Lea Freni FSAD ’15 is currently a Contract Associate Designer at Tommy Hilfiger. Having worked at companies like Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein, Lea gave us insight into her experiences, old and new, as a women’s fashion designer. She detailed finding a good work life balance, how Cornell has impacted her career, and much more! Here is the advice she shared during her visit on Friday, March 15:
How similar and different would you say your experiences of working at different American sportswear brands has been? (ie Calvin Klein vs Tommy Hilfiger). Has working at these companies changed your attitudes and perspectives towards fashion? Your personal style? Your own work?
Every brand has their own culture, but since I have primarily worked for large, corporate companies my experiences have been fairly similar. To me, the most important aspects of a workplace are the relationship you have with your team and finding a challenging and supportive environment.
The brands I have worked for haven’t had a profound impact on my personal style, but I do try to seek out brands that align with my own aesthetic.
Was it difficult transitioning from Cornell to the working world? How did you facilitate this transition? How did you figure out your own path?
Major life transitions are always exciting and challenging. I found the network of peers I developed at Cornell and the connections I made as an intern to be extremely valuable in entering the workforce. Resources provided by the Human Ecology Career center such as resume samples and mock interviews were also helpful.
How has Cornell and Human Ecology changed how you approach work? Did you always know you wanted to work in Fashion? Please share any advice you have for any other FSAD or HumEc students.
I have always wanted to work as an apparel designer. My FSAD degree from Human Ecology provided me with a well-rounded academic background sets me apart from candidates with a more traditional art school experience.
In terms of advice, I urge students to be thoughtful about their career choices and and strive to pursue opportunities that align with their personal values and talents.
I would encourage FSAD and HumEc students to maximize their use of the amazing opportunities that HumEc and and Cornell offer. From laser cutters to office hours, there are so many resources available to support students’ creative development and academic growth!
Finally, a rising tide lifts all boats – it’s important to seek out mentors and help support the growth of your fellow peers and underclassmen!
How have you found time to work for different big companies and develop your own clothing line? Another way of saying this is, how do you find time for your own art while working for others? Any positives and negatives?
After graduating in 2015, I had the opportunity to show a collection of my own work at Vancouver Fashion Week. Since VFW, that collection has been a part of art exhibits at the ChiMei Museum in Taiwan and the Science Museum of Oklahoma. Apart from these museum exhibitions, haven’t continued my own line while working for other companies. I have found time to pursue graphic design and fine art for my own enjoyment. Achieving work life balance is notoriously difficult in the fashion industry and it is important to be mindful of your personal goals and how you want to allocate your time when considering job offers. Freelancing is one great way to achieve more freedom and the flexibility to juggle multiple pursuits!
What does a typical work day look like for you?
A typical work day involves:
-Researching inspiration for upcoming seasons
-Sketching new designs by hand or in Adobe Illustrator
– Communicating with domestic and overseas partners regarding product development
– Attending fittings for styles in work
-Developing new trims for upcoming seasons
-Commenting on submits for new surface design elements such as logo techniques or embroidery developments