For those of you who did not recieve this in a letter form, here is what has been going on in my life the past few months!
Post UT, I moved to Los Angeles to attend the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising to study Merchandise Product Development and then go on to study Footwear Design. Since forever I have said that I wanted to be a shoe designer when I “grow up!” After many classes and a few obstacles –oh and my 10 day trip to Italy to tour various factories, tanneries and museums (life was rough)--, my dream is becoming my reality. I am happy to say that I graduated in June from FIDM as a “certified shoe designer.”
What’s next? A 7 day trip to Cabo! That’s right, my first week post graduation I treated myself to a trip to Cabo with my roommate. I considered it my last hoo-rah before I join the much awaited “big girl” world!
Once back to reality, I began searching for my first job because being a “certified shoe designer” does not mean anything unless you are an EMPLOYED “certified shoe designer!” That means the task of finding my first job became top priority. Believe it or not, there are not many footwear design positions available—it’s a pretty specific job title! I applied to various job leads through FIDM, where a few led to an interview. Over and over again I was told that they were looking for someone with “more experience.” Which makes sense, but if nobody was willing to hire me how could I get the experience they wanted? Never the less, I didn’t give up!
Which brings me to the end of July. I came across a job posting that appeared to be perfect and a great opportunity. I sent in my resume and hoped for the best. The next day I got a response that requested work samples, so naturally I sent in my best work from my FIDM classes. The following Tuesday a lady named Denise called me to have a phone interview. The phone conversation went really well and she seemed to like me. I explained to her that I would be leaving that Friday to go to Texas for two weeks to which she responded saying that it was okay because the position was currently filled and she had other people she was interviewing. I thought nothing of it because remember, every other employer had eventually went with someone with “more experience.” Well two days later (Thursday, the day before I was leaving for Texas) I got a phone call from Denise requesting that I meet her for an interview two hours later. I of course jumped at the opportunity to meet with her! During the interview she gave me a mini project to do—basically design shoes for the current market trends. I worked on the project while in Texas and sent it to her on her deadline (two weeks from that Thursday when I returned to LA).
It is now the day after I submitted my mini project, (Friday August 5) and my phone rings and I recognize the number—it is Denise! I answer and after she compliments my mini project and thanks me for being professional the words come out of her mouth, “I would like to offer you the job as assistant designer!” Trying to hold back my excitement and not start yelling and jumping up and down, I gracefully accepted the job! Then of course after I hung up I began yelling and jumping up and down!
My job is for a company called ITC Trading Co. of America—a company that designs shoes for various brands and companies. They are headquartered in New Jersey, but I will be able to stay in LA and work from my apartment as well as the apartment of the designer/developer I will be working with, Denise. My first day is September 12 in New York! Yes, I am getting flown to New York for my first week of work as a shoe designer! I will be working in the New Jersey office as well as meeting the other employees. If that isn’t exciting enough, I’ve already been told to clear my calender for mid-October because I will be traveling with Denise to China for two weeks! Needless to say, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be living my dream!!
I have decided to start this blog to tell all the stories that come along with a first job! Check it out to keep up with this latest and possibly most exciting chapter of my life as a shoe designer.
Oh and ps. ALWAYS remember....Dreams really do come true, just ask Cinderella...and me! :)
