Interviewing: FIT Students
Name: Kiara Williamson
Instagram:@chillkiara
Age: 20
Freshman, sophomore, junior, senior: Freshman
Major: Fashion Business Management
What is one thing you love about FIT?
"One thing I love about F.I.T is all of the opportunities offered to us students, and how all of our professors have years and years of experience."
If you could change one thing about FIT, what would it be?
"If I could change one thing, it would be to allow more freedom for students who dorm. Most of the time, we feel like we are at a boarding school and not at a college."
How has the college helped you?
"Personally, the college has not helped me get me to where I am today. I have gotten where I am today by the personal networks I have made off-campus. That is not to say that the school does not offer networking opportunities."
Are you currently Interning or working in the fashion industry?
"I am currently interning at a showroom called JBS/MSK. My internship has given me a lot of insight into the relationship between different departments. For example, I have had the opportunity to witness how buyers select pieces for the retailer they work at."
Do you have any other experience in the fashion industry?
"Not yet."
Where do you think the fashion industry is going?
"I believe the apparel industry targeting, Generation Z & Millennials are bringing back late 90's and early “y2k” trends to the market in a more current way."
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
" I'm not sure where I see myself in 5 years because living in NYC and studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology, you get new opportunities that you didn't expect every day. I plan to keep a positive mindset wherever the universe takes me."
If you had one piece of advice for a fellow FIT Tiger what would it be?
"If you are struggling in a particular class, which we all sometimes do. Use the FIT tutoring center because they have excellent tutors and they genuinely do help. Also, don't expect the fashion industry to be as glamorous as you hope it to be."
Name: Sienna Diaz
Instagram: @thehighlight._
Age: 19
Freshman, sophomore, junior, senior: Sophomore
Major: Advertising & Marketing Communications
What is one thing you love about FIT?
"I love how everyone can be themselves and have an open and creative mindset. I think that the community here is one of a kind and diverse."
If you could change one thing about FIT, what would it be?
"I feel like the college needs to pay more attention to commuters and create more commuter day activities like workout classes and workshops that fit the commuter schedule."
How has the college helped you?
"I think FIT has taught me to be more open-minded with people and the fashion industry."
Are you currently Interning or working in the fashion industry?
"I am currently working at intermix, which I got through school. I enjoy working at intermix; many of the employees are from FIT. It is a very positive and fun environment to work at."
Do you have any other experience in the fashion industry?
"Besides working at intermix, I worked fashion week; my role was to dress the models and stand in for the models during dress rehearsal."
Where do you think the fashion industry is going?
"I think the fashion industry is slowly evolving. We are starting to become more open to new people, ideas, and cultures. I think the image of the typical American women is changing and brands are looking to empower women more than they did before."
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
"Within the next five years, I see myself graduated with my bachelor's degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology. I envision myself being a full-time blogger, traveling the world and working with brands that inspire me."
If you had one piece of advice for a fellow FIT Tiger what would it be?
"GURL..., go with your gut. Trust your instincts around people and specific opportunities. Stay true to your vision and what you feel you align with. When meeting with creative people don't compare yourself to someone else's journey. Trust the process."
Name: Samaya Small
Insta Tag:@samayasmall
Age: 21
Freshman, sophomore, junior, senior: Junior
Major: International Trade & Marketing
What is one thing you love about FIT?
"I think the number one thing I love about of FIT is the amount of support and connections they give their students. Coming from a West Coast university where fashion is not a big deal; there was no opportunity to grow. Right off the bat, when arriving at the Fashion Institute of Technology; I worked fashion week and got the chance to visit Urban Outfitters headquarters."
If you could change one thing about FIT, what would it be?
"Since I am a transfer student, I'm still new, but the one thing I noticed the FIT campus was lacking, was a sense of community especially coming from a university that had a grasp of making sure students were part of a community."
How has the college helped you?
"The college's grasp of always having their students back and helping students achieve their goals gave me the validation of why I'm studying International Trade & Marketing and why I want to have a future in fashion."
Internship/jobs: N/A
Do you have any other experience in the fashion industry?
"I have an upcoming interview with Estee Lauder, worked fashion week and got the chance to visit Urban Outfitters headquarters. I worked at sunglass hut for six months; I am also apart of the International Trade & Marketing Club."
Where do you think the fashion industry is going?
"I think with the new generation; brands are becoming more sustainable. I think we are starting to realize how much fast fashion is affecting our economy and destroying our planet. I believe our future is to have a more sustainable fashion industry and economy."
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
"In five years I see myself graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology; hopefully working on my masters in marketing and working in the fashion marketing field."
If you had one piece of advice for a fellow FIT Tiger what would it be?
"Take every opportunity thrown at you; there will be so many. I think it is so easy to get overwhelmed and give yourself the feeling of not wanting to do anything and curl up because of how overwhelming it is. Push yourself to take all opportunities because each one will teach you something different. You will learn from every experience whether it's good or bad. Also, make connections with professors in your major because they have so much to offer advice wise and also have many contacts within the field. They are also there to help you."
Name: Emma Grace Kennedy
Instagram:@emma__Kennedy
Age:20
Freshman, sophomore, junior, senior: Freshman
Major: Fashion Business Management
What is one thing you love about FIT?
"Everybody you encounter is very creative in their own personal way. I feel like no one here is scared to be themselves. It's very diverse and accepting."
If you could change one thing about FIT, what would it be?
"I think the dorms should allot more freedom; I understand there does need to be rules and boundaries in place, but they should loosen up."
How has the college helped you?
"the school has helped me make my dreams a reality and helped me figure myself out."
Are you currently Interning or working in the fashion industry?
"I am currently interning at Michael Fisher studio; which is a "men's celebrity stylist" company. My task includes dropping off and picking up garments and keeping track of inventory. I got the opportunity to assist in styling Jake Gyllenhaal on several occasions."
Do you have any other experience in the fashion industry?
"I attended fashion week and saw the Anna Sui and Sally Lapointe shows. I got the opportunity to visit showrooms and shadow a buyer."
Where do you think the fashion industry is going?
"I think the industry is going to circulate and repeat itself. i think future trends will be a repeat of past patterns but in a modern way. The barriers between male and female clothing are slowly disappearing; brands are testing the boundaries of unisex apparel, and gender orientation is fading away."
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
"I would love to be working as a creative director for a brand that interests me. Hopefully in NYC but I will go where opportunity takes me."
If you had one piece of advice for a fellow FIT Tiger what would it be?
"It's ok to be selfish in this industry; it is a competitive industry. If an opportunity is thrown your way take it. Every no that you receive should motivate you to try harder."
