In our third digital episode, we highlight the career of  Samhita Mukhopadhyay executive editor of Teen Vogue. 

I'd say in the early 2000s when I was writing on Livejournal, but professionally when I started blogging at Feministing in 2004. 

I did, I first became interested in it because I noticed a difference in how my parents talked about my future vs. my brothers. Then I got really into feminist music in the 90s like Bikini Kill and L7 and Ani DiFranco and that gave me the language of feminism.   

Slow down - not everything has to happen ASAP. Some things are better if you wait and take your time. And not every opportunity has to be the exact thing you want to be doing - every situation has a lesson.  

Executive editor means I oversee our written content and often make the final call on what we publish on the website. I check in with all the editors and make sure they have what they need day-to-day to get the job done and think about and work on big projects.  

I wake up early and read the news and listen to NPR while I drink coffee. I then check-in on all the edit meetings to make sure they are humming along. Then, I try to work out but generally just get distracted by a story. And then I usually go into the office for meetings and in the evenings I try to see friends or have some kind of event.  

Don't worry about things you can't control.   

 

Dress: Adina Dress, $360 

Have a beat - know what you are interested. Be passionate about whatever you want to report on and live and breath your subject of interest. Understand platforms and digital. Always think about how to make your reporting dynamic.  

  

In our second digital episode, we showcase Caroline Vazzana fashion writer, editor, stylist, and social influencer living and working in New York.  

Dress: Isola Dress, $425 | Bag: Lulu Beaded Bag, $625 

1. What age did you first become interested in fashion? 

I’ve always loved the fashion industry. From a young age I insisted on dressing myself so I’ve always loved the creativity of it all. I didn’t realize though that I could actually make a career out of what I loved until I was about 14 or so. I originally wanted to become a designer but quickly realized sewing wasn’t really my thing so I then tried out a few different avenues of the industry before finding my way in editorial. 

2. What was it like starting your career in the editorial world? 

It was everything you’d hope it would be! Exciting, exhausting, thrilling, super fast paced, and, yes, it did have its glamorous moments. My first experience in editorial was while I was in college, I was a personal intern to a fashion editor at Marie Claire. That’s when I fell in love with magazines. From there, right out of college I emailed practically every magazine editor I could and finally landed a job at Teen Vogue.    

 

Dress: Available Upon Requests (212-996-5200) | Bags: Lulu Bag Goldenrod  

3. Did you always aspire to be an author?

Actually, no, it really wasn’t something I thought I’d ever do. In college is when my love for fashion journalism really began and I was lucky enough to be able to write for both Teen Vogue and InStyle when I worked there. Eventually I realized though that I had a story to share and just decided to sit down and begin writing!  

4. Why did you title your book 'Making it in Manhattan?' 

As the saying goes, “if you can make it there you can make it anywhere.” To me, New York is the American Dream. Every year people move from all over the world to New York to pursue their dreams and make them a reality. So I felt it was the perfect title! 

5. What inspires you in New York? 

Honestly, everything! The people, the places, the buildings, the artwork. New York is just such a beautiful city, there’s inspiration truly everywhere you just need to look for it!   

 

6. What is a typical day for you? 

No two days are ever the same! One day I could be in front of the camera shooting a campaign, the next I could be behind my desk writing, the next I could be styling or creating a mood board for an upcoming shoot. Really no two days are ever the same, but that’s why I love it so much. 

7. What advice would you have for someone aspiring to make it in the fashion world? 

Be ready to work hard and love it! The fashion industry is a very thrilling and exhausting place, but if you work really hard, love it, and are nice I promise you will go far! 

 

In our first digital episode, we showcase Denise Porcaro Tupper owner of the famous Flower Girl NYC flower shop. A native New Yorker that turned her passion for flowers into a robust business.