One of the most amazing days was planned for us today and even with rain once again, we all dressed up in the best professional and chic outfits we had to visit the Vogue Italia offices. As we walked off the metro and crossed the street the building looked like any other, but we all knew the magic that was made behind the mysterious walls. After waiting in the lobby for the first group to finish their tour, my group was excited to head up. We took the stairs up what seemed like thousands of flights and ended in the Vogue Italia offices, above the offices of Italian Vanity Fair. Out of breath and more excited than ever, we met with Fashion Editor Sara Maino. I thought everyone would be dressed up in heels and running around with deadlines approaching, however everyone was relaxed. They were chic in jeans and flats and working hard at creating amazing layouts, articles, and trend reports. Vogue Italia tends to be one of the most secretive magazines as they only have four people working in the Fashion Department, only one to two interns for only three to six month periods, and each person that works there has to know all hats. With it being as secretive as it is, when Sara brought us into Editor in Chief Franca Sozzani’s office I almost dropped! It was amazing with piles of papers and magazines, and designer labels everywhere. To be able to say “I was in Franca Sozzani’s office” is incredible and definitely something that not a lot of people will be able to say.
Sara Maino has been working in the industry for about 15 years and I asked her where she thought Vogue Italia would be in the future. She thought they were already moving towards the future in the past five years with different exhibitions and events. They have come up with a “Who’s On Next” award that is given to a minimal distribution designer out of Italy that they think is fresh. They have also moved away from the glamour of the fashion industry and are striving to show more of the realistic side by having issues and articles that discuss topics such as rehab or curvy models.
Later in the day we were able to attend a photo shoot and attend a Tommy Hilfiger launch party. I felt like we were all over the city with feet hurting but still a fun experience. As I sat down tonight and thought about my day, something that Sara had said stuck with me; she said you have to love what you do and if it wasn’t exciting to her anymore, she would need to get a new job. Everything about today was exciting and of course there will be hard times or feet hurting to push through, but as long as you can push through because it’s exciting and your ready for the next thing, you are in the right place.
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| Board in Franca Sozzani's office |
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| Walls of Vogue Italia's office of Covers |
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| Editor in Chief of Vogue Italia, Franca Suzzani's desk |
