The National Retail Federation (NRF) is the world’s largest retail trade association representing retailers in the United States and forty-five other countries. As a semifinalist for the NRF 2015 Next Generation Scholarship, I was given the opportunity to attend the NRF’s 104th Annual Retail’s BIG Show as well as the inaugural NRF Foundation Gala.
The BIG Show student program panels were very inspiring. At these panels, CEOs such as Karen Katz (President and CEO of The Neiman Marcus Group Inc) and Jane Park (Founder and CEO of Julep Beauty Inc) shared their stories and gave students advice on how to succeed in their career.
Having the honor to attend the NRF Foundation Gala and being surrounded by the industry’s leaders was truly exhilarating. Some of the attendees who influence fashion include June Ambrose, Stacey London and Jennifer Hyman (CEO and Co-Founder of Rent the Runway). At the NRF Foundation Gala, individuals were awarded for their accomplishments. Three of the four recipients of The Dreamers award pertain to the fashion industry. Isabella Rose Taylor, a fashion designer and entrepreneur is one of the recipients of this award. At the age of only thirteen, she landed her first clothing line in Nordstrom and has now gone on to debut her Spring 2015 collection at New York Fashion Week. Jane Dailey, President and Co- founder of Hollywood Fashion Secrets was also awarded The Dreamers award. Lastly, Kirsten Blowers Stuckey the owner, designer and buyer for ShopRiffraff.com was awarded The Dreamers Award as well.
Moreover, three of the five recipients
of The Influencers award are also influential to the fashion industry
including: Tonian Hogberg (Founder, President and CEO of Fashion Institute of
Design and Merchandising), David Moin (Senior editor, Retail, Women’s Wear
Daily) and Deena Varshavskaya (Founder
and CEO of Waleno). Lastly, Jim Gold (President
and Chief Merchandising Officer of Neiman Marcus Group) was one of the five
recipients of the The Power Players award. For more highlights of the NRF Foundation Gala you may follow this link:
The NRF Foundation strives
to empower, educate and cultivate the next generation to shape retail’s future.
I can proudly say that taking part of this year’s Retail’s BIG Show and the NRF
Foundation Gala was a life changing experience that has reassured my goal to become a leader in the industry
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