Student Participates in Summer Internship at Vogue

Kate Dempsey Weiner, ’26  a Martin Nicholson Scholar, embodies the spirit of initiative and self-discovery. This summer, Dempsey-Weiner interned at Vogue Magazine for two weeks, where her ambition and openness to new experiences positioned her among a select group of driven students in the competitive world of fashion publishing. 

Getting an internship at Vogue is notoriously difficult. Her status as a Martin Nicholson Scholar gave her the confidence to pursue this coveted opportunity, and she has sought other growth opportunities during past summers with her stipend. She submitted her writing samples from KO’s student-initiated thread magazine, which gave her a leg up. This experience signaled to Vogue that this student was committed to developing her craft. Recognizing the lack of fashion programs in Connecticut, she saw the Vogue College of Fashion’s offerings in New York as the perfect chance to immerse herself in the industry. After applying in the winter, she was accepted into the program, which sent a congratulatory email, making the dream come true. 

Dempsey-Weiner described her experience living at Pace University dorms with two roommates, one of whom was from London, as both formative (competing for shower time!) and fun, providing her first taste of independent city living. “It teaches you how to live with other people,” she said, “and consider other people’s time and space.” Each day began with fashion-focused classes held near the World Trade Center, supplemented by site visits to iconic destinations like the Met, where they saw the Black Style exhibition and the Conde Nast offices.

Her curriculum included lectures led by Aura Taylor, a designer who now mentors fashion start-ups, and culminated in a group project to build a brand focused on eco-friendly and skin-sensitive women’s wear targeted to 20-40-year-olds.  Dempsey-Weiner’s group created customer profiles, mood boards, and a unique value proposition (UVP).

One of the most memorable moments was meeting Anna Wintour, Vogue’s legendary editor-in-chief. Dempsey Weiner recounted the intimidating yet inspiring encounter, sharing how Wintour’s presence energized those around her. Contrary to Wintour’s icy reputation, Dempsey Wiener said Wintour laughed with her staff as they were closing the renowned September issue, featuring actress Emma Stone on the cover. Site visits throughout New York offered a behind-the-scenes look at magazine production and the fashion industry’s bustling pace. 

Beyond fashion theory, Dempsey-Weiner’s internship provided invaluable exposure to industry debates, including the use of AI models and the shift from print to digital media. Speaker series events introduced her to influential professionals, including the organizer of the Met Gala and writers from Elle and Teen Vogue. “The various speakers and experiences really open your eyes to all the cool aspects of the business you can do,” she said. The experience underscored the importance of networking and initiative, as Dempsey-Weiner actively collected contacts from guest speakers to expand her professional network. That’s long-term goal setting!

Dempsey-Weiner’s journey exemplifies the value of putting oneself out there and embracing every chance for growth. Time is certainly on her side, and as she said of her experience, “The beauty of trying all these experiences is trying to figure out what you like. If I hated it, then maybe I would know fashion isn’t for me. But that wasn’t the case.” Her time at Vogue helped clarify her ambitions—she’s considering fashion law as a career, drawn by the intersection of creativity and business. As she prepares for her next chapter at Bates College in Maine, Dempsey-Weiner’s story serves as a testament to the power of opportunity, connection, and the drive to shape one’s own path in a dynamic industry.