Testimonials

Parent Testimonials

Student Testimonials

Professor/Teacher Testimonials

Parent Testimonials

Thank you so much for allowing Hadyn to be a part of this amazing week. She enjoyed it so much and absolutely loved you!! She really hasn’t stopped telling me all about it!! Enjoy the rest of your summer! Thanks again!

Kimberly S.
Texas

I just wanted to send you a quick email telling you that Lila had an amazing time in New York City for fashion week. She got home today and is exhausted but so happy. I am sure I will hear more about fashion week over the next few days etc… She has lots of pictures to share as well. I would definitely send her for another adventure!

Kristen H.
Connecticut

I just wanted to thank you for a great week for Alice and all of the campers! They learned so much about the different parts of the fashion industry and so much more! Of course, living and going all over NYC was super cool as well. I loved hearing about your career as well as Rachel and Monique's experiences. Best of luck to you as you expand your awesome program. You and your team have so much to offer and we appreciate you sharing it with us.

Betsy B.
Alabama

I could not let anymore time pass without responding to this email and letting you both know what a life building experience you provided Ellen. Holland, your communication and organization skills reduced my anxiety over sending my 16 year old off to New York for a week and investing what was, for Ellen's father and I, a good chunk of change. When I left New York on Sunday, I was even more confident it was going to be worth the investment and a tremendous growth opportunity for our daughter.

I owe both of you a huge thank you. For Ellen it was a tremendous experience. She talked quite a bit about the activities and the places and the clothing and the cool stores and the Alexander McQueen exhibit and just being in New York. I am glad I waited a little to send this to you because as the week went on and she had time to reflect a little on the experience she shared with me this: "Mom, you know what I liked the best? The people. How positive everyone was. For me, that's what made it so special."

And special it was. She talked about everyone she met and was introduced to with so much spirit and sparkle. Just listening to her talk about them and how she (forgive the silly pun) "sized them up" was just delightful for me. The range of people and the talent she was exposed to was something she will treasure for a long time. Most importantly, however, I have to tell you she came home feeling connected to you two extremely positive women. Those connections, that exposure to women who have made their way in a profession she has an interest in, could not have come at better time in my daughter's life. After this last year in a high school where the negative energy quotient is pretty high when you’re someone who dares to be different, I cannot possibly share with you how important that sense of connection is. So a heartfelt thank you to you two.

Holland, your program is terrific. You have hit on something that fills an important niche in a young person's development. I would be more than happy to serve as a reference for any future parents who ask you for one. I am sure Ellen let you know herself she would love to come back for another round next summer.

Parent of a Camper
Lynn
Texas

Our daughter Hannah, from ECU, participated in the Fashion Week program last week. I just want to share how delighted she was with you and your program. Hannah said the program was action packed, directly relevant to her study program and career interests, featured direct participation in major industry events, allowed interaction with many people who work in the industry in various roles, and was full of great experiences and information. She said you were super intelligent, organized, and high energy - she thought you were awesome. She loved the hotel, and made some great new friends. Many thanks Holland, and great job!

Parents of Fashion Week Adventure Participant
Michael and Amy P.
Florida

Thank you both for your efforts! Allie absolutely loves your camp and for that Michele and I owe you a debt of gratitude. For two years now, I have been impressed with the energy and enthusiasm the two of you display. Your passion for this camp and for educating those young ladies (and boys too this year!) is infectious. I see it in the Instagram photos you post and, most importantly, in the recap of the week we get from Allie. You two should be very proud of what you are doing! Thank you both once again. Good luck going forward!!!!

Parent of a Camper Who Has Attended Our Program Twice
Mike L.
New Jersey

Thank you for your kind email. You beat me to it! Abigail had such a wonderful time and has not stopped talking about her experience, to anyone who will listen! And we are all listening, because it sounds like not only was it very informative and exciting, it was also character building and eye opening. Although we are from the Boston area and have been to NYC several times, it was a unique and comfortable way to be exposed to the Big City and to many different people. I think at her age it is so important to take in as much as you can. So a great BIG thank you to the both of you for such an amazing program. Hopefully we will be back for a fashion week adventure soon. I know I would love to! Thank you again!

