My FASHIONABLE Year in Review

This post is dedicated to my first complete year of Post-Graduate life. 
 I DID IT!
It’s hard to believe that this time last year, I received my Bachelor’s of Science degree in Retail with an emphasis in Fashion Merchandising from the University of South Carolina. Who knew what I would accomplish after I graduated college? I remember thinking, “What the heck am I going to do next?”after walking across that stage and receiving my diploma. Who knew I would land my ultimate dream job, visit my favorite city every few months of the year, and accomplish one of my dreams-  attending New York Fashion Week? If I went back and told the newly graduated Aya that I would be doing all of these things, I wouldn’t believe myself. I am very blessed and thankful for the opportunity I have been given, it’s been a great year and I look forward to more exciting possibilities to come! 
So let’s start from the very beginning. Take a look at what my journey consisted of this past year:
After I arrived back to the US from my Middle Eastern summer trip, I was so thrilled to be going to New York City with my two best friends as a graduation present: 

{me, Abir, and my sister Dania visiting Cake Boss}
{they surprised me by taking me to the Today Show to see Chris Brown perform! This is us and Tamron Hall taking a major #selfie}

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2 weeks after I took my vacation with my girls, I got to attend New York MARKET for the first time as a Buyer! 
Check out all of my fun showroom appearances: 
{previewing MILLY’s Spring 2014 collection & TIBI’s Spring 2014 collection}

{me previewing the LemLem Spring 2014 collection @ the Steven Alan Showroom}
{trying on a vest from SUNO’s Spring 2014 Collection}


{@ the Rag & Bone showroom wearing a denim Vest from their Spring 2014 JEAN Collection}

{one of my favorite pieces from VINCE’s Spring 2014 collection, @ their Coterie booth}

{viewing Lionette’s Spring ’14 jewelry collection & 3.1 Phillip Lim’s Spring ’14 accessory collection}



So, if you know me, you know that I love jewelry. & if you truly know me, you know that I am obsessed with DANNIJO. A couple of years ago, I attended Teen Vogue Fashion University in NYC and got to meet the DANNIJO girls in person. I told them that they would see me again one day in their showroom. I couldn’t have been more spot on because guess what I got to do… 

{me picking out the Spring 2014 assortment of jewelry for VanJean}

{my first time seeing the “Femme Bots” in the showroom… I died.}


Overall, my first Market Experience was a HUGE success. I got to visit showrooms I have only dreamed of seeing, and did an amazing buy for the Spring 2014 season. Truly blessed!

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Later in the year, I took a resort vacation with my family to a city I’ve never been to before… that city being MIAMI. Yeah, South Beach in December was freaking awesome: 
{during this trip, we got to meet basketball stars Lebron James & Paul George}

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AND THEN… I accomplished one of my dreams: 
Attended New York Fashion Week in February. 

{me at the White + Warren showroom previewing Fall 2014}
{at the SUNO Fall 2014 Runway show}

{had my sidekick (my sister) front row with me at shows like Rebecca Taylor & Tibi’s Fall ’14 Runway shows}


{Band of Outsiders Fall 2014 presentation}

{previewing DANNIJO’s Fall ’14 collection & By Malene Birger’s Fall ’14 collection in their showrooms}

{a fabulous representation of 3.1 Phillip Lim’s Fall ’14 collection in their showroom}

{@ the Band of Outsider’s showroom w/the cutest pug ever, “Perfect”}

{a ballerina performing at DANNIJO’s “BOXERina” presentation, wearing Fall’14 jewels}

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Other small victories, & “first times” for me: Saw Jay-Z in concert & visited New Orleans!

 
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I was gifted with another fabulous opportunity this year, all thanks to my uncle. He got me a position as a writer for a new Columbia based lifestyle magazine called DE AMOR Magazine, where I write about all things fashion related. I finally got to see my very first article published in the magazine, and to see my name & writing on print was a glorious feeling! Take a look: 
………
An extra special treat for me was when I heard that the Tibi team was coming to Charleston, South Carolina to put on a runway show featuring Summer & Pre-Fall 2014 pieces. Of course being an hour and a half away from Charleston, I had to attend! + I got to meet Tibi designer Amy Smilovic! 
………
{more showroom visits viewing some Holiday 2014 from BMB, & 3.1 Phillip Lim}

Overall, June 2013 – June 2014 has been absolutely amazing.
Again, I cannot say how truly blessed I feel for everything that has been given to me.
I believe the path that I am traveling on will become the gate way to my success, and this is only just the beginning. Thank you to all of my friends and most importantly, my family for supporting me as I soak in all of this experience and make my fashion dreams come true!

and now, I’m off to pack as I head to NYC Thursday for Resort Market! xoxo 

keep up with all of my future escapades… 

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9 Comments

  9. Yo go girl! Congratulations on every accomplishment and keep on going. It's exciting to see all those amazing moments captured in photos. Good luck on everything you do and continue to share with us.
    Rocks

    Reply

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