ACU’s mission to prepare students for Christian leadership throughout the world is more than just words on paper. Lauren Fink, senior business major from Grapevine is one example of this mission in action.

Fink had the unique opportunity to intern at New York Fashion week at the beginning of this school year.

This summer Fink had an internship in Los Angeles.  She worked with Pamella Roland, the designer of Angelina Jolie’s wedding dress.

After the internship, where she performed a variety of duties, Fink was able to use a family connection to be a part of the Style 360 event in New York Fashion Week.

“I was there working and styling for the event Style 360 in the meat-packing district during a three day event for eight different shows and two after-parties,” Fink said. “It was a very heavy celebrity base.”

Her responsibilities included reserving seats for celebrities, managing a vendor booth and running various errands.

Fink said she enjoyed her experiences in the fashion world and has wanted her own boutique since middle school. However, Fink’s internships involved lots of interaction with famous people and she quickly learned that working with celebrities was not something she wanted to be a part of.

“This summer I worked with a lot of celebrities because our showroom was for stylists and celebrities for red carpet events.” Fink said. “It’s something I don’t want to be involved in, it’s all very self serving.”

Fink enjoyed the opportunity to experience New York from a native perspective rather than that of a tourist, but said her favorite part of the experience was the Pamela Rowland show.

“The Pamela Rowland show was very cool and interactive, her collection is going to be beautiful,” Fink said.

Fink’s advise for anyone interested in the fashion industry is simple.

“Milk your connections,” Fink said. “Get to know people who you don’t know. In the fashion industry it’s all about who you know and how you can get into it. Once you’re in and have experience it’s much easier to get more experience.”

Fink is eager to use her gifts and the passion she has to further God’s kingdom.

“I see clothes more as something to make people feel more confident in the way the Lord has created them,” Fink said. “Retail is a mission field just as much as any other workplace.”