Kristen Cho ’27 blends academics and industry to chart her future

Kristen Cho is a strategically minded content creator majoring in fashion design management. She spent her first year studying public relations at another university and building connections with content creators before transferring to Cornell.

Last summer, Cho interned for Allure Korea. Her relationship with the magazine — combined with Cornell’s proximity to New York City — has opened doors for her at New York Fashion Week.

She recently spoke with us about her journey.

Q. What made you decide to transfer to Cornell Human Ecology (CHE)?

A. I learned a lot about the foundations of how brands communicate and market at my previous institution, but I always wanted to go beyond that and learn how companies come up with a product or brand.

Cornell’s program stood out because of its interdisciplinary nature. It approaches fashion as a whole system that involves consumer behavior, textile science and global supply chains.

Q. Coming to Cornell in your sophomore year, how did you find community?

A. I'm heavily involved in LOKO, a K-Pop and K Hip-hop dance group. I’m a dancer and marketing director. We do an annual showcase in Bailey Hall that attracts more than 1,000 people. I’ve found a great community there.

I'm also involved in the Cornell Fashion Collective. I serve as a brand marketing/social marketing team member. I've made TikTok and Instagram content, and we are preparing for the spring runway show on March 21. What’s cool is that you don’t have to be a fashion major to be involved in the fashion community here.

Q. What has been your favorite course so far?

A. Fashion Product Management with Jaleesa Reed. We worked in teams to create a brand, develop it, and present it to the class: creating everything from branding to target consumers, source pricing and mark ups.

The project was fun. I learned how companies release a new collection. I also learned how brands come up with pricing.

I also like that CHE offers the flexibility to take related classes outside of the college like communications and information science.

Q. Three adjectives that describe Fashion Design Management:

A. Interdisciplinary, analytical and industry-connected.

Access to New York City allows students to travel there and attend events. Plus, there’s a lot of alumni working in the industry.

New York Fashion Week Vlog words with Kristen Cho's photo

Students perform K-Pop Hip Hop dance moves

Cho performs in LOKO, a K-Pop and K Hip-hop dance group. Her involvement as a dancer and marketing director has helped her find community at Cornell. Provided.

Cho is a member of the Cornell Fashion Collective’s brand marketing and social media team. She also documents her life at Cornell through her YouTube vlog, where she shares experiences such as working behind the scenes at the CFC Spring 2025 runway show. Provided.

Q. Last summer you interned with Allure Korea. What did you do there?

A. I was a digital marketing intern. I also helped with photo shoots and publications.

Q. Your experience led to working for Allure Korea at New York Fashion Week. Can you tell us more?

A. Last fall I went to the Michael Kors show for Allure Korea. I was so nervous and had a little imposter syndrome.

This time the editorial team from Korea trusted me with full onsite coverage. I had way more responsibility as the face of this publication, but I was also more confident. It was very fast-paced! Allure wanted me to take some videos, but I also interviewed people. The magazine realized that I have the skills to approach people and to conduct interviews. When I saw a K-pop celebrity to interview, I ran to her. I was the first person to interview her, and behind me were 20 other editors waiting.

I also met Kristen Tauer ’10, deputy eye (arts + culture) editor at Women’s Wear Daily (WWD). She saw me holding the Cornell flag. It was a great moment meeting Cornell alumni working in the industry and connecting with her.

Q. Is there anything else you wish to add?

A. I enjoyed putting together my Fashion Design Management Design Supplement for the Cornell application.

I came up with a brand called Sweaty Silk that features multifunctional outfits. For example, a work outfit with a wrap skirt that can come off and be a yoga outfit. My target consumers were working women in their 20s and 30s.

I think that Cornell provides space for students to learn in so many ways.

Q. You are a content creator. Is there a place where readers can check out your work?

A. Yes! I have a YouTube vlog. It’s fun for me to document my life. I would recommend that people start their own. It’s great to look back at the videos I’ve made!