What’s it like to plan fashion shows in different cities? Here’s my story. My name is Arielle Lee, and I am a senior majoring in strategic and corporate communication with a minor in graphic design. This summer, I had the exciting opportunity to intern at Fashion Week Haus, a creative marketing agency based in El Segundo, California.

Creating and scheduling out reels with fellow interns.

As a marketing and graphic design intern, I created and edited content for Fashion Week Haus’ social media channels, specifically for their annual fashion runway shows in Miami, California, New York, and Paris. It was a thrilling experience to see my work play a part in advertising these significant events. Beyond content creation, I also had the chance to assist with product design for these shows.

My primary focus was managing the agency’s Instagram and TikTok platforms. I put my graphic design skills to work using Canva, crafting and editing engaging reels highlighting upcoming fashion week events. These reels also introduced the fashion brands walking the runway and introduced the brand partnerships that would feature pop-up shops at the events. Although each team member was assigned individual tasks, we collaborated and brainstormed the themes and visuals that best captured the essence of each runway show. For instance, when working on Miami Swim Week content, we decided the reels should evoke the beachy, vibrant party life, while for New York Fashion Week, the focus was on the city’s chic, bright nightlife.

Fashion Week Haus’ Instagram page.

In addition to creating content, I utilized my photojournalism skills to edit the lighting and focal points of each image and video, ensuring every reel appeared polished and professional. Coordinating the timing and scheduling of each post was crucial to maximize engagement. Thanks to my previous experience managing the Labradors and Friends Instagram page in SCC 400 Message Design II, I felt confident tracking engagement metrics for Fashion Week Haus and discussing strategies with my team to boost viewership and likes.

Fashion Week Haus’ Instagram reels and posts aesthetic.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the creative process of developing social media content, I was eager to expand my skills in product design—a field I’m interested in learning more about, particularly in terms of packaging for fashion and beauty products. I expressed this interest to my boss, CEO Cachita Hynes, and she graciously provided me with the unique task of designing the VIP gift bags for California Style Week. This project also involved brainstorming custom designs for the items inside the bags.

The process was similar to my graphic design classes, as I conducted style and tactic research to determine the look and aesthetic of the gift bags. I drew inspiration from Pinterest, focusing on ideas that conveyed California’s bohemian and beachy vibe. Cachita mentored me through the process of communicating professionally and effectively with the seller, from discussing deadlines and negotiating prices to ensuring the bags were customized to our specifications. I also created mockups of the “California Style Week” label, keeping the company’s typeface and the overall mood board of the runway show in mind.

Style and tactic research for California Style Week’s VIP gift bags.

Mockups for California Style Week’s VIP gift bag items.

Overall, my time working at Fashion Week Haus was an enriching experience that gave me a deeper insight into the fashion industry. It fueled my passion for product design, especially for makeup brands, and inspired me to continue learning how to create even higher-quality social media posts and reels. I’m excited to apply these skills and experiences in the future as I explore new opportunities in the world of graphic design and marketing.

Enjoying the summer sun while working on graphic design projects.