Introduction: Embracing Multi-Faceted Excellence
Step into the captivating world of Tori Olegario, a rising star in the NYC fashion scene. Through her diverse roles as a fashion blogger, model, stylist, and Advertising Marketing Communications student at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Tori breathes life into the industry with her unique perspective and unwavering passion.
- Key Takeaway: Cultivating diverse skills and roles can significantly enrich one’s career trajectory in the fashion industry.
Igniting a Fashion Flame: Early Beginnings and High School Success
From a young age, Tori’s passion for fashion burned brightly. Her remarkable journey began with a high school fashion blog, where she honed her unique style and earned recognition from esteemed publications like i-D magazine during the virtual Met Gala. This early success laid the foundation for her future ventures in the fashion world.
- Key Takeaway: Nurturing and developing passions from an early age can pave the way for recognition and opportunities within the fashion industry.
Navigating the NYC Fashion Scene: Proactive Networking and Seizing Opportunities
Upon arriving in the bustling fashion capital of New York City, Tori eagerly embraced the myriad opportunities it offered. Demonstrating her proactive nature, she took the initiative to reach out to every designer on the New York Fashion Week schedule, positioning herself at the forefront of the industry. This fearless approach to networking allowed her to establish connections with key players and paved the way for exciting collaborations.
- Key Takeaway: Proactive networking and seizing opportunities are instrumental in establishing a presence in the competitive NYC fashion scene.
The Styling Savant: Assisting Celebrity Stylist Timothy Luke
In addition to her other roles, Tori’s experience as a stylist, including volunteering as an assistant to celebrity stylist Timothy Luke, has further shaped her fashion journey. Working alongside Luke provided her with invaluable hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the industry. This exposure to the intricacies of fashion styling allowed Tori to refine her skills and develop a keen eye for curating compelling looks.
- Key Takeaway: Gaining experience under the guidance of industry professionals offers valuable insights and enhances one’s skill set.
Collaboration Chronicles: Primadonna and the Power of Collective Creativity
Tori’s collaboration with Primadonna, a magazine driven by Gen Z creatives, stands as a testament to her visionary approach. This collaborative effort showcased the immense potential of young minds balancing academic pursuits while contributing fresh and innovative narratives to the fashion industry. Tori’s involvement with Primadonna not only provided her with an opportunity to share her expertise but also offered a platform for her to connect with like-minded individuals and explore new avenues of creativity.
- Key Takeaway: Collaborating with like-minded individuals opens doors to inspiring and career-defining experiences, fostering growth and pushing creative boundaries.
Shaping the Future: Sustainability and Individuality in Fashion
As a forward-thinking fashion enthusiast, Tori envisions the future of the NYC fashion industry rooted in sustainability and individuality. Recognizing the growing trend among Gen Z consumers who prefer thrifted outfits, she emphasizes the importance of embracing sustainable practices and encouraging personalized fashion narratives. Tori’s vision aligns with the changing landscape of the industry, where sustainability and individuality have become significant driving forces.
- Key Takeaway: Sustainability and individuality are key influences driving the future of the fashion industry, reflecting changing consumer preferences and values.
Recognized by Industry Titans: Coach Invitation and Milestone Achievements
One of Tori’s notable achievements includes receiving an invitation from renowned fashion house Coach to review their upcoming collections. This recognition from a prominent industry player validates her talent, dedication, and contributions to the fashion landscape. Tori’s ability to capture attention and make an impact within the industry is a testament to her creative prowess and unwavering commitment to her craft.
- Key Takeaway: Recognition from industry leaders can open doors to new opportunities and reinforce one’s position in the fashion industry.
Crafting a Personal Style: Navigating Trends with Authenticity
Tori’s approach to fashion trends centers on staying true to her individual style. She emphasizes the importance of incorporating trends that align with her personal aesthetic, showcasing a distinct voice within the ever-evolving fashion world. By embracing her authentic self, Tori has carved out a unique space in the industry, garnering recognition for her bold and innovative approach to fashion.
- Key Takeaway: Navigating trends while maintaining authenticity allows for the development of a unique fashion identity and sets one apart in the industry.
Nurturing a Supportive Network: Fueling Growth and Inspiration
Throughout her journey, Tori has cultivated meaningful connections within the fashion community. These supportive relationships, including friendships with industry professionals, have played a pivotal role in her personal and professional growth. They have provided guidance, inspiration, and opportunities for collaboration, reaffirming the power of building a strong network within the fashion industry.
- Key Takeaway: Building a supportive network fuels personal and professional growth, offering guidance, inspiration, and collaborative opportunities.
Conclusion: A Journey of Tenacity and Creativity
Tori Olegario’s journey in the NYC fashion scene paints a vibrant picture of passion, creativity, and resilience. From her early beginnings as a fashion blogger to her current roles as a model, stylist, and student, Tori has consistently pushed boundaries and made her mark in the industry. Her unwavering commitment to her craft, proactive networking, and fearless approach to embracing opportunities have propelled her career to new heights.
As Tori looks towards the future, she remains committed to promoting sustainability and individuality within the fashion industry. Her visionary perspective and innovative mindset make her a force to be reckoned with, shaping the narrative of fashion in NYC and beyond.
Tori Olegario’s journey serves as an inspiring guide for aspiring fashion enthusiasts, highlighting the importance of nurturing passions, embracing opportunities, and building a supportive network. Through her dedication and creative prowess, Tori continues to create waves in the NYC fashion scene, leaving an indelible mark on the industry she loves.
