Behind the Catwalk: Marist Italy students Intern at Milan Fashion Week

By Alice Adams

Enjoy this flashback to the Spring semester of 2025, when two Marist Italy Bachelor’s Program students had the honor of interning at Milan Fashion Week. Congratulations again to Lizzy and Emma who made Marist Italy proud with their hard work and dedication. They set a very high standard for future interns to live up to! Each year, two students will be chosen for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Who will they be for this coming year?

As spring kicked off here in Italy, Marist students Lizzy Reardon and Emma Lindley traveled to Milan for the world-renowned Milan Fashion Week. Once there, they participated in an internship assisting the designer Francesca Liberatore, putting their classroom skills to practice behind the catwalk. Liberatore hosts two Marist interns every Milan Fashion Week, once in the spring and once in the fall. Both Reardon and Lindley are students in the 4-year Bachelor’s Degree Program at Marist Italy. Reardon is a junior from Minnesota, majoring in Fashion Merchandising with a concentration in Promotion and a minor in Product Development. Lindley is a senior from Boerne, Texas, also majoring in Fashion Merchandising.

“It was amazing, such a whirlwind of never knowing what to expect once you’re in it. And it was incredible.”

— Lizzy Reardon

Why did you jump on this opportunity when you heard about it?

Lizzy: I’ve seen fashion as art most of my life. I began performing through dance, and so I’ve always loved something being put on, in a showcase kind of way, and fashion shows do that perfectly. It’s an event–everyone comes, there’s this buzz in the air that you can’t quite describe unless you’re there. I did my first two years in Poughkeepsie through Marist, and I was able to do the Silver Needle Runway, completely a student-led production from start to finish. I’ve always loved and appreciated runway shows, but having that hands-on experience through the school was incredible. I felt like I had to at least throw my name in the hat.

What were your responsibilities while assisting Francesca Liberatore?

Emma: On casting day, my responsibilities included checking models in for the casting, keeping model card options organized, and even assisting Francesca with casting decisions when she was on the fence about certain models. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of input the team wanted from us, and it was a great opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way. The following day was fittings, and other than show day, it was by far the most hectic and busy part of the entire week. There was so much to do that the time flew by. My primary duty that day was to write down specific details on how Francesca wanted each look styled for show day.

The following day, Lizzy and I were responsible for cross-checking all of my information with other team members and then transferring that information onto styling cards that would be used by backstage dressers and photographed by the press. Over the next two days, we did essentially whatever needed to be done to ensure everything was ready for show day. Whenever someone needed assistance, we were there to fill that role. I was even the test model for the hair and makeup looks for the show, so Francesca could approve them before show day. We also filmed and shot a lot of behind-the-scenes content that was used by both Marist and Francesca’s entire team. On show day, both Lizzy and I were asked to assist with dressing models backstage, which we later learned was a role not usually given to interns. We were asked to assist here because we made it a point to thoroughly familiarize ourselves with every detail of each look, and they realized this would make us an asset to have backstage.

“Everyone needs to step up in different areas to make sure the show runs smoothly, whether you’re an intern or the director of backstage operations. If you’re sitting down, you’re missing something.“

— Emma Lindley

What was the biggest surprise about working behind the catwalk?

Lizzy: I’d say specifically how Francesca and her team operate. It’s very interesting and collaborative. There’s this whole stereotype of fashion being kind of catty and mean. And they were so inviting, including everyone. I was surprised to see that–it was a good surprise.

Emma: Although I was prepared for the environment to be dynamic and fast paced, I don’t think I was aware just how chaotic behind the scenes would be. Even when working with a high-caliber and experienced team, there is no avoiding the chaos that comes with prepping for a runway show. You need to be incredibly aware of everything going on around you at all times, or you might miss a seriously important detail. If you want to excel in this industry, you need to make yourself an asset by being ready to jump in wherever you are needed, in whatever capacity. Everyone needs to step up in different areas to make sure the show runs smoothly, whether you’re an intern or the director of backstage operations. If you’re sitting down, you’re missing something. 

