Caroline Vazzana - Making It in Manhattan

Copyright 2018 by Caroline Vazzana

Illustrations 2018 by Mats Meyer, matsmeyerillustrations.com

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Jenny Zemanek

Cover illustration by Mats Meyer, matsmeyerillustrations.com

Print ISBN: 978-1-5107-3202-5

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-5107-3203-2

Printed in China

To my mom & dad,

thank you for always believing in me.

Take a front row seat as I guide you through the ins and outs of the fashion industry. From a very young age, I knew I was meant to work in a creative field. (Well, after I realized that being a princess wasnt really an option.) Once I finally set my heart on fashion, I wanted to learn everything I could about the industry, from the many career paths, other than just a buyer or designer, to really mastering how to get your foot in the door. Today, this might seem pretty easy with social media and being able to look up everything on the Internet, but back then I didnt have all of the resources available to us today, so I had to think outside the box.

As I got older and learned more about the inner workings of the fashion industry (well, watched movies and TV shows about it), I wished and dreamed of what working in New York City and the world of fashion would be like. Unfortunately, though, life isnt always like the movies (surprise, surprise), and landing an interview or ultimately your dream job wont just be given to you by a magical fairy godmotherIm looking at you, Cinderella.

Gaining access to such an amazing and thrilling industry in the city that literally never sleeps takes countless hours of hard work and dedication. Here, Im shedding some light on my story and pulling back the curtain on what seems to be a mysterious industry. Everyone has their own story as to how they found their calling and what prompted them to listen, but I believe its what you do during your own journey that truly matters and will ultimately lead you down the right path. My hope is that my journey will inspire you to follow your own calling of breaking into the fashion industry and making it in Manhattan.

Growing up, I was surrounded by a family of doctors, so I was sort of the odd ball out. Now, Im not saying this in a bad way at all! I mean, someone has to be the unicorn of the family, right? While my siblings focused on math and science projects during our childhood, I was usually in my room coloring pictures, cutting up old dresses I owned, and sewing them into different outfits. I never realized that people could actually make a career out of something so fun and creative, and it wasnt until a few years had passed and many drawings later that I did.

Ill never forget the day I found out there was more to art than my stacks of coloring books and 64-count pack of crayons. I was ten years old and went to a private school where your skirt couldnt rise above your knee and socks had to be folded over once (they actually checked). Though my school may not have seemed the most creative on the outside, the highlight of my entire week was my one-hour art class. Each week we were given something new to draw. In the particular class Im referring to, we had to draw a cowboy. Since this was my favorite class, I often took too much time focusing on the little details of the picture and couldnt finish in time. My art teacher, Mrs. Klein, gave me permission to work on my cowboy at home and bring it to her the next day. (My obsession with color and attention to detail started early, as you can tell.)

My older sister and I both had a soccer game after school that day, so my mom picked us up and drove us over to the field, decked out in our shin guards and cleats. (So chic!) On the way to the game, though, I took out my picture and continued working on it. I remember thinking I did a great job and that my cowboy looked like Woody from Toy Story. (Who doesnt love a classic?) The next day I happily arrived at school and put my picture under Mrs. Kleins door, eager to hear what she thought.

One week later when we finally had art class again, Mrs. Klein started out the period by walking around handing out our artwork, each with a grade on the back. I sat in my desk very content, knowing in my mind I probably did well. (The key to life is confidence.) When I got my picture back, though, all that was written on the reverse side was See me after class. Gulp! My heart started to quiver and my palms started to sweat. Oh no, did I do something wrong? Did she not like my work? Maybe I got detention! All of these and many more thoughts raced through my ten-year-old mind. Well, forty minutes later, a sweaty little nervous girl walked up to her teachers desk. I hesitantly asked, You wanted to see me? Voice trembling. Mrs. Klein looked at me with a warm smile and said, Oh yes, your picture is very good.

I couldnt believe it, was something I did actually that special that it needed this much attention? Mrs. Klein proceeded to tell me that my art skills were above those of someone my age and that I should look into taking after-school private art lessons with her if Id be interested. My heart leapt with joy, I couldnt believe it. But before I could give her a decision, I rushed home to ask my mom; I was only ten, after all. My mom was so proud and said I could, of course, do the lessons if I wanted to. From that moment on, my world revolved around art. My mom and I immediately went to Michaels and bought a bright red painting smock, which I instantly splattered paint all over, of course, to make it unique. (I never liked to blend in with the pack.) Then, each week on Thursday I would rush to Mrs. Kleins paint studio after school for an hour of what I would call heaven. From watercolors to acrylics to charcoal, she let me try everything.

As time moved forward, I painted more and more, even winning a contest or two. I knew what my calling in life was: I had to be an artist. But in 2004, when I turned twelve, something changed, and I realized there was more I could do with my love of drawing and painting.