Alumni Spotlight: Riana Catanzaro from books to looks!

Riana Catanzaro, a North Penn graduate of 2014, is taking the fashion world by storm based on her  past experience that started from North Penn High School. Catanzaro quickly traded in her textbooks for a sewing machine in the FCS classrooms to discover her love for fashion. Now crushing classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), Catanzaro is making plans to graduate a year early from her other classmates to fulfil her career driven aspirations. Without her past experiences from childhood and classes at NPHS, Catanzaro may not have made such a big dent in the fashion industry.

“I received a sewing machine for Christmas when I was little,” she stated. “I had no idea how to use it, so it sat there collecting dust for a while. But I would sketch out different outfits for Disney princesses and hope that one day I would be able to create them.”

That sewing machine didn’t sit there for too long, because after learning the sewing basics in FCS class, Catanzaro would break out her old machine at home to test out new things. Upon discovering her love for fashion, Catanzaro decided to take a shot at running NPHS’s annual fashion show done by students taking fashion classes.

“In high school, she was the FCCLA president for all her 3 years there, and she was the career study student in the fashion department who ran the fashion show,” stated her sister Siena proudly.

Being president made Catanzaro more knowledgeable each year. Mrs. Townsend and Mrs. Galaton brought out the best in her, introducing her to leadership by running the fashion show and inspiring other young student stylists. In addition to the annual fashion show, Catanzaro helped with events circled around Family and Consumer Sciences like Aid for Friends, Bandages for the Congo, and babysitting ESL children.

Catanzaro also commented on the most valuable thing she learned in school, explaining that it was how important it is to make an impact on someone’s life.

“Whether it’s one person or a couple thousand, you have the power to help someone every single day,” said Catanzaro.

Even though Catanzaro was extremely involved with fashion in high school, she still had a love for cheerleading, which contributed to Catanzaro’s communication, team building, and leadership skills to help prepare her for her field. She mentioned that there is nothing she misses more than NPHS’s Friday night football games.

Thanks to NPHS preparing her for the college life, Catanzaro set out on a search to find the perfect school to succeed at. She was well aware that FIT was one of the best fashion schools to attend but didn’t think she would make the cut.

“I still remember the day I got accepted; I stood at the end of my driveway in tears holding my letter. I could not believe I was chosen to attend one of the top ranked fashion schools in the world. Before that, I convinced myself I was not going to get in. I applied to many other schools and was actually committed to Philadelphia University. But I just knew those other schools weren’t for me,” she shared.

Catanzaro was right because she is making it big at FIT, as many opportunities have blown her way, leaving her excited to see what job she will take on next.

Although there are many areas in the fashion industry to work, Catanzaro decided to take the business route by majoring in Fashion Business Merchandising Management, also working in buying and planning. She is uncertain if she wants to take the buying route, where she will ascertain information about what is trending on the market and buys products for the company she is employed with.

However, Catanzaro also shows a deep interest with the planning route, where she will work with numbers more, finding products that sold last year, popular colors, and successful stores. Planners work hand in hand with buyers, so the job decision keeps Catanzaro on the fence every day. Catanzaro has always been so driven to commit to a career since she started interning after high school.

After Catanzaro graduated high school, her first internship was with Luxottica, a company that owns Ray-Bans, Oakleys, Sunglasses Hut, and various other companies. After moving to New York City to attend FIT, she was hired for her first job with Joe Fresh as a sales associate. While juggling school work and her job, Catanzaro still felt the need for more, so she landed an internship with The Rachel Ray Show as a wardrobe stylist.

“As interns, we helped style Rachael Ray for television tapings, magazine shoots, book signings, and other events. Seeing the production of the shows was my favorite part, along with being on them. The yummy food was also a nice perk,” stated Catanzaro.

Currently working for Modell’s in an e-commerce buying department, Catanzaro is eager to continue a career in the fashion industry.

Ready to get a full time job ever since she enrolled as a college student, Catanzaro made plans right then to graduate a year early from her class in order to jump right into the fashion world. Now she is trying to decide if she will stay in New York City or find a job in California.

Being interested in fashion isn’t the only ticket in. One must be a hard worker, and that’s exactly what Catanzaro is. She is a strong driven woman, hungry to explore the beauties of fashion. These are the factors that led her to winning scholarship from the Kate Spade and Co. Foundation. The foundation, which donates 1.2 million each year, finds one strong woman in entrepreneurship, technology, and the arts, and honors them with this money to support their education and aspirations to make a difference in the world each year. They believe that women are the key to making a difference in the world, and bestow this scholarship to help empower women.

“Earlier this month, I met with their board and we discussed all the opportunities we have as young women starting out in the industry. We are the future of the fashion industry and have the power and potential this industry needs. It is such an honor to know they are supporting my education. My family and I are so thrilled and thankful,” explained Catanzaro.

With a full view of her future, Catanzaro has some advice for students who wish to mirror her accomplishments. One might be surprised to discover that the industry is tough and not all glamorous.

“If you have ever seen The Devil Wears Prada, it is shocking to learn that people like Miranda Priestly exist. If you want to work in the industry, you have to be determined, hard-working, and ready for anything. You must have a ‘yes, of course’ attitude,” stated Catanzaro.

As a fast paced industry, students should be proactive, put themselves out there, and do everything they possibly can to make a name for themselves. One must use unique qualities to their advantage and stand out.

In the words of the fashionista, “That’s what makes the fashion industry so fascinating!”