Stevenson Fashion Merchandising, Fashion Design Students Take “Fashion Tour” in New York City
Last week, around 40 students from Stevenson University’s Fashion Merchandising and Fashion Design programs traveled to New York City to gain firsthand experience in the behind-the-scenes elements of the fashion industry as well as to make contacts and receive career guidance from those currently working in the field.
Highlights of the trip included a tour of the design department at Nine West, a major player in footwear and accessories with a large facility in the heart of the city’s garment district; an inspirational talk from Maggie Norris of Maggie Norris Couture, a Paris-style couture atelier; and a showroom tour at Out of Print Clothing, a small business that donates a book to Africa for every product it sells. Each stop was chosen because of its relevance to both programs as well as the potential for internship opportunities for students. The group also visited the Museum at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology).
“As someone who wants a career in fashion merchandising, it was very exciting to hear directly from experienced employees in the industry,” said junior Emily Haas. “It was advantageous for us to be able to go into the headquarters of these different designers and brands and be able to see and understand the environment of the workforce in which we are choosing to enter.”
Haas added that although she had been to New York before, she had never seen the fashion industry “up close” like this before. For freshman Ashley Poteat, the trip marked her first time ever visiting the Big Apple—something she always dreamt of being able to do. And, although she was excited on a personal level, she understood that not every person looking to break in to the fashion industry is afforded the opportunity to connect with designers and directly observe the business from the ground level.
“To have a private meeting with designers and ask questions about their company and the industry in general—it’s an advantage,” said Poteat, a Fashion Design major. “The designer that stood out to me was Maggie Norris. She told us the most important thing is your passion as a designer, if the passion is there that’s all that matters.”
Stevenson University, known for its distinctive career focus, is the third-largest independent university in Maryland with more than 4,400 students pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, and adult bachelor’s programs at locations in Stevenson and Owings Mills.