Teen Vogue Fashion University 2013

I'm still catching my breath from this weekend's festivities in NYC. Yes, I got the chance to breathe in The City of Dreamers once again. This summer I applied for a spot in the Teen Vogue University Class of 2013. And no, it's not really a school. If you haven't heard of TVFU already, then you've probably been living under a rock. Just in case you're barely peeking out from beneath that rock, I'll explain to you. TVFU is a three day event hosted by the lovely guys and gals at Teen Vogue. 500 lucky fashiontas and fashionistos are chosen to be amongst some of fashion's greatest designers, bloggers, editors, models and entrepreneurs. This year all 50 states in America were represented and an additional 26 countries joined the TVFU fun.


Friday Night (10.18.13)
TFVU hosted a private shopping event at Express on Madison Avenue. (A new favorite place of mine!) We walked in to a live DJ who blared JT's oldest a newest hits--which automatically made him my favorite person ever. And let me just say, Teen Vogue knows how to party!

On the way to the airport I realized I had completely forgot my nice camera so all I was left with was my phone. I still got some awesome shots of my experience.

Doing what I'm best at: being awkward

Window Shopping later that night

On the way home we spotted a little bakery and I just had to pick up some pastries at Tous Le Jour in Koreatown, NY

Saturday (10.19.13)
Alas, the actual TVFU seminars. Early this morning we all stomped into the Hudson Theater and began our day with the Teen Vogue Editors Panel. I was blessed to be in the presence of designer Joseph Altuzarra (all hail king!), Erika Bearman (aka OscarPRGirl...aka badass), Alexa Chung, model Coco Rocha, and bloggers from Into the Gloss and The Coveteur. I was also lucky enough to be surrounded by likeminded peers. That in and of itself was the most incredible feeling. The people I got to meet and the people that I interacted with spoke to my soul! And I think that's what Teen Vogue intended to do from the beginning--to empower the new generation, to propel us to the realizations that our dreams are possible. I've learned that this is definitely something I want to pursue and what I'm truly passionate about. How rewarding is that? But anyway, moving on from the gushy, mushy stuff and on to the photos!

Editors Panel

Ahh, Joseph Altuzarra. His heart and passion just radiates to mine. He's incredibly humble and speaks in such a profound and genuine way. Having a steadfast vision and never staying true to your vision and forgetting the external noise from others is what he kept reinforcing during his seminar.

I headed over to the Conde Nast building home of the big name magazines like Glamour, Vogue, Allure and so many others. During Erika Bearman's seminar we heard about how she made it and her love for Oscar, his brand, and her job and urges to students to "just be yourself. It's the only thing no one else can do but you." 

A backstage moment

Oh you know, Jordan Dunn just casually shopping in Topshop. I was way too nervous to ask for a photo so my boyfriend did for me. I shyly asked her if she's seen Karlie Kloss and she told me "I miss her, I haven't seen her in ages!" in her cute British accent. 

Sunday (10.20.13)

Sunday was so bittersweet. There was a screening of the HBO film The Editors Eye followed by a Q&A session with Eve Macsweeney and Phyllis Posnick (whose actually quite genius). 

New York Mini Moments

I spent my last day biking around Central Park which was such a beautiful sight!

Don't close your eyes to the world around you. Keep them open, the world is beautiful.