This summer I was blessed with the opportunity to intern at Jeffrey Monteiro in New York. For those who are not familiar with Jeffrey Monteiro he is the design director at Bill Blass while developing and designing his own private label. I got hired as the PR/Sales intern in May started in June and end in August. This summer I have proved to myself and to others that what might seem impossible is possible. I commuted all summer to New York to be present at my internship on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Every Monday and Wednesday night at 2:15 a.m I caught the local Greyhound bus and arrived to New York Tuesday and Thursday at 8:55 a.m depending on traffic and weather conditions. Stopped off at a cafe close to the Port Authority bus terminal and had coffee and breakfast then catch the downtown train to SOHO to be inside the showroom no later than 10:00 a.m. I had to take the local Greyhound that stopped in every part of Connecticut before arriving to New York because it was the only bus that arrived closest to time I was expected at my internship. After I was done completing typical intern duties I caught the bus back to Boston. Most of my days consisted of running errands in the garment district, tracking samples for editorial or stylist pulls, accounting, and sales. Their were days when I sat in front of the computer answer phones and send out numerous amounts of emails. Coming into this whole experience and being from Boston I was familiar with New York by coming to the city for events like Bridal Fashion and Fashion week. Not enough to get around on my own. Whenever I would visit I would take taxi's almost everywhere. This summer I was thrown into Manhattan and had to get around all by myself. Finally I understand the crazy transit system and I own a metro card. I'm moving to New York for good in December so I will be well prepared. Their were days I felt like quitting and didn't feel like commuting back and forth but giving up was never an option. I felt like I was all alone and on an emotional roller coaster that no one would understand. Sacrifices had to be made in order for me to remain focused such as spending time with close friends and giving up those nights to relax and party like everyone else. I always had to keep in mind that those same people that are out partying all the time are not doing anything productive like I was doing. In this industry it boils down to who you know, who you worked or interned for, and the amount of hard work you put in. People would love to have some of the opportunities that I have been blessed with like sitting second row at NY Fashion Week, volunteering with Anne Bowen for Bridal Fashion Week, interning with Brian Reyes and Jeffrey Monteiro. I have accomplished a lot so far at the age of twenty and sometimes I don't give myself enough credit but I am doing better than others and knowing that keeps me humble and driven to impact lives and inspire others to follow their dreams. This summer I learned so much about the Fashion Industry and what actually occurs behind the scenes. It's not as glamorous as it appears on the television or how one might think. Its highly competitive, expectations are high, and if their are tasks that you can't complete you will gladly be replaced by someone else. You are expected to have knowledge in everything you are asked to do no matter how crazy or new it might seem. In the Fashion Industry people are very cold and will always try to belittle you. The sleepless nights and uncomfortable bus rides were worth it and I strongly believe my hard will not go unnoticed and will pay off for me in the future. I devoted my whole summer to commuting to my internship at Jeffrey Monteiro. I've met some amazing people in the Fashion Industry and became more familiar with New York. This was an amazing learning experience and one that I will never forget. I'm so proud of myself for never giving up and making the impossible possible.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
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