I am sure as many of you know, I had the pleasure of having Reilly Koch as my fabulous intern for the first half of summer. She was such a tremendous help with all of my graphic design and marketing needs that I truly am sad to have her leave, but I know she is off to bigger and better things in the Big Apple. I can't wait to follow along on her adventures!
Somehow the stars aligned and I was blessed with the opportunity to have a another fabulous intern for the second half of summer. Let me introduce you all to Vanali Phanthavong! She is a design student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Textile and Fashion Design and to my luck, is spending the summer at home in Milwaukee before she starts her final year at school. We met because we both were in the same program at UW-Madison! Such a small world and so crazy how everything works out!
Vanali Phanthavong posing for the camera for a fab and fierce picture!
I wanted to put together a post so you all can get to know Vanali! She will be helping me primarily with all of the sewing work that needs to be done whether it be help with alterations, custom designs, or the new collection for Milwaukee Fashion Week. She will be helping out with it ALL and I cannot wait for her help!
Vanali enjoying a leisurely kayak ride near Milwaukee's Lakefront.
Vanali and I chatted about some of her favorite hobbies, foods, summer plans, dream travel destinations, and, of course, ice cream. Get to know Vanali below with some fast facts!
Name: Vanali Phanthavong
Age: 22
School: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Year in School: 5th Year Senior in the Fall
Major: Textile and Fashion Design
Hometown: Milwaukee
Summer Plans: Madalyn Joy Designs internship and learning how to drive!
Vanali posing with Bucky Badger at a UW-Madison Badger basketball game.
Hobbies: Painting and listening to music primarily Rihanna
Coffee Order: Dirty Chai
Favorite Food: Mashed Potatoes
Ice Cream: Salted Caramel
Dream Travel Destination: Tokyo
Favorite City: NYC, New York
Vanali and her bestie, Yasmine, at the airport FINALLY on their way to London together after much talk of taking a trip together!
Movie: Emperor's New Groove
Album: Anti by Rihanna
Model: Joan Smalls
Fashion Designer: Rei Kawakubo of Commes des Garcons
Favorite Illustrator: Antonio Soares
Dream Job: Celebrity stylist in New York City
Bucket List: Gondola ride in Venice, Italy
Quote To Live By: "Live as if you'll die tomorrow. Dream as if you'll live forever."
Most Memorable Experience: Harry Potter World in Orlando, FL
One of Vanali's most memorable experiences was visiting Harry Potter World in Orlando, FL.
Vanali enjoying her cup of Butter Beer, a creamy butterscotch soda, at Harry Potter World in Orlando, FL.
It has only been a week since Vanali started and she has already helped so much with the illustrations and garment construction of the Milwaukee Fashion Week collection. It will be the biggest and best collection yet so I am so grateful and appreciative of Vanali's help and time. I can't wait to show you all everything that we are cooking up over here! :)
Thank you, Vanali, for being a fabulous seamstress and intern!
xoxo
Madalyn Joy