Teen Vogue Fashion University 2015

{Teen Vogue Editor in Chief Amy Astley introducing Michelle Phan}

{Amy Astley with Dean Speaker Michelle Phan}

{Fashion Lean @ Instagram, Kristen Joy Watts}

{Writer Mickey Rapkin with Entertainment Editor Dana Mathews}

{@dkny Aliza Licht, SVP of Global Communications @ Donna Karen Internationl}

{@oscarprgirl Erika Bearman, SVP of Global Communications @ Oscar de la Renta}

Hi everyone!

I wanted to do a quick post of my experience at Teen Vogue Fashion University.  I attended the event last year as well, although it was completely different this year since the Conde Nast headquarters moved to One World Trade Center.  I was in the Editorial/Social/PR major (the other majors were design/styling and business) and the speakers I saw were Michelle Phan (YouTuber), Black Frame PR, Kristen Joy Watts (fashion lead at Instagram), a panel of Teen Vogue Editors, Aliza Licht (@dkny), Mickey Rapkin (Writer of Pitch Perfect), and Erika Bearman (@oscarprgirl).  

The lectures (seminars? classes? what do I call these?) involved learning about the experiences of the speaker, and then an open q & a to get advice about the industry.  I really enjoyed the speakers I saw, although I wish the questions were a bit more curated, as some were quite specific and therefore not beneficial for everyone. It was also a race to get the best seat possible, but other than that I had a great experience.  

I think four of my speakers were from Long Island as well, so I definitely related to their stories.  Erika Bearman actually went to the same high school as my boyfriend, so that was a little bonding moment.  Michelle Phan was definitely another highlight, as she was super inspirational.  I have featured a video so you can see some of the advice that all of the speakers gave, so hopefully that provides some insight into the event. 

The offices were beautiful, and I think the speakers highlighted an incredible range of jobs for the editorial/social/PR aspect of the industry.  Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about the experience! 

xo, 

Sophie 

Teen Vogue Fashion University 2013

Last weekend I had the incredible opportunity to attend Teen Vogue Fashion University. TVFU is an annual event hosted by Teen Vogue that basically acts as a way for young fashionistas to listen to and meet industry professionals, from editors to bloggers to models to designers and everything in between.  Attendees apply for the program and must be accepted, we then get to choose which seminars we want to attend and before I knew it I was on the train headed into NYC.  Most of the other teens I met there were from all over the country (Ohio, Texas, Alabama, etc), and I actually didn't meet one other person from New York there, which was super fun.  

The seminars I attended were with the editors of Teen Vogue, Danielle and Jodie Snyder of (my favorite) jewelry brand Dannijo, designer Thakoon Panichgul, style icon Alexa Chung, supermodel Coco Rocha, the bloggers of Into The Gloss and The Coveteur, and editors of Vogue Phyllis Posnick and Eve Mcsweeney. 

There were also two shopping events, one at Express and one at Topshop.  I only went to the Topshop one, but it was so much fun.  They had a DJ spinning, an ice cream bar, a nail station, a station to customize your pieces with your initials, and a constant stream of mini desserts.  Not to mention a discount for all TVFU students (I may have done a bit of damage, but I couldn't help myself!)

After everything was over we all received our certificates and "graduated".  I learned so much about the fashion industry and met so many amazing people. The weekend was absolutely incredible, and I cannot wait to attend next year!

Because I had a front row seat at the Alexa Chung seminar, I managed to be one of the four lucky girls to score a photo with her (albeit a bit blurry)!

I scooted my way up to the front to try and talk to Danielle and Jodie of Dannijo for a minute.  If you know me, you know how much I absolutely adore their pieces.  They noticed I was wearing their necklace and had their phone case, and they were so excited that I was able to get a pic with them!

This pass got me into all my seminars and the Condé

 Nast building.  It had my schedule on the back, which was extremely helpful. 

I have made a video that includes a whole bunch of footage of the seminars that I attended. If you are interested in watching a specific seminar, all of the time links are in the description of the video on my actual Youtube page.  Enjoy! 

I hope you enjoyed the video! 

xo, Sophie

p.s. Today marks the one year anniversary of my blog!  I just want to thank all of you who have supported me this past year.  I have had so much fun and I have learned a lot, and I cannot wait for the next year!