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UEL students get a bite of the apple at New York Fashion Week

Friday 22 February 2013

New York Fashion Week students

Three UEL students have had the experience of a lifetime working backstage at New York Fashion Week for the world renowned fashion house, BCBGMAXAZRIA Group.

Final year students Alice Mercer, Stacey Millard and Amie Murphy worked with prestigious brands Herve Leger and BCBGMAXAZRIA behind the scenes to help create the two New York Fashion Week runway shows which were held at the Lincoln Center in Manhattan this February.

The students acquired hands on experience and worked closely alongside Chief Creative Officer Lubov Azria and her right hand man, fashion editor and stylist Christiaan F. Gunther, to assist with model castings, fittings and styling of each look for both shows of the Fall 2013 season. Additionally, they worked closely with the social media and PR team in Times Square assembling outfits for celebrities such as Selena Gomez, J Lo and Beyonce, as well as for Vogue and Marie Claire photoshoots.

Alice Mercer said, “My highlight was having the opportunity to attend both Runway show briefings from Lubov Azria in which she briefed the creative team on the inspiration and creative direction behind the collections for the shows. Lubov and Christiaan amazed me continuously with their personable approach to all of the team, from the top designers and models, right down to the interns. To have been chosen to be a small part of something so creative and inspiring, and to see first hand how industry experts handle an event like this that is followed by millions globally, was truly an experience I shall hold with me forever. ”

Amie Murphy said, “Manhattan is one of my favourite cities and it has always been a dream of mine to work behind the scenes at Fashion Week. The experience gained during my two week internship is priceless, and having the opportunity to work alongside inspiring industry professionals Lubov Azria, Christiaan F. Gunther and the amazing team at BCBG is something I will never forget.”

Stacey Millard said, “Working for BCBG for New York Fashion Week was one of the biggest highlights of my professional working life. It was a privilege to be a part of the 2013 Fall collection as well as share the experience with the inspirational Lubov Azria and dedicated team at both the New York and LA Offices. It has encouraged me to dream big for the future and persue a career internationally. I am very grateful to have embarked on such an amazing adventure. I’m ready for the next one!"

Jennifer Otter Bickerdike, Senior Lecturer and Program Leader of Art and Culture Management at UEL says,

 “These students have proved exemplary in their dedication to bettering not only themselves but the entire events programme. After the initial internships were set up, the students took their own initiative to pursue funding through the UEL Going Global bursary and liaised directly with the BCBG staff in New York to make their dreams a reality. Hopefully this will inspire other students to Go Global when seeking industry placements. ”

The UEL Going Global Scheme was launched in 2012 as an exciting new programme aimed to encourage UK students to take part in short visits abroad, related to their programme of study.

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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