Parents of a Camper
Sandy and John R.
Massachusetts

I also want to thank you for this wonderful opportunity you have given my daughter. Lindsay said your tour was super and she would love to go on another one with you someday. This was Lindsay’s 6th time going to NYC but this trip was so much more exciting because she was able to do and see things she would never be able to do on her own. Of course getting to walk the runway was an extra bonus but she would have never had that chance if she hadn’t gone on your tour. That was a chance of a lifetime for her. Lindsay said she loved you. She told me you were so nice, fun and just great with everyone. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your kindness. I also want to thank you for sharing the pictures on your Facebook page. It was nice getting to see them and seeing all you were doing during the trip. Since you kept them so busy and they were having so much fun, Lindsay didn't have time to text me. Which by the way, I considered that a really good thing. She had a blast! Thank you again!

Parent of a Fashion Week Adventure Participant
Angie G.
North Carolina

Student Testimonials

I just wanted to say a massive thank you for everything this past week! I may have needed a good day to catch up on sleep, but this week in New York was one of the best weeks of my life. The appointments you arranged were so insightful and I learned so much about myself and the fashion industry, which has not only helped me know where I want to go in the future but also given me some invaluable connections to hopefully get there, so thank you! But more than just the amazing visits and tour, I wanted to say thank you for how caring you are, and your constant positivity and cheerful energy. No matter how early in the morning, or what time of day, you always had a smile on your face and were always looking out for us. It truly made every day even better so thank you! You're a subway genius and I also wanted to thank you for teaching me how to navigate it! We don't have a subway back in New Zealand or here in Nebraska, and seeing as I hope to live in New York or at least visit again soon, this was an important skill that I am very grateful I could learn from you as opposed to trying to figure it out the hard way on my own. I hope you had an amazing weekend and I wish you all the best for the future, your students are so lucky to have you!

Scarlett K.
New Zealand / Nebraska

I hope this email finds you well. I recently attended the Study in America program with Texas State University where we got to partake in a guided tour of some of New York's most prominent fashion brands with Banson NYC. I wanted to reach out and thank you for taking the time to show us around the city and expose us to so many great connections in the city. Banson NYC gave me the opportunity to take the first big step in my professional career because I just acquired a summer internship with Veronica Beard in their styling department. I couldn't have done this without your program and I am so excited to start working in the New York fashion industry. I have also been in contact with Chloe, and I know she also attended a program with Banson NYC. She has given me some great advice about starting my career and how to live and adapt to New York. I am so excited to work with her over the summer. So, thank you for creating a business that allowed me to connect with people in the fashion industry because a Texas girl like me wouldn't have been able to do it without your help. Again, thank you for this amazing experience and I hope to keep in contact with you!

Summer T.
Texas

I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks for all of your kindness and guidance during our recent trip to New York. Your leadership and generosity in showing us around and introducing us to the various opportunities in the fashion industry were invaluable. I truly appreciate the time and effort you took to ensure we had a meaningful experience. Your insights, both professional and personal, were so inspiring, and I am grateful for the chance to learn from someone as knowledgeable and approachable as you. The way you guided us through the city and helped us explore incredible brands like PVH, Full Beauty Brands, Veronica Beard, Erin McSherry, Francis Valentine, and CD Network provided us with a comprehensive understanding of the fashion industry and its diverse opportunities. Additionally, I want to thank you for organizing the Broadway show, The Great Gatsby. It was such a fun and memorable experience, and I truly appreciated the chance to see it with the group. Your support, both on the trip and throughout, was incredibly motivating. I will carry the lessons I learned from you throughout my career, and I hope to continue learning from you in the future. Thank you once again for being such a wonderful mentor and leader!

