SNR Hosts “Fashion Made Me Do It” Brunch
An alumni panel speaks to current students at a SNR fashion networking event on Sunday at the Payne Mansion. Credit: Claire Kenny '25
Marist alumni helped to further affirm the strengths of the fashion program at the “Fashion Made Me Do It” networking brunch presented by Silver Needle Runway (SNR) at the Payne Mansion on March 26.
SNR, MPorium and Measure Magazine collaborated on the event in celebration of the experiential fashion classes offered at Marist. The event gave junior and senior fashion students the opportunity to gain insight into the fashion industry while networking with recent alumni.
“It was my goal for this semester to bring all these unique yet interrelated classes together,” said Audrey DeVoie ‘23, the fashion merchandising major who ran the event as student branding director for SNR 37.
About 100 students and alumni were in attendance, including a panel of nine alumni who were involved in SNR, MPorium or Measure during their time at Marist. They spoke about their experiences after graduation and how Marist prepared them for jobs at companies like Dior, Hermes, Celine and Saks Fifth Avenue.
“These are all companies that students dream of and to see that they've achieved it just because they went to Marist is just really, really rewarding… I couldn't be more proud,” said Juan-Manuel Olivera-Silvera, senior professional lecturer of fashion design and merchandising and SNR faculty director.
Michaela Corrigan ‘22 was the student director of marketing for MPorium during her senior year and spoke about how the unique opportunities at Marist prepared her for her career.
“I like to consider it MPorium on a more massive scale,” said Corrigan of her current position at Macy’s as assistant buyer for girls dresses.
Mporium pop-up at the Payne Mansion for a netowrking event hosted by SNR for fashion alumni and students. Credit: Claire Kenny '25
All the panelists praised the Marist alumni network, both pre and post-graduation. One panelist, Mackensi Considine ‘19, PR coordinator at Hugo Boss, had two current Marist interns in the audience.
“It's really cool to talk to everyone; kind of play off everyone's experiences and give some advice because I remember being in those shoes,” said panelist Emily Hickey ‘20, an associate merchandiser at Ann Taylor.
Students in the experiential classes are exposed to various aspects of the fashion industry like merchandising, PR, marketing and production.
“[Students] actually know the job, they actually say, 'Oh yes, I know how that works. I did it in my experiential class. I've done this,’” said Olivera-Silvera.
“Even if you do one of these classes or not, Marist students are just so elevated from the experiences offered [to them],” said Mackensi Considine ‘19, PR coordinator at Hugo Boss.
Alumni who have had those same experiences passed on their wisdom to the next generation of Marist students who will enter the field in the next few years. The biggest pieces of advice alumni had to offer? Have an elevator pitch, utilize connections, keep looking up and don’t sell yourself short.
“Find something that lights you up. You need to find something that keeps you keeping on, that makes you happy and passionate,” said Ashley Camuso ‘20, an events and experiences specialist for Saks Fifth Avenue.
Fashion Made Me Do It: An experiential networking event for Marist fashion students at the Payne Mansion on Sunday. Credit: Claire Kenny '25
The event not only gave students valuable career advice, but served as an example of the strong connections alumni have post-graduation.
“The alumni network is just so strong at Marist, so much more than many other colleges. It's really amazing to see,” said Olivera-Silvera.