Ji Yun Lee '11 got a lot out of her time at Brandeis. Lee received Brandeis' prestigious Fashion Scholarship Fund and, just after graduating, Lee began working as assistant brand manager for fashion accessories and the menswear division at LF USA in New York. In a phone interview with justArts, Lee talked about her past experiences and her current work in the fashion industry.

JustArts: What got you interested in fashion?

Lee: My mother was my muse. She was always fashionable. I used to play dress up with my mother's vintage pieces, and I wrote for the monthly fashion column of the high school paper. I had a passion for international diplomacy [and] politics and fashion and wanted to merge the two together.

JA: I understand you were born in Korea. How was the transition to Brandeis?

JYL: Well, I was born in Seoul, Korea, but I moved to Beijing, China when I was seven. It was an easy transition coming to Brandeis. Everyone was warm and welcoming.

JA: How did you hear about the Fashion Scholarship Fund and what did you have to do to apply?

JYL: I received about 16 emails from friends and faculty who thought I would be interested. For the scholarship, I had to write an essay and complete a business case study on marketing.

JA: Can you tell me a little about your past work in the fashion industry?

JYL: I worked for W in Korea right after my freshman year and Vogue in China following my sophomore year. Then I worked for Saks Fifth Avenue's Men's Fashion office after my junior year and started working at LF USA upon graduating.

JA: How would you compare your work in China and Korea with your work in America?

JYL: There were many cultural differences not only in terms of featured content but also dynamics within the office. I became more aware of the cultural nuances and the importance of catering to different consumer preferences. I learned a tremendous amount through my internships—I can't stress that enough. Being immersed in different environments helped me fine-tune what I was looking for in a career, which was combining my business acumen and creative capabilities.

JA: Can you tell me a little about your current job?

JYL: I'm working specifically with several fashion accessories and menswear brands. In brand management, we do research on white space opportunities, as well as monitor changes in customer preferences. We are also the brand stewards, therefore we are in charge of controlling how our brands are positioned in stores and through our numerous media channels. We also coordinate with various divisions within the company and, depending on the scope of the project, we will also collaborate with external sources. My mentor, Paul Rosengard '80, the executive vice president and head of menswear for LF USA and chairman emeritus of the scholarship fund, introduced me to LF USA. We meet on a regular basis. He is so wonderful and supportive. He not only offered insightful career advice but also helped me adapt to life in New York City.

JA: Is it tough working in the fashion industry?

JYL: It's not always as glamorous as it seems. There were definitely some Devil Wears Prada moments. Also, the rapid pace of the industry becomes a challenge at times, especially with social media and technological advancements. You always have to be alert and observe what is going on in the rest of the world.

JA: Did you take fashion courses at Brandeis? How did you integrate fashion into your academic curriculum?

JYL: At Brandeis, I majored in Economics and International Global Studies with a focus on media, communications and the arts. Even though I took courses in a range of disciplines, when a paper was assigned, I used it an opportunity to delve into fashion from multiple perspectives. I wrote about the impact of sustainable fashion and innovative ecommerce strategies in my Economics classes, customs surrounding the Korean national costume in my Anthropology class and the role of costuming in character development in Hitchcock's Rear Window in my Philosophy class. Studying fashion from these various angles accumulated to my senior thesis, which was fortunately awarded with highest honors. It's really a tribute to the perks of Brandeis' liberal arts education combined with my past internship experiences.