curated notions.: INSIDER SCOOP: UIUC'S COLLEGE FASHION WEEK / FASHION NETWORKING CONFERENCE & FORD MODEL OPEN CALL

Tonight, UIUC's College Fashion Week hosted their second annual Fashion Networking Conference. This year, FORD Chicago, the nations leading modeling agency spoke as well as sponsored an open casting call for all interested models. Along with FORD Chicago speakers, Shannon Lang, Beth Macguire and Kelly Weber (interview here), CFW featured a panel of five students highly involved in the fashion industry, not only here on campus, but also professionally.

Among these students were Editor-in-Chief and founder of Impulse Magazine, Katerina Bizios, Head Designer and founder of GOCA clothing, Gordana Rasic, former Teen Vogue and College Fashion Week Project Director, Emily Cleary, President and founder of UIUC's I-Style fashion organization and future Ralph Lauren intern, Catherine Taich, and ME!

I was incredibly honored and thankful to be a part of the student panel featuring all of these amazing women. They have all worked insanely hard for their goals and deserve everything that has been thrown their way. It was very rewarding to listen to each women speak of their own individual journey. Each one of us has a different path, but we are all connected and intertwined through webs of the fashion culture on this campus. Throughout this year, each one of these women have positively impacted my life. I am currently a stylist for Impulse Magazine, working directly with Katerina, I work on Executive Board of I-Style with Catherine, College Fashion Week with both Gordana and Emily and have picked the brains of all of them for advice, knowledge and guidance.

It is clear that all of these women are one day going to be outstandingly successful in The Fashion World. I hope we will all one day look back on the years and the fun times we had in the 'little fashion bubble' at UIUC. This year has been a huge growth for me and each one of you had a part in it. Thank you all for your love, words of knowledge and letting me creep on your lives for inspiration. This all applies to Jennifer Ruppert as well, who has not only been an inspiration, but a mentor and the only reason College Fashion Week exists on this campus. Thank you all!

During the panel, many words of knowledge were given. Here are some of the pointers and tips of the night.

TIPS ON BEING A SUCCESS IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY

brought to you by: Emily Cleary, Jessica Whitman,

Katerina Bizios, Catherine Taich, and Gordana Rasic

1) Network. NETWORK. NETWORK! - Always snag the email of 'that girl' your friend was talking about who 'lives in New York and likes fashion or something...'. You NEVER know what can come of it. (shout out to AMAZING stylist and new-found friend, Shea Daspin). All of the women sitting on the panel together were strangers at one point and now will know each other for life. NETWORK.

2) Talk about your passion. - You never know who will be listening and what opportunities will arise.

3) Be respectful. - Treat everyone with respect, thank them and treat them as you would like to be treated. You never know who will be your boss one day.

4) Work as hard as you can. - It will pay off, I promise.

5) Touch base with your professional contacts THREE times a year: Fall, Spring, Summer. - Ask them about their lives, tell them about yours and keep in touch. DON'T just email them to ask them to do something for you.

6) Always keep an updated resume. - Any time you have a new accomplishment, update your resume. You never know when you will need it.

7) Don't be afraid to try new things. -The only way you will learn is through pushing yourself and experiencing new things.

8) When applying for internships, ALWAYS be well spoken, give your availability, show your commitment and passion and let them know why you deserve to be there and THANK THEM.

9) Listen AND ask questions. - If you are too scared to ask the question, you will never know the answer. Listen, learn and ask.

10) Reach out to others as they have done for you. - Pay the respect back and help others who have helped you along the way.

Along with the student panel speakers, FORD Chicago spoke as well as hosted an open casting call for all those interested in being represented by their modeling agency. The Conference was a huge success and around 100 + students arrived for the modeling open casting call. It was an inspiring night of stories, advice and auditions. Thank you to all that came out.

Email me if you have any questions. I love to give advice.

EMAIL ME / HERE