Inside LIM Fashion Academy: A Week of Style, Discovery, and Experiencing NYC

Earlier this summer, LIM College hosted high school students from across the country for our Fashion Academy; a pre-college program that gives aspiring young fashion professionals a hands-on, insider look into the world of fashion. Workshops on fashion merchandising, styling, product design, and more were led by LIM faculty, involving immersive portfolio-building projects and field trips to some of the city’s top fashion locations, these students explored fashion career paths while getting a taste of college life in New York.

Gaining Real-World Fashion Experience

Over the course of this weeklong program in mid-July, students were able to explore various professional focuses in fashion and learn about the range of available jobs.

“My experience at the LIM Fashion Academy has been amazing,” said Caitlin Reiss, a student from Washington D.C. “The professors are incredibly knowledgeable and have given me real world experience within the fashion industry. This program has truly helped me understand the different roles in fashion. I would definitely recommend it to other high schoolers who want to experience the industry firsthand!”

For many, the week wasn’t just about learning; it was a turning point.

“I love that I found this opportunity to explore a college I’ve been wanting to go to,” said Nicole Gunderson from Jacksonville, NC. “I was on the fence about colleges, but going through this program solidified my decision. All the professors were kind and experienced. The workshops made me feel like I have a head start for college.”

Fashion Meets the Real World

One of the week’s highlights was a field trip to the headquarters of Tommy Hilfiger, led by workshop instructor Diamanté Logan, LIM alumna and former Tommy Hilfiger Merchandiser. There, students got a behind-the-scenes look at how a global fashion brand operates.

“The Tommy Hilfiger trip was exciting," said Jada Martinez of Fair Lawn, New Jersey. "Being able to hear from Director of Merchandising Julia Levine about showroom planning, seasonal strategies, pricing amongst retailers, and more gave me a real look into the industry. Learning from Julia and Professor Logan helped me understand that this is truly what I want to pursue.”

Learning, Connecting, Growing

Beyond the active coursework and illuminating field trips, Fashion Academy offered participants something just as valuable in the midst of their college decision process: community. Many formed lasting friendships with fellow fashion lovers from all over the country!

“I loved being a part of the LIM Fashion Academy!” said Lainey Hogan from Abington, Massachusetts. “I learned so much and met so many amazing people. I would 100% recommend it to anyone thinking about a career in fashion.”

“This was such an amazing experience for me,” said Paige Lovell of Overland Park, Kansas. “It helped me discover different areas of the fashion world and opened my eyes to new things. I met so many great people and loved every minute of it.”

“The faculty and fellow classmates were so welcoming and made my time at LIM so enjoyable,” said Gigi Sanford of Tennessee “I can’t wait to apply to LIM this fall!”

Want In? Here’s Your Chance.

LIM College’s Summer Fashion Academy is more than a summer program; it’s a launchpad for the next generation of fashion professionals. If you're interested in the business of fashion and seeing what LIM has to offer, this immersive experience offers a unique opportunity to explore it all, right in the heart of NYC. 

Missed it this year? Be sure to check out our pre-college programs and stay tuned for next summer’s application details.

Your future in fashion starts here!