Tag Archives: CSR

On my Mind: One blog to another

The best way to keep up to date with what is happening back at FIT is to constantly check our college’s website. At a simple glance this page seems to always be the same but when you look closely at the column on your right, under announcements, you can see updates about our school. My top pick from this week is the new FIT blog “On My Mind” by the one and only President Joyce F. Brown. This woman, Dr. Brown is an amazing and highly educated person with incredibly interesting and useful information to share with us (obviously like me haha, so don’t ditch this blog). The topics on this trending blog range from Education, Industry to Curriculum and more. This superwoman that is present at every FIT event I have attended has been blogging since May. For those of you who want to know more in-depth about her exemplary achievements should read through the About the President section.

A few insider things I know from attending FIT for the past three and a half years is that she lives on campus, the whole top floor of alumni belongs to her and her family (they own the cutest most fashionable pup), when you get to ride on the elevator with her you don’t have to stop at any other floor (feels like royalty), and she is very avid on sustainability and making FIT the best place possible. Reading through her blog, I noticed she went ahead and wrote about one of my future topics so I’m quite sure great minds think alike; learn more about our Green Roofs.

One very exciting news I also discovered was that FIT has a new Sustainability and Ethics minor! I’m very ecstatic (and incredibly angry that its right when I’m graduating) that there is a need in our industry to rethink and open up the sustainability conversation. I invite you all to reconsider what have been the norms for the fashion industry and what they can be. This ted talks video will have you craving for change in every single aspect on the way how we do business: CSR 3.0.

Carpe Diem,

Sadie

Scholarship Opportunities

Ciao Peeps,

How many of you would believe me if I told you my first real interview was with 7 executives at a round table in FIT? (yeah, completely intimidating) What if I also told you I was the main focal point, the head of the table, and one of the first candidates to be interviewed? (biting your lip already? so was I). Turns out this is a true story, and a great one too (be the judge).

It was a rainy day, I was late and I only had two classes for the day so I decided sweatpants would do (not that kind of judgement haha), a very last-minute outfit decision that turned out to be a very practical one. After my first class, I casually decide to pick up some pamphlets from a table which turn out to be scholarship opportunities. I quickly dismissed it because I had heard that it was really hard to get one if you are an international student. As I turned to leave the classroom something kept pulling me back towards the stack of papers, so I did. Reading through the requisites I realized I met all of them and was very pleased with myself (ya know). While folding the paper to take it home and give it further consideration I glanced at the due date, which was that day at 3:00 PM (no joke, wish I was kidding). A minute went by, then two, then three and I still hadn’t moved. I mean, if I had picked it up that same day it had to mean something (anything really, coincidences strike me as odd) and I could not bear to live with regret.

Running down to the computer lab to write my resume, cover letter, motivational letter and extracurricular activities I felt like I was part of the apprentice (so little time, so much to do). My future depended on the words I wrote but thankfully inspiration and passion were flowing out of me (this girl is on fiiiiire) and took over my body. For the next few hours I was there, but I also was buying CD’s at the bookshop to electronically submit my documents, asking a professor if he could write a recommendation letter on the spot, and buying manila envelopes for the hard copies (hooray for sweatpants, right?). At 2:58 PM I ran into the ITM office with my submission, and Nicole the lovely secretary welcomed me with “Good, you made it right on time.” Granted, I missed my second class, but the experience was just exhilarating.

Sometime later I heard back and I had been chosen as a candidate for 2 of the 3 scholarships I applied to. The follow through consisted of an interview with board members, industry leaders and your Chairperson (as if it wasn’t scary enough). Each person had 15 minutes to be grilled in the “board room” (it really wasn’t that bad, I was just so nervous I got all hot). The first one was for Ralph Lauren at FIT and I was pacing through the hallway so fast I thought they would hear me coming. Long story short, I didn’t get it and it was disappointing. Hours later I was still dissecting every second of the interview to find out what went wrong. Until this day I don’t really know but I remember they wanted to know exactly what I wanted to do with my life and what my future plans were. I had no concrete idea, other than finishing school (because this world is full of opportunities), so I was honest and told them that (was it wise? NO. would I do it again? YES).

Luckily when my second interview came around at the Tommy Hilfiger HQ in NYC, I was more prepared (or so I thought). When I walked into their huge conference room, I decided to enjoy my time and do what I loved best (obvs you know by now it’s talking about myself haha). When the same question came around, I gave them the same answer, yet this time they were as thrilled as I was about an immense ocean of infinite possibilities. As we sat there and discussed almost everything you could imagine, I felt it was more a conversation than an interview and it was when I realized I really love my major. ITM gave me all the confidence I needed to discuss global issues with my interviewers (I was more knowledgeable than I even knew).

