TRANSCENDING TRENDS By Christina Monteleone
Jayne Jamison
Gina Hussar
Happy Valley
Want to make it in the competitive fashion industry? Kimberly Valarezo got the scoop straight from former Nittany Lions turned full-fledged magazine fashionistas.
www.valleymagazinepsu.com
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FASHION CITY
If the advertising and marketing side is more your forte, then reach out to Jayne Jamison, class of 1978. She has worked at magazines like Family Circle, Child and Redbook and now is vice president/publisher of Seventeen magazine, “the iconic brand in the teen space.” While at Penn State, Jamison worked on the Daily Collegian in classified advertising sales. Her highlight was “placing an ad for the Nittany Lion himself.” Although she now perches high atop the Hearst Tower, Jamison still connects as much as possible to Penn State. “I have served on the Board of Visitors, come back to teach classes and always have summer interns from Penn State,” she says. “Charlotte Miller, who graduated in May and interned last summer, just got hired as a sales assistant at Seventeen! Having Penn State grads on my team keeps me very connected.” Jamison is proof that no matter your niche, you can find a Penn Stater willing to lend a helping hand and give great advice. “For those of you who are able to live in a NYC dorm during the summer, come to the big city and get some good work experience and make important contacts,” she suggests. “It’s a great trial run to see if you are cut out for the fashion capital of the U.S.A.”
Fall 2012
For some students, there isn’t a magazine that would be the right fit. Consider starting your own magazine, like Penn State alumna Gina Hussar. She is the founder and editorin-chief of Front Row Monthly, a quirky online magazine covering all things fashion world wide. While at Penn State, Hussar was heavily involved with Penn State Thespians and theater as a performer, costume designer and choreographer, which taught her how to work her way up. “If you want to get somewhere in any industry, you have to be willing to give your all, no matter the task,” Hussar says. “I try to communicate this to the staff all the time. We need ditch diggers as much as we need people to represent us on the red carpet.” Her willingness to do anything is what makes her a successful resource for any Penn Stater trying to break into fashion. “There are thousands of people looking to work in the fashion industry and very few ‘good’ jobs,” she says. Clearly a fashion dream job is not out of reach. Whether it’s becoming a market editor or working on the advertising side of magazines, one thing is for certain: intern, intern, intern!
Photos from contributors
Dream of having a corner office in a high fashion magazine but not sure how to make it happen? Penn State’s vast alumni network has the answer, with three outstanding alumni who now proudly say they’ve “made it” big in fashion. Meet Bryn Poulos, Penn State class of 2007, Philadelphia-native and most recently, associate accessories editor for Marie Claire magazine. Having interned at Elle and held an assistant role at Salvatore Ferragamo before her current job, it’s easy to see how this Penn Stater succeeded in the fashion industry. “Penn State is very far removed from New York City so I would say internships were definitely my main connection to fashion,” Poulos says. “My best advice is to intern as much as possible and to the best of your ability. Make your internships your top priority.” Since graduating, this Penn State alumna traded in tights and UGG boots for more fashion forward designers, such as Valentino and Giuseppe Zanotti, and her days are spent in and out of appointments with jewelry designers where she picks the accessories to feature on the pages of the Marie Claire magazine. 52
Bryn Poulos
Photos by Jenn Nagel
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Not ready to toss your colored jeans and white blazers into winter storage? No worries, tweaking trends for the upcoming season will be hassle-free! Keep some of your favorite summer pieces in your closet. Consider these tricks. A splash of neon is still stylish, whether a bright neon bag or pumps, these eye-catching accents can be worn beyond summer. Pair with a maxi dress, chunky sweater and dark leggings, or with contrasting colored jeans and a statement leather jacket. Floral pants are another summery look that transition easily into the fall and winter. Pair them with edgy booties or wedges, instead of flats, and don a scarf to make these pants a keeper. You will also enjoy this season’s
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FLIRTY IN FLORAL
Don’t miss out on floral patterns during these upcoming chilly months. These floral leggings can be dressed up or down with slipper flats, wedges or pointed, closed-toe heels.
printed pants with stripes, stars and animal print. Valley checked with Urban Outfitters employees for input on fall’s hottest looks. “I love the patterned denim look,” manager, Anne Menoher says. “Pattern on pattern is a bold statement and a must have.” Other trends to keep include: peterpan collar, lace-detailing and even white, in small doses. “I wear a lot of metallics and that’s another trend carrying over into the fall,” says Phil Young, Urban Outfitters employee. “ I love white, cream and eggshell for all year around.” If you’re not sure how to blend seasonal trends, here’s how to pull it off:
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JEANS FOR EVERYONE
Colored jeans are still in, as long as you wear deeper shades. Try pairing forest green jeans with jewel tones, neutrals or a touch of gold accents.
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BRIGHT BASICS
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WORKING IN WHITE
Wear neon paired with neutrals such as gray, black and brown. These brown booties add the perfect edgy touch. You don’t want to be wearing head-to-toe color.
New season. New trends. Same classic white! Wearing white past summer is usually a fashion no-no, but this season, crisp white blazers are still trendy when paired with black leather pants, studded accents, sequins and plenty of metallic! 53