions in the company that I thought I would never be able to do as an intern.
Banson NYC: Did Banson NYC play a part in your preparation for your internship? Explain.
MC: Yes, it showed me what I would be doing as an intern and what kind of atmosphere I could see myself in.
Banson NYC: What were your day-to-day duties as an intern?
MC: I was the only intern so I did a little bit of everything. I helped with packing and shipping orders, going to wholesale stores to pick out new merchandise and helping with the design process of new hair accessories.
Banson NYC: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
MC: I see myself working in New York City in a fashion company where I am comfortable in and do work I am proud of.
Kayleigh Adam
Houston, Texas
Major / Minor: Public Relations with a minor in Business
Company Interned For: Cosmopolitan and Seventeen Magazine
Banson NYC: Did Banson NYC contribute to getting this internship? Explain.
KA: Completely. My very first internship was with Marc Fisher Footwear, which I toured through Banson. Through interning at an in-house PR firm I gained contacts to so many publications on the editorial side.
Banson NYC: Do you have any advice for students looking to intern in your field of study?
KA: Do whatever you can to show you're interested in your area! My school doesn't offer fashion anything, so I worked retail until I decided to start a blog. Through blogging I've now gotten internships and have gained so many contacts. It has given me a leg up on applying just by putting it on my resume.
Banson NYC: Did Banson NYC play a part in your preparation for your internship? Explain.
KA: When I returned to Banson as an "alumni," we went to an internship seminar that helped so much. Little things like wording simple tasks on your resume to show that they're important in what you would be doing as an intern are things I had never thought of!
Banson NYC: What personality traits do you think are important to have to prepare you for success in an internship?
KA: You have to remain positive and open-minded. Tasks can get really difficult, time consuming or just tedious and it's so easy to get down on yourself or get upset. As long as you're open-minded and know you're there to work and get the most out of it, you'll do great!
Banson NYC: Do you think the experience you gained during your internship will be helpful for future internships and/or jobs? If so, explain.
KA: This was one of the most exhausting internships I had, but it was a more accurate take on what I would be doing if I worked in the editorial industry. It was fast paced and always different, so I gained so many new techniques and qualities that can only benefit me in the future!
Banson NYC: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
KA: I see myself living in the West Village, working for a magazine or in-house PR firm and still coming back to speak at Banson! Hopefully in five years I will be having Holland come on tours of the office I'm at!
Johanna DiNardo
Paoli, Pennsylvania
Major / Minor: Fashion Design
Company Interned For: Lilly Pulitzer
Banson NYC: What were some of your daily tasks or assignments?
JD: I had various tasks and assignments depending on the day. I was an intern for the Senior and Assistant fashion designers for Fine Knits. In the beginning, they had me filing a lot of past season knitwear as well as clothing that they could draw inspiration from. I also filed many fabric samples from their various fabric suppliers. They asked me to draw appliques found on certain shirts that they liked so they could store it for possible future use. They also looked at some original neckline applique and swimwear designs. I was interning when they were designing for Resort 2013. The first shipment for Summer 2012 had just launched in stores. Because the headquarters is very close to the King of Prussia Mall Lilly location, one morning before work and before the mall opened the technical designers and I went to the store. Various sized models tried on the first shipment looks and we took notes on fit, etc. This was a great experience. I would also assist the designers with their flat specs on CAD and help them get their presentation boards organized. I sat in on fittings some days, too, and when they were reviewing their calendar for the upcoming seasons that year. I even helped name one of the tops! When I was not doing all of these assignments, they had given me a main project to work on and to complete by the duration of my internship, which was to design a 5-piece collection for Lilly’s “18-25 year old” customer for Summer 2013. I bought myself a high quality marker and pen set that they recommended and went to town, first getting inspiration and then sketching away. The attached picture is what I presented to them on my last day.
Banson NYC: Did Banson NYC play a part in your preparation for your internship? Explain.
