Sally Brink has a passion for fashion.
Brink, a senior in retail and consumer sciences in UT’s College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, recently returned from New York Fashion Week courtesy of IMG College Licensing and an internship in UT’s Office of Trademark Licensing.
Here’s the experience as described by Brink in her own words:
It was so incredible to be a part of the luxury world of fashion during the 2018 New York Fashion Week. I had never experienced this caliber of an event before. Fashion Week is an invite-only event so you can’t buy a ticket. I was star struck attending the same fashion shows as actors from Gossip Girl, Vampire Diaries, and America’s Next Top Model.
My first day began with access to the VIP lounge and waiting area, followed by backstage tours, which allowed me a behind-the-scenes view of the wardrobe, hair, and makeup process. Some highlights included attending the Dion Lee and Son Jung Wan fashion shows—both shows were located at Spring Studios in SoHo.
For years, I have watched fashion shows from my computer and learned about shows in class, but never did I think that I would be watching NYFW in person. The fabrics were gorgeous and I fell in love with the use of bold shapes and pastel colors. I realized that watching the show on a computer screen does not even compare to the live event.
I also attended an industry panel with Blake Abbie, creative and brand consultant for A Magazine, Peter Knell, vice president of business development for Endeavor, and April Guidone, global vice president of marketing and brand strategy for IMG Fashion.
The panelists expressed their struggles and motivation that got them to their current place in their careers. This was one of the most beneficial things I experienced, because there is no other opportunity to connect with people like that.
Also I was able to network and connect with students from schools all over the country who had been selected to attend fashion week. It was incredible to share my experience with them. I am so grateful to UT’s Office of Trademark Licensing and IMG College Licensing for this once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunity.
Brink is also a member of UT’s Rocky Top Institute, a student-designed, student-led business within the retail department. She recently completed her term as president of Alpha Chi Omega and is a member of Student Alumni Associates and the Rocky Top Roundtable. The Louisville, Kentucky, native will graduate in May and move to Charlotte, North Carolina, where she will work as an assistant buyer for Belk.
Brink said her ultimate goal is to continue to work with the company in the innovative new direction they are heading. She said attending NYFW helped her to have a better understanding of how trends seen on the runway can be translated to fit every consumer.
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CONTACT:
Tyra Haag (865-974-5460, tyra.haag@tennessee.edu)