Teen Vogue Fashion U has officially kicked off and the first speaker is legendary Vogue Creative Director Grace Coddington. 530 fierce Fashionistas and Fashionistos sit in the Hudson Theatre waiting to hear her speak. Teen Vogue’s publisher spoke about the 7th year of Teen Vogue Fashion U being the most competitive for applicants and told attendees that they are the future of the fashion industry. He introduced Editor-in-Chief Amy Astley, who introduced Ms. Coddington. She was joined by Vogue Features Director Eve McSweeney who moderated the discussion. She greatly admired the photographs of Norman Parkinson and modeled for him as a teenager while waitressing in London. Her path to Vogue began at that point as she worked for her idol and won a modeling competition for British Vogue. She suffered a car crash and modeled for nine years before quitting. “It’s all about doingsomething you’re passionate about, and once you’re not passionate anymore, you quit,” Coddington said. “It’s always changing, I love going to Paris to see the shows. I need to be there to get a feel for the clothes and I get a little emotional about the clothes,” Coddington spoke about why the fashion industry excites her.