JD: Definitely. Participating in Banson NYC the summer before taught me that internships were key to success in the industry and that you have to start somewhere to reach your ultimate goals. At Banson NYC I learned tips on how to network and to seize every opportunity presented to me. I learned that confidence is key and to be open-minded in exploring all the industry has to offer you.
Banson NYC: What attracted you to your internship?
JD: The fact that the headquarters were surprisingly located very close to me, in King of Prussia, was very important. I also really had a respect for the Lilly Pulitzer brand, as I knew it had a very loyal customer base, and its’ bold, colorful prints always attracted me creatively.
Banson NYC: What personality traits do you think are important to have to prepare you for success in an internship?
JD: It is essential to be confident but not cocky, respectfulness is very important. Learning how to take direction and how to make the most use of your unique abilities and apply them to your job. It is also imperative to ask questions and be a team player. Time management, punctuality, and organization are also key traits to possess. Having a good attitude and coming into work with a smile on your face each day because you realize how lucky you are to be in such an environment and gain the experience you are.
Banson NYC: Do you think the experience you gained during your internship will be helpful for future internships and/or jobs? If so, explain.
JD: Yes, I definitely think my experience at Lilly will help me in the future. I was exposed to many aspects of the industry I would not have known if I did not intern there. I am a firm believer that every experience will help you in someway to reach your future goals.
Banson NYC: Would you like to be hired for an entry-level position in this company after you graduate? Why or why not?
JD: I could definitely see myself working at Lilly one day, because it is such a unique company with a great mission and approach. I felt very comfortable there, and the creative, friendly atmosphere was one I would like to have in a future workplace. There were some designers there who had just graduated from Drexel University a couple years before, so that was very nice to know. I suppose it all depends on what sector of the industry I pursue, but if it is dresses or children swear, I would definitely consider interviewing.
Banson NYC: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
JD: In five years I will be graduated from Drexel with a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Design. I will be working at a design house/company as an Assistant Designer in a department that I have decided to specialize in (i.e. eveningwear, lingerie, children’s wear, etc.). I hope to have this job and be living in either New York City or Europe.
Banson NYC: Do you have any advice for students looking to pursue your field of study?
JD: Master time management, and if you really, really love it, do not give up! Fashion design is not an easy field-you will have many sleepless nights in the studio, your sewing machine may become your worst enemy at times, and people may tell you you’ll never make it, but if designing clothes is truly your passion, it will all be worth it in the end when you see your designs coming down the runway and have a job that you are excited to go to each day! One more thing, be completely yourself at interviews and answer honestly. Do not try to “sugar coat” anything and suck up to the interviewer. Do your research prior.
Cara Dolci
Sharon, Pennsylvania
Major / Minor: Business Management Specializing in Fashion Management / Minor in Marketing
Company Interned For: Tiger J, LLC.
Banson NYC: What are some of your daily tasks or assignments?
CD: Some of my daily tasks or assignments included; creating theme boards, preparing designers for upcoming meetings, shopping for inspirational garments, assisting in styling for lines, creating color cards, and aiding with Tech Packets.
Banson NYC: Did Banson NYC contribute to getting this internship? Explain. If not, how did you get it?
CD: Yes; Banson NYC did contribute. I was given the contact information of an employee at Tiger J, LLC through Holland Grumieaux. In reaching out to that employee I was able to obtain an internship opportunity.
Banson NYC: What did you learn in your internship and what challenges did you overcome?
CD: I learned a lot while interning at Tiger J, LLC. I first started out with the design teams; where I was able to see the process of how lines are brainstormed from a theme/concept board carrying through to seeing the actual sample in hand. I then moved to the product development/production team where I was able to see a different side of the business. While working with this team I was able to see how garments are priced. Furthermore learned how styles were created by the design team and then carried through production – basically I learned the whole process in which this company operates. I can’t honestly say there were any challenges that I had to overcome; except learning to pick things up quickly and get them done.
Banson NYC: What courses did you take previously that helped throughout the internship?
CD: I came into this internship with no design background – so many things were new to me. Some of the terminology was very unfamiliar and I had to learn while on the job. In my personal experience none of my previous courses helped me through my internship.
