The Internship Files: Day 7

I was running late this morning trying to beat that LA traffic. Not a great start to the day and then on top of it I spilled my coffee on my way in. But luckily nobody noticed how late I was and I was able to get straight to work finding Pantone chips for Design Options latest color book. The office was buzzing as we tried to fill all the orders from the LA textile show. I also worked on finding color matches for the new color palettes for next Fall. In our office thinking ahead means thinking a year or more in advance. I have definitely developed my forward looking skills here. I ran downstairs to bring back lunch and picked up a pastry for myself from the delicious Fashion Bistro run by two french women from Paris. Needless to say the pastry was delicious. I started working on updating the social media pages for DO when the owner Fran called a company meeting and invited me to the table. I was surprised to be asked to sit in on a meeting; I must be doing something right I guess. I took notes while they talked about sales and implementing a new shipping method. It was interesting to hear the business side of  trend forecasting and I definitely learned a lot. I'll be paying more attention in my Econ class from now on!

The Internship Files Day 6

Today at Design Options I headed over to the LA textile show first thing in the morning. The LA international Textile show is happening on the 13th floor of the CalMart all week this week. There are many exhibitors including international textile companies as well as trim and manufacturing companies. Design Options is at booth 801. The show was pretty slow in the morning but the owner of Design Options Fran Sude had a seminar at 11 am. hte seminar was great and well attended. Fran talked about the color palettes for Spring 2016 and showcased the new Design Options home books that are increasingly popular. I was really able to learn a lot about color forecasting. After the seminar our booth got  much busier and I helped out Leslie our sales rep wit talking to the customers and answering their questions. I was also in charge of taking pictures for Amy to post on social media. I documented the busy booth you can check out my pictures on the Design Options Facebook page here and on my Instagram account @CerisesduMatin ! In the afternoon I headed back down to design options office and helped organize the Pantome colors and worked on finding more names for next seasons color stories.

The internship files Day 5

My bags in the fashion show at Factory Direct

Today was a crazy day at FBI. This morning I helped prepare for the back to back seminars they had going for LA textile week. As I walked int he building this morning the place was already buzzing and people were browsing the textile displays in the lobby. When I tried to go up the escalator a guard stopped me and asked me for a badge. During LA textile week the building adds extra  security. Well being an intern, I didn't have a badge so, I had to explain at the front desk where I work. Ahh, the life of an intern. Next I had to head over to the factory direct tradeshow across the street at the NewMart building. I was in charge of manning the FBI booth at the tradeshow as well as helping with the fashion show they were sponsoring at 4;30. I quickly rushed over to get the booth all set up since FBI was short staffed and, I was the only one there. It was really fun to introduce the company to people and I ended up getting a few people to sign up on the email list as well! I also helped out with planning the fashion show and, got to show my original line of Sierra Clair accessories at the end of the show. I also got to mingle with the attendees of the show including the tradeshow organizer David. He also plays beach volleyball and it turns out we know some of the same people. While getting ready for the fashion show Parris the show coordinator did a photo shoot of my totes and t shirts on the models. I also helped time the show and directed the models when they should walk which was a great experience for me because I learned about the timing of a fashion show and the rhythm of the catwalk. Then at the end I had a few models show my bags and I even got to walk out on the runway at the end as a professional designer. I stayed for the after party to network and the showroom owner I met through FBI a few months ago got to see my bags on the runway and he really liked them. So all my hard work really paid off. Today was a long but great day! Check back to see what I'm up to tomorrow at the booth for Design Options at the LA textile show in the California Market Center.

The Intern Files: Day 3

Today at FBI I helped catch up on all the work after MAGIC. It was a crazy trip and there was lots to be followed up on. First I helped add all the new names to the email list. Then I went through and answered all of the missed emails we got while we were gone. I also helped organize all of the papers and business cards we took home from the show. I felt very accomplished at the end of the day when we were caught up on everything. The FBI fashion show during LA market week is coming up so check back next week for more info!