Recent grad — and fashionista — headed to Ralph Lauren as assistant merchandiser

“If you are not in fashion, you are nobody.” — Lord Chesterfield, “Letter to his son”, April 30, 1750

If Chesterfield was around today, he would be happy with Christina Sweeney ’07. In July, Sweeney will start her first full-time job at Ralph Lauren, the fashion company that bears the name of the influential American fashion designer.

Sweeney will work as assistant merchandiser within the women’s buying department in the company’s swank digs in Manhattan’s Madison Avenue. She will help decide which samples will be merchandised in all of the Ralph Lauren flagship stores.

“One part of my job will be looking directly at the clothes and deciding what would sell,” she says. “I will have to analyze the success of certain clothes from past months and come up with a projected business plan for the future.”

Sweeney, who majored in history and lives in Richmond, Virginia, was in talks about positions at other prized fashion empires, such as Coach, Tiffany’s and In Style magazine. She was able to make an impact on these nationally sought after positions by working hard and utilizing Holy Cross’ alumni career network.

“Professional experience is almost necessary for getting a first interview,” she says. “I also started very early with the job search process which allowed me to go on many informational interviews and meet tons of helpful people in the business.”

During the summer of 2005, she interned at Kirna Zabete, one of the hottest boutiques in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood. The next summer she interned under the tutelage of Carolyn Risoli ’86, president of Marc Jacobs, the chic women’s clothing line also based in New York City.

“It was incredible!,” she says of her experience at Marc Jacobs. “I basically learned how the fashion business operates. The business is very dynamic. The people at Marc Jacobs are brilliant and creative. The fashion industry is so challenging because both business sense and one’s creative side are utilized at all times. Basically every day was completely unique. There is no ‘typical’ day in this industry which I love. Some days I was working with models and taking head shots and some days I was working with the samples. The unpredictability and spontaneity of the industry makes it so interesting and exciting.”

Her experiences at Holy Cross, which included serving as orientation leader, Campus Activities Board co-chair, tour guide, and member of the field hockey team, helped her gain necessary leadership experience.

“All of my experiences on campus made me a better person. Playing a varsity sport taught me so much about time management and team work while leadership experience allowed me to have more responsibility while dealing with all different types of people,” she says.

She also attended Holy Cross’ Women in Business Conference last fall where she met a few alumnae who helped her through the job search process, including Andrea Krajci ’04, who works at Coach, Inc., and Kristen O’Hara, senior vice president and managing director of Time Warner Global Marketing. “They were wonderful and quite responsive, while providing great advice and guidance,” she says.

These experiences have prepared her well to walk through difficult situations — stiletto heels or not.

“I basically want to succeed in the buying department and continue to rise to higher positions,” she says. “I am extremely determined to work hard to eventually rise to the top. As for right now, I just want to succeed in my new job.”

A self-proclaimed “shopaholic,” Sweeney has many preferences when scouring the mall.

“I am a dress girl! I love shopping at consignment or vintage stores because I can find great brands where the price is right. I love Marc by Marc Jacobs, of course, and Catherine Malandrino, Nanette Lepore. But honestly my wardrobe is all over the place. Ultimately, I wear what I like, ranging from my prized Vera Wang or Banana Republic. I really love to create outfits by mixing brands. I admire — from a distance, of course, because of my college level financial status — Miu Miu, Moschino Cheap and Chic, Narcisco Rodriguez, and Chloe. However, I’ve been able to find these brands tucked away in the lower east side of Manhattan for absolute steals!”

We saved the most important question for last: What are you going to wear on the first day of work?

“This is tough,” she says. “Probably a dress!”

Related Information:

* Women in Business Conference