The big picture.

I've said it more than once--fashion is my life.

Thus, it only made sense for me to come to Carolina and major and fashion merchandising (if you want to get technical, my major is actually retailing with an emphasis in fashion merchandising). My family was very supportive--they know I'm good at what I do--but other people don't really get it. They say to me, "Fashion merchandising? What kind of major is that? What are you going to do with the rest of your life? SHOP?"

In a word, yes. Sort of.

Throughout my undergrad years, I want to study abroad in London and Paris. I would also like to do something in Los Angeles and New York. For my major, we actually have to do an intership one semester--I'm planning on doing mine in Paris and simultaneously studying at the Paris Fashion Institute. Hopefully that will be the second time that I will be working there!

Once I graduate, I want to work for a big designer like Chanel, Diane von Furstenberg, or Yves Saint Laurent. I would like to work in styling and public relations. Another option is styling for a magazine like Elle, Vogue, or W. A third option is becoming a buyer for a large department store such as Neiman Marcus or Bergdorf Goodman. No matter how it all works out, I'm sure I will be very happy--as long as I'm in fashion, I'm good!

Even if money and education weren't factors, this is what I would want to be doing. It's not a glamorous lifestyle--there's long hours, endless travel, and an exhausting amount of work involved. It's not like what you see on TV on shows like The Hills and The City. The thing is, though, when I think about working in such an intense environment, I get excited. I WANT to work those long hours, I WANT to live out of a suitcase, and I WANT to feel like I'm going to drop dead at any moment from exhaustion. I want to run on coffee and red bull and fruit salad, deal with jet lag, and work until 2 AM...it sounds crazy, but it really is my dream. For me, working in fashion is not an option--it is something that is GOING to happen.

What's your dream?

Keep it classy and fabulous!
xoxo, Laura