Today we’d like to introduce you to Marisa Mundo.
Hi Marisa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I didn’t always know I wanted to pursue fashion as it was more of an interest and hobby, but once I learned about different fields and the history of fashion, everything started to really click. I started out as someone who loved fashion photography, and that is what I was going to do after college. I started out doing photoshoots with my best friends in different places around West Palm Beach and turning my house and garage into a studio. I taught myself trial and error, styling, and production details. I started as a Multi Media Journalism major at Lynn University, and in my first spring semester, I had my first fashion class and met two girls from the fashion club, and I immediately knew I wanted to switch my major to fashion. Right after that moment, I went from not knowing what the Lynn Fashion Show (LFS) was or anyone in fashion on campus to becoming the most involved person. I started as Marketing coordinator for the association and quite quickly took on leadership roles within the association and our bigger annual LFS production. Not only were experience and leadership roles something I enjoyed and something I knew I was good at, but I also enjoyed bringing people from all majors and interests together for fashion, and being able to tell stories through these shows. Eventually, I became president, and this past year I have been the front student fashion show producer at Lynn, which has been one of the best experiences of my life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Working in fashion is never a smooth road, I have learned lol. There were always struggles with things such as getting students to get involved at times, quick changes and hiccups during fashion shows, and even just recently, during our annual club Spring Fashion Show, we had to last-minute create a new game plan since our show was outdoors and it started raining all day.
To go into specifics, one of my favorite parts of doing these projects is working with people and collaborating, but that can also be a challenge. Especially in big productions like the Lynn Fashion Showcase, where you’re working with different designers, students, and campus administration- sometimes there are different opinions that bud heads and you have to cater to all those different wants and needs while standing your ground on what YOU need.
It is also hard being in my position because you take on a very strong leadership role, and when events are in the making and it’s the week before LFS, a lot falls on my plate, and it’s easy to not take care of yourself and overwork yourself. Then again, this is what I love to do; sometimes it’s hard to check myself in to be like “okay, take a break, you too can get a snack, or you too can chill for a minute.”
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have both my job (my professional work) and my personal work.
My professional work started with my experience with Anna Bluemenfeld, a designer in Wellington, FL. I started working for her Cashemre Brand as a representative. I would do just about everything from cold calls, styling, sketching, blog writing, and social media content. I’m very grateful for my time with her because she loved to teach me, she always explained why she sets her tech packs the way she does, and why the way she markets is important. and how retailing works. After this, I currently work at Neiman Marcus as a Sales Associate. I love working here because of the connections you make with clients. When clients come in, it’s very personal, and I get to be creative with styling and build client connections.
My personal work, I would say I’m most proud of. I’m proud of my work with students at Lynn University and how my passion and drive for what I do have created some of the school’s best events, and I have been able to create opportunities and experiences for my friends and other interested students.
All in all, I would say what sets me apart is how hands-on my journey has been. I went immediately from 0 to inserting myself into every part of this world, and I love it. I didn’t just study fashion, but I created my own opportunities, starting with small photoshoots and growing into producing full-scale events. I have learned by doing, which has made me adaptable, resourceful, comfortable, and confident in fast-paced environments where things may not always go as planned.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I feel like risk-taking is an important part of growth, especially in an industry like fashion, where creativity and innovation need us to step out of our comfort zone with constant changes in the world and technology. Risk is more about being intentional and willing to pursue something even when the outcome is not guaranteed.
One of the biggest risks I have taken for my career was fully committing to fashion when I wasn’t entirely sure where it would lead and not fully educated on things most people studying fashion did know. I started taking any and every opportunity there was and creating my own by working my way from club member to marketing coordinator to president, all within 2 years. I created my own opportunities by styling and producing small photoshoots on my own without formal experience, just trusting my instincts and learning as I went, which was scary as a person who usually has a full plan and always researches my decisions, especially with things like school. Putting my work out there and taking those first uncomfortable steps was one of the best risks I ever took.
I’d say another risk was taking on such a big leadership role with not much prior involvement and experience, taking on a role most girls have 3-4 years of experience in, while I had a few months. Taking on leadership roles in large-scale projects, like producing fashion shows, managing the Lynn student fashion association, working with designers, and being responsible for the overall execution of these things, involves a lot of uncertainty and pressure on myself. I have learned to approach risk as something that, when taken, can lead to the most growth. I’ve also learned about myself that when I’ve stepped into something unfamiliar or challenging, it pushes me forward and I find ways to open new opportunities. Ofcouse the inner planner in me will always be there too lol.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bymarisanicole.com
- Instagram: xmarisanicole
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisa-nicole-mundo
- Other: other instagram: @bymarisanicole
