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Valeria Javier, Mexico
Valeria interned for a haute couture designer in midtown Manhattan. She is originally from Mexico and studied at Rennert for eight months. "After my internship I am going to start University in Mexico and major in communications," she says.
Thoughts on New York
"New York is just amazing. I find it is a different world. You cannot talk about the USA as New York. I think New York is a totally different place. It is unique. You can find really nice friendly people from all over the world. There is a quote I really like about New York. Like, even though you are five minutes or five years in New York you feel like you belong to New York. I love New York. I like the energy and a lot of people. I like Wall Street for its tall buildings and Williamsburg for its hipsters. There is a lot of freedom in this city. It is all about freedom."
Thoughts on her Internship
"At the beginning I was with high heels really dressed up and right after my interview they said 'Start right now, can you do it?' I was with my best high heels and watch, all dressed up and with my best handbag. It was a rainy day, I was late for my interview and they sent me to a lot of places to do errands — to pick up fabric, a dress. I felt like I was in The Devil Wears Prada without the coffee. It was fun, but after that I realized I didn't need to go with high heels. After that, I realized I needed flats and high heels in my bag.
"After a month, they gave me more responsibilities. For example, once I went to a customer's house. She is from a wealthy family and I went to deliver this dress. I thought I was just leaving the dress, but then she asked my opinion on which handbag she should choose, that was fresh and young. Well, I'm not a stylist, but she loved my opinion and she was really happy with that. And then I came back to the office and my boss said I had done a great job.
"Another thing I learned (during the internship) was about fabric. The first time they sent me to buy it for a project — they wanted to create new cocktail dresses and I went to buy the fabric samples. He (the designer) loved it and also told me I did a great job.
"Of course there are times when I screwed up. Once they were doing a dress and wanted me to buy trim — immediately. I went to the fashion district and bought two different ones and he didn't like either of them. And then, well, but I learned that I need to ask for more information about what they want and what they are expecting me to know. They didn't realize I didn't know about fabric. I jumped in and said I would do it and tried to think out of the box.
"Then after a month and half or two months I went to a cocktail party and he introduced me to someone who was doing marketing for our company and she wanted me to help her and said we'd be good partners. My boss told me, 'Val you are going to be interning but for marketing and fashion PR.' They asked me to do an event for the new clutch collection. Everything about it: the invitations, the food, the drinks, the presentation and the gift bags. It was really stressful but it was okay.
"If I were in Mexico it would be easier for me but here I don't know the places. Creating an event for a fashion company is motivating for me. These are $5000 a dress and high couture for weddings, special events. What is motivating me is that it is whole new experience. I feel really impressed with myself because I didn't think they would believe this much in me and he is telling me I am doing a great job and that he is happy I am here. The office is a great atmosphere. Sometimes the designer is really open and orders pizza or snacks. He is really nice. He always asks our opinion of everything: what do you think about this sketch, this fabric? He involves us with everything he is doing.
"It's a good thing that they believe in me and will let me do this stuff.
"I'm really excited. This is my first internship and at 18 years old this is a great experience and I am really lucky to be here. I didn't know anything about Photoshop, Illustrator, Filmmaker. I learned how to manage the customers. You need to know the customers before you sell / something to them and the way you treat the customer is what is going to make them want to buy. I think it is a unique experience. It is like a dream come true."
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English Language Courses
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