Banson NYC: Do you have any advice for students looking to intern in your field of study?
CD: My advice is, take any opportunity you are given because you never know where it might lead you. Like I said; I took a design internship without having a design background and I was fortunate enough to work my way into a field that I felt comfortable in; such as Product Development/Production. Interning with Design also helped me understand the process of how things operate.
Banson NYC: What made your internship unique?
CD: What made my internship unique for one was that it was in NYC. I am originally from a small town in Pennsylvania so moving to the Big Apple was exciting. Also I got to create theme boards for celebrity lines. Not to mention going shopping in NYC for inspirational pieces was always a plus!
Banson NYC: What attracted you to your internship?
CD: It basically was an open opportunity that was given to me so I guess that’s what I was more attracted to rather than the job itself.
Banson NYC: What personality traits do you think are important to have to prepare you for success in an internship?
CD: Personality traits that are important are being up beat and eager to learn. Internships to me are hands-on learning experiences; take everything you can get out of it.
Banson NYC: Would you like to be hired for an entry-level position in this company after you graduate? Why or why not?
CD: I obtained my internship after graduating college and again I was fortunate enough to gain a full time position from it. I am currently working with the company that I originally interned with; 2 years and counting.
Banson NYC: Do you think the experience you gained during your internship will be helpful for future internships and/or jobs? If so, explain.
CD: Yes; every experience you gain is always useful for future jobs.
Banson NYC: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
CD: I see myself in 5 years moving out of the production/product development field and moving into becoming a buyer or merchant.
Kara Tuccinardi
Tewksbury, Massachusetts
Major / Minor: Management Major / Communications Minor
Companies Interned For: Summer 2012 – Buying/Merchandising Intern for Moda Operandi / Summer 2011 – Buying Intern for Ross Dress for Less, Inc.
Banson NYC: What are some of your daily tasks or assignments?
KT: I went over weekly sales reports to find top sellers, created top sellers reports to share with the company.
Banson NYC: Did Banson NYC contribute to getting this internship? Explain. If not, how did you get it?
KT: It definitely helped me get my first internship with Ross – it showed that I was very interested in the industry and doing everything I could to learn more. Banson NYC showed that I had knowledge of the fashion industry and I was a more competent candidate because of it. They asked me about the tour during my interview and were very impressed with the program and my initiative to be a part of it.
Banson NYC: What did you learn in your internship and what challenges did you overcome?
KT: I really learned how to make an opportunity for myself. I came into the company asking for a specific internship in buying/merchandising because I knew that’s what I was really interested in. The rest of the interns were ‘general’ interns and often had more menial tasks. I was able to really make the most of my experience and work with different departments at the company because I had expressed my specific interest which was crucial. The hours were often long and it could be draining, but I really loved what I was doing and it made me realize how important it is to find the right job you are passionate about because that makes everything worthwhile.
Banson NYC: Do you have any advice for students looking to intern in your field of study?
KT: My advice would be to think outside the box and dream big. Just because an opportunity may seem out of reach doesn’t mean that it is. Do everything you can to show you have experience and knowledge in the field you want to go in to, and have confidence in yourself.
Banson NYC: What made your internship unique?
KT: I worked for a new startup company and I was able to work in and get experience in a lot of departments. I loved working in the luxury market, and the opportunity was a dream for me.
Banson NYC: Did Banson NYC play a part in your preparation for your internship? Explain.
KT: Banson NYC definitely opened up my eyes to all the different opportunities and companies that are in the fashion industry. Hearing different professionals talk about how they ended up where they did really inspired me and helped me to find my own path into the fashion industry. The advice I received from my trip was honestly life changing, and helped give me the confidence I needed to really go after what I want.
Banson NYC: What prepared you for your internship?
KT: My first internship at Ross was a very structured learning experience and really gave me a lot of background information into the buying field. I would recommend a structured internship like that to people interested in buying because you really learn a lot, and even if the company is not somewhere you want to end up with, you will take that knowledge with you in the future. That internship really helped give me the confidence in my abilities as a future buyer and helped me to realize what I do and don’t want out of internships and job opportunities.