Liliana E.
Texas

I’m sitting at the airport on my way home processing the amazing experience you curated for all of us, past and present, that took part in the Banson experience! I can not begin to thank you enough for allowing me to be a part of this! As a 30 something currently working in the industry in Pittsburgh, I sort of thought my chance of experiencing NYFW had passed me by and then there was Banson! What you are able to offer high school and college students and the occasional 30 something and grandmother is unbelievable. With how full I feel from this experience, I can’t imagine how valuable an experience like this will be for someone as young as Shosh in her future! The experience was so rewarding! Making the connections I made with not only the other participants, but designers, models, and production! This year was truly a year of getting unstuck and trying to not feel stagnant in my career/life and take some chances and I have to say Banson has been such a massive part of that! Watching the excitement of all the participants was equally as wonderful as actually participating! If you truly ever need another chaperone I would love to help out!! I just want to thank you again for everything!! Please send my love and thanks to Ms. Rachel and Robin as well!

Dominique V.
Pennsylvania

I can't thank you enough for how amazing the whole trip and experience was. You are such an amazing woman and I'm so grateful to have met you and to have gained a friend and mentor. I am still in shock of how wonderful of a time I had in NY with our group and I learned so much! I am so motivated to move to NY early next year and start my career- I really felt at home while I was there. My heart feels like I'm on the right path and I couldn't be more thankful for you giving myself and all of us this experience.

Participant in Our Fashion Week Adventure
Amira E.
California

Sarah was just in New York this easter weekend and she and I got to talking about banson. We wanted to let you know that you were so, unbelievably right about making lifelong friends at banson. Our experience has truly changed our lives for the better and we are so grateful to you both. I brought Sarah to some fun places in the city including smorgasburg and a yankee game! We are just so glad that we became friends and it's all thanks to the two of you. We hope you both had a very happy easter!

Former Campers and Fashion Week Adventure Participants
Lindsey and Sarah
New York and Florida

I just wanted to extend my sincerest gratitude for the unbelievable experience this past week on the fashion business career tour. It exceeded all of my expectations and I couldn't be more excited and motivated for my future. It really opened huge doors I never knew I could access. Thank you again for the opportunity and I look forward to gaining greater contacts with you and others you've exposed me to.

Student from Bryant University
Julia
Rhode Island

I wanted to express my sincerest gratitude for the week that I spent with you in tour from Cal State Northridge. I had an amazing time. We met so many faces, and so many people. I'm 23 years old, and I WISH that I had taken this tour when I was 16 through 18. I feel like I'm almost playing catch up in a way, because I feel like I'm coming to the NYC game a little late in life. But I know with hard work and perseverance, everything is possible. On tour last week, I made some very important life decisions. I decided that I do not want to go to graduate school. That was a very large decision for me to make, and feel comfortable with. And, I feel very much at peace (and a little excited) to not be planning on grad school right now. I decided that I want to live in New York, and soon. I would love to take an internship there next summer (2017). My dream is to work for Tracy Reese, so I really want to keep in touch with the people on her team. I just wanted to say thank you. Last week was so amazing, and I feel like I made real life connections. I know you had mentioned that you could put together a list of everyone we saw last week, with all of their contact info. Is that still possible? I'd like to reach out to everyone that we saw, and express thanks for seeing our school-and also to make connections for when I do move to New York.

Student from Cal State Northridge
Naikea
California

Hi Holland! Long time no talk, I just wanted to let you know that I have officially committed to Parsons and will be attending The New School and majoring in Fashion Design. They gave me a scholarship worth $16,000 a year which made everything possible. I can not thank you enough for this because you truly are the one who inspired me to not only apply but go to New York City in the first place. So so excited to walk the streets of Manhattan and have cupcakes and pizza at 1 am in some little diner.

