Talking Careers and 80s Punk with Simon Doonan

A demolition worker. A clock salesman. A window dresser. An artistic director. An author. The Creative Ambassador at Large of Barneys New York has worn many very stylish hats throughout his unique career path, and he graciously shared some words of wisdom with a room full of interns last week. Dressed in a bold blue paisely dress shirt and gray slacks, the British style guru was equipped with advice, hilarity, and everything in between.

I was fortunate enough to ask Simon Doonan two questions during our Q&A forum, which he used to propel the dialogue and open the floor to other opinions. What's great about Mr. Doonan is that although he's an authority on fashion, he certainly is interested in what this generation of fashion interns has to say. He was especially interested in our viewpoints regarding social media, especially instagram. He himself believes that looking at pictures of food that other people are eating is not the best way one might spend their time.

When I asked what he does when he can't find inspiration, Doonan responded with, "Oh that never happens to me," and the room broke out in chuckles. He shared that he looks at 80s B movies and other unexpected places. When I asked who he would choose to read about if he could only have one coffee table book with the biography of one artist, he said without hesitation that the subject would be David Bowie.

Along with the interesting tale of his career path, Doonan shared some very quotable nuggets of wisdom on the fashion industry:

"Design needs to fill a cultural need."

"There's no limit as to how you can carve out a fashion career."

"The good news is that there's now shortage of product at every price point."

"Every 30 seconds some lunatic is having a fashion show."

"I"ll happily walk into Strawberry and see what they can make for $4.
I'm not so snobbish as to say that Hermes is 'good' and H&M is 'bad'."

"Fashion is supposed to make you look more intriguing."

3 Weeks Wiser

It's been raining and pouring on and off all month.

7th Ave

The tip of Hillary's finger & a sunset over the Hudson

People's Improv Theatre - "Improv your life."

I've been living in the West Village for 3 whole weeks, and I'm starting to get a little more comfortable and jaded with city life. I still find beauty and inspiration, but my glasses are a little less rose-colored. It was 91 degrees in the city today, and in a black polyester dress I felt like an egg boiling on the sidewalk. The subway is a game of trying not to rub against other sweaty people, and it's definitely tourist season. It's amazing - and scary - that in just 3 weeks, I could observe so much. I feel like I aged years and grew an internal street smarts compass.

The amount of homeless people I have encountered on my walk to work and in the park is extremely sobering. I'm normally equipped with a granola bar or banana to dole out if someone asks for money, but I'm taking steps to do more. On Sunday I attended an orientation at a soup kitchen in Chelsea for New York Cares, a service network that connects able volunteers to projects in the five boroughs in the areas of children's recreation, adult education and literacy, hunger, revitalization, seniors, and beyond. I'm excited to attend my first service project next Sunday at a senior center on 103rd street, and hope that I'll be able to help make a difference in someone's day.

In other news, I've chosen to explore the free improv shows and vinyasa yoga classes that the city has to offer. Next on my list is to find some free poetry slams and attempt to student rush some plays. City life is proving to be sobering yet entertaining. For every homeless man sleeping on a stoop, there is an artist sharing their gift in Washington Square for loose change or an English teacher leading a volunteering orientation for free.

A Week on the Square With the Dreamers

Here's a quick photo diary of my first week at a new and exciting buying internship. I'm starting to get a little more comfortable in the neighborhood and everytime I go out to explore (which is difficult when you work full-time), I venture out a little farther and in a new direction. Having Washington Square as a home base, I know that I can always find a good time by stepping across the street with a piano player, street dancers, or people watching.

On Wednesday evening I met a young music journalist (interning at Rollingstone) who brought me to the coolest, FREE improv show. Keyword: free. We walked up to 24th street to the People's Improv Theatre (PIT) where we saw 2 great teams perform long-form improv on the mainstage, and then went to a jam where anyone can sign up to play onstage. I signed up, and found myself doing long-form improv in front of a live audience in New York City. Our sketch was about triplets waiting in an optomotrist office. I vaguely remember touching my eyes, slapping myself, and pinching my own ass. It was kind of scary, but I was with two "house members" who perform improv regularly, and they helped me through it. Improv is now something I definitely want to learn more about, and maybe even take a class on.