Banson NYC: What attracted you to your internship?
KT: I really love the luxury market, and being able to work with brands such as Valentino and Nicholas Kirkwood was so exciting. I had been following the company since it started, and I really liked the idea of working for a startup.
Banson NYC: What personality traits do you think are important to have to prepare you for success in an internship?
KT: Being driven and passionate – if you can show them that you want it more, employers value that. They look for candidates who love the company, the industry, and the position. Be able to take constructive criticism, and learn from past mistakes. Most importantly, be confident because no one will hire you unless you show them you are the best person for the job.
Banson NYC: Do you think the experience you gained during your internship will be helpful for future internships and/or jobs? If so, explain.
KT: Absolutely! I learned so much about buying and merchandising, as well as overall business strategies for a fashion retailer. I was really lucky in the fact that I had the opportunity to work in several departments and see how different parts of the business work together to operate as a whole. I got to work on an entirely new part of the business and jump into the buying field to see the rationale behind making a buy. I learned so much that I now feel entirely confident in my ability to be successful in a buying career.
Banson NYC: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
KT: I see myself working in the buying field for a luxury fashion company. I am very interested in working for newer companies because I like the chaos and excitement of startups and I am also very interested in ecommerce. I hope that I will find myself in a position that can combine my interests and passions in the luxury fashion market.
Eryn Patton
Huntsville, Alabama
Major / Minor: Apparel Merchandising, Management, and Production
Companies Interned For: Gabriela Moya & Isaac Mizrahi/Xcel Brands
Banson NYC: Did Banson NYC contribute to getting this internship? Explain. If not, how did you get it?
EP: Yes! Holland introduced our group to Gabriela and I fell in love with her design process. After Gabriela's presentation, we were encouraged to introduce ourselves. I sent personalized thank-you cards to all of the companies I was interested in interning with, and that personal touch led to my internship!
Banson NYC: What courses did you take previously that helped throughout the internship?
EP: I have been helping to create textile patterns for a freelance job Gabriela is working on--Photoshop + Illustrator are essential to this type of work. Gabriela is a pro with both programs, so I have learned even more since I began!
Banson NYC: Did Banson NYC play a part in your preparation for your internship? Explain.
EP: The tour really helped me to see the various positions I should be looking for. I spoke with Holland about where to live, recommendations for entering the field, and general tips for working in the city. Having someone to mentor you and help guide you is so useful (and puts your parents' mind at ease!).
Banson NYC: What attracted you to your internship?
EP: I was most attracted to Gabriela's design process. She creates her own textile patterns that are inspired by works of art. She is using both her degree in apparel design and her degree in art history this way.
Banson NYC: What personality traits do you think are important to have to prepare you for success in an internship?
EP: I think that it is really important to be happy with whatever you are tasked with. You also have to be willing to admit that you do not know how to do something and ask for help. Also useful--networking skills. I have been vigilant about being introduced to other players in the industry since I arrived two weeks ago. Because of that, I have now landed a second internship with Isaac Mizrahi and am helping yet another designer (Stacy Lomman) with a photoshoot this weekend. Just don't say "no" to an opportunity for learning!
Banson NYC: Would you like to be hired for an entry-level position in this company after you graduate? Why or why not?
EP: Because Gabriela Moya's company basically only consists of her, there is not currently an opportunity to gain employment with her. I would love to be hired at Isaac Mizrahi. Their team works together very well and they are just as eager to use my talents as I am to learn from their experiences.
Banson NYC: Do you think the experience you gained during your internship will be helpful for future internships and/or jobs? If so, explain.
EP: I think that the experiences I will be gaining this summer will be invaluable. So often, we learn things in class and do not understand their real-world application. Getting to see everything from running a small business, to working freelance, to designing and styling for a large company is amazing.
