In doing some research for this piece, we actually came
across mixed reviews for our particular internships and were surprised as we
feel we couldn’t have asked for a more educational, insightful, fun look into
the fashion industry on such an elevated level.
We think everything in life is what you make of it. You can choose to be bored and not take
advantage of something wonderful you are being given or you open your eyes,
learn and grow.
Jenn always recalls our first interaction as a conversation
that was had on that first day in the kitchen of the showroom over our
love/addiction of coffee. I told her I
was on my 4th cup of the morning and that until I’m shaking it’s not
enough. She thought to herself,
“Yup. My kinda girl.”. Between the errands, projects and NJ
warehouse runs pulling us in different directions, we managed to become very
close while hitting up happy hour after work, exploring the city, jamming to shows
at The Bowery Ballroom, shopping or relaxing in Central Park. These were and will always remain some of the
best times in our lives.
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| Naz, Nobu, Jenn & Laur. St. Patty's Day 2008 in NYC. |
A “typical” Betsey day would start with caffeine with a side
of caffeine. Then it was on to the fun
stuff. I might be doing an excel or best seller’s
project, running a personal errand for Betsey or heading to the warehouse for
store set-ups, pick tickets or (a personal favorite) vintage inspirational
digging in Betsey’s GIGANTIC and AMAZING collection. Jenn might be sourcing fabric, taking over
swatch card organization, sketching flats or running for samples and notions. Even though we each were interns in different
offices, it was like a family. If
someone was free you help out when you can in another department and vice-versa. This definitely helped broaden
each of our knowledge of the entire operation.
Then there was the opportunity to work Mercedes Benz NYC
Fashion Week in the late summer-early fall of 2008. We managed to land a sublet in Brooklyn for a
bit and headed back to the showroom for the “madness”. This experience was the once in a lifetime kind. I took on the role of Betsey’s second personal
assistant which included sitting in and recording notes for design meetings,
running personal errands, preparing things at her apartment, for family &
out of town guests; I was her shadow and definitely had a few interns understandably
giving me the “evil eye” intermittently.
Jenn was welcomed back with open arms by the design team and went
straight to work on sketches, sewing various showpieces, running errands as
well as helping PR prep. Showtime came
and we both went to work as dressers backstage…then after a looooooong nap… we
hit the after party!
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| Jenn, Laur, Naz & Carissa-Ann. BJ NYCFW rooftop after party in Soho. |
What is ironic is that when deciding to write this blog
entry, Betsey Johnson announced she was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Although it is always sad to see your mentor
close their doors, we know Betsey Johnson’s spunky, creative spirit will never
die. Some people think she’s crazy and
coo-coo, but she was always super sweet, complemented our outfit & styling
choices, asked our opinions and would even hold conversations about my kids
with me as she was already a grandma at the time. Our time spent at the 7th Ave NYC
showroom was priceless. We made lasting
memories, friendships & gained tremendous knowledge in regards to life and
this competitive industry. Without the
cartwheeling, hot pink lipstick wearing, bleach blonde dread-like extensioned
Betsey, Lily & Migs would never have been born.
 |
| Laur, Jenn & Betsey; NYC showroom. |
Much love always and forever Betsey…
xo Jenn & Lauren
