Alumni
Grads at Fashion Brand Greg Lauren Return to FIDM For Industry Partnership Event
As part of our Industry Partnership recruiting event on October 22, 2019, FIDM Grads Agustina Roson (pictured, right) and Laura Brady, who both work for artist-turned-fashion designer Greg Lauren—nephew to Ralph Lauren—as Chief of Staff and Director of Social Media, respectively, will return to the Los Angeles campus. We recently caught up with the powerhouse pair of alumnas to learn more about their careers at the LA-based brand, which is known for its deconstructed men’s and women’s wear and sold at Barneys New York, H. Lorenzo, and MATCHESFASHION, among other retailers.
Where were you born and raised?
AR: I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, but raised mainly in Los Angeles.
LB: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
What was your FIDM major and grad year?
AR: Visual Communications, 2015.
LB: Apparel Industry Management, 2015 and Business Management, 2016.
How did you hear about FIDM? What made you want to attend?
AR: I heard about FIDM through one of my high school fashion teachers. I was enrolled in this great fashion program where I learned all the basics, from learning how to cut and sew, to making my own patterns, and even putting together a fashion show.
LB: I found FIDM when I was a junior in high school researching colleges online. Moving to LA was always my plan and I had been drawing little pictures of clothes since the third grade, so I was truly destined to come to FIDM.
Which FIDM lessons have been most helpful in your career?
AR: The Fashion Styling & Coordination class and Design Installation class were the most valuable lessons for me in my career. Since I produce and style all of our photo and video shoots, those classes have definitely been my favorite and the most valuable.
LB: My Introduction to Photoshop and Introduction to Illustrator classes have been so incredibly helpful. Photoshop is a program I use everyday, whether it be for email blasts, editing photos for E-commerce, or Instagram. Textile Science was huge. With every role I have ever been in, I have dealt with fabrics. It is so important to understand where the fabric comes from, the production process, and the upkeep once it’s in the hands of the consumer.
What were you up to prior to working at Greg Lauren?
AR: After graduation, I was working at a smoothie shop for a bit and then transitioned to Marine Layer, where I was lucky enough to meet my partner in crime, Laura Brady. Even though she also went to FIDM, I had never met her until we were both working at Marine Layer. She was the LA Area Visual Supervisor when I had just started as a Sales Associate.
LB: After I graduated, I was working for Marine Layer, doing visual merchandising. This was a great transitional job because I was able to stay creative and continue to learn the ins and outs of a retail business.
How did you come to work for Greg Lauren? What is a typical day like?
AR: I didn’t last in the retail world for longer than six months. I realized I needed a faster-paced environment and that’s when I took on a Production Assistant role at Greg Lauren. Two and a half years later, I am now Chief of Staff where I get to have my hands in just about everything. I help Greg oversee all departments. Every day is new and different. One of the main things I focus on is checking in on different departments to make sure everything is running smoothly.
LB: Agustina moved on to Greg Lauren, and I followed after about a year and a half. Every day is totally different. I could be editing our E-commerce photos for hours, planning photo shoots with Agustina, working on photo shoots, brainstorming our social media, social media planning, and so much more. There really is never a dull moment.
What do you enjoy most about your current position and why?
AR: What I enjoy most about my position is that I have eyes, hands, and ears on every department. I get to see, learn, and explore all aspects of the company inside and out. It’s all an amazing process and I thoroughly enjoy all of the multiple hats I get to wear.
LB: There are so many amazing opportunities throughout Greg Lauren. It's great to be around people who are also passionate about the industry and GL. When we are on sets for our photo shoots, we all create the best energy. Watching and working on a shoot from start to finish is a really cool process. I have to give it up to Agustina for making it all come to life. It’s hard to explain our work relationship, but we honestly just get each other and both are all in for those extra long days. When we get in the groove, we really put in work.
What advice would you share with a FIDM Student or recent grad looking to break into the industry?
AR: As cheesy as it sounds, never give up on your passion and dream. Always work genuinely hard and you will get where you want to be. I myself started at the bottom and I now have my dream job as Chief of Staff.
LB: Don’t be afraid to start at the bottom. If you show your worth at a company and they see that, you're going to go far. You can’t give up that easy, everything is a process and sometimes it moves slow. But also know when it's time to get out of a job that you aren’t happy with or don't think will ever fulfill your dreams. I would never recommend staying at a job just to put it on your resume.
Learn more about Greg Lauren and FIDM Grad life when Laura Brady does an Instagram takeover @fidm on October 28, 2019.
Categories: Apparel Industry Management Business Management Visual Communication Los Angeles Campus Alumni
