Ever wonder what it’s like to work backstage at the biggest fashion shows of the year? Students at the Wilson College of Textiles can tell you all about it.

Not only did they work as dressers and stylists, but these students also attended shows and formed connections in some of the world’s fashion capitals: New York City, Milan and London. Through internships with industry leaders, these students got a behind-the-scenes look at runway shows and gained valuable insights for their future careers. 

“I loved hearing how they built their brands, developed their collections and drew inspiration for their work,” says fashion design student Andrea Castillo of her time with designers in Milan, Italy. “Those conversations about creative process and perseverance made the experience deeply meaningful and strengthened my determination to one day present my own work alongside them.”

Below, hear from five students about their fashion week experiences this spring. 

• London
• New York City
• Milan

London

Grace Chen 

• Major: B.S. Fashion and Textile Design 
• Concentration: Fashion Design 
• Intended Graduation: Spring 2027
• Employers: George Keburia and Yuhan Ao

How were you involved in Fashion Week? 

During the first half of London Fashion Week, I had the opportunity to closely work with Keburia’s styling and dressing team during model casting and runway preparations. I also supported Yuhan Ao’s debut collection runway presentation as a dresser. 

I mainly helped the creative director bring their styling vision to life during model castings. In addition, I helped dress models on the day of show and was an on-demand seamstress for last-minute touchups, which is a skill set I gained through my time at the Wilson College. 

What was most memorable about this experience?

I became especially close with the Keburia team and bonded with fellow fashion students from other institutions, such as the London College of Fashion and the Marangoni Fashion Institute. I also learned more about the preparations that go into runway shows and became especially familiar with the fast-paced rhythm of backstage production, from last-minute fittings and garment steaming to lineup coordination and model dress rehearsals.

What lessons from Fashion Week will you take with you?

I am really thankful to have gotten the chance to work with two brands this London Fashion Week. It was really interesting to compare the more established brand and larger team to Yuhan Ao’s smaller debut collection presentation. I am also really interested in the unorthodox runway setup that Yuhan Ao’s team conducted, which was an incredibly artistic and brilliant way to capture the media’s attention during a well stacked lineup of fashion shows this year. 

Sania Musti 

• Major: B.S. Fashion and Textile Management 
• Concentration: Brand Management and Marketing 
• Intended Graduation: Spring 2027
• Employer: Flair Fashion

How were you involved in Fashion Week? 

This season, I was a backstage dresser for Flair Fashion, which is a platform that showcases several collections from designers across the world. I helped dress looks and coordinate model fittings for the collective runway, which was an exciting experience because I’ve only ever volunteered/interned for individual designers. 

I only worked one day during London Fashion Week, which was the day of the show. I came in around 2 p.m. to the banquet hall and met the other volunteers and some of the designers. I was assigned a model to dress and was tasked with ensuring that all of the elements for her look were ready to go before the show. I also assisted with coordinating models during lineup and ensuring everything ran in a smooth and timely manner.  

How has your time at the Wilson College prepared you to take on a role like this? 

Being at the Wilson College has helped me learn how to leverage my networking skills to pursue opportunities like this. Originally, I was unsure about whether such an opportunity would be feasible, as I’m not familiar with London and don’t have a strong network there. However, through utilizing resources like LinkedIn and a lot of persistence, I was able to land this incredible opportunity. 

I think that being at the Wilson College, surrounded by such driven and passionate students, has taught me a lot about self-sufficiency and what that looks like as a student working in the fashion industry. 

What lessons from Fashion Week will you take with you?

As this was a collective runway, I had no idea what to expect or how this would be different from my last two New York Fashion Week experiences. While it was a lot more stressful managing so many more looks, models and multiple designers, it was also nice being able to enjoy a longer runway show. From this experience, I realized that the fashion industry will continue to surprise me, and I need to enter every new experience with an open mind and a willingness to adapt.

New York City

Lizbeth Reyes Guerra 

• Major: B.S. Fashion and Textile Management 
• Concentration: Brand Management and Marketing 
• Intended Graduation: Spring 2028
• Employer: Communa-K

How were you involved in Fashion Week? 

I participated in New York Fashion Week through my internship with Communa-K, assisting backstage for Bibhu Mohapatra’s Fall 2026 show at The Pierre New York, A Taj Hotel. I also attended Son Jung Wan’s Fall/Winter 2026 show as a guest, which allowed me to experience Fashion Week from both behind-the-scenes and audience perspectives.

In the days leading up to the show, we worked in Bibhu Mohapatra’s atelier, organizing model headshots and fitting images to ensure stylists had the correct references. When scheduling changes occurred, we communicated updates to the head of public relations and stylists to keep everything aligned and organized. We also checked models in and ensured they were fitting-ready.

On show day, I assisted with model check-in, guided models through hair, makeup, and rehearsals, and helped manage backstage flow. I directed models into position between and after quick changes to maintain lineup order and ensure a seamless finale. The environment was fast-paced and required constant communication, adaptability and strong teamwork.

What was most memorable about this experience?

The most memorable part was watching the collection evolve from atelier fittings to the final runway presentation. Bibhu Mohapatra is known for his stunning gowns and seeing that craftsmanship up close was incredibly inspiring. Attending Son Jung Wan’s show as a guest was also unforgettable – her garments featured striking colors like bold reds and vibrant neon greens, creating a powerful visual impact.

It was especially meaningful to witness designers whose work reflects global perspectives and cultural influence! It really reinforced how fashion can be a platform for storytelling, identity and inclusion.

How has your time at the Wilson College prepared you to take on a role like this? 

The Wilson College prepared me by strengthening my understanding of textile construction, garment development and the overall production process. Beyond technical knowledge, collaborative projects and hands-on coursework helped me develop organization, communication and problem-solving skills — all of which were essential backstage. The teamwork-driven environment at Wilson mirrors the coordination required during Fashion Week.

