Big Apple Design

08/10/2015 11:14 AM

Retail merchandising major Alex Estes ’17 stepped into the world of luxury apparel designers as an intern for New York City-based Rebecca Minkoff. Estes used the summer in Manhattan to sharpen his understanding of sales and merchandising.

The Chicago native enhanced his versatility through trend, sales and inventory analysis in the company’s retail and e-commerce divisions.

“Having the ability to experience an innovative interactive retail environment and working with one of the top innovative companies is an opportunity of a lifetime,” Estes said.

A data analysis project on the internship’s first day brought classroom theory into professional practice.

“I was happy I took the merchandising course last spring, because this project otherwise would’ve taken me over a week to complete,” he said.

In addition to growing professionally, Estes established relationships with colleagues in the Big Apple’s thriving luxury brand marketplace. He now has a networking circle that includes people at Porsche Design, Macy’s and others.

“My internship at Rebecca Minkoff has given me the competence to associate myself with what I truly am passionate about and pursuing for the rest of my life” Estes said.