Street chic: A day in the life of a fashion intern

During spring break, I had the opportunity to work with the director of Chicago Fashion Week Presented by MasterCard. The fashion week, which is scheduled to be held April 21-27, will feature both national and international designers. \nThis was my first time traveling for fashion week so I had no idea what to expect. I was nervous, because I did not want to come off as unknowledgeable about the fashion industry, especially in front of the fashion week director himself. Before I arrived, I spent hours preparing by reading about the previous seasons of Chicago Fashion Week and informing myself about the Chicago fashion market. I was hoping that all of those hours I spent watching fashion shows on style.com would pay off. \nI arrived in Chicago via bus, which, I would like to add, was one of the most horrifying experiences of my life. After arriving, I took a cab to the Chicago Fashion Week offices on Michigan Avenue. There I was briefed on the basic details of the fashion week and the assignments that I was to complete during my stay there.\nI am sure that by now most of you assumed that I was chauffeured everywhere, that my days were short and filled with expensive meals and free designer clothing. Well, I can assure you that the fashion industry is not that glamorous – at least not yet – for me. I had to get up every morning at \n5 a.m., and I did not go to \nbed before 11 p.m. or midnight, depending on what needed to be done that day. The days were long and I pretty much had to walk everywhere. Unless you are the director, you do not receive “star” treatment.\nI spent most of the days listening to the office staff contacting designers, confirming venues and doing anything else that needed to be accomplished. I assisted the office personnel in any way I could and spent the rest of my time observing. I was amazed with how intense and hardworking these fashion week employees were. They never backed down and certainly never took “no” for an answer. I know it sounds corny, but it was certainly inspirational.\nI also had the opportunity to see some of the designs that will be featured in the show and got an inside look at how designers are picked for the show. I also learned the complications and benefits that come with sponsorship of an event such as Chicago Fashion Week, and trust me, there are plenty of both.\nI have been involved with the production and direction of a fashion show here and there, but nothing of this scale and magnitude. It was great to see how a large event is handled – how they handle the marketing, public relations and all of the other things that go along with making a fashion week happen. If any of you ever have the opportunity, I would definitely suggest interning or shadowing a person at fashion week. You will gain experience and an understanding of the fashion industry that is priceless, to say the least.\nThere is a saying that if you are nice, people will notice and things will come quicker and easier to you. Well, this is definitely true in the fashion industry. Being snobby and thinking that you are better than those around you will only bring you down faster. You will be surprised by how much others know if you only open up your ears and shut your mouth. The fashion industry is one that requires a great deal of respect and patience. If you show respect to those around you, success will come much quicker and you will be surprised with how quickly you receive respect in return.