Have you ever found yourself excited about an essay-style exam while everyone else was complaining about all the writing? Refinery29’s senior fashion market editor and Instagram’s resident cool-girl Alyssa Coscarelli was in the same position all throughout high school and college. But she didn’t realize you could mold a passion for writing with a love for fashion into a thriving career until she took on an editorial internship (which eventually became her current job) at Refinery29 during her senior year of college.
“There’s no linear path in a fashion career. There’s so many different zigzags and curveballs. … You don’t really know what you’re going to be doing, and that’s kind of exciting for me,” Alyssa told College Fashionista. Her ability to adapt quickly to the ever-changing world of fashion is one of the many reasons she’s been so successful in what she does, but it’s also her genuine love for the work. She walks into the office every day with a smile on her face and the determination to take on whatever excitement awaits at her desk. From spending hours on email to getting manicures with PR representatives, Alyssa leads the busy life we all aspire to live.
“I was never chasing money; I was never chasing quasi fame; I was never chasing a certain title.”
But how did she get here in four short years? “I was never chasing money; I was never chasing quasi fame; I was never chasing a certain title,” she explained. “I think I just really cared about the work I was doing and felt passionate about it. I think that shows for itself.”
It’s with that level of passion and genuine work ethic that she’s developed a pretty impressive network of friends, co-workers, and recognition in the industry. She’s a firm believer that the best way to make your work stand out among the hundreds of thousands of other people in your industry is by applying a competitive edge to anything and everything you touch. (Hint, hint: Having a personal blog can be way more helpful for your future than you may think.)
Alyssa has learned firsthand about the space where fashion meets editorial, so who better to look to for advice? Interested in getting some insider’s advice on how to land an internship, keep up relationships with brands, and make yourself the best you can be in any field you’re working in? Listen into our conversation with Alyssa on iTunes. It’s an episode you won’t want to miss.
