"Confidence is Key"

Following up last week’s interview with Max Bonbrest, today’s interview is with Ronit Gladstone, PR Specialist at theH&M PR and Showroom Department. Unlike Max, Ronit did not grow up in the United States, and initially had no idea that she would ever be “lucky enough” to be involved with fashion. Her interesting story is one of hopes, determination and desire – a story of a girl from a small town in Israel, growing up obsessed and enamored with fashion, who followed her dreams, and made it big in the fashion capital of the world.

How old are you, where did you grow up, and where do you currently live?

RG: I am 29 years old, I grew up in a small town in Israel, and currently live in Midtown Manhattan.

When and where did you go to college? What did you major in?

RG: I went to F.I.T. here in New York City, and graduated with a B.A. in Marketing/Communications in 2010.

Before going to college, what were you childhood dreams, and aspirations of becoming?

RG: To be honest, if you had told me 10 years ago I would be living in America, let alone New York City, I would have laughed in your face. After graduating high school at 18 years old, I joined the Israeli Army and spent two y

ears within it. It is pretty customary in Israel to travel for a bit after being discharged, so I came to NYC, thinking I would go back to college in Israel afterwards. Well, I ended up meeting my (now) husband at 20, and he asked me to stay here with him. Coming from such a different, small town, it was very culturally shocking to be here, and hard because of my language barrier. But after staying for a few months, I applied and got into F.I.T. I’ve been here ever since, and have no idea where I’m going to go next – that’s what I love about this city!

How & why did you decide to change your career choice, during/after college?

RG: Well I always knew I loved fashion, but didn’t know if that would fulfill me enough. I am more interested in the business/marketing side of it. Initially I thought I would go to design school in Israel; but when I went to F.I.T., and saw that they had a program that integrated the fashion and business/marketing side, I was sold.

So how did you end up working for H&M?

RG: I interned here for 2 semesters, and at towards the end of my second semester, a position had opened up. I interviewed with our main PR Manager, and got the job!

What are your favorite and least favorite aspects of this job?

RG: I love the fact that I am given freedom to use my creativity, and explore different facets of the industry more than anything. I also love collaborating with all different types of people, building new relationships with editors, stylists, magazines, etc. Also getting to do the celebrity designer collaborations is amazing! When I first started I worked the opening event of the Jimmy Choo/H&M launch and there were an INSANE amount of people...it was overwhelming and surreal but SO much fun. That's why I love fashion.

I would say my least favorite would be dealing with returns, and the physical labor part of it, as I am now 4 months pregnant.

Ideally, where do you see yourself going, professionally or personally, within the next 5 to 10 years?

RG: I would love to grow within the PR field, and continue to work in a casual, low-key environment such as this one. I would ideally also like to open my own business one day, which will allow me to have a flexible schedule because of my (future) children.

What role does fashion play in your life?

RG: I love fashion, and it’s definitely a big part of my life – but it’s not everything to me, I don’t “die for it,” like so many people in this business say they do. But I do love learning more about everyday through online blogs, media, T.V., magazines, etc.

What do you feel, or how do you respond to, constant misconceptions about fashion, and the people who work within the field?

RG: Well I think people tend to believe that if you work in fashion you must be an idiot, or vapid and superficial – which is not that case. Some of the most brilliant, dedicated, hard-working, kind, passionate people I’ve ever met have been through fashion. We work just as hard as anyone else, and try to make people look good – what’s wrong with that?

Do you feel that you’ve “made it?” Why? And if not, when or what will make you feel that you have?

RG: I will say that I feel like I am in a very good place in my life. With little to no experience, I have a great position and have basically jumped 10 steps ahead, so I’m very lucky. I hope to continue to combine family & work, open my own business, and have more children.

What is your advice to anyone who is interested in, or wants to “make it” in fashion?

RG: For such a long time, I felt like I would never make it, and had very little self-esteem and belief in myself. In life, and especially this business which can be very cruel at times, you must always maintain your confidence – confidence is key.Going to ed2010.com was a great resource for various internship and entry level positions in fashion in NYC.Keep your options open, regardless if it isn’t the exact position you want or if its low salary, because you never know who you will meet and what opportunities will arise out of it – its all about networking in this business.

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Bernard Pivot Questionnaire

What is your favorite word?

Food

What is your least favorite word?

Doctor

What turns you on?

Honesty, Confidence, Being Yourself

What turns you off?

Someone who’s a show off

What sound or noise do you love?

Rain

What sound or noise do you hate?

Buses outside of my apartment

What’s your favorite curse word?

Fuck off

What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

Working with kids, being a teacher

What profession would you not like to do?

Anything with technology

If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say to you at the pearly gates?

Everything will be OK.