FIT Grad Update: Michelle Bunis on Collaboration & Conscious Fashion
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.
Michelle Bunis’ attraction to fashion started from a young age, but it blossomed during her time in college. She graduated from FIT in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Textile Development & Marketing with a concentration in Economics. Prior to attending FIT, she graduated from Brookdale Community College with an Associate of Science degree in Merchandising. Here, she discusses what fueled her passion for apparel and how her program prepared her for the corporate world.
Carved in Blue: What attracted you most to a career in denim and textiles?
Michelle: Growing up, I always knew I wanted to work in the fashion industry. From a young age, I was intrigued with the glam aspect of fashion. Whether it was working on sewing projects with my grandma on her vintage Singer sewing machine or obsessively watching the award shows, I loved to be surrounded by the industry. After taking an Intro to Textiles class for my A.S., I instantly knew it would be the most fulfilling career path for me. While being in the industry for nearly 10 years, I love how textiles allow me to use both my analytical and creative skills.
Carved in Blue: Since graduating from FIT, what has been your career path?
Michelle: I am currently working at American Eagle as their fabric manager of women’s knits for three years. Holding and growing into a position at a clothing company I have been admiring since my early teens is one of my biggest accomplishments yet. Being able to see a product from conception to store is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career.
Prior to my three years at AEO, I held positions at the corporate offices of retail brands as a fabric associate and assistant manager of product development, as well as an account associate for a textile jobber. I’ve truly enjoyed being able to see all aspects of the industry, and work with both knits and wovens over the years.
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?
Michelle: One of the most valuable lessons I took from FIT was learning how to collaborate with others. In my field, a ton of partnership and brainstorming happens between our designers, product developers and merchandisers. Learning how to communicate effectively with each team is one of the things FIT prepared me for the most! I will never forget building bonds with my classmates during our senior year denim project, or the many late nights we spent down in the knitting lab. This type of comradery doesn’t come from a class, but a culture that the TDM program instilled in each of its graduates.
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?
Michelle: “Try to never be the smartest person in the room.” Throughout my education and career, I have found it imperative to surround myself with forward and outside-the-box thinkers. When surrounded by strong, independent thinkers, it encourages one to not only ask questions to grow and learn, but to always challenge the norm. Regardless of how much you know, there is a never-ending library of things to learn and opportunities to encounter.
Carved in Blue: What would you like to see more (or less) of in the denim/textile industry?
Michelle: I am so excited to be involved with a company who prioritizes not only moving toward more sustainable raw materials, but also reducing water and energy usage. I strongly feel this will continue to be a huge request from the consumer as they become more educated on what goes into making a textile, and how they are disposed of. I cannot wait to see what advances the industry makes in developing and using more sustainable materials, as we have already made many huge strides in the past few years.