Trendsetters at Work: Aerie

Aerie's Style and Fit Expert, Jenny Altman, dishes out career advice

By Lindsey Sirera May 19, 2014 9:23 PMTags
Trendsetters, AerieJennifer Cooper, E!

Look, we love the Victoria's Secret Angels but sometimes it's nice (not to mention far more realistic) to just see normal gals modeling intimates. That's why Aerie is such a refreshing label—it's a lingerie, swim and fitness wear brand that promotes real girls in their Spring 2014 ads with absolutely no retouching. Plus, their items are super cute!

We caught up with Aerie Style & Fit expert, Jenny Altman, on everything from her first big break, professional advice and why she loves working with real women. Here's what she had to share:

What was your very first job?
I worked retail at the Limited during high school! My first job out of college was as the fashion assistant at WWD and W Magazine-- I thought I was so lucky!

How did you get started in your career?
After many, many phone calls, I landed an internship at Mirabella Magazine in Paris followed by an internship in their New York office.

Who are some of your career heroes?
Women who want (and help) other women to succeed in fashion. Grace Mirabella and Amy Gross amongst them.

What's a typical workday like for you?
Trying on more bras and underwear than any one woman should ever own!

Jennifer Cooper, E!

List five things that are on your desk now:
Chocolate, chocolate, colored pencils, new seamless underwear and a new bra I'm testing out (and my passport!).

What do you typically wear to work?
Skinny jeans, a loose fitting top, a great necklace, a lace bralette and super comfortable undies (the start to each day!).

What's the best piece of career advice you've ever received?
When I started traveling as an assistant stylist, a boss of mine taught me the importance of saving money for travel. I have passed up many pairs of expensive shoes in lieu of a plane ticket! Nothing makes me happier than traveling!

Jennifer Cooper, E!

Finish the sentence…
Today for lunch I had…
A beet salad and French fries.

The first website I log onto every day is… My own, iloveagood.com, after I've checked out what's new on my instagram feed.

The beauty product you can always find in my purse is… Dr. Hauschka's Quince Day Cream and Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lip Balm.

My must-have work gadget is… iPhone with backup battery fully charged at all times.

Jennifer Cooper, E!

My must-have work gadget is… iPhone with backup battery fully charged at all times.

My usual Starbucks order is… Vanilla latte (with full fat, I'm not a skim kind of girl).

If I need a quick break during work, I usually… Go outside for a walk to feel the sun. Walking in NY is the best.

If I wasn't doing this job, I would be… In real estate. I love everything about buying and furnishing houses.

The best part of my job is... The real girls I work with every day. When I have a woman tell me "I've been wearing a bra wrong my ENTIRE life until now!"—this just happened in the Aerie Times Square Store—I know I'm doing something right.

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