10 days of summer for 12 hot fashionistas

MANILA, Philippines - Twelve young fashionistas — Zikki Montalan, Roxy Valencerina, Chelsea Madamba, Andrea Yu, Jazmin Reyes, Justin Pe, Gabby Go, Kirsten Zapata, Stef Pajarito, Miles Que, Donna Hernaez and Wayne Coherco — recently underwent training in the dynamic world of fashion retail through the recently concluded Robinsons Specialty Stores Inc.’s “RSSI Summer Experience 2010.”

They learned about store operations, selling, competitive analysis, customer service, style advising, mannequin styling and outfit building at Topshop, Topman, Dorothy Perkins, Warehouse and Trucco.

Their experience culminated in a mini-fashion show at Topshop Power Plant Mall where they built outfits and sashayed down the runway with a friend they personally styled. The youngsters also talked about what made their summer experience fun, fabulous and unforgettable.

Because of the overwhelming response, RSSI is planning to hold a bigger and better activity every summer. 

“RSSI Summer Experience 2010” was supported by Candy Magazine, Shu Uemura and GO! Mastercard.

Zikki Montalan

• Age: 15

• School: La Salle Greenhills

• Why I joined: It was a good exposure to the fashion retail business.

• Most memorable experience: Bonding with the interns.

• I love this task: Competitor analysis.

• Tough task: Assembling the mannequins.

• Message to next year’s participants: Don’t take this opportunity for granted. Bond with the other interns.

Chelsea Madamba

• Age: 16

• School: British School of Manila

• Why I joined: I was looking for something to do over the summer.

• Most memorable experience: The impromptu dance party inside Dorothy Perkins’ stockroom.

• I love this task: Dressing up the mannequins.

• Tough task: Standing up for four hours in the store was a real challenge. So was cleaning and waiting for customers to come in.

Message to next year’s participants: Turn on the charm and friendliness, and maybe Google some tips on a good interview. (Ha-h-ha! Yes, guilty!) Good luck!

Roxy Valencerina

• Age: 19

• School: Ateneo de Manila University

Why I joined: The decision to join was a no-brainer. So I took a picture to showcase an outfit, got an interview and the rest was (fashionable) history.

• Most memorable experience: Interacting with others who are as passionate about fashion as I am.

• I love this task: Hands down I would say it’s the unpacking of newly shipped items to the store.

• Tough task: Approaching the customers as they shopped.

• Message to next year’s participants: Be open and friendly with everyone. Have fun!

Stef Pajarito

• Age: 19

• School: University of the Philippines–Diliman

• Why I joined: It seemed like an interesting experience to be part of. And one of my favorite clothing stores was conducting the program, so that made it even more exciting.

• Most memorable experience: Interacting with my “co-interns.” Of course, the entire experience itself was worth remembering.

• I love this task: Mannequin-styling, hands down.

• Tough task: Checking of retail standards.

Message to next year’s participants: I would definitely encourage people to apply for this because those two weeks were perhaps the best two weeks of my summer.

Justin Pe

• Age: 15

• School: Xavier School

Why I joined: Topman’s my favorite fashion brand and I wanted to learn about the most recent fashion trends.

• Most memorable experience: Twenty thumbs up for the fashion show.

• I love this task: Suggesting clothes for the customers. Makes me want to try the clothes that they are looking for, too.

• Tough task: Mannequin styling.

• Message to next year’s participants: You won’t regret joining the RSSI Summer Experience!

Andrea Yu

• Age: 15

• School: Immaculate Conception Academy

Why I joined: I wanted this summer to be productive for a change.

• Most memorable experience: Nice chat with my fellow interns and store staff, meet people behind the brands.

• I love this task: Doing the competitor’s check! I really felt like a spy while scouting around the mall.

• Tough task: Being surrounded with numerous shelves containing world-class clothes was both a blessing and a nightmare.

• Message to next year’s participants: Be prepared. Make the most out of this experience!

Jazmin Reyes

• Age: 18

• School: Ateneo de Manila University

• Why I joined: It’s a good training ground for me.

• Most memorable experience: Bonding with the interns, the instant party at the Dorothy Perkins stockroom and the fashion show.

• I love this task: Assisting customers.

• Tough task: Dressing up the mannequins.

Message to next year’s participants: This is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity. Take this workshop seriously and bond with the other interns.

Kirsten Zapata

• Age: 17

• School: Assumption Antipolo

• Why I joined: I’m fascinated with clothes and fashion.

• Most memorable experience: The fashion show. Everyone looked stunning that day!

• I love this task: Dressing up the mannequins!

• Tough task: Selling was really challenging.

Message to next year’s participants: It will give your summer the boost that it needs! It was two weeks of pure delight — something you will never forget.

Miles Que

• Age: 17

• School: De La Salle University

• Why I joined: I thought it would be a great learning experience.

• Most memorable experience: This girl who went to Topman to get our numbers.

• I love this task: Selling, and staying on the selling floor.

• Tough task: Dressing up girl mannequins.

Message to next year’s participants: Be proud of what you’ve achieved. Never take this chance for granted.

Donna Hernaez

• Age: 19

• School: Ateneo de Manila University

• Why I joined: I wanted to get the best out of summer this year. Also, I love fashion.

• Most memorable experience: Making the video with the other interns.

• I love this task: Dressing up the mannequins!

• Tough task: Standing for long hours without sitting down, dealing with tough customers and being surrounded with so many nice clothes and not being able to buy them.

Message to next year’s participants: For the girls, wear comfy shoes! Be confident and accommodating. Make friends. Work hard and love what you’re doing.

Gabby Go

• Age: 15

• School: Immaculate Conception Academy

• Why I joined: I wanted to make something out of my summer; to meet new people and have fun along the way.

• Most memorable experience: The fashion show! Talking to the sales clerks.

• I love this task: Helping people fit clothes, running all over the store looking for a specific piece.

• Tough task: I think mannequin styling was harder than it seemed.

Message to next year’s participants: If you want fun and work, (this is for you). The RSSI Summer Experience was great and I learned so much.

Wayne Coherco

Wayne Coherco styles a mannequin at Topman Galleria.