Morgan in the Making

Sorry I’ve been so M.I.A. lately! College applications...

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 20:19:00 -0500

Sorry I’ve been so M.I.A. lately! College applications & senior year have kept me busy. I’ve gotten your emails, and I promise we will be up and running soon. I’m working on a few new projects I’m super excited to share.

I recently worked on a “Shoe Confession” for Nine West’s new Youtube channel about my serious obsession with these Zara heels. Hope you like it!

The Andre Leon Talley Rap You can’t be involved in the...

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 18:49:00 -0400

The Andre Leon Talley Rap

You can’t be involved in the fashion industry without having a deep admiration (or in my case, obsession) with Andre Leon Talley. He is a prime example of someone who has worked incredibly hard for his success. Though his resume is intimidating, he still seems relatable and kind. In addition to being generally awesome, he writes for VOGUE and wears extravagant robes and caftans. Who wouldn’t want to be friends with him?

Like I mentioned in the video, I had the pleasure of meeting him once, and I inevitably freaked out. He talked to me, for a little bit, and then introduced me to Manolo Blahnik. This is a moment that is still unbelievable to me. I spent the next day telling my entire Civics & Economics class what happened only to have more than a few blank stares directed at me. Sigh.

Andre inspires me to work harder in everything I do, so that maybe, one day, I can be as fabulous as him.

mvonsteen@gmail.com

Photo

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 18:48:00 -0400

The Jane Keltner de Valle Rap Jane is one of those editors I had...

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 22:51:00 -0400

The Jane Keltner de Valle Rap

Jane is one of those editors I had always looked up to when I meticulously studied the pages fashion magazines growing up. The more I read Teen Vogue, the more and more I idolized her. I’ve always loved the editors that made up my favorite publication, but she and Amy Astley always seemed to stand out to me. She was poised, successful, and an incredible writer. Inevidably, she became an amazing role model for me.

I first met her at TVFU back last October, and I will never forget standing there after the panel with her. After we talked for a little bit, she smiled, handed me her business card, and said “keep in touch.” It may not seem like much to anyone else, but I still remember it clearly. I was being expected to “keep in touch” with someone I had always dreamed about meeting!

This summer, while interning in New York City, I have gotten the opportunity to see Jane a few times. To be honest, it is still hard for me to keep my cool around her. Like I said in the video, I turn into an awkward mess. At this point, I’m just hoping it’s endearing! She has been incredibly supportive of my passion for the industry, and has answered every question I have pestered her with.

Jane, I can’t thank you enough. You rock.

The Fashionista.com Rap As a daily reader since I was 11, I have...

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 15:48:00 -0400

The Fashionista.com Rap

As a daily reader since I was 11, I have grown up with Fashionista. I honestly feel that the voices & stories of these women have shaped me into the fashion-obsessed 16-year-old that I am today. I would spend my lunch in middle school catching up on Faran’s (fabulously handwritten) fashion trivia in the computer lab and I still have Natalie’s vigorously highlighted Teen Vogue interview bookmarked in my room. I remember doing my Pre-Algebra homework while waiting for Abby’s FNO coverage and when I got the opportunity to tour ELLE magazine last summer, I was looking through the offices for Britt - not Robbie Myers.

I had always imagined what I would do if I got the chance to meet the EIC of Fashionista (no, seriously) and when I did, I burst into tears (hi Lauren). Now, I am currently interning in office with Leah.

This website & these women have been an integral part of my life for five years, and I can’t thank them enough for all they have done to inform, entertain, and most importantly, celebrate the world of fashion for me and the rest of the readers. To sum it all up: this rap is long overdue.

mvonsteen@gmail.com

UPDATE: Britt Aboutaleb is now working for Who What Wear.

The Mary Kate Steinmiller Rap As a life-long avid reader of Teen...

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:31:00 -0500

The Mary Kate Steinmiller Rap

As a life-long avid reader of Teen Vogue, Mary Kate Steinmiller has inspired me in many different ways. She is incredibly sweet, stylish, and absolutely fabulous. Naturally, she is rap worthy.

We met back in October at Teen Vogue Fashion University (scroll down to see the Teen Vogue rap) at the Topshop event. I had just gotten orange lipstick applied (a la Prada S/S 2010) by the make-up artists at the event, when I saw Mary Kate walk in. The shade made me look as if I was color-blind exclusively to lipstick and I ended up frantically smearing the gloss off my face in front of a mirror before approaching her. Though we only talked for a few minutes, she left a major impression on me. Few people could make me rap in a crowded store, but I couldn’t say no to Ms. Steinmiller.

mvonsteen@gmail.com

The Mickey Boardman Rap Mickey Boardman was an obvious choice...

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 15:27:00 -0500

The Mickey Boardman Rap

Mickey Boardman was an obvious choice for my newest rap. After meeting him in Savannah, Georgia in May (see Joe Zee rap), it was easy to see how much of an icon he is in the fashion industry. As the editorial director of Paper magazine, in my eyes, he is really the face of the “Paper brand.” Mickey is honestly one of the nicest, most responsive editors I have ever met.

