Well, I don’t think it’s a shock or a secret to say that we have picked a profession which puts some emphasis on physical appearance. And while working for a magazine or as a designer isn’t as intimidating as modeling, the fashion industry regardless expects you not just to wear the clothes, but to wear them well, no matter your role.

For the first year, TEEN VOGUE addresses self-esteem in the fashion industry and will dedicate a special workshop of tips for young women on empowerment, career goals, and confidence.  Fashion U welcomes the “professorship” of Rachel Simmons, a bestselling author and renowned speaker on these topics, alongside a panel of supermodels who have challenged and overcome the standards.

We’ve watched the cattiness on reality TV shows—shows that give us a glimpse into the testing competition that is modeling, designing, and even interning with TEEN VOGUE.  We know it’s a challenging industry, but we wake up every morning, and we pick out our outfit, sing a little Annie (never fully dressed without a smile), and push on with our dreams.

On a typical morning at the TEEN VOGUE office, morning hellos are often paired with a “cute shoes” or “great dress” comment.  The industry can be brutal, but it can also be complementary, and when you’ve settled into a look and a style that you are comfortable in, it will show through your confidence.

Fashion U. is thrilled to include Rachel Simmons in our program—proud to be working with someone who represents the self-confidence that, in the fashion industry, is absolutely essential.  Rachel is the author of New York Times Bestseller, Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls, the founding director of the “Girls Leadership Institute,” and international speaker on, for lack of better wording, girl power.  She’s been on Oprah, Today, Dateline NBC, and more.  She also writes an advice blog for TEENVOGUE.com.

Get ready to spend a Saturday listening to the designers and editors you aspire to be, and feel inspired and enlivened. Then join Rachel Sunday morning to feel empowered and emboldened.  Fashion U. is about entering our dream world, and in this world, there’s no room for insecurities.

For more information on Rachel, or to purchase her books, visit www.rachelsimmons.com!

Tags: Brittany, Fashion U, Rachel Simmons, self-esteem