By: Reilly Koch, Assistant to Madalyn Manzeck

Waking up this morning, it was hard to believe that today would be my last, *official* day as a Madalyn Joy Designs summer assistant. Where had the time gone?! Was it really already time for me to leave and go on to my next adventure?! The only thought keeping me from complete and utter despair was knowing that I still had one more task to complete under Madalyn Joy Designs - aiding in the BLANC COLLECTION photoshoot this coming Sunday. Seeing as that day will be beyond crazy, I thought today, my last day in the studio, would be the perfect time to reflect on what I have learned throughout my time in this role. Below you will find 15 take-aways that I believe describe my time here in Port perfectly:

1. Lingerie is so much more than bras or panties; sure it is a subset of apparel, but it is also a vessel for making women of all shapes and sizes feel beautiful on the outside AND inside.

2. Perhaps not everyone can be a Victoria’s Secret Angel, but any confident woman who *owns* her body can be a Madalyn Joy “Angel.”

3. Pinterest becomes your best friend when it comes to looking for inspiration.

4. Collaboration over competition is *always* the mindset to have.

5. Fashion show days are long and tiring, but incredibly rewarding (and probably my most favorite thing!)

6. The margin you leave on individual pattern pieces is called “seam allowance”...but “margin” works too if you’re a newbie like me.

7. Zigzag stitching allows for stretch a the garment.

8. Sergers are honestly a little frightening...they cut your fabric as you sew which is one too many things for me to handle (but they’re very necessary for finishing a garment).

9. The Madalyn Joy team single handedly keeps Dockside Deli in business.

10. Threading a sewing machine takes Madalyn 0.6389 seconds.

11. Threading a sewing machine takes me 4ish minutes. On a good day.

12. Memes are the lifeblood of the studio.

13. Also Sargento Balanced Breaks. 10/10 would recommend the white cheddar/almond/craisin option.

14. When some individuals hear the word “fashion,” they think of horrendous bosses like Miranda Priestly from the Devil Wears Prada, but Madalyn is the the kindest human you will ever meet and makes every day as an intern the most wonderful and rewarding experience.

15. I wouldn’t trade the opportunity I have had to work as a Madalyn Joy Designs assistant for anything.

Peace. Love. Lingerie.

xx,

Reilly

A COLLECTION OF SOME OF MY FONDEST MEMORIES: