Two weeks being #17inthecity
A few months ago I was scrolling through Facebook when something popped out at me. It was a little blurb from Seventeen Magazine that said if you are dreaming of a career in fashion or writing this summer program is for you. I clicked on the link to read more about the Seventeen Fashion Experience and knew immediately that I wanted to attend. I have always loved fashion and style trends and about a year ago I started my own teen fashion and style blog. It has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done and has led to a lot of great opportunities, like attending the Tommy Hilfiger and Herve Leger shows last February during New York Fashion week and an internship at one of my favorite dress designers Mac Duggal. Being able to be a part of this new summer program was an amazing opportunity to grow as a blogger. Let’s face it, Seventeen is like the teen style blogger’s bible, who better to learn and get advice from then the experts at Seventeen?
Fast forward to the morning of July 24th, and off I went to New York. While I was super excited, I was a little nervous too. I am only 17 and this was my first time away from home. I have to admit, the first night was tough, and I may or may not have cried, once (or maybe twice) but being a little homesick passed quickly as I began my awesome adventure with 43 amazing girls from all over the US and Venezuela. It was clear from the very start that this was going to be so much more than just a fashion adventure, this was going to be a life adventure. The day we arrived, we were escorted to our host hotel, assigned our roommates and received our subway passes and our adventure began.
Chinese Laundry Showroom
Creating Mood Boards at the Chinese Laundry Showroom
We spent the next two weeks learning from the editors of Seventeen and Cosmopolitan about all of the aspects of the fashion industry, social media, public relations, style trends and the day to day workings of the magazine. We visited the Chinese Laundry showroom, created mood boards and gave a presentation. We visited Macy’s and heard from the President. We visited JC Penny and learned about their new collections. We attended the press preview for American Eagle’s holiday collection. We visited Chi hair care and got our hair done and had a photoshoot! One of the most amazing parts of the trip was when we attended the Editby17 launch party, and were able to get an upfront and close look at the collection, walk the red carpet and mingle with the amazing guests! All of these incredible experiences are something that are usually only for those who already work in the fashion industry, not the general public.
Seventeen Magazine Hearst Towers
Evenings and weekends were spent exploring New York, immersing ourselves in the food, the sites and the city, learning how to navigate the subway and truly being #17inthecity. We bonded as a group, and I can truly say that I am forever changed by this incredible experience. I gained valuable knowledge, received advice, made 43 new friends, became a little more independent and most importantly, I have grown as a person. I am walking away from this experience with the tools I need to help me in my aspirations for a career in fashion.
Thank you Seventeen Magazine for putting together this life changing experience, and for anyone reading this, you don’t have to be a blogger or an aspiring designer to love this program and benefit from it, it’s a dream come true experience for any teen aged girl. I will never forget this amazing summer as an OG….being #17inthecity!
Chi Haircare Studio and Photoshoot
Keep Sparkling!
XOXO,
Harleigh Hearts
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