Lauren Mandel: An Intern’s Summation at Patricia...

Lauren Mandel: An Intern’s Summation at Patricia Field

After my first year at college I knew that I wanted my summer to consist of opportunities to apply what I had learned in my classes and organizations as well as test my abilities in “the real world.” When I learned that I would be interning at Patricia Field for Ingrid Nilsen in PR I could not have been more excited! This was one of my first looks into the fashion world and I will leave with more knowledge than I could have ever imagined.

The internship started about four weeks ago at 302 Bowery, the store’s old location. The company was in the midst of planning three huge events: The Moving Sale at INA NOHO, the first day of business in the new location (306 Bowery/298 Elizabeth Street), and finally the exciting Grand Opening Party! All three of these events happened within two days and it was my job to help make sure everything went as smoothly as possible. This included everything from working with excel spreadsheets for our party invitations and RSVP lists, sorting through press clippings, assistant managing social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr, working in Photoshop, sending promotional email blasts from the store, to helping pack and move the office into its new location.

It was a lot of exciting work in many hurry up and wait situations. There were deadlines to meet and lots of coffee to be fetched, but overall the experience was incredible and rewarding. Commuting into the city five days a week I can finally sympathize with my dad who has complained for years about the horrendous commute with trains breaking down and subways running late. It is crazy to think that in three years (if I’m lucky enough in this economy) this kind of schedule will be my life!

I loved that as an intern at Patricia Field I was not sheltered from stressful situations at crunch time. Instead, I was truly involved. Along with the entire company I helped prepare the store hours before its’ opening, created a master guest list for the party, watched The New York Post photograph Patricia Field, and even werked the door at our grand opening event!

I want to thank everyone at Patricia Field for this amazing experience! Before I leave I have some serious shopping to do! You see working in the office I see almost every clothing piece before it is hung up in the store and believe me each piece is more tempting than the next!

xo Lauren