Yesterday I found a restaurant on 8th street with amazing veggie burgers called Pops of Brooklyn, and met up with an old friend who's interning at Interview Magazine. Afterwards, I met up with the legendary Chris Pasi for drinks at a pub near Cooper Square, all paid for by State Farm (like a good neighbor, am I right?). One thing's for sure, everyone winds up in New York City. The artists, the fashion interns, the aspiring journalists, and TV production assistants. I'm glad to be one of the dreamers who wound up here.

a miniature Arc de Triumph

our hipster window that won't close

dorming...as a senior. 

duet in the park, singing the best covers ever

the closet where my desk is located

street dancers

sneaking a picture of my outfit on day 3

outdoor market in the village

desktop of fruit and jewelry stands

mural on 4th st

May I never leave this city

Here are some photos from the month of May, when I was on my own and learned to own my position as Merchandising intern. For Mother's Day, my family took a cruise around the whole island on the Skyline Princess, the ship that my Poppy has performed magic shows and wedding ceremonies on for as long as I can remember. Seeing the city from its Hudson perimeter after spending so much time working and commuting there was wonderful. As an Irish poet once told me, there's nothing like circling around a piece of land if you really want to know it.

The Empire State and Chrysler

Mother's Day

Lady Liberty

April in the Big Apple

Contents of my bag on Day 1

The view from the 20th floor

En route to a poetry show at Barnard

Perks of 42nd St: eating lunch in Bryant Park

Macys is an excellent shortcut to Penn Station

Bryant Park in bloom

Lincoln Center before my first orchestra

The hustle of New York kept me from blogging for 10 weeks, but now that I officially have a mailing address in 10012, I'll be documenting my fashion intern life for the rest of the summer. After commuting 1 1/2 hours each way, 5 days a week, for 2 months, saying I'm relieved to be living in the city is an understatement. To have a small place to call my own, even for a small span of time, is a beautiful thing. I live in a relatively calm, yet vibrant pocket of the island, on Washington Square, and I am endlessly grateful to have to resources and support to make living in NYC a reality.

Here are some documentary photos of my first two months of interning at a lifestyle brand. Trains, skyscrapers, and Bryant park are all a recurring theme.

The Weekend Before

packing up my life: dream catchers, fish bowl, beads, and pieces of Dublin

I start my 6-month internship...erm, "Drexel Co-op," on Monday. The week in between final exams and my first day at Michael Kors consisted of an Asbury Park service trip, Passover, visiting old friends, and cleaning my room. I cleansed my desk of every paper and notebook that I collected during 3 years of college. I found notes that my sister left in my locker during freshmen year of high school. I found a "license to opperate a sewing machine" from 7th grade sewing class. I found so many pieces of my life that have been collecting dust, unnoticed, while I was busy living life in Philadelphia.

Saying goodbye to Philly was difficult, to say the least. I packed up my first real apartment, a place where I went through rapid self discovery. Luckily, I got to spend one last night in my big girl bed. I said goodbye to my coworkers, said goodbye to old friends, and saw one last play (the final dress rehearsal for Azuka Theatre's PIFA production, Everyone and I). I emptied my fridge, my closet, and my heart. It may seem dramatic, but my last 24 hours as a resident of Philadelphia were pretty emotional and I can't believe that a place could mean that much to me.

But, as the muppets would sing, I'm movin right along. I'm starting a new chapter, where I can be an active member of my family, read for pleasure, and access all the privileges of living at home. I'm in a beautiful transition, and I can't wait for the rest of my co-op experience to unfold.

I have confidence that when Monday rolls along, I will be perfectly cool and elegant when I take the elevator to the 20th floor of a skyscraper overlooking Bryant Park.

Last Day in Dublin

It's my last day in Dublin and I don't know what to do with myself. I've walked down my favorite streets, had a picnic lunch from Dunnes in St. Stephen's Green, made a final purchase (striped nautical dress), ate soda bread, took my last Luas ride, got my Toms wet in the rain, and sat in the park behind Dublin Castle. The only thing left to do is pack, nap, and go to Brazen Head, the oldest pub in Ireland.

I have mixed feelings about leaving after an exceptional 6-week experience, but I'm so thankful that I got to end this journey with my family. They got to experience some of my favorite foods, places, and memories alongside me. I got to visit the Cliffs of Moher again, and had a surprise 45 minute adventure in Galway. I kissed the Blarney stone for the second time, and visited another section of The Burren. I brought my family on a day trip to Howth, my favorite seaside town in Dublin County, as my trip came full circle. Here are some images from my last week in Ireland, maybe they can express my love of this country better than my words can.