What were the most significant aspects of the experience for you? Biggest takeaways?

Emma: One of the most impactful aspects of this experience was how kind and communicative Francesca’s team was. Fashion has a reputation for being pretty cutthroat, and it was incredibly refreshing to see that a team of experienced professionals can still operate effectively while also making it a point to be kind to one another. So many models arrived at the casting looking like they were on the verge of tears, and made a point to tell us we were the only casting that had treated them with respect and friendliness that day. For a while, I debated whether fashion was an industry I loved enough to deal with all of the brutality and superficiality, and ultimately, I decided that it was. However, this experience taught me that change within the industry is possible and that there are companies and organizations out there actively working towards this.

“Fashion has a reputation for being pretty cutthroat, and it was incredibly refreshing to see that a team of experienced professionals can still operate effectively while also making it a point to be kind to one another.”

— Emma Lindley

Why is fashion important for the world and for you, personally?

Lizzy: I think art is so beautiful and it can inspire you in so many different ways, and can also describe the indescribable emotions–but fashion specifically. You see it every day, whether you notice it or not, right? You are a part of it. If you put on an outfit every day, and you see other people wearing what they wear, and I see it as–people say it all the time–a form of self-expression. I am excited to wake up each day to put on an outfit. You can show your personality, the different parts of you, through your clothing. It’s very much of a different form of art that you see every day.

Emma: To me, fashion is so much more than what you put on your body. Fashion is often a window into the current political, social, or economic climate. It is one of the few industries that no human being is exempt from. No matter who you are or where you’re from, you’re participating in the fashion industry everyday simply by getting dressed. It is art that you live your life in. You have the ability to change who you are simply by changing your clothes. It has a lot more power and an ability to tell a story about yourself than I think most people realize. To be able to be a part of the process that creates something with so much impact is something I have dreamed of for as long as I can remember. 

Do you have any advice for someone looking to pursue fashion and land a similar position?

Lizzy: Go in and give it your all. It’s so cheesy and so simple. There were times that if Emma and I didn’t put ourselves out there and ask for more work, we would have just sat there. When you are given the opportunity, or given a chance, run with it. Don’t think that’s the end, don’t think you got the internship and you can just lay back and casually do it. When you put your all in it, it’s worth it.

“When you put your all in it, it’s worth it.“

— Lizzy Reardon

Emma: During fashion week, Francesca said something that really resonated with me. I don’t remember the exact paraphrasing, but she said something like, “I don’t want anybody on my team to be doing this for me. I need them to be doing it for themselves, or have a personal goal or purpose that they are working towards, whatever that may be. Because if you aren’t doing it for yourself, you won’t survive in this industry.” Ultimately, fashion can be a really difficult industry to go into. It is an incredibly demanding line of work. After my many experiences working in fashion, I can tell you that “The Devil Wears Prada” actually isn’t that far off the mark. A lot of people who are competing for the same jobs as you really, really want them. So, if it’s not something you truly love, the amount of work you’ll have to put in to make it in fashion won’t be worth it to you. But if it is, it’s incredibly rewarding. My second piece of advice is not to give up. I applied for this position twice before I was selected. Don’t let rejection discourage you, because it’s just part of the process. If you don’t get the position you want the first time around, keep trying. 

Do you have any additional thoughts you’d like to share?

Lizzy: It was an experience that was once in a lifetime, and the whole time, I was so grateful that our school even has this connection to a designer. A lot of times you have to go so out of your way for internships. It was really cool.

Emma: I encourage anyone who wants to pursue a career in fashion to apply for this internship if they have the opportunity. It gives you a real-world glimpse into how the industry actually operates. Overall, my experience in Milan was absolutely incredible, and I am extremely grateful for my time working with Francesca’s team.

These interviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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