Hometown style goes to Big Apple

By BECCA OWSLEY

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Lauren Graves heads to the Big Apple to learn from the fashion industry.

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bowsley@thenewsenterprise.com

ELIZABETHTOWN — From a small town to the big city, Lauren Graves is stitching her way to success as a summer intern for the Jill Stuart fashion brand in New York City.

Graves, 21, from Elizabethtown, always has been excited about fashion.

“Ever since I was a little girl, I have always tried to manipulate fabric and create a whole new look within one,” Graves said. “I love mixing and matching things and layering looks together.”

Graves stepped into the fashion world her sophomore year at Elizabethtown High School when she attended a summer program through Parsons The New School for Design, a premier art and design school in New York.

After that she was hooked.

“To me there is nothing better than fashion — it is an amazing way to express yourself,” Graves said.

After researching companies for her summer internship, Graves narrowed her choice to places that fit her education and style. She took several trips to New York to present her portfolio and resumé.

While working at Jill Stuart, Graves has been able to learn all aspects of the company from understanding the costumer to production, to placing the product in stores.

During her time there, Graves said the company worked on the spring 2009 lineup — almost a year ahead of pace.

Every day has been different for Graves. One day she sews and develops patterns in production, and the next she helps out in sales and merchandising. She also gets to help with designing.

While in New York, Graves has had the opportunity to go to Coney Island and a few Broadway shows, including “The New Mel Brooks Musical: Young Frankenstein” — her favorite musical so far.

She also has seen several celebrities including Kirsten Dunst (“Elizabethtown”), Kristen Bell (“Veronica Mars”) and Carson Kressley (“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”).

Learning more about fashion and life in New York City has been a good experience for Graves. 

“This is a great learning experience and is teaching me a lot about myself and really what all I can do,” Graves said.

Becca Owsley can be reached at (270) 505-1741.