Former Camper Who Participated in Two Banson NYC Programs
Sami
Ohio

Professor/Teacher Testimonials

The Banson NYC educational tour company provided an amazing experience in San Francisco, CA for fourteen undergraduate fashion students in our fashion program. Arranging the tour with Holland was smooth and effortless and even when we had challenges during the planning process Holland readily offered suggestions and solutions to ensure the study tour experience included everything we needed. Holland was always available and responded quickly to any questions and during the tour she checked in each day to be sure we were satisfied and enjoying ourselves. All the staff at Banson NYC are friendly, professional and dedicated to helping create tours that that not only give students a fun experience but provide opportunities to learn and grow. Our fashion study tour in San Francisco included company tours of Gap, Inc. and Tiffany & Co, a guided sightseeing tour, a visit to the 3D illusion museum, and lots of shopping in Union Square! Holland has great industry connections and can customize a fashion tour that meets the needs of your program.

Bridgett C.S.
Maryland

I am writing to give my positive recommendation for your services as a guide to the inside of New York’s fashion industry. It was such an exciting trip for my students and myself and Dr. Isbell. I wanted to take the opportunity to tell you how appreciative we all are for the wonderful tour and accommodations you arranged for us. It was truly par excellence! Dr. Isbell and I truly enjoyed ourselves as well as the opportunities that you opened up to our students. Each experience was engaging and inspiring. Speaking of inspiring, I want you to know that you truly gave me the thrill of a lifetime with the visit to Diane Von Furstenberg. She is someone I have admired since I was in Junior High School. The staff there made us feel welcomed and appreciated. Especially when they allowed the students to pretend to be stylists for mock clients. Also the Brooklyn Museum’s Thierry Mugler exhibit was a once in a lifetime experience as was the 50 years of Hip Hop exhibition at FIT’s museum. I would recommend your services to anyone who wants to experience the vast array of careers and creative opportunities in the field of fashion. Thank you again for your professionalism and support.

Christy F.
Virginia

I wanted to take time to thank you for your contribution to my class this semester. I appreciate your support of myself and our students. The time in NYC with you brings my lectures to life and enhances the learning process for the students. If I can ever be of service to you and your endeavors, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Drexel University
Chris B.
Philladelphia

Just wanted to thank you again for a great trip! When I surveyed the students yesterday/today and asked what one thing stood out about the trip ......they overwhelmingly said they loved YOU and commented over and over about how organized the trip was, etc. Their comments have been nothing but positive here so I am hoping the eval's were as well. Many of them want to come again and I know that is because you inspired them and they were happy with the appts and people they met along the way. They did love John and Kenneth in particular! They also were quite impressed with your preciseness and punctuality in getting around town! Me, too! You certainly know the city! I am very happy to have had the opportunity to work with you. It truly was a wonderful trip and I know you put a lot of effort in designing the trip for us. We loved the orchestra seats haha - what a treat! Thank you so much for the pictures also - just saved and showed to classes today. When I get myself back together I am putting together a powerpoint of all and will send to you or have kids post on facebook. Thank you again so much for all your hard work, gifts and friendship. I will be in touch this summer as I am planning for next year's trip. Have a terrific Easter and spring break. Ours is next week - thankfully!

Kellam High School
Cindy M.
Virginia

Once again, this was a fantastic trip that was extremely beneficial for the students. We appreciate your efforts to coordinate all the visits and make the contacts and logistical arrangements for us. The range of businesses to which the students were exposed was enlightening for them and will help inform their career choices. It was also great seeing you!!

Bryant University
Teresa
Rhode Island

I really appreciate all your concerns and efforts for this tour. I am sure that all of SNU students were happy and learned a lot from this experience. Even I myself could get a new insight for the fashion industry in New York. Thanks to your enthusiastic yet intelligent work, we all had a wonderful time in New York. I hope we can meet another time some day.

Seoul National University
Yuri L.
Korea

She is the BEST! I have worked with two other tour companies, as I have been bringing students to New York City for fashion week for 5 years. She is thorough, professional, and very well connected in the fashion industry. I give her a most excellent score with regards to visits, planning seminar, as well as group activities. She knew I had a tight budget and she worked with $250.00 for a group dinner for 16 people, and it was great! Small scale restaurant in Little Italy, but very nice. She asked me what I was looking for in regards to the tour, and I just simply said, from conceptualization to consumer and she planned everything just right. Your students will have a memorable experience, and a great time in the city.

Lynn University
Lisa D.
Florida