Vanessa Centorami developed her entrepreneurship skills, as she launched her own clothing brand, ICYY.
Why did you choose this internship?
I chose to launch my own clothing brand, ICYY, because this has been my dream since the beginning. For as long as I can remember, I always had a passion and interest in streetwear, sneakers, and more. Prior to choosing this internship, I took courses such as Society, Culture & Fashion and Social Media & Ourselves which motivated me to build a brand identity that focuses on being yourself and expressing yourself however feels right to YOU.
While every step was exciting for me, my favorite part of the internship was finding solutions for any business problems I ran into. It was tough playing multiple roles as the designer, merchandise orderer, product manager, photographer and much more but once things started running smoother and smoother there was no better feeling.
How has your internship experience influenced your plans for your future?
I am now a full time brand owner, committed to inspiring others to dress however feels right. My plans after this experience are to continue learning and prospering in the fashion industry. I felt great when I realized I made thousands of dollars in sales because it meant people really loved what I was creating. I enjoyed every step of the way, watching my customer count expand as well as my subscribers for the newsletter. It meant the world to me, seeing others get excited about what was coming next.
What advice do you have for other students as they search for or begin their internship?
My advice for students is to ask questions, and if an internship doesn’t speak to you, don’t settle. Find the perfect one. You only have one life, do what you’re most passionate about!