COVER FEATURE
HOW TO MAKE IT IN MANHATTAN WITH
CAROLINE VAZZANA By LAURIE MELCHIONNE Meet Caroline Vazzana, fashion influencer with almost half a million followers on Instagram, and host of the five-star-rated Apple Podcast, “Making it in Manhattan.” Vazzana’s main gig is in styling and editorial; her hands in the fashion industry run deep. When she’s not glamming up the streets of SoHo or attending New York runway shows, you can find her strutting in front of the Eiffel Tower during Paris Fashion Week, or spilling the tea on how to make thrifting turn your closet into a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind items. If anyone can tell the world about what it’s like to make it in Manhattan, it’s Caroline Vazzana. She grew up in New York and was exposed to the city’s vibrant fashion scene at a young age. She made the decision at just 14 years old to become a fashion designer. From there, she plunged herself into studying fashion during college and after a few internships in the city, found her calling in styling and fashion editorials. “Making it in Manhattan,” which has a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts, started in 2015 after Vazzana started writing her book, which was published in 2018 and goes by a similar title, “Making It in Manhattan: The Beginner’s Guide to Surviving & Thriving in the World of Fashion.”
While Manhattan’s fashion scene is the beating heart of Vazzana’s content, she’s no stranger to the industry’s hottest spots around the globe. Paris, Milan and London are some of the places you can find her during fashion week calendars. Traveling abroad, according to Vazzana, is something to treasure. For Vazzana, the true reward is when she gets to pack her community in her suitcase and take it along with her on her travels. It allows for her followers to see first-glimpse, inside looks on the next season’s trends debuted at global fashion weeks. That it starts with Vazzana on social media is a real treat, both for her and for her fans. However, New York always plays her home base. “Since I’m from New York, I’ve always loved the city and knew I wanted to be part of the fashion community here,” added Vazzana. “Every city is so different and has its own style. In New York, it’s very eclectic and anything really goes when it comes to the style which I love.” New York is also a major source of inspiration. Vazzana incorporates
From there, Vazzana’s hands only delved deeper into the Manhattan fashion scene. “About a year ago,” she explained, “I started thinking of ways I could grow my brand and connect my audience in a new and exciting way. I knew a podcast would be the perfect fit.” It’s through her expansion across the Internet that the heart of Vazzana’s fashion influence image grows. With paid partnerships on Instagram, TikTok reels and constant coverage at major fashion events to share on the podcast, Vazzana embodies the way the term “fashion blogging” has changed over the years. “There’s a lot of prep and planning behind the scenes that has to happen to make everything come together,” Vazzana said. “It’s funny because only a small percentage of my time is very glamorous at events. The majority of the time I’m alone in my closet in a fuzzy robe or pajamas editing and answering emails.” Collaborating with brands is another way Vazzana’s audience consumes stories through fashion. For Vazzana, brand partnerships involve a working relationship where she gets to flaunt her favorite pieces while cultivating awareness of the brand through her following. Some brands who have partnered with Vazzana include Longchamp, Missoni, Christian Louboutin, Ferragamo, MSGM and many others. “[It involves] creating photos or video content to share across my channels or creating content to live on their [the brands’] platforms,” shared Vazzana. “Every collaboration looks different, but I do my best to put my own personal touch on everything.”
46 | FM November/December 2023
Photo courtesy of Vincenzo Dimino
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