NYFW Day 1, Part 2: Arrojo 10th Anniversary Party

During Joe Zee’s keynote speech at the IFB Conference, I made a dash for the bathroom to quickly change into a more suitable party ensemble for the rest of the night. The first stop was the 10th Anniversary party for Arrojo salons.

Walking in I notice Tatum, the lovely (and might I add, attractive) man who cut my hair at the last Arrojo event I attended was spinning as the DJ as the place swarmed with fashionable and awesomely tressed guests. I ran into Kimberly of Can I get a What What again, as well as seeing Keiko, and many of my NYC Fashion Blogger friends.As previously stated, my tousled locks stayed all night, thanks to KMS California.

Nick Arrojo VJ’d for a bit, talking about his fond memories of the beginnings of his now famed company. He spun a few oldies hits, then came to dance with us ladies, and “backing dat azz up” with Ashley and taking goofy pictures with all of us.

For this portion of my day I wore a gifted dress from Francesca’s Collection, along with my moto boots. I had originally planned to wear my Lady GaGa second skin platforms, but I hadn’t had enough to drink and was in too much pain to wear them for hours.

Stay tuned for part three of NYFW Day 1, and then FNO!

Women’s History Month

Little is it known that March is Woman’s History Month, to celebrate the history of women, and how far we’ve come from our kitchen bound ancestor’s.

My school, LIM College hosted an event recognizing women in the fashion industry with three speakers talking about how they came to be, how they deal with the pressures of life, and advice.

The event began at 6:30 with a catered dinner in one of the school’s lounges. Salad, mini spring rolls (Veggie!) desserts, jumbo coconut shrimp; it was a well put together palette pleasing set. Shortly after we were moved to another lounge, set up with chairs so as to listen and interact with the panel of speakers.

The speakers were Verneda White, of the awareness raising brand Human Intonation, Renee a freelance industry professional, and LIM Alumni Erica Young of Madison Plus.

It was great to listen to how all these successful women came to be, to hear their stories of their struggles and rises, and industry experiences. A moving story was eldest speaker Renee, who during the early childhood of her children, would bring them to work with her allowing them to sleep on piled up fabrics. Her children, immediately immersed in the industry, were well education on textiles and fabrics by the time they were 10 she says, which is astounding to me.

After the panel guests and professionals were allowed to mix and mingle as well as network. Gift bags were handed out, supplied by Betsey Johnson with gifts from Women’s Wear Daily and LIM college, as well as fun little trinkets from Betsey Johnson.

To read more about the amazing opportunities and experiences of LIM, check out their website and student blogs here, or check out my lengthy post of my personal experiences here.

Representin’

Everyone who hears I’m in school for fashion merchandising asks me about a million questions.

What school? What classes do you take? How do you like it? Where have you interned?

I figured I would do a post regarding all of these questions and my adoration of my college, including some information about the school, programs, et cetera.

I go to LIM College, a small strictly fashion based college located along Fifth Avenue (A building on 53rd st, a building on 45th st, and two on third avenue at 54th st and 45th st). Founded in 1939 with the first graduating class having about 45 students has grown to today, with an enrollment of 1500 students. Still small, but vapidly growing due to transfer students.

I study Fashion merchandising and minor in visual merchandising. As a freshman you have to take a number of basic and intro courses which I’ve found to be the most influential thus far. You are also required to take a “Fashion Survey”, which is an 8am lecture hall with various industry professionals coming in each week to talk to the students, explain how they came to be, and answer questions. Each student is also required two “Field Trip” classes in which, instead of the speaker coming to lecture you, students take a trip to a warehouse, showroom, or corporate headquarters of a company. They’re given a tour, lecture, and are able to explore somewhat and have their questions answered. Later in your schooling you take more in depth courses, moving onto management, textiles, buying, CAD, financing, licensing, fashion forecasting….obviously some important courses for anyone going into the fashion industry.

The one thing I love above all about LIM College, though, is the opportunity. Freshman are required to do Work Project 1, which is a sales/retail internship. Sophomores are required Work Porject 2, which is a corporate or management internship. Both of these work projects are mostly paid opportunities, which is great for the student, as well as the school giving you time off to complete them.  There is a required Junior Work Project, Junior Co-op, and Senior Co-op as well, each being increasingly higher up and more into a company. Many students end up being offered full time positions after their co-ops. While these internships are required, you’re not left to fend for yourself. The school offers on site “internship fairs”, as well as a list of companies that have had success with LIM students previously. In the event you are unable to find one on  your own, the school appoints you one. My current roommate was appointed to Hermes last year for her internship, if that’s any indication.

My personal internships have been wonderful experiences. I worked at a small children’s boutique, Flowers By Zoe, for my work project 1. I then interned at the Jenny Chase Inc Showroom in NoHo. This wass unpaid, but I learned so much about the wholesale business and I must say it’s more thrilling than retail. I was also just given a new internship for this summer at Jessica McClintock’s NYC showroom and have been interviewing for various magazines as well. I have high aspirations for my future internships and career, and I’m well on the way to being there, even as just a sophomore.

LIM College also offers amazing meet and greet opportunities. They’ve hosted book signings and dinners with Amy Astley of TeenVogue, designer Carmen Marc Valvo, and many more.

Volunteer opportunities at LIM College are also endless. Fashion Week is the best, as the school has a list of shows (BIG shows, not just shows at night clubs). You put your name on a list and you become backstage help. As a freshman I took full advantage, working backstage at Juan Carlos Obando, handing out flyers outside of Bryant Park, stuffing gift bags and dressing models at Milk Studios…After your work is done comes the real fun, when you get to stay and watch the show. Due to my own modeling career, last February I did less volunteer work. This past September though, between my blog and me deciding to be an over achiever, I was so busy going to different shows and stuffing gift bags. This past NYFW was the busiest by far, and with all the open bars I may have slacked a smidge (I promise to be better in September, I swear) but I still took part in some amazing opportunities.

Extra curriculars include a plethora of clubs and organizations from Dance Team to Student Leadership, and Fashion Styling and Fashion Show Production courses and clubs.

Needless to say, I love my school. It’s not as design oriented like most other fashion schools in the city. They offer the exposure to almost every aspect of the industry within your first few years. Many students who had originally thought they wanted to be designers have realized they have another love for some fashion niche. In high school it was my dream to be a designer; I hosted a fashion show for my senior project, wore clothes I made myself a few times a week, got into FIDM with a notable scholarship…but I’m happy with where I ended up and the education I’m getting as well as the opportunities I’ve been able to embrace.

If anyone is further interested in the school, please go check out LIMCollege.edu , you won’t be let down.