Hello fashion fiends! My name is Leslie Sullivan I am 19-years-old and studying at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York. I am majoring in fashion merchandising with minors in business and magazine journalism. With that being said, my goal for the future is to make my way into the fashion industry. I believe that by studying not only fashion merchandising, but also business and journalism, I will have all aspects of the fashion industry covered in one-way or another.
My ambition in life has always been doing what I love. When I see an opportunity arise I take it with arms wide open. This is my first time working with CollegeFashionista as a Style Guru. I had always admired the college students featured on CollegeFashionista and was extremely impressed with the writing styles of the Style Gurus. Being able to partake in this internship is extremely exciting and something I cannot wait to begin.
Although this is my first time interning as a Style Guru, my experience with the fashion industry is profound. I had my first big opportunity when I worked as a greeter for the infamous Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. I was also fortunate enough to have been invited as a guest to the showing of Carolina Herrera’s Fall 2012 collection. Celebrities present included Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, W editor Stefano Tonchi and Renée Zellweger. Along with that I also worked as a dresser for the Marist College Silver Needle Fashion Show. This all resulted in a great understanding of how the fashion industry works on all levels.
I grew up in a small town in northern New Jersey, only 40 minutes from Manhattan. I was raised in a creative household. My parents allowed my siblings and I to express creativity and imagination through toys, drawing and singing, but I chose to express myself through my clothing. From the moment I could walk to my closet and reach the hangers I would piece things together. Mind you, they were not color-coordinated and mainly consisted of several geometric shapes clashing into each other. But the outfit was my creation nonetheless and so, I wore it proud.
I believe having that independent jump-start to my young life is ultimately the reason why I have such a passion for fashion. I have always felt that your body is your canvas, to dress, and express, is painting that canvas. A different outfit channels a different mood, it kicks off a brand new day. The world is your oyster ladies and gentlemen; it is up to you to decide what you are going to do with it. So, style savvy students, lets be creative, trendsetters and take on the fashion world one post at a time.