Beres, Sydney

ADM 265
1 April 2016

Interview with Gina Esposito, Fashion Designer and Owner of NU SWIM

BFA in Womenswear at FIT
Nu-Swim.com

How did you start out? What was your education and experience?

I started by going to school at SCAD for interior design before I realized that fashion design was

really what I wanted to do. From SCAD, I transferred to FIT in New York and got my bachelors

in Women’s Ready-to-Wear. While in school I did an internship at Michael Kors and was an

intern/design assistant at a small company. After leaving the job as a design assistant, I then

began freelancing full time for Sean John. As a freelancer, I wasn’t able to receive the company

benefits, but the trade-off was okay because I made more money in the long run. After Sean

John, I began working at GAP and Levi’s as a freelancer. Then I took on a full time job at Levi’s

as a colorist and was a part of their technical design team. After leaving Levi’s in 2014, I decided

to finally launch my own brand in January of 2015.

Skills in hand? Skills that had to be developed?

At FIT they focused so much on design, the creativity and actually making the clothes. Which

was good, that what I went to school for. So I left school as a very good creative designer.

However, they did not focus so much on the technical end of things. Along the way after

graduation, I developed skills in product development and had to learn things in a technical/
 Beres, Sydney
ADM 265
1 April 2016
production way. Product development is really the most important thing to understand in the

fashion industry because everyone has to communicate with the product development team and

know what going on with product development.

Who is on your business team?

Well, its me, I am the head designer and owner of the company. About 6 months ago I brought on

a production and studio assistant, whose name is Fennis. In January we decided we needed some

extra help so we hired an intern, Sydney (you). I also have an accountant to do all my finances

and give me some financial advice here and there. And finally, Edward is my manufacturing

manager at the factory.

What are the pluses and minuses of your career? What advice would you give to someone

coming into the business?

The minus was working in corporate for so long and not getting to be very creative with it,

although I loved it at times, nothing I was designing was really my personal aesthetic. The plus

was finally getting to launch my own brand, hire a lovely team (me, you, and Fennis) and the

success that we’ve had. We can do so much more now that the business is growing. I would

advise someone to really know how to market yourself and your skills.

What is stressful for you in this career?

 Beres, Sydney
ADM 265
1 April 2016

The most stressful part is that everyday I have a plan for the day and I need to get things done.

However, daily little issues come up throughout the day that have to be dealt with on top on the

things that I was already trying to get done that day, Because I do customer service and handle

many aspects f the business, these little roadblocks come up throughout the day. Its really

important for me to manage my schedule and be proactive/organized.