Eller at New York Fashion Week
Neal McGinnis '25 Finance visited New York Fashion Week
Neal McGinnis '25 Finance was selected to represent U of A and go behind the scenes at New York Fashion Week
When I first came to the University of Arizona and the Eller College of Management I had my eyes set on finance in New York. With my interest in markets, mergers, and corporate finance I set out in pursuit of Wall Street. Well, this Spring semester I got there, right on Wall Street, only, I was there to watch a fashion show!
Fashion interest: I have always been interested in personal style and fashion. I just never thought of it as a career avenue. Dr. Kaye’s history of French and Italian Fashion gen-ed course changed everything. I learned about the history of fashion and just how much business was involved, from taxes on textiles in 16th century France to Italian fashion production in the post-WWII industrial boom. Here I was fascinated by finance, and fashion had so much of it, plus design and style too.
New York: Having never been to New York I was so excited to experience this city at the epicenter of finance and fashion. Meeting 28 other students from across the country that all had the same passion for the fashion industry that I did was great. We all approached fashion from different areas. Some students were focused on design, while others were focused on supply chains, or marketing, we shared ideas on everything from sewing needles to sales spreadsheets. We packed so many fashion events into just a few days:
The Blonds fashion show was a highlight of the trip
- Times Square photo shoot: in the middle of all of its lights and people and energy, we did a college pride photo shoot, taking individual and group photos to represent the universities that sent us to this awesome event in this awesome city.
- Fashion visits: at Aviator Nation we learned how they build their brand image in store and the way they showcase that brand through different merchandising techniques. We got up close and personal with embroidery production at Klein Designs in Brooklyn. The city was so buzzing with fashion that on our lunch break between company visits we ran into designers on the streets preparing for fashion shows.
- At the NYFW Backstage event we met more designers, plus hair and makeup stylists, photographers, models, and more. Bruce and Glen were even doing a “glow up” event for a few lucky customers. It was great to see all the work done by a wide array of professionals that goes into producing fashion shows.
- The WME group industry panel: we learned about different careers ranging from show production, to talent management, to creative design, learning from professionals in the industry about how they achieve success in their careers.
Of all these amazing events I must say that seeing The Blonds runway show in person in the Fidi Banking Hall on Wall Street was the highlight of the whole trip. It was all the better because I had seen so much behind the scenes work that makes the show a success. Having that insight into the industry gave me the ability to appreciate the show even more. To be at the runway show in person as The Blonds brand showcased to the world for the very first time their upcoming collection of exquisite dresses was a priceless moment.
Neal and fellow U of A participant, Magnolia, in Times Square
Eller Impact: Getting to the U of NYFW events was not easy. The application process, which is open to all majors, requires a personal mission statement, letters of recommendation, and a design challenge where students present their ideas and business plans to a panel of judges. I brought together all the different areas of business learning I have gained during my time at Eller including identifying target customers, planning pricing financials, and feeling comfortable presenting my business ideas to a large audience.
With gratitude: I am very grateful to the University of Arizona and the U of NYFW for this opportunity to expand my career in the business of fashion. I learned from fashion professionals in many different lines of business as they shared career and industry advice. I experienced fashion week live in one of the fashion capitals of the world, highlighted by seats at The Blonds runway show on Wall Street. I was able to represent the University of Arizona in a Times Square photo shoot. I made connections with fellow early career fashion business students like myself. I will cherish my memories of this event. Thank you University of Arizona, Eller, Norton, and the U of NYFW.
See more photos and details: @realnealfashion on Instagram