Project Runway Fanatics Try to Make it Work in Boston

By Jenna Nierstedt

(jenna.nierstedt@gmail.com)

BOSTON, Mass. (Sept. 15, 2008) -- Alana Coppola arrived late but immediately projected an air of confidence, looking well beyond her 17 years in a green wrap dress and pair of cheetah print high-heeled shoes.
Looking for her big break, the high school junior drove two hours from her quaint Cape Cod neighborhood for a crash course in the fashion industry, part of Boston’s tenth ever Fashion Week.
“More than ever I am very excited,” she said following the event. “The fashion industry is a way bigger world than I thought before.”

About 50 guests crowded a conference room of the Boston Public Library in Copley Square for Fashion Prep, a panel discussion led by six professionals exploring the diverse ways to work in fashion.

Recalling the lack of resources he encountered as an aspiring designer, Jay Calderin, Boston Fashion Week Founder and Executive Director, said he established the panel discussion last year to provide young people with “direct access to speak to professionals in the industry.”
“There isn’t a lot information out there on design schools, so it was nice that they had this,” said Christine Hayes, who attended with her 15-year-old daughter Taylor. “Now we have a broader idea of what’s out there.”
Panelists led a discussion on educational training, getting started in the business and flourishing in the competitive world of fashion.
“Without a background in the technical aspects of design, I’d be timid to go into fashion,” said Gina DeWolfe, of her education at the School of Fashion Design located on Newbury Street.
Erica Corsano, a fashion journalist who also produces and styles fashion shoots, encouraged attendees to jump into internship opportunities eager to learn anything related to fashion.
“Not everyone is the next “Project Runway” winner, but you can still contribute to the fashion community,” Corsano said.
Panelists stressed that entry-level positions required a lot of grunt work and were not always in the area of work with which they were most passionate or comfortable.
“I worked late and organized stock closets more times than I ever wanted to,” said Moxie Agency representative Sophie Zunz, of her first job with L’Oreal cosmetics. “But I loved it at the same time…because you get a bird’s eye view of the various pieces. I found ways that I could be involved in so many elements of the job.”
Panelists also provided a view of available work opportunities in such a competitive field.
“New York is cutthroat, but if you can make it there, the experience is priceless; the training ground is incredible,” Corsano said. “In Boston there are fewer opportunities so it’s competitive in a different way. But don’t get caught up in it; stay true to yourself.”
Calderin agreed, interjecting to say, “It’s all been done before, but it hasn’t been done by you. How are you going to serve it up? The minute you try to compete with what others are doing, your own vision gets diluted.”