Ishaw Thorpe, intern at PR Consulting (a large Public Relations firm), was able to attend and work at three shows during fashion week in New York City. Thorpe who is 19 years old and currently lives in Brooklyn, NY speaks about her interning experiences and the excitement and chaos of fashion week.
Tell me a little bit about your fashion background.
I became a fashion writer for an upcoming college based fashion online magazine, mosikmag.com. I also created my fashion/beauty blog www.myfashionpress.com in December after my 1st semester freshman year. The summer after freshmen year I interned at both www.lipglossculture.com, where I was a fashion/beauty editorial intern, as well as Antavenues Fashion week which is a small PR company that produces fashion week shows, sells their clients merchandise on their website, connects their clients to buyers, etc. I was the Founder/CEO’s personal assistant. In the fall of the same year I got an accessories/jewelry internship at Marie Claire. I was SO happy because MC was always my favorite magazine! I interned there until December 2011. Now in January, I received another internship at PR Consulting, one of the top 5 fashion PR agencies in the city.
What does fashion mean to you?
One of my favorite fashion quotes is “Fashion is the science of appearance, and it inspires one with the desire to seem rather than to be” by Henry Fielding (a British playwright and novelist). What I love about fashion is that it can literally transform a person, not only from the outside but also from within. You can be an average Ann, the girl next door, but once you put on a stylish pair of pants or a top, shoes, a bag or jewelry, you can become a completely different person. It’s magical to maybe have a few insecurities one minute and then having the ability to hold your head up high and strut with a killer confident walk the next! That’s what fashion has the power to do.
How do you like working at PR Consulting?
Even though I knew for a fact that I wanted to have a career in the fashion industry, I initially thought I wanted to be a fashion editor for a magazine or website. However, interning at PRC has changed my mind. I didn’t know much about the business/PR side of fashion and never thought that I would want to work in public relations because it sounded boring, but now that I intern at a top fashion PR firm, I absolutely love it! It’s not boring at all, especially during Fashion Week! Being able to attend fashion shows in NYC, of all places, the fashion capital of the world and have All Access/Backstage passes to them are amazing! I get to see how shows are planned and executed from the beginning until the very end. Also, seeing merchandise that I work with in magazines or on TV always makes me smile. Because of my great internship, I can definitely see myself becoming a fashion publicist instead. I also learned that I work much faster and with more confidence on the business side. I thrive in it!
What was your favorite part of fashion week?
GOING TO THE SHOWS!! I just love seeing the “behind the scenes” stuff. Watching a major fashion show grow from just a few squares and seating charts on a piece of paper into a huge fashion event full of editors, celebrities and photographers is amazing!
Tell me a little bit about each show you attended. What inspired you the most?
Rag and Bone show: I absolutely LOVED the accessories (boots, bags)! The outfits are really hot too. It’s difficult to stay warm and still look stylish, but for the Rag and Bone fashionista this fall, it’ll definitely be possible.
Proenza Schouler: The “Rock n Roll” type of atmosphere at this show was great. It inspired me to be a bit more daring about my attire and not play by the rules so much. Be fashionably spontaneous!
L’Wren Scott: I ADORED the dresses that I saw at the show! They were very feminine, graceful and just down right beautiful. Being a bit of a tomboy at times, I was surprised at how much I loved the dresses and could see myself in them in a heartbeat.
What new trends did you notice that are going to be featured in the upcoming season?
Rag and Bone Trends: Some Neutral colors with hints of brighter colors and a lot of print and big bags.
Proenza: Also neutral colors with a bit of Rock n Roll and Asian flare.
L’Wren Scott: Big bright colors and girl, formfitting clothing.
Check out Ishaw’s blog: www.myfashionpress.com to learn more about fashion, interning, and public relations.