This experience reinforced the importance of adaptability, attention to detail and proactive communication. Fashion Week moves quickly, and staying organized and flexible is critical. Every role, whether in design, public relations, styling or backstage support, contributes to bringing a larger artistic vision to life.

What else should we know about your participation in Fashion Week?

One of the most impactful aspects of this experience was the connections we built throughout the week. We had the opportunity to meet and build relationships with models, hearing their personal stories and learning about their journeys in the industry. We also connected with fellow interns, stylists, media professionals and public relations teams, expanding our professional network in meaningful and organic ways.

A special shoutout to Yvy Nguyen and Ashley Rose Phillips: I’m incredibly grateful we were able to share this experience together as Wilson students! The long days, quick changes and constant collaboration showed just how powerful strong teamwork can be. Outside of our responsibilities, we explored the city, bonded and reflected on how inspiring it was to be surrounded by such driven and creative individuals. Fashion Week was not only professionally transformative, but personally motivating as well.

Ashley Rose Phillips 

• Major: B.S. Fashion and Textile Management 
• Concentration: Brand Management and Marketing 
• Intended Graduation: Summer 2026
• Employer: Communa-K

How were you involved in Fashion Week? 

During my time at New York Fashion Week, I interned with the casting company Communa-K. Although I was unable to attend the official casting day, I assisted with three days of model fittings and supported the runway show for designer Bibhu Mohapatra on Sunday, Feb. 15.

Throughout the fitting days, my fellow Wilson College interns and I welcomed models at Bibhu Mohapatra’s atelier in Tribeca, checking them in and preparing them for their individual fittings. Each morning, we confirmed the schedule of models to be seen and communicated any updates or adjustments directly with the stylist to ensure the process ran smoothly. This experience gave us valuable insight into the behind-the-scenes preparation that leads up to a runway show, particularly the precision and collaboration required to perfect each look.

On runway day, we helped ensure all models arrived by their designated call times, reaching out to agents when necessary. The atmosphere was bustling and energetic, with teams coordinating hair, makeup, rehearsals and final wardrobe changes in quick succession. Seeing the organized chaos backstage showcased the importance of time management, communication and adaptability.

I was able to watch the show while others assisted backstage and watching the whole show come to life was incredibly rewarding. It was also fun seeing which models got which outfits after knowing who tried on what. The runway was filled with art and showcased such gorgeous evening wear and ballgowns perfectly fit for the fall season. The music and the location (The Pierre New York, A Taj Hotel) enhanced the show in so many ways that it really goes to show how all levels of coordination and effort are extremely necessary to execute Fashion Week successfully. 

What was most memorable about this experience?

Getting to meet new people and experience a world I’ve always just seen in the movies. I loved getting to know the models and hearing about their backgrounds while also encouraging and supporting them during such a fast-paced week. If you would have told me three years ago that I would be doing this, I would have insisted you were lying. It truly has been such a surreal experience and I got to do it with two of the most fun, genuine people (who were also fellow Wilson students). 

How has your time at the Wilson College prepared you to take on a role like this? 

Throughout my time at the Wilson College, my classes and professors led me to believe I was more than capable of participating in this opportunity. They were supportive in preparing me to connect my brand management background with a real-world experience. I was able to understand how Bibhu Mohapatra managed his brand and what that looked like in terms of getting ready for Fashion Week. 

The Wilson College has also taught me to put myself out there and make connections within the industry. It’s one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your career. I got to meet so many new people who are all so passionate about fashion and the industry and how they display their passion within their careers.

Milan

Andrea Castillo

• Major: B.S. Fashion and Textile Design 
• Concentration: Fashion Design 
• Intended Graduation: Spring 2028
• Company: Milano Fashion & Jewels

How were you involved in Fashion Week? 

I participated in Milan Fashion Week through Milano Fashion & Jewels, where I attended runway presentations, large-scale exhibitions and industry networking events. The experience allowed me to engage directly with designers, buyers, press and global fashion professionals while gaining exposure to international trend directions and creative development processes.

I attended runway shows and curated exhibitions, observed brand presentations, and conducted trend research across apparel and jewelry categories. I engaged in professional networking with designers, buyers and industry leaders, documented key trends and creative concepts, and analyzed merchandising strategies and product development approaches showcased during the events. I also engaged with fashion press, independent designers with their own labels and students from leading European fashion schools who were presenting their work in exhibitions.

My participation was not only about attending events, but also about actively engaging with the global fashion community. I approached the experience with intentionality by conducting trend observation, studying merchandising strategies and building professional connections that will support my long-term career goals.

What was most memorable about this experience?

The most memorable part of this experience was connecting directly with designers and learning about their journeys to Milan Fashion Week. I loved hearing how they built their brands, developed their collections and drew inspiration for their work. Those conversations about creative process and perseverance made the experience deeply meaningful and strengthened my determination to one day present my own work alongside them.

How has your time at Wilson College prepared you to take on a role like this? 

My time at the Wilson College of Textiles has taught me so many technical skills and industry terms that helped me engage in this environment. Through coursework in design development, textiles and product creation, I have learned how to translate inspiration into cohesive collections while considering fabrication, construction and market positioning. 

What lessons will you take with you?

My key takeaway from this experience was seeing how hard work, persistence and dedication can lead to extraordinary opportunities in one’s career. Hearing designers speak about the years of effort, growth and refinement it took to reach Milan Fashion Week was incredibly inspiring. It reinforced my belief that consistent effort and a clear creative vision can open doors to amazing platforms, and it motivated me to continue pushing myself toward my own long-term goals in the fashion industry.