The Silver Needle Runway held an Alumni Networking event for students in the Marist Fashion program

The Silver Needle Runway (SNR) held an alumni networking event for the Marist Fashion program on March 24, inviting seniors and juniors with majors in fashion merchandising or design.

The session took place at the Payne Mansion in Esopus, New York, creating a professional environment for those invited and furthering the idea that SNR is not just a student-run program but a real runway.

The afternoon consisted of a lunch and a panel of six Marist Alumni; each alum had secured a successful position in the fashion industry, making students eager to ask questions.

“I am particularly excited about this event since we get to hear people talk about their success after Marist,” said Sophia Reynoso ‘25, a fashion merchandising major. “The event was interactive and gave us new people to network or interact with to further our careers.”

The panelists included professionals from public relations, marketing, design, production and other disciplines in the fashion world. The panelists provided guidance about ways to connect with others and use those connections in the future.

“The industry is so small that you will see people you worked with more than once in your life, which is kind of scary but also comforting. It is about making those connections, especially with people like myself,” said Nicholas Prieto ‘15, merchandise manager at Prada.

One panelist in particular, Gabrielle Amaturo ‘18, RTW Knits designer at Michael Kors, constantly stays connected to any part of the industry that she can. Along with keeping in touch with her past employers and internships, she has made fashion a constant hobby.

“I spend my free time working in other parts of the industry to stay versatile and involved,” said Amaturo. “This way, I stay ready for any assignment or opportunity that gets given to me, including different fashion styles.”

The panelists heavily encouraged using LinkedIn to start relationships and earn experience. Many alumni started their careers on the platform and found themselves returning to old connections from the site.

“I got my first internship through LinkedIn,” said Prieto. “Later, the first internship supervisor I had from that is now one of my most recent bosses.

This was not the story for every panelist, though, as Taylor Duffany ‘19, digital media coordinator at Gucci, came into her position by reaching out to others on her own.

“Do not rely only on the traditional application through LinkedIn or the company website; there are so many different routes you can take,” said Duffany. “Sometimes you have to take initiative to reach out and ask for the time to be taught the things you need to know.”

SNR 38’s theme of “Interlinked” continues to manifest throughout their events. The alumni networking event established new connections between current students and past graduates, allowing Mairst fashion students to see what they can accomplish, as well as who may help them along the way.

SNR 38: Alumni Become “Interlinked” with Marist Students

MARIST CIRCLE