Full Interview
- Could you please introduce yourself and describe your role in the fashion industry?
- Hi! My name is Tori Olegario and I’m a 19 year old fashion student at the Fashion Institute of Technology. I just finished my associates in Fashion Business Management, and I’m currently working towards a bachelors in Advertising Marketing Communications with a minor in Ethics and Sustainability. Besides fashion school, I run a small fashion blog that has allowed me to work with companies such as Coach and Tory Burch, and I also model. I was previously signed to an agency in my hometown, Pittsburgh, for two years and I currently do freelance in NYC as I search for a mother agency to represent me.
- How did you first become involved in fashion? What sparked your interest?
- Fashion has always been a part of my life. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t infatuated by it. My mom said when she used to bring me into fitting rooms at stores I would give her outfit either a thumbs up or a thumbs down—even baby me was a fashion critic.
- Can you share a bit about your journey in the fashion world and how it has led you to where you are now?
- I’ve had my fashion blog since 2017, though at the time it was more of a high school hobby, so the only notable achievement I can think of during that period is being featured on i-D magazine’s website for an article about the virtual met gala during quarantine. I feel as if my career started taking off once I moved to NYC for college. It’s one of the top fashion cities in the whole world so as long as you network and reach out to the right people, you’ll have opportunities rolling in. I remember for my first fashion week I spent hours at my laptop emailing almost every designer on the official NYFW schedule. Obviously not everyone is going to get back to you, but you never know who will. You have to adopt a “closed mouths don’t get fed” mentality.
- What does a typical day look like for you? How do you balance your professional and personal life?
- I don’t really have a routine unless I have school that day—cause then my day is just going to school, hanging out on campus, and going home but that’s not very interesting. I like exploring the city. I tend to gravitate going somewhere new rather than frequenting the same spots. I feel like this city has too much to offer to not want to experience everything. If anything I feel like I don’t have enough time to experience everything. As for balance, I make sure I write down everything in my calendar app so I know exactly where I need to be at what time, and that way I can also schedule when to have time for self care. It’s so important to regularly take care of yourself otherwise you’ll burn out quickly.
- Can you tell us about a particularly memorable collaboration or project you’ve worked on with other creatives in the New York City fashion scene?
- My friend runs a magazine called Primadonna. It’s a publication run solely by Gen Z and it’s really inspiring because most, if not all, of the people running and working on it are in college so it’s amazing to see how they are able to create something so great at such a young age with little experience. It’s also not easy to balance school and work life especially with the workload some majors get.
- How has the fashion community in New York City influenced and supported your work?
- Being surrounded by the most interesting and creative people I have ever met definitely fuels my own creativity and gives me motivation to strive towards things that previously seemed out of reach. The friends I’ve made here are so supportive. Everyone always hypes each other up even if it’s just a small project. I couldn’t ask for anything better.
- Can you share any stories about mentors or role models who have helped shape your career in fashion?
- I used to volunteer assist a celebrity stylist named Timothy Luke. My time with him gave me a lot of insight into the career. I had not been able to learn as much as I wanted to in my styling class that I took at school—the career is best learned through hands-on experience rather than textbook lectures, so I’m very grateful I got to learn about everything firsthand. Even though I no longer want to pursue styling as a career, I feel like I’ve learned things I can carry into other fields.
- How do you see the fashion industry in New York City evolving and what role do you hope to play in shaping its future?
- I see the fashion industry becoming more unique and individualized. Gen Z is known to thrift outfits rather than purchasing at retail stores, and that gives an outfit a unique flair that you can’t get from mass produced clothing. I also see the industry moving towards more sustainable practices—sustainable materials, ethical production practices, less seasons/collections in a year.
- Can you tell us about any upcoming projects or collaborations that you’re excited about?
- I honestly don’t think I have any upcoming projects, but I’m currently in the process of applying to mother agencies so fingers crossed I have some good news regarding that soon!
- Can you tell us about any particularly memorable fashion events or shows you’ve attended or participated in in New York City?
- So far I think my most memorable fashion show was the Coach SS23 show. It was the first show I attended as a guest, and for my first show to be such a great brand is insane to me. I’m so grateful for their team. They’re truly the kindest people.
- How do you stay connected and engaged with the fashion community in New York City?
- Most of my friends are in the fashion industry so I guess it just naturally happens. I’m always meeting new people and staying active on social media.
- Can you share any stories about a unique opportunity you’ve received in your career in fashion?
- I’m not sure to what extent I’m allowed to speak about this, but a few months ago I was invited to the Coach office, along with a few other fashion bloggers, to review and give feedback on their future collections. I’ve never done anything like that before and it was so exciting to get a sneak peek of what’s upcoming.
- How do you balance staying true to your own creative vision with staying relevant and current in the fast-paced world of fashion?
- I don’t conform to every single micro trend that appears just for the sake of being “cool and trendy”. If I like something, I find a way to incorporate it into my own personal style. I get inspiration and research things that I’m personally interested in rather than whatever is most popular at the time.
- Can you tell us about any particularly meaningful interactions or connections you’ve made through your work in fashion?
- This is going to sound so cheesy but my friends are the most meaningful connections I’ve made. Growing up in a predominantly white suburb, I never thought I would find a group of people who make me feel like I belong rather than an outsider.
