The Ultimate Inside Look to New York Fashion Week
Courtesy of People Magazine
Written By: Marisa Weber
As editor-in-chief of Vogue Magazine, Anna Wintour, stated at the Met Gala last month, “New York is back”, and with it in all its glory, is New York Fashion Week. After a year of virtual, audience-deprived runways, the glamour and excitement of New York Fashion Week was back in full gear and fully in person. Per tradition, fashion lovers around the globe ran to watch top designers’ runway shows on their phones, analyze their collections, and awe over the many extravagant designs. As the madness began and the vlogs and Instagram posts from celebrities and influencers in attendance rolled in, those of us who live vicariously through these people can’t help but think, “ UGH I wish I was there!” Only one can dream about what really goes on behind the catwalk and the fabulous after-parties, and rewatching The Devil Wears Prada for the millionth time can only go so far. Lucky for you, I have a source to grant readers the ultimate inside to New York Fashion Week, and yes, she is NOT Anne Hathaway, but none other than a college student herself.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Chelsea Lu, a sophomore entrepreneurship major at Temple University, who had gone where no college student had gone before (well at least anyone that I know): attended New York Fashion Week. Lu, an avid lover of fashion herself, landed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work closely with the avant-garde group, threeASFOUR, as well as the popular handbag brand, Coach. For her first day at NYFW, Lu worked with threeASFOUR, where she worked closely with models in preparation for the runway, engaging in last-minute clothing alterations, steaming, and outfit changes. Lu also had the opportunity to gain exposure in fashion event planning through her help in organizing the threeASFOUR after-party, where she coordinated materials needed and helped with the overall setup of the party (see photos below). During her second day of Fashion Week, Lu worked under Creative Director of Coach, Stuart Vevers, where she helped to execute walkthroughs of the show, and tailor the placement of models to perfectly showcase the designs.
When I asked Lu the million-dollar question of what her experience at NYFW was like, to my surprise, she responded with, “have you ever seen The Devil Wears Prada?”
Lu described her incredible experience with both brands, the thrill of viewing a fashion show backstage, and the enthrallment of being surrounded by so many creative individuals. However, she was honest with me in sharing that the runway environment, while energetic, can be “cutthroat.” Lu detailed how she was always on the go, running from one event to another. Though she didn’t have to secure the unpublished manuscript of Harry Potter for her boss’ children, she recounted that The Devil Wears Prada did not shy far from the truth in the way it portrayed Fashion Week and runway events. Lu talked about how runway events were extremely fast-paced, detail-oriented and the right amount of stress, however, it was all worth it in the end.
As a college student herself, Lu expressed how memorable her time was at New York Fashion Week.
“It was the best ever, better than I ever could have imagined,” Lu exclaimed. “Even getting the chance to see New York Fashion week behind the scenes. I never would’ve thought I would be there at such a young age.”
Lu earned her spot at Fashion Week through Temple University’s own fashion club. A month prior, Lu reached out to her fellow club members, simply asking if anyone was attending or interning, for it was her dream to attend. She also began networking through Linkedin to broaden her scope of opportunity.
It wasn’t until the day before Fashion Week did a member of the Temple University fashion club reach out to her with a connection to a stylist who needed interns. Lu scored the last spot, and while she expressed she had little experience in the industry, she possessed an open mind and was eager to learn as much as she could.
The most significant takeaway from her experience, Lu explained, was that a career in fashion is attainable to anyone, regardless of their college or major. Lu stated that attending fashion school is not crucial to be successful in the fashion industry, that involvement in the industry can be attained without taking classes or earning a degree in fashion. She also expressed the importance of developing a strong resume, and that it is never too early to begin networking on Linkedin, and other platforms for internships and job opportunities.
“I would say to join a club or outside organization that is tailored to fashion,” said Lu in response to advising college students on how to become involved in the fashion industry. “When you’re in a community where everyone is like-minded, you might run into someone who has connections, or can help you get involved in internships, sponsorships, or different programs.”
Finally, Lu expressed the importance of learning to take risks, making yourself known, and embracing new opportunities.
“I’ve always been into fashion”, Lu said, “I had a YouTube channel and everything, but people aren’t always as nice in middle school and high school, so I stopped. Quarantine was a time for me to get back into it, and then I feel like after I graduated, I kinda regret not really putting myself out there, so I thought, let me change that for college. I started dressing up for class, putting myself out there, and got involved more on social media.”
Like Lu, many of us share the fear of hiding who we are, suppressing the interests that make us unique out of fear of judgment or not being accepted. However, overcoming these feelings and owning oneself is what leads to possibility. This is exactly what Lu exemplifies and is fueled by in the end: her love for fashion. To Lu, fashion is a form of expression, a way for her to express herself.
“Fashion is a way to get to know people without actually talking to them,” says Lu. I feel like I can get an understanding of people’s personalities through what they wear. It’s a way for people to express themselves.”
And that’s exactly what fashion is. Everything from street style, to retail, to the runway, fashion is a form of expression. It reveals characteristics about a person, about a designer, and it tells a story. Lu is a perfect example that anyone can be a part of that story, even if it seems unimaginable. Specifically, Lu’s involvement in Fashion Week reiterates the fact that you do not have to major in fashion or take rigorous industry-based classes to gain experience, but it is the connections and passion for the industry that ultimately lead to success. So to any student who longs for a career in fashion or dreams about attending New York Fashion Week, there is always room to turn dreams into reality. Opportunity awaits!
