FIT Grad Update: Ailee John on the Value of Unconventionality & Taking Risks
For many students, college coursework is the first step toward building a career in their chosen field. Exemplifying this, a number of graduates from the Fashion Institute of Technology’s denim class have gone on to work in the industry. Carved in Blue is catching up with students from the course to see where their post-graduate lives have taken them.
Since she graduated from FIT in May 2012, Ailee John has continued her career in the textile industry, and currently works on denim R&D at Old Navy. Read on to hear her thoughts on empowering consumers through education and the benefits of “leaps of faith.”
Carved in Blue: What attracted you most to a career in denim and textiles?
Ailee: I always loved the romance and the craft of it. I started in merchandising at FIT and quickly realized it didn’t satisfy my creative and tactile desires. That, and I despised retail math. Textiles surround us, yet people know so little about them. I wanted to change that and I loved that denim felt special and alchemical.
Carved in Blue: Since graduating from FIT, what has been your career path?
Ailee: I graduated during a difficult economic time and didn’t make my path any easier for myself by moving across the country from NYC to San Francisco with absolutely no career contacts. Since 2012, I have hand dyed yarn for a boutique yarn maker and worked in a successful small retail store in Oakland as buyer before finally landing in denim R&D at Old Navy in 2017 on a contract. I’ve been in denim R&D at Old Navy ever since.
In my career, I am most proud of being unconventional. I have an unconventional background and a willingness to challenge conformity—and authority—which I believe is necessary to move any large company forward.
Carved in Blue: Reflecting on your time at FIT, what has been the most useful lesson (from in or outside the classroom) that you’ve been able to apply to your work?
Ailee: Realistically, I have to say soft skills! You can never be “too good” at people. And also, take the risk—the leap of faith—even if it scares you and others. I’ve never been sorry about any of my leaping. That’s not to say it’s been easy, but I’ve always looked back and thought, “I’m really glad I went for that. No regrets.”
Carved in Blue: If you could give your collegiate self one piece of advice, what would it be? What do you wish you knew when you were a student?
Ailee: “Have more fun.” I’m entirely too serious about life. So, I try and remember that better now.
Carved in Blue: What would you like to see more (or less) of in the denim and textile industry?
Ailee: I would like to see more consumer education. At the end of the day, it’s the money that makes the decision. I would love to see a more empowered consumer! And of course, I find the denim industry to be like a family. I love that and want it to continue.
Watch the project that Ailee’s Denim Team presented at their final thesis below.
Note: This is a series of articles covering the graduates of the FIT Denim Capstone Class run by Professor Jeffrey Silberman and sponsored over many years by Andrew Olah/ Olah Inc, Cotton Inc, Supima, Cone Denim, The Lycra Company, and TENCEL(TM) Denim.