Long story short I got it! The feeling you get when someone else sees your passion and believes in you, is unique. I know you have heard it before, but when it’s meant to be, it will be. (Example: I found out later that one of the board members was a breast cancer survivor, and kid you not, the same way something was pulling me towards picking up those papers, something pulled me towards wearing my blazer with the pink ribbon I had received months ago and kept on it. She asked me about it and I went into full detail about how I donated my hair without knowing a single thing about her.) If that’s not enough for you to believe that things will happen when they are supposed to, I’m not really sure what would be.

Carpe Diem,

Sadie

Notes From the 6 Train: What Can We Do?

A few weeks ago I volunteered at the Factory Safety forum, which was held right on FIT’s campus. The event was held by the Corporate Social Responsibility Club and the United College Employees FIT. As a member of ITSA (International Trade Student association) and the CRS Club (Corporate Social Responsibility), events like this are kind of my thing. I live for constructive conversations, and when people argue and disagree it displays their passion. People only get worked up over issues that really matter to them. Seeing people worked up over factory safety is a beautiful thing, because so many people aren’t. Most people don’t particularly care that the pants they are wearing was made in an unsafe, illegitimate factory, with no fire escape present; a tragedy waiting to happen. Factory safety is a hot topic and has been fluctuating in and out of the public’s eye since 1911, since the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. This was the biggest industrial accident in the United States, killing nearly 150 people and severely injuring scores more.

Many laws have been put into place to make sure tragedies like this don’t happen anymore; child labor laws, permitted number of hours in a work day, minimum wage. It’s sad, that 103 years later we are STILL having conversations about factory workers rights. However, I know that if I don’t do care, no one else will. As someone who plans to have a career in the fashion industry, I should care. We all should. Our actions have a ripple effect throughout the entire world. Which is exciting to listen in on what current industry people are doing to remedy this widespread problem. They are the ones creating contracts and fighting for the workers, and it was interesting to hear what steps they are taking. There was also a panel held by teachers on what they can do in the classroom and. The keynote speaker was Charles Kernagahn, from the Institute of Global Labour and Human Rights, who is widely recognized as one the leading experts on factory safety.

I got to volunteer at a cool event, learn a lot and become a more well rounded member of the fashion community. Friday was a good day. Below I have posted a link to the group committed to remembering the victims of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory if you’re interested.

All things Color, Love & Fashion,

Ayanna L.

http://rememberthetrianglefire.org/

Fashion Evolution: Consumer Power

This was an amazing event I got to attend last Thursday at the Scandinavia House. (the best part, it was completely FREE!) After the host of the event(Yoko Sekiguchi, President of Ampleen) came as a guest speaker to my Import and Export Class, she cordially invited some students to join the event. I for one am really interested in Corporate Social Responsibility (we all take, especially corporations, it’s about time to give back) so I raised my hand immediately to get on the list.

My classmates, I’m the one with the colors (Caribbean Girl)

While waiting for the event I did my research about the different companies and guest speakers that were going to conform the panel (ALWAYS do research, like your life depends on it). When I got there we were greeted and then I left my coat at the coat check.

YUM

The event was being held at a beautiful yet simple room on the second floor with an array of treats. In each seat there was a gift bag sponsored by FACE Stockholm in which we got two nail polishes, a discount coupon and a magazine. Everything was delicious the wrap bites, the sliders, cupcakes (Note to self: must return to this place to check out their restaurant on the first floor).

To me the most inspiring person (with the most shocking facts on her power point) was the keynote speaker Amy Hall, Director of Social Consciousness at Eileen Fisher. (their company commitment is completely impressive, check out their program). The panel was composed of incredible women, each doing their part within the fashion industry for a better world, including Prof. Nancy Gross from FIT. (If you are interested in Sustainable Fashion be sure to sign up for FM326) The conversation was about how we consumers can change the face of fashion and their practices with our demand for transparency and higher standards. Each of them gave their perspectives as to how we could improve the supply chain, wages, working conditions, CO2 emissions, and so much more. Once we were done with Q&A and I was soaked with inspiration, there was a networking hour where I got to meet personally all the speakers. (and of course ask for their business cards.) To be honest, I can see CSR growing and evolving within the Fashion Industry and the more I attend events, listen to guest speakers and research the initiatives out there, the more I’m sure that this is my path. (A way to help the world with what I know, fashion)

Just remember while you are at FIT, attend to as many events on and off-campus as you can. Sometimes, knowing people is as crucial as what you know. Dare to be blown away by topics you had no idea existed, and while you are it learn, network and expand your horizons. After all you don’t know where life will take you.

I walked out to this beauty

Carpe Diem,

Sadie