University of Florida Students Participate in New York Fashion Week

Bucan expressed initial nervousness about securing opportunities for the students, but thanks to extensive outreach, particularly to alumni, they gained access to official shows at NYFW. The first half of the trip featured meetings with representatives from notable firms like Hunter PR, People Magazine, the New York Times, and Hermès in addition to evening events. The second half was more intense, with students volunteering at shows including New York Men's Day and working on CFDA calendar events like Christian Cowan and threeASFOUR.

Chau Huynh, a third-year Advertising major with a minor in Media Production, Management, and Technology, took advantage of the opportunity to pursue her passion for fashion design. She highlighted her networking experiences, including a memorable encounter with fashion editor Jacob Gallagher and supermodel Alex Consani. Huynh emphasized the importance of connection in the industry, recounting how a simple act of kindness led to a potential job opportunity.

Nyle Barnes, a third-year Public Relations major, viewed her participation in NYFW as a dream come true. The week allowed her to explore the relationship between public relations and the fashion industry, while working behind the scenes on various shows. She gained a deeper appreciation for the production process and expressed a desire to further explore this area of fashion PR.

Second-year Advertising student Gabrielle Green, who is also pursuing minors in Business Administration, Professional Selling, and Entrepreneurship, described her experience as a major learning opportunity. Throughout the trip, she observed the intricacies of organizing a large-scale event like NYFW. Green focused on content creation and gained insights into the connections between fashion, beauty, and public relations. She underlined the significance of building lasting professional relationships, stating that following up is essential for effective networking.