Fashion Draft NYC, launched by New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and Parsons The New School for Design, is one of six initiatives recently announced by the City to support the long-term growth of the City's $55 billion fashion industry. It will bring a select group of top business-minded students from around the world to New York City to network and interview with fashion executives, with a chance to earn full-time, management-track positions within one of the participating New York-based companies.
Fashion Draft NYC is open to graduating college seniors who are interested in pursuing challenging, fast-paced business opportunities in New York's fashion industry, and who have related educational or internship experiences in business and/or fashion. It is anticipated that approximately 25 to 30 finalists will be selected to participate in the three-day program, which includes all travel, accommodation, and meals. Aside from the interviews, students will also participate in a behind-the-scenes company tour, hear a keynote address from a prominent fashion industry leader and attend a networking dinner.
Participating companies include Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Gilt, and LF USA, with additional companies still expected to join in the coming weeks and months. Fashion Draft NYC will take place in New York City from February 16-18, 2012, and is the second of the City's fashion initiatives, including Fashion Campus NYC, in which NYCEDC has partnered with Parsons.
"The fashion industry is a critical driver of our City's economy, and programs such as Fashion Draft NYC will ensure that this industry continues to grow," commented New York City Economic Development Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky. "By recruiting the best talent from around the globe, we will add to the already stellar roster of fashion professionals working here in the City, and further establish New York as the fashion capital of the world."
To participate in Fashion Draft NYC, students can apply at fashiondraftnyc.com. The application deadline is November 3, 2011. Semi-finalists will be chosen by mid-December and will be matched with participating companies for phone interviews. The participating companies will then select the semi-finalists with whom they would like to have follow-up interviews, and those students will be flown to New York City to participate in the Fashion Draft NYC weekend, with a chance to ultimately earn a job at the companies with which they interview.