Meet: The Style Senders
Finishing up this paper for class tomorrow and it’s
killing me because all I can think about is a few photo-shoots I still have to do and
this upcoming season of New York City Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. I still need
to get all my writing done and contacts finished with celebrities before it
starts and it’s only a few months away. I remember back when I was able to cover New
York City Fashion Week. All it took was a Facebook message, a meet up in NYC for
a photo shoot with a fashion author, and then out of nowhere I was asked – “Would
you like to work with me at New York Fashion Week this season?” “Wait what? Did
I hear you right,” Just joking. “Yes, I would like to!” – I can’t believe I was
able to get in, I mean I really didn't know much about fashion (I still don’t
know everything either), it was very unsuspecting to be asked to work at such
an event. But I felt honored to. I know I’m not the only one, meet my friend
Dara. Her story with meeting Fern Mallis with the help of her mother is pretty
inspiring. Most people wouldn’t have the courage to do something like that or
even think of something like that would work. But it does. So meet Dara
Senders and her story about her love for fashion, how she landed herself into
New York City Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and fun around the city.
What
got you into fashion?
I was
always into the arts! Theater was a huge passion of mine from a very early age
and I always saw myself being a Broadway star for many many years! Simultaneously,
fashion always sparked a massive interest in my heart! From the age of four, I
was always sketching and drawing what I would want to be my latest collection.
That turned into family and friends asking for my advise when dressing
themselves. When it came time to applying to colleges I was torn between
theater and fashion studies. I ultimately chose fashion and haven't looked
back! Fashion is my favorite art form and I absolutely love that I am so lucky
to be working and paving my way in this very rigorous, never stopping, cut
throat yet glorious, textural and storied industry!
Where did you go to school and for what?
I went
to the Fashion Institute of Technology for Fashion Merchandising Management
with a concentration in Product Development! I also did a semester in Fashion
Design.
What made
you interested about writing about fashion?
I love
writing! I find it very therapeutic! So by taking my love for the industry, my
love for critiquing collections and my love for sharing my thoughts and
opinions on many facets of the lifestyle industry, I thought there was no
better way to do this than to start my own website where I can express all of
this! Voila, The Style Senders was born!
How
long have you been working NYC Fashion Week for?/How do you get in every year?
I have
been attending NYFW for almost 10 years now! Here's my story if how I got
started. In 2004 I had applied to be a volunteer for IMG at hat was once
called Olympus Fashion Week at Bryant Park. Being a 15/16 year old and in high
school I was rejected. Two weeks later I received an invitation in the mail
from Academy of Art University inviting me and a guest to their senior showcase
during New York Fashion Week. Receiving an invitation to go
to NYFW at such a young age was so unbelievably mind blowing
especially since I was so upset about the rejection two weeks earlier! The
day of the show as my mother and I we are waiting to go into the
tent, my mother saw a woman who looked very familiar to her. Being the outgoing
woman she is, she went over to this woman and played a little game of
geography which wasn't very successful. After the fashion show the liaison
from AAU told us we were speaking to Fern Mallis, President of
Seventh on 6th (The creator of New York Fashion Week). Straight away,
my mother and I both went over to Fern and reintroduced ourselves to her
along with apologizing for not knowing who she was. She gladly took
time to speak with us asking why we were at fashion week. My mother let me have
the floor which lead into a twenty minute conversation of her wanting to know
all about my current and future dreams and goals revolving around the fashion
industry. She quickly realized how knowledgeable and serious I was at such a
young age. I also informed her of the rejection letter from IMG not
allowing me to volunteer because I was only on High School. As soon as the
conversation was over, Fern immediately contacted the sponsor coordinator
"Patty Hughes" and confirmed my ability to volunteer at fashion week.
Patty asked if I was available to work Zac Posen’s, Chado Ralph Rucci’s and
Betsey Johnson's shows. My parents ecstatically &
immediately gave me the permission to do so! Volunteering and
working backstage and front of house while being singled out and asked to do a
few personal favors from Zac Posen and Kelly Cutrone was like taking a crash
course in fashion show production and PR. It was the greatest experience I had
ever been fortunate enough to have! The lessons learned during the week have
stayed with me all throughout my education at The Fashion Institute of
Technology and till this day as I pursue my career endeavors. I will always be
forever thankful to my mother and Fern Mallis for launching the onset of my
career within the fashion industry. Although this took place almost 10 years
ago, this will forever be my favorite fashion moment. As time went on
and I began writing for myself & other publications, this allowed me to be
invited to many shows! Don't get me wrong, I networked the life out if myself
to be given these opportunities. As MBFW's rules have changed and have become
more strict over time, I started applying for press passes and was granted them
for the past three years and still get personal invites from designers to their
shows! I love fashion week, but to me and many of my fellow colleagues, it's a
ton of non-stop work for seven days straight! But, I wouldn't trade it for
anything!
What's
your favorite part of living in NYC?
I live
in New Jersey at the moment. However I lived in NYC for six years! My favorite
part about living in my favorite city on earth is how much life there is! The
endless possibilities that are at one's fingertips is priceless to me! You
never know what may happen when turning the corner & I find that
fascinating! Even if I was burning up with a fever, as soon as I'd cross the
river I'd start feeling better! (As my mother would always say to me growing
up, but never really understood till 2005) New York City is an elixir for my
soul! With the amount of art driven activities and opportunities provided in
the big apple; from theater, visual arts, and fashion I always knew that no
matter where my professional life may take me in the world of the arts I knew
NYC would be my city of residence and business!
Favorite
pizza?
My
favorite Pizza would be a white pizza with spinach, broccoli, and mushrooms
with hot pepper flakes.
Favorite
Italian place to eat at?
My
favorite Italian restaurant in NYC is Bianca in the bowery!
What's your dream?
What's your dream?
This is
a very loaded question! (Giggles) however, my dreams in the world of fashion
would be to expand my brand Dara Senders New York (www.darasenders.com)
into a lifestyle brand encompassing accessories, women's wear, menswear,
children's swear and home decor! As for my blog, I would love for it to prosper
and eventually grow into a full-fledged lifestyle & fashion blog that
empowers all women!
The Style Senders
Photo Credit: Molly Torian
Photo Credit: Molly Torian
Thanks for reading everyone.
Be sure to follow me chasing my dreams for more updates
Facebook & Instagram
Mahipal SoCal & @mahipal_socal
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