Teen Vogue Fashion University 2012

This past weekend was probably one of the most amazing weekends of my life, of which I will never forget. I went up to New York City to attend Teen Vogue Fashion University! For those of you who do not know what that is, it is a weekend full of seminars hosted by Teen Vogue. The seminars included designers, creative directors and everyone you can possibly imagine from the fashion world was there! My seminars included Grace Coddington (I almost died), Prabal Gurung, Michael and Nicole Colovos (the head designers of Helmut Lang), Erin Fetherston, Kate Phelan (the creative director of Topshop), a panel of the Teen Vogue Editors and to top it all off, a panel full of fashion insiders discussing fashion in the digital age. 

Needless to say, it was incredible. So much was implanted into my head forever. The weekend kicked off with a party at H&M specially for the Teen Vogue students. It was filled with shopping, mock cocktails, socializing and live performances by an amazing band! After that, my dad and I found the cutest little Cuban restaurant called Havana. It was delicious, authentic Cuban food. By that time, I was extremely tired from my long day and went to sleep! (By the way, if anyone is ever looking for a hotel to stay in while in NYC, the Ace Hotel is amazing. It is the only place I stay when I'm up in the city.) Saturday morning I woke up ready for a full day of fashion! It was so amazing to be surrounded by like-minded people, who by the way, dressed incredible! The day started off with registration where they gave us a Le Sport bag FULL of free goodies such as headphones, perfume samples, a $20 Guess giftcard and much more! After that, all of the students were anxiously waiting in the lobby of the Hudson Theatre to see Grace Coddington, the Creative Director of Vogue. As the double doors of the Hudson Theatre opened, all of the students ran for their lives fighting for the best seats. Everything Grace said was so beautiful and inspiring. Next was Prabal Gurung! He is the cutest, funniest person I've ever met! One memorable thing he mentioned was his love for an intelligent woman. This was so important to me, since people stereotype those who work in the fashion industry as "bimbos who just care about what skirt they're wearing." After a couple other fun seminars, it was time for the Teen Vogue Editors panel! Here, students had the opportunity to ask any questions they wanted to the editors of Teen Vogue. (For those who think the fashion industry is full of bimbos, most of these editors went to NYU and Columbia, so HA.) They discussed how important it was to be not just educated in fashion, but other aspects of the world. Stressing the importance of a well rounded education, they mentioned how someone can take anything they have learned and apply it to the fashion industry. I was also surprised to hear them describe their past job interviews. Many of them mentioned that they were asked questions about anything other than fashion. Interning was also a very hot topic. To no surprise, they stressed how important interning was to find out what you like and what you don't like. The editors also mentioned just how much they pay attention to interns. Even though interns don't think they are watching, they are. Very closely. 

Saturday night, Topshop hosted a party for the students! It was fashion, candy and more mocktailed- filled fun. The most surprising part of the night? I did not buy one thing. I think it was because shopping is usually a calming thing for me where I can't be rushed- yes I know how ridiculous that sounds- and with 500+ people in a store, I felt a little bit overwhelmed. Oh well.. ANYWAY. At Topshop, they had a section of gorgeous vintage-inspired dresses of which I wanted to buy them all. But, with a price tag of about $250, that was not happening, especially since I have absolutely no where to wear a dress to. After the Topshop party, my dad and I went into Little Italy to grab some dinner. So delicious! Sunday morning, my dad made me walk in the city by myself, since I want to go to school in the city. I have done it before and find myself surprisingly comfortable with it. The last panel was full of fashion insiders such as Treena Lambardo from Shopbop and Rebecca Minkoff, discussing fashion in the digital age. This was extremely important since many publications are stopping print newspapers and magazines. So sad I know. I am totally the person who loves reading a fresh new newspaper or magazine. Totally not into the online forms of them. 

It was an amazing, inspiration-filled weekend that I will never forget! I was so incredibly sad to leave NYC, like always. I will be back soon! 

Time for bed! xoxo fashion lovers!

p.s.- I apologize for the lack of quality in these pictures. Sadly, I forgot my camera at home and had to make due with my iPhone.