When I got the call to join one of the most well-known, well-respected Fashion Houses in history at Milan Fashion Week, my hands were shaking.
It’s a family trait—we tremble when we get nervous. I screamed, “YES, I WILL BE THERE” and immediately got to work…after I could properly hold my phone without dropping it.
The Making of a Fashionista
But long before I got that hand-shaking phone call from FENDI, let me rewind…I fell in love with Fashion (which deserves a capital letter) at a very young age.
Back in high school, the other kids used to make fun of what I wore—until they realized everyone else was wearing those same clothes a year later. In college, I rocked mini skirts and leather boots to 8 am classes when everyone else wore their flannel pajamas. In my 20s, I spent 40% of my bonus money on Ready-to-Wear while everyone else did responsible things like get married and have children.
But eventually, the Miss Maine Teen USA & Miss Teen USA, modeling contracts, and internships at LIBERTY London got pushed aside in favor of practicality: my career, husband, and children.
I may operate differently today but some things haven’t changed. I’m still a Leo, loyal, annoyingly disciplined, a fireball (or test at times), overly generous and equally frivolous…and a passionate Fashionista.
The Heart of The Fashion Industry
Milan Fashion Week taught me how incredibly artistic, focused, and hard-working you have to be to be successful in this industry. I have such a great amount of respect for all that goes into a “week” like this, whether you’re the Creative Director of a House or the Client.
In between bucket list cultural experiences like The Last Supper and a private tour of the Duomo, a friend and I had a conversation about entitlement—something we’ve seen too much of lately. Everywhere you look, there’s this sense that people should get things without working for them. Milan Fashion Week was the antithesis of that.
To see how much time, energy, and heart people put into this incredible event…it was both eye-opening and gratifying to see the end result. I was left thinking that some people should come to Fashion Week for that reason alone, to understand that hard work does pay off and that helping each other goes a long way.
Something else that goes a long way is kindness. The “Mean Girl” stereotype of the Fashion World is just wrong. Creative Directors, Celebrities, and Event Planners all support each other, which is how it should be and how I want my children to treat others. It feels just as good to shine in your own achievement as it does to advocate for others’ success.
The People Behind the Show
My experience with FENDI was amazing but as I reflect on the week that you all have seen in my stories and posts, my heart leads this piece down a different path. Their Fashion House is as amazing as their client programs, their sales team staff, and their domestic and global leaders.
I took a lot away from FENDI’s upcoming line and next Fall/Winter’s Fashion Trends (that I can’t wait to share with you all soon!), but I also walked away from the week with the refreshing affirmation that good, nice people attract one another. Kindness defines people as much as Fashion and some of the best outfits were worn with a genuine smile.
My week was capped off with a quick elevator exchange with the one and only Anna Wintour, whose outfit was as incredible as she is. She may wear Prada, but she certainly isn’t the devil—and neither is this Fashion community.
After a full week of Fashion Shows, Michelin Star meals, and world-class people-watching, I’m leaving Milan Fashion Week with a heart as full as my suitcase.
Fashion is eye candy, Fashion is appreciation, but most of all, Fashion can be kind.
