We know that fashion comes in many shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns. It’s a means of expressing yourself and Manhattan has often been deemed the hub that makes fashion dreams come true. Whether it be the bustle of the Garment District, the trendy shops of Soho, or the glamour of 5th Avenue, there are iconic fashion moments happening at every turn in the iconic city that never sleeps. Caroline Vazzana was a beloved fashion editor who turned influencer and is now referred to as the “Modern Day Carrie Bradshaw.” What an honor to have bestowed on you!
HBO Max recently announced a Sex and the City reboot – which is the news we all needed to hear at the start of this New Year. There’s no one better to connect with regarding this announcement than Caroline!
When you have careers at fashion publications like InStyle and Teen Vogue as well as author a wildly successful, best-selling book Making it in Manhattan, a “beginner’s guide to surviving and thriving in the world of fashion,”,it’s easy to say you know a thing or two about the fashion world. Caroline even went on to launch a blog called Making it in Manhattan that covers fashion and lifestyle in the Big Apple.
Caroline has a striking sense of style and is often seen sporting bright colors and patterns. She was the face of legendary costume designer Patricia Field’s Sex and the City inspired campaign in 2019.
I caught up with Caroline to learn more about her life in the fashion world and the many exciting things that are coming:
Tell us about a young Caroline. Was fashion always important to you and did you grow up dreaming of being a fashion editor?
CV: Growing up, I always loved fashion and always dreamed of working in the fashion industry, but originally I thought I wanted to be a designer.
Young girls read InStyle and Teen Vogue in awe of the fashion, beauty and lifestyle advice. What was it like working behind the scenes and finally being a part of that story for young girls around the world?
CV: It was honestly a dream come true. Working at two of the biggest fashion magazines was really exciting and I learned so much. It was also just so interesting learning what really goes on behind the scenes of it all.
What was the most important lesson you learned about working at fashion publications?
CV: Be eager! Say yes to every opportunity and truly become someone your bosses can count on.
You eventually went on to write your own best-selling book, Making it in Manhattan. What was that experience like and what was the message you wanted to share with readers?
CV: While working at InStyle, I realized I had learned so much that I had wished I knew beforehand. I started writing Making it in Manhattan to draw back the curtain and teach people how to truly break into the fashion industry. The things you won’t find just on Google, I wanted to share my personal stories and mistakes that helped me get to where I am.
You’re quite multi-faceted! Apart from being a former fashion editor and published author, you also have a blog. What are you able to accomplish in the blog that you haven’t been able to in other mediums? Why is having a blog in today’s world so important for your line of work?
CV: I love having Making it in Manhattan, the website, because it allows us to continuously share career advice and style stories outside of what’s been said in the book. It’s become an extension of the book, which it really cool.
You’ve been called the “Modern Day Carrie Bradshaw” – which is quite the title. What do you think of the beloved show, Sex and the City, and most importantly, the show’s revival that was just announced?
CV: Sex and the City is pretty much the guide to moving to New York and exploring the city with your friends. Over the years it’s been a guide for love and dating and an endless source of fashion inspiration. I’m personally really excited to see what they do with the revival. It’s definitely a different world we live in now, so I’m interested to see where the storyline goes.
You starred in Patricia Field’s Sex and the City inspired campaign in 2019. What was your favorite look that you sported?
CV: Pat and her team did such a great job with that shoot. They even went into the SATC archives and pulled out pieces for the show. It’s hard to pick a favorite look, but there’s this one shot of me in the classic blue Manolos in front of a taxi and I really love that shot.
As the media and fashion world continues to evolve, what is one hope that you have for your future and what is one thing that you hope changes for future generations of women in this industry?
CV: The industry has changed so much in the past year due to COVID, my main hope right now is to just continue doing what I love. Inspiring others to follow their dreams and teaching them that you don’t have to dress like everyone else or fit into a mold to be successful.
To follow along Caroline’s adventures in the Manhattan fashion world and beyond, follow her on Instagram @cvazzana and visit Making it in Manhattan.