Your dreams of working behind the scenes at New York Fashion Week may be closer than you think.
From Oct. 14-16, fashion marketing students from Sacred Heart University took part in New York City’s Bridal Fashion Week (NYCBFW), gaining hands-on experience inside luxury bridal showrooms with iconic designers, models and buyers.
NYCBFW is a semi-annual trade event featuring bridal designers unveiling their latest collections to industry press, buyers and professionals.
The group prepared models and showrooms for buying meetings, making sure each room was set up exactly how designers wanted using visual merchandising skills learned in the classroom.
“Our first year, we had two interns, and now there are eight of us,” said Prof. David Bloom Fashion Marketing and Merchandising Program Director. “Sacred Heart is really taking over in a great way. If our students didn’t perform, we wouldn’t be invited back.”
Senior Erika Khater worked with several major designers including Savannah Miller, Viktor & Rolf and Justin Alexander Signature.
“It has been offered almost every year that I have been in the fashion program by Professor Bloom,” said Khater. “I never really had the guts to go for it because I am not from New York, but I wanted to take the risk and try something completely out of my comfort zone.”
Viktor & Rolf, known for their “Flowerbomb” fragrance, impressed buyers with their bold designs.
“They were the biggest and had huge detailing,” said Khater. “They probably weighed ten pounds each.
British-American designer Savannah Miller showcased lace-detailed gowns with removable skirts and sleeves for a day-to-night look.
“Her collection was so simple yet so beautiful,” said senior Angelina Montana. “I also worked under her sector, which made me appreciate her design process even more.”
Throughout the week, students noted clear bridal trends emerging.
“Lace is huge in bridal right now, and it’s what most buyers were most attracted to,” Khater said. “Every designer had the classic strapless corset with huge ruffle skirt, Viktor & Rolf was huge on flowers. The gowns were more sophisticated overall this season.”
Bloom said programs like these are giving students a wider understanding of the fashion industry beyond the styling.
“Before this program, our students felt they didn’t get the broader view of the business aspect of fashion,” said Bloom. “With this program and offering more courses, our students’ view is much broader than it was years ago.”
Khater said she drew directly from classroom lessons while handling gowns.
“I learned a lot during textiles because I was able to tell which fabric we were dealing with when trying to zip dresses or handling the weight of the fabric,” said Khater.
“FMN 360, Textiles, covers how to handle different fabrics,” said Bloom. “This course is the liberal arts of fashion.”
From large department stores like Bergdorf and Neiman Marcus to smaller boutiques, showrooms varied with classic styles to niche gowns.
“For bigger appointments, we would pull more dresses,” said Khater. “We had buyers coming from England, so it was important to ask ourselves, ‘What do we want to show a different country?’”
“The hustle for me was the biggest thing I noticed between local fashion and New York Fashion,” said Khater. “I feel like I was on an adrenaline rush all day because there was always something going on.”
Montana, who dressed models backstage, said the experience was both intense and inspiring.
“Everyone was so kind and passionate about bridal couture,” said Montana. “It was inspiring to be surrounded by professionals who really love what they do.”
Bloom noted the fast-paced environment and the professional growth it provides students.
“The tension to get everyone out there on that runway, it’s a lot of pressure. In just four days, you get an unbelievable experience,” said Bloom. “I look at every single report, and the reviews are really strong for our students. I am so pleased with what we are doing here.”
“I didn’t know freshman year that we had a program like this. I wish I knew. I came in as a business undecided, and I always liked fashion, so I tried it, and it became everything,” said Khater.
