Taylor Ward
University of Delaware
I started my time at the University of Delaware as a Psychology major. Quickly into my first semester I realized that as much as I enjoyed the topic it simply did not have the creativity I was craving. A relative of mine a couple years older had recently graduated with a degree in Fashion Merchandising and Management and she absolutely loved it so I reached out to hear more, I instantly knew it was the major for me. While studying Fashion Merchandising and Management I have had three favorite courses- FASH490: Strategic Fashion Management, Seminar on Fashion and Sustainability, and FASH214: Fashion Ancient World to 1600s. It was from these courses that I grew a greater appreciation for sustainability in the fashion industry. As much as I feel there are efforts to be made, the concept of sustainability in fashion is a difficult and continuous task.
My resume gives an idea of the experience I have in various areas; jobs, internships, volunteer work. I want to talk about what those experiences meant to me. My jobs in high school; babysitting, coaching/reffing, daycare, and a grocery store all gave me a better understanding of customer service. Just how important your service is to consumers. All my volunteer work showed me how to help others, ask for help myself, and to take joy in the good that philanthropy does. College experience working at the National 5&10 and interning with EmJohn Jewelry gave me more experience in retail and fashion. My internships abroad during Fashion Week at Elie Saab, YaraShoeMaker, and Sean Suen gave me firsthand luxury sales and assistant experience.Working with Anthropologie has given me first hand experience in Visual Merchandising and product placement. I have gotten to work with a tenured Visual Merchandising Manager at Anthropologie, picking her brain and learning crucial training tips. I have learned much more about visual merchandising, marketing in both a physical and digital aspect, and promoting products. These roles have tailored my experience in the fashion industry and has truly put different positions in the industry into perspective and helped me realize where I want to go.