FASHION INSIDER: Stacey Kay
22Oct ’10
Stacey Kay, inspirational blogger and fashionista extraordinaire, might be one of Kent State University’s most influential graduates yet. As a past writer for CollegeFashionista, Stacey was more than willing to share her thoughts with me on internships, life after college, and her celebrated blog, Goodwill Huntingg.
CollegeFashionista: Congratulations on your recent graduation from Kent State University! Where did you intern during your time here, and how did it help you in finding a job after graduating?
Stacey Kay: While I was at Kent State, I completed my internship with Club Monaco's corporate headquarters in New York City, working as the merchandise planning intern for the women's division. After my internship I realized that I wanted to pursue a more people-oriented or creative aspect of the fashion industry. I am now working for the second largest footwear company in the world, Clarks, and am enrolled in the Management Training Program. I get to utilize my talents by providing style advice, as well as fine tune my sales presentation skills. However, I have my eye on the wholesale division of the company. I would love a job with their corporate office, which is located in Boston. After all, even Anna Wintour started in retail!
CF: That’s amazing! Did you have a minor at Kent State that helped you out at all?
SK: Absolutely, I minored in marketing which definitely helped with my career search! My first job since graduating had nothing to do with fashion- and focused primarily on what I learned through my minor.
CF: Well I’m glad that you’re back in the fashion industry doing what you love! So, of course, I have to ask you the ever-popular question: When did you discover your love of fashion?
SK: Surprisingly, I was pretty out of the loop growing up. I'm from a small town in upstate New York, so fashion is completely out of the vocabulary. I remember wearing my brother's hand me downs until I was in 5th grade. I think it was when I read my first issue of Teen Vogue. I used to cut out all the clothes that I liked and tape them to my bedroom door. I even had a calendar in my room where I wrote down what I wore from head to toe. I wasn't allowed to repeat an outfit until at least four weeks had gone by. By the time I was fifteen, I was working in my spare time to save money for clothes. By sixteen, I knew fashion would be my career. Now I live and breathe it.
CF: I am a huge fan of your blog Goodwill Huntingg, it’s absolutely incredible! What gave you such an innovative idea?
SK: When I came back from studying abroad and my internship in NYC, I was flat broke. The economy was so bad I couldn't even find a part time job, but being a true fashionista, the itch to update my look just wouldn't subside. I began thrifting for replicas of all the clothes I loved in Vogue and Style.com. After my term with College Fashionista came to end, I started Goodwill Huntingg. I came up with the entire website concept on my 6.5 hour drive back to Kent State from spring break.
CF: Have you received any recognition for Goodwill Huntingg?
SK: I was named Goodwill Style Icon of Greater NY & NJ. I was also featured on Modcloth.com's ModLife blog. My favorite recognition is good comments from my readers though!
Well, there you have it! A Kent State grad taking the industry by storm. If you haven’t already checked out Stacey’s blog, you are definitely missing out! Thankfully, I’ve included one of my favorite of Stacey’s runway inspired looks for your viewing pleasure. So if you like what you see (which you definitely will!), check out Stacey’s other looks at GoodwillHuntingg.com or become a fan on facebook!
Congratulations, Stacey! I know we can expect great things from you!
Style On,
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