Dear Passengers and Sunshines,
I have been mulling over the best way to relay this journal entry, and I couldn’t help but wonder, how can I best relay my entire experience from Milano Unica? Anyways, I came to the conclusion that the best way to begin any story is to begin at the beginning. This story, however has a few chapters, if you will, so let’s turn the page to the small introduction.
INTRODUCTION
In short, for those of you who are joining us for the first time, I have been in love with fashion for as long as I can remember. If you were to tell me a few years ago that I would be studying in Milan, where I am continuing my internship with a company that has been incredibly transitional and inspirational in my career, I would never believe you. So, that is the beginning, but let me introduce you to the beginning of this story.
First, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Morgan Shine, and I am an intern at A.L.C. LTD, studying at the University of Southern California. Currently, I am studying in Milan, Italy on a semester abroad. Now enough about me, let me dive into an experience that completely changed my life. Perhaps, reading this, you are inclined to take that sentence as a cliche, but I urge you to read on, because I am on way exaggerating.
CHAPTER 1: Nice to Meet You, Jen!
I first was formally introduced to Jen this year, about four months ago. Our introduction was catalyzed into a mentorship after I told her that I could help her with a few of her projects in the days I had time off from school. Immediately afterwards, I was thrown into the fabric world. Let me clarify, I was thrown into Jen's fabric world, which, if you know Jen, is an incredibly well-organized version of the world that is the foundation, the backbone, of the fashion industry. At the time, I was eager to learn, and Jen was more than willing to teach me, answering every question I had, none to small. Today, I can confidently say, I am even more eager to learn than I was at the beginning of this journey.
CHAPTER 2: The Fabric
In plain terms, there quite literally is NO fashion without fabric. No, I am not exaggerating. If you think about it, the clothes we wear every day are created because someone like Jen, a fabric director if you will, took the time to educate herself in a field so incredibly intricate. The fabric director then takes her skills and carefully hand selects each individual fabric, which before her, was hand crafted by vendors and mills for customers like you and me.
Is that it? Absolutely not, however this is just a very simple overview of the process that I was able to experience first hand.
So, with a longtime interest in fashion, and a recent sparked interest in deepening my understanding of fabrics, Jen invited me to “assist” her at Milano Unica when she found out that I was studying in Milan. Now, to clarify, I say “assist” because my knowledge of in the world of fabric cannot even be classified as advanced as a beginner.
However, that is besides the point. We are here so that I can tell you about my experience, from fresh eyes in the fabric industry —
CHAPTER 3: Milano Unica
Milano Unica is an event brought to live by entrepreneurs. They offer “international visibility tot he world of textiles in a highly qualified context" to fabric buyers and brands around the world (Milano Unica). A meeting place for professionals, buyers and artisans, all over the world, offering a highly professional environment that showcases “Italian style both in hospitality and taste" (Milano Unica).
CHAPTER 4: My Milano Unica Experience
After my intensive Italian class, I found myself taking the Rho Fierra train to the Milano Unica show, where I was immediately in awe. Hundreds of people made their way up two flights of stairs, through security, and down a 0.2 mile walk to the doors of Milano Unica. Behind the double doors, fabric buyers and vendors were scanned into the show. As I made my way through the turn stile, my jaw dropped. I am not sure that any amount of research could have prepared me for what I was about to experience.
I was ushered into the fabric trend research section, where I messaged Jen, telling her that I had arrived. My jaw was on the floor. Hundreds of people were amongst the trends that were up next for the Spring 2025 season. Standing in the trend section, I learned about the types of fabrics and components were popular for the season to come.
I received a message from Jen with the vendor she was at. I opened the map and was immediately overwhelmed, in the best way possible. Four different massive warehouses were all linked together by long extending hallways that guided individuals in and out of different vending areas, creating the convention center that held Milano Unica.
To say that there are thousands of different mills would be an understatement. I was absolutely taken aback by how many different vendors showed up to Milano Unica.
When I found Jen, she was in a meeting. I immediately put down my things and began helping her pick fabrics that would be sent to A.L.C. for the creation of Spring 25 season. I asked Jen if there was anything I should look for specifically. She responded, saying let the fabric speak to you. Find something emotional, something different, and pull it.
Honesty is my best policy, so I would be lying if I told you that I was not intimidated by the process. Four months ago I had never held a fabric swatch, now I was picking them for the season to come? Between all of the meetings and appointments, we picked what felt like a at least fifty fabrics per sitting. So, imagine the sheer amount of fabrics that we saw and did not choose. For someone with very limited experience in teh fabric industry, I foudn this opportunity incredible. Jen could not be a better mentor. She encouraged me to trust my gut and choose fabrics. She prompted me to ask questions, to capture photos, to take notes, about everything.
CHAPTER 5: The End, For Now
Perhaps you finished this journal entry, and you are staring at your phone thinking, is she totally geeking out over fabric? Um, yes, yes I am. You know that scene in the Devil Wears Prada? Let me tell you, it's not just fabric, but it is a carefully selected swatch that was chosen to relay a message to the customer. For me, someone who could not be more in love with fashion if I tried, experiencing Milano Unica was an experience of a lifetime, one that I am incredibly grateful for, and that I will cherish forever.
have a lovely day my sunshines and passengers.
xx,
sunshine
Commentaires