Lauren Isenberg
Downington, Pennsylvania
Major / Minor: Marketing
Companies Interned For: Summer 2012 – Buffalo Jeans / Spring 2013 – Clarisse / Summer 2013 – QVC
Banson NYC: What are some of your daily tasks or assignments?
LI: Buffalo: open packages, check-in clothing samples, help out around the office, run Available to Sell reports, check inventory, and help out in retail stores around the city if needed be (such as Macy’s Herald Square and JC Penny).
Clarisse: Create posts for multiple social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, etc, help out in the showroom with assisting young teens with prom dresses, and checked inventory.
QVC: Cost and retail changes, go through top sales and reach out to vendors when inventory is running low on certain items, build items that are going up on the website, and sit in on meetings with various vendors to negotiate good deals on new products to sell.
Banson NYC: Did Banson NYC contribute to getting this internship? Explain. If not, how did you get it?
LI: Banson NYC contributed in the landing of my internship with Buffalo Jeans as that was one of the companies we visited during camp. My other two internships were not affiliated with Banson NYC. Clarisse I landed from Temple University’s career website and QVC I got from connections inside the company.
Banson NYC: What courses did you take previously that helped throughout the internship?
LI: Honestly, every business class I have taken so far has helped me in my internships. Such as economics, accounting, intro to marketing, and Intro to management and Information systems
Banson NYC: Do you have any advice for students looking to intern in your field of study?
LI: NETWORK!! That is honestly the best advice I can give. If you (in some degree) know what you want to do or absolutely know that you want to get into fashion, then get your name out there and start contacting professionals! Some may turn you down and some may not answer. Another big piece of advice I can give is after attending this awesome camp, make sure you stay in contact with Holland and all of the people you visited! It will maybe help you get an internship and possibly a job when you graduate.
Banson NYC: Did Banson NYC play a part in your preparation for your internship? Explain.
LI: Banson NYC played a part in my preparation for my internships because the camp gave you a feel of what the corporate world was like. During camp, we saw all different parts of the fashion industry such as design, marketing, and merchandising. Before I went to the camp, I knew I wanted to go into the fashion industry but wasn’t sure where. After camp, I 100% knew I wanted to go into marketing. Seeing the actual positions in the companies and talking to professionals about their jobs was so helpful in helping me decide what I wanted to do.
Banson NYC: What attracted you to your internship?
LI: Buffalo: That it was in NYC and a fashion company!
Clarisse: Close to school, and a fashion company as well
QVC: Close to home, a very successful company and that it’s a paid internship}
Banson NYC: What personality traits do you think are important to have to prepare you for success in an internship?
LI: Leadership, Confidence, Outgoing personality, hardworking, and willingness to succeed
Banson NYC: Would you like to be hired for an entry-level position in this company after you graduate? Why or why not?
LI: I would love to be hired at QVC when I graduate college. I absolutely love the company and the people I work with. Their internship program is fantastic and really gives you feel of what it would be like to work there rather than just being a “coffee girl” as some other internships are. After interning at QVC, I realized that it is a perfect company for me and there is so much room to grow and succeed.
Banson NYC: Do you think the experience you gained during your internship will be helpful for future internships and/or jobs? If so, explain.
LI: Definitely. Without internship experience it is very difficult to get a job after you graduate. Getting your foot in the door and getting the experience now is going to make it easier for you when looking for a job. Like they say, it’s not all about what you know, it’s about who you know.
Banson NYC: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
LI: In 5 years I either hope to be living in NYC working my way to a buyer position for a fashion company, or living in West Chester, PA working my way to a buyer position at QVC.
Cameron Taylor
Atlanta, Georgia
Major / Minor: Apparel Design / Fine Art
Company Interned For: Gabriela Moya
Banson NYC: What were some of your daily tasks or assignments:
CT: Some daily tasks that I’ve performed this summer have been writing and responding to emails to/from stylists, bloggers, writers, artists, and other designers, running errands around the city such as fabric swatch pulls in the garment district, and meetings with different fabric vendors, and picking/up dropping off inventory to and from boutiques. I have also made mood boards for different projects and also done some networking by going door to door and showing boutiques Gabriela’s look books.
