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Hello
I’m Natalie, a business student at the Fashion Institute of Technology. My enthusiasm for consumer goods goes far beyond trend forecasting and product placement. I’m self-motivated by the urgent need to rethink how we produce and consume goods. My goals aren't just about building a career, they're about creating a future I’d be proud to pass on to my grandkids. I aim to be a part of a fashion system that values people and the planet just as much as profit.
Fashion Business Management, AAS- Fashion Institute of Technology
In August of 2023, I began my studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology, pursuing an AAS in Fashion Business Management. Throughout the program, I took classes in merchandising, marketing, product development, sourcing, and retailing, earning a place on the Dean’s List every semester. My education extended beyond the classroom—I visited over 20 industry showrooms, volunteered at New York Fashion Week, and gained hands-on experience selling the Maison Hotel fashion line at the Coterie trade show. Along the way, I built valuable industry connections, aquired strong time-management skills, and developed the ability to collaborate with others in professional settings. I graduated in May of 2025 with a GPA of 3.96.
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Ethics and Sustainability Minor (In Progress)
While pursuing this minor, I've taken courses that have furthered my current knowledge on environmentalism, specifically in the fashion industry. These courses taught ethical decision making, ecosystem integration, and the consumer psychology of "sustainability".
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Design Thinking Minor (In Progress)
I pursued a minor in Design Thinking to incorporate the right side of my brain into my business degree. Courses from this minor have taught me how to speak the design lingo, how to collaborate with designers to accomplish goals, and how to effectively create a design strategy.
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FIT Sustainability Club
As a board member of FIT’s Sustainability Club, I helped organize events, market initiatives, and advocate for greener practices on campus. This role strengthened my leadership, collaboration, and communication skills while allowing me to promote sustainability in a hands-on way.
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FIT Merchandising Society
I was selected through a competitive interview process to work for the Style Shop’s data analytics team, specializing in second-hand vintage clothing. Each week, I analyzed sales data and presented findings to 50–75 peers and faculty, sharpening my skills in retail analytics, public speaking, and data-driven decision making.
Home Products Development BS
(In Progress)
Building on my AAS in Fashion Business Management, I am continuing my studies at FIT, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Home Products Development. This smaller, highly interactive program offers hands-on experience, allowing me to develop professional connections and dive deeper into the product development process. My expected graduation is Spring of 2027.
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The skills I acquired from FBM: strategic thinking, merchandising, marketing, and retail analytics translate directly to this major, enabling me to approach product development with a strong foundation.
The Ethics and Sustainability minor guides material selection and environmentally conscious decision-making, while my Design Thinking minor equips me to collaborate effectively with designers and teams to bring innovative concepts to life. Home Products Development creates a bridge between my prior coursework and my future coursework, allowing me to earn a well-rounded education in the constantly changing consumer goods industry. ​