Although the post-grad life is a difficult time for most, Erika Weiss seems to be proving otherwise. Weiss, a 2014 University of Delaware graduate and fashion merchandising major, took part in her third internship during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. She was privileged enough to work with her favorite designer, Zac Posen. Although extremely time consuming and stressful, working fashion week definitely seems to come with many rewards and benefits. When asked about her three most memorable moments while working with Posen, Weiss had difficulty narrowing down. She had the most memorable experiences during his Spring 2015 collection.
“I loved being able to see the collection go from the atelier to the runway. As an intern during fashion week, you really get to see the collection before anyone else, which is an AMAZING feeling. You get a great understanding of how much work goes into a garment,” Weiss said. “My entire experience was made when the head of the Zac Posen PR department said to me, ‘We can not have any seats open in the front row, you need to fill in, NOW!’ I sprinted as fast as I could to make it to my seat before the start of the show. I was in heaven. I sat front row amongst Nina Garcia, Uma Thurman, Andre Leon Talley, and Whoopi Goldberg. That moment made all of my hard work as an intern pay off.”
Just when she thought the show couldn’t get any better, Zac Posen himself came out from backstage to chat and thank the team as a whole.
“He told us how proud he was of everything that we accomplished. To hear that from my favorite designer of all time, was truly a magical feeling,” said Weiss.
Erika gave current University of Delaware students that are planning on interning in the future the do’s and don’ts of fashion week. She recommends interns to be prepared for anything and everything.
“During fashion week, there is never a task too large or too small that you could be asked to complete. For example, one minute I was seating Anna Chlumsky and the next minute I was running to find the PR director a piece of Orbit gum. You never know what someone will ask you to do, but always be up for anything and do it with your biggest smile. Always bring a pair of flats…and I mean ALWAYS. Trust me, I love to wear heels, especially when there is a possibility that I find myself in the presence of the fashion queen herself, Anna Wintour. However, during fashion week, flats will be your best friend.”
She also advised that it is crucial to never be afraid of asking questions.
“When you are working a show, everyone is moving quickly and may seem unavailable because they are consumed in their work, but you all have the same goal in the end: to put on a spectacular show. It is better to ask someone for help then to create double the work if you mess something up.”
Weiss still gives credit to her time at UD as an undergraduate fashion merchandising student. Her strongest recommendation of how to utilize the fashion program is to take advantage of the amazing study abroad experience. Weiss expresses her strong feelings for her time abroad and how it has shaped her career thus far.
“Anyone that is serious about a career in fashion should go on the Paris or Hong Kong trip. In every single interview I have been on, the recruiter asks me about my experience abroad and is thoroughly impressed by my travels,” said Weiss. “I can’t stress enough how important it is to network with everyone in your classes and at internships. It is not just about the employers that you make good connections with, it is just as much about your peers that you are interning with. Those are the people that you will be working with for the rest of your career and it is never to early to build your network.”
Follow Weiss @erikaisamonster on Twitter and Instagram to learn more about her life after her years at the University of Delaware.
-Deirdre McAndrew*
*This article was originally published for UDress Magazine, the fashion and lifestyle magazine at the University of Delaware. It is a student run organization that offers amazing opportunities for contributing students of all major and interests. UDress is currently led by President, Kaitlyn Fanale, Editor-In-Chief, Morgan Ratner, Publisher, Courtney Cook, and Online Editor-In-Chief, Meredith Castellani.