Banson NYC: Did Banson NYC contribute to getting this internship? Explain.
CT: Yes! The connection I made with Gabriela was entirely due to Banson NYC. My trip with Auburn University back in January was when I first met Gabriela Moya. She was one of our visits with Banson NYC. Upon meeting her and visiting her studio, I knew she was someone whom I wanted to learn from. Luckily we had a great conversation at the end of our visit and I was able to score an internship then and there and that would never have happened without Holland and Banson NYC!
Banson NYC: What did you learn in your internship and what challenges did you overcome?
CT: Being a Fashion Design and Fine Art major I have learned how to get started if I have want to venture out on my own in a creative industry whether it be starting my own apparel line or pursuing something in art. I have learned about networking and how important social media is, and about fabrics, suppliers, and vendors. I have learned what questions to ask fabric vendors like what are their minimums? Is a fabric re-orderable? And I also learned the pros and cons of going overseas or staying in the U.S. for fabrics, printing, grading, patternmaking, etc.
Banson NYC: What courses did you take previously that helped throughout the internship?
CT: Just having a general knowledge of the fashion industry was helpful. My CAD and Illustration class helped with the mood boards and social media forums, my Textiles and Sewing classes helped to have an idea of what questions to ask and to have an understanding of what was needed or not needed when choosing a fabric or working with showroom personal. Although having this knowledge was very helpful and made me feel more confident while being in NYC and surrounded by the fashion industry, I think the most important things that helped me during my internship were being able to communicate, network, and listen. These things were invaluable during my stay in NYC.
Banson NYC: Do you have any advice for students looking to intern in your field of study?
CT: My advice for students in my field of study looking for an internship would be to start looking for one early and to have an idea of what you want. Do you want to work with a small company or a larger more corporate company? Because Gabriela Moya is still fairly young in the fashion world, I was able to work very closely and gain a more personal relationship with her. Due to this, my experience was a lot of fun and more relaxed. If you decide you want something more corporate those companies usually have internship programs and there is a better chance of hire after your internship!
Banson NYC: What made your internship unique?
CT: My internship was unique because I was able to build such a personal relationship with Gabriela. I am confident in saying that I have gained a wonderful friendship from my internship experience.
Banson NYC: Did Banson NYC play a part in your preparation for your internship? Explain.
CT: Yes! Banson NYC played a large role in preparing me for my internship. By the end of my tour with Banson NYC I was very comfortable approaching employees at the companies we toured and having conversations with them. Being able to approach people, introduce your self, and converse with them is a very important part of being in this industry, which I learned more and more during my internship.
Banson NYC: What prepared you for your internship?
CT: I think going on the tour with Banson NYC gave me a better idea of how to navigate NYC, my courses at school gave a great foundation to learn in the industry, and the foundation my parents gave with dealing with people prepared for my internship.
Banson NYC: What attracted you to your internship?
CT: I was attracted to interning with Gabriela Moya because of her background and her process for designing her collections. From my tour with Banson NYC, I learned that Gabriela had studied Art History in college and later studied Fashion Design and upon designing each of her collections she collaborates with an artist. Being a Fashion Design and Fine Art major my self, this was very appealing to me. I knew that if I was able to intern with her I would be able to learn more about and work with my two passions, art and fashion. Lucky for me I was able to intern with Gabriela and I have learned so much!
Banson NYC: What personality traits do you think are important to have to prepare you for success in an internship?
CT: It is important to be able to communicate and listen, to want to learn and be motivated, and to have a positive happy attitude when you walk through the door.
Banson NYC: Would you like to be hired for an entry level position in this company after you graduate? Why or why not?
CT: It would be wonderful to work for Gabriela after graduation. She is a great boss and an incredible person to learn from!
Banson NYC: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
CT: In 5 years I could see myself finishing up Graduate school and possibly pursuing a Master's degree or working at a company like Ralph Lauren or Michael Kors.
