The Chic Academy: Alaina's trip to NYC!

I was lucky enough to attend TEEN VOGUE Fashion University, an exclusive weekend-long event for "the fashion focused leaders of tomorrow." I was part of a select group of students who were able to attend classes, ask questions, and hear firsthand from the top names in the industry. I specifically attended a session with the TEEN VOGUE editors, Danielle + Jodie Snyder of DANNIJO, Nanette Lepore, Christian Sirano, and Coco Rocha.

That's not all though - TEEN VOGUE had other classes with amazingly influential people including: Alexa Chung, Eddie Borgo, Livia Marotta of BULGARI, Thankoon and so much more!! There were also two different shopping events, one at Express and the other at Top Shop. I had an absolute blast and learned soooo much! I left my weekend in New York completely inspired, motivated for my future career in the industry!

New York is such an inspiring city just by itself but being able to attend all the classes I did, meet all the designers, editors, and models and even all the TEEN VOGUE fashion U students was absolutely spectacular!

My courses were held in the Hudson Theatre and the Conde' Nast Building (where all the biggest magazine names are) in NYC.

They had the kickoff celebration and shopping event at Express. They had a DJ, mocktails, fancy appetizers, Dream Dry (established by Rachel Zoe) Beauty studio doing hair, A photo booth and every TVU student got 20% off!! I had so much fun and did it all! Check out #fashionu or #TVFU to see more pictures on twitter or instagram.

The next day I had my classes! Right when I walked in I was handed my complimentary swag bag full of cool stuff, so I thought the day couldn't get any better but it most definitely did!! They had photographers taking pictures, a hair studio giving away Pantene products, jewelry giveaways, drawings, music pumping and 500 incredibly fashionable students from all over the world to talk and network with!

I made a plaid circle skirt and matching crop top
with faux fur cap sleeves for my big day!

After everyone settled down we sat down in the big theatres and there it started! We were introduced to the whole board of TEEN VOGUE editors!!!

Teen Vogue Editors at Teen Vogue Fashion U — at The Condé Nast Building 4 Times Square.

I'll let the pictures do the talking for there rest of this! Here's just some of the AMAZING people I met!

The Designer sisters of DanniJo Jewels

Yes.... That is Coco Rocha!!! She was hilarious and so beautiful!

Met ultra gorgeous supermodel Jourdan Dunn while out shopping at Top Shop!!

Met Kooan Kosuke from Project Runway at Mood Designer Fabrics! He's so fun(:(:(:

Me and Swatch the official Mood Designer Fabrics Dog! He's got some serious style going on!

Teen Vogue's Editor Gloria Baume!

Me and Jason Wagenheim!!! The one and only Teen Vogue Publisher(:(: so funny

Saw Helen Castillo a designer from Project Runway and season 12 finalist on the subway!! lovee her

Fashion Designer Nanette Lepore and I at Teen Vogue Fashion U! She was so inspiring!

Designer Christian Siriano and I at Teen Vogue Fashion U NYC! life=made.

That very night they held the Shopping event at TopShop! I changed really quickly and grabbed a cab and headed to the big event! I had never been there and I instantly fell in love! The clothes were cuter than any I had ever seen, I was in absolute heaven! They had a great DJ, waitresses walking around with long trays of gourmet sweet treats and a bar with all sorts of drinks! If you spent $100 ,which was incredibly easy to do, you could get something you bought monogrammed with your initials and a free gift. I got to network and socialize with all the students and editors, it was the perfect ending to the perfect day!