My story goes a bit like this: I was still frazzled from meeting Joe Zee that day when I saw Mickey across the street. I was hesitant to speak to him, for I was extremely nervous, but I decided I would regret missing the opportunity. I introduced myself, and he introduced me to Lauren Sherman (a Lucky editor now, then at Fashionista.com) and Danica Lo (a Glamour editor now, then at Racked.com). Needless to say, I was floored. I automatically burst into tears (yes, again) because I was so excited to be speaking to three editors that I have followed for the longest time. We talked for a few minutes while I struggled to catch my breath, and they ended up giving me their business cards.

2 months later, I was visiting my friend Caroline in NYC, and we all ended up having lunch together! Believe me, my mind is still recovering.

Mickey is truly a talented editor, and therefore totally rap worthy. I hope you like it!

mvonsteen@gmail.com

The Taylor Tomasi Hill Rap I’ve been obsessed with Taylor...

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:04:00 -0500

The Taylor Tomasi Hill Rap

I’ve been obsessed with Taylor Tomasi Hill since the origin of street style blogs, so yes, it’s been awhile. Taylor simply exudes cool. It’s as simple as that. Try and name another woman on earth that can throw on anything in her closet and still look poised, gorgeous, and generally awesome. That’s right, you can’t. This rap was actually my easiest/favorite to write yet because there is just so much to say about her.

I hope you all enjoy!

mvonsteen@gmail.com

ps. I want to congratulate Taylor on her new position at Moda Operandi!

UPDATE: I met Taylor at the CFDA Awards in June 2012! I explained my blog and mentioned how sad I was that I never was able to send my rap to her. This is where I almost passed out: she knew who I was! Here are my exact words: “I’ve been obsessed with you for the longest time, so you really don’t understand how weird this is for me. This is so surreal.” She laughed, I cried (not really this time, just mentally). Still dying.

Check out my coverage of Teen Vogue Fashion University for my first ever article on Fashionista.com!

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:19:00 -0400

Check out my coverage of Teen Vogue Fashion University for my first ever article on Fashionista.com!

The Teen Vogue Rap On October 22, 2011 I attended the annual...

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:05:00 -0400

The Teen Vogue Rap

On October 22, 2011 I attended the annual Teen Vogue Fashion U in New York City. It was a fantastic experience and I honestly counting the days till next year. I have been waiting to apply since I started reading Teen Vogue in 2006, and I was ecstatic to find that I got in on first attempt. I had the most amazing classes with Michael Kors, Alexander Wang, Linda Fargo and of course, the Teen Vogue editors.

I knew from the minute I was accepted I had to find a way to stand out if I wanted to get the editors attention; this is where the rap came in. For about a month, I wrote and practiced it at least 10 times a day. Anyone who is in my math class could tell you how crazy I looked silently rapping to myself during a lesson. I knew that if I was going to preform at the Teen Vogue editor Q&A, practice would be a necessity.

Finally, when it came time for the event, I sat on the very edge of my seat until the editors noticed my raised hand high up in the balcony. I was extremely nervous, but it was completely worth it.

Afterwards, I went backstage to speak with them, and I have to admit they are some of the most supportive people I have ever met. I want to thank everyone who took the time to listen to my rap, but especially Amy Astley, Gloria Baume, Shiona Turini, Jane Keltner de Valle, Danielle Nussbaum, Andrew Bevan, Sheena Smith and Mary Kate Steinmiller for answering my questions in person.

mvonsteen@gmail.com

The Joe Zee Rap Here is the video that started my desperate...

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:06:00 -0400

The Joe Zee Rap

Here is the video that started my desperate attempt to make it in the fashion industry.

All my life, I have been utterly obsessed with the top editors of the magazine industry, but there has always been one person that always stood out for me: Joe Zee.

He represented everything I wanted fashion to be: fun, powerful, and competitive. We come from similar backgrounds of middle class families and crazy magazine fixations. Also I admire his message that drive and sheer determination can get you anywhere.

After first seeing him on Stylista, I couldn’t help but be drawn to him. A few months after the show aired, I visited New York City. At the time I was 13, and I had come with my Girl Scout troop. We were boarding the subway when I saw Joe immediately, but I have always regretted the fact that I couldn’t work up the courage to say hello.

Two years later, I emailed him via his Facebook page after being extremely inspired by his A to Zee column in ELLE. Upon receiving a reply, I started jumping up and down in the middle of my journalism class.

On May 21st 2011, I drove down to Savannah, GA for the SCAD senior fashion show. I was about to eat lunch when I unexpectedly saw Joe crossing the street. Immediately I ran up to him and burst into tears. Alas, not my best moment.

The next day, Joe sent me a tweet that said “come say hi if you are every in New York.” …there was no way in hell I wasn’t going to take him up on that offer.

Thus, my amateur rap video was born, and oddly enough, it worked. I visited ELLE magazine twice this summer, which had always been a dream of mine.

I hope you enjoy my fashion girl swag. <—- Don’t laugh at me.