Where In The World Am I?

Trendsetter turned globe-trotter! Are you wondering why I have been MIA these past few months? I promise I have a good reason!

At the top of the Duomo in Florence, Italy.

This summer, I was fortunate enough to spend some time in Europe. I had the opportunity to live, study and intern in Florence, Italy for six weeks in May and June. I was enrolled in a course— Fashion Retail Management— and was the Assistant Manager Intern at FLY, which is a creative learning lab a nd student-run boutique affiliated with Florence University of the Arts. With a wide variety of merchandise, ranging from student-made pieces, garments hand-crafted by emerging designers, consigned items and a selection of high-end vintage, FLY draws in a wide customer base and is a quite a unique retail space in Florence.

In the Tyrrhenian Sea off the coast of Positano, Italy.

Whether it was styling garments with our target market in mind, re-merchandising the boutique, assisting in the buying process of the vintage selection, creating content for social media or trend forecasting for future merchandise, my role as Assistant Manager Intern was fast-paced and incredibly insightful. I gained valuable knowledge and honed relevant skills relating to managing a retail enterprise. In addition, I played an active role in planning an executing an in-store promotional event, Reinvention, which was held on June 19.

My time abroad not only provided me with the immersion and appreciation for a new culture, but also with a global perspective into the world of retailing.

In addition to the “work” I was doing in Florence, I certainly had time to “play,” too! My friends and I took numerous day trips and weekend trips to other cities in Italy, such as Cinque Terre, Chianti, Venice, San Gimignano, Pisa, Verona, Rome and the Amalfi Coast. Also, on my way back to the states, I made a stop in Paris for four days. After that visit, I have convinced myself that I need to learn French and move to Paris after I graduate this May…but who knows how realistic this plan is!

By the Eiffel Tower is Paris, France.

Now that I’m, back in the states, look forward to more consistent posts and updates. I missed y’all!