Jennifer Cooper, E! EntertainmentThe feeling you get walking into an Intermix boutique can only be compared to that of a kid walking into a giant candy store for the first time—it's overwhelmingly amazing, and completely exhilarating. You don't know where to start, and all you can think about are the goodies you'll be showing off to your friends later. Yeah—it's a shopping experience just that good.
The next time you're ogling over the store's drool-worthy assortment of stylish duds, you can thank Gia Ghezzi. As fashion director of the chic establishment, she oversees everything from crafting eye-catching window displays to hand picking the garments you'll later peruses on the rack. But that's not all—read on to find out what a day in this trendsetter's life is really like!
What was your first job?
My first job was at Macy's federated. I was an assistant buyer in their merchant training program.
How did you get started in your career?
I was accepted into the Macy's federated program around seven months before graduating college. I moved to NYC two days after I graduated from Indiana University, and started the week after. I haven't regretted a moment of it.
What is a typical day like for you?
Chaotic, but the really exciting, energetic kind of chaos. I'm typically split between marketing, buying and visual teams most days! With marketing we're focused around seasonal trends and must-haves, editorial photo shoots and creative content, buying investments and curating the web stories. When I'm with the buyers, we're in styling and brainstorm sessions on exclusives, capsule collections and new vendors. Lastly, I work with the visual team on bringing the clothes to life through window displays and merchandising.
Tell us about your office décor. What was your inspiration?
To be honest, it doesn't really have a theme. It's full of mixed inspiration from all seasons. I have the buying boards, which represent all of the styles delivering for the season separated by month in my office so I'm limited with my wall space. It's probably a good thing!
What's the best part of your job?
I'd say the constant feeling of always pushing the limits and delivering the unexpected – craving inspiration myself and then always wanting to give it back to the team. I love creating the runway to reality each season with our own twist, the constant evolution of fashion, and more than anything, the heart and passion that's put into it.
Where do you shop for work clothes? What are your favorite brands of accessories?
INTERMIX, Net-A-Porter, Rag & Bone and Barneys are typically my go-to spots! I also love vintage and incorporating this into my wardrobe for a touch of the unexpected. My favorite statement accessories are from brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Miu Miu and Aquazzura for something a bit more coveted. I always layer in Joshua Sanders, Adidas and Tabitha Simmons for my weekend flats.
What's your guilty pleasure?
Shoes, hands down! I can't get enough. It's my weakness. Well, that is, until I met Marco Di Vincenzo.
What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?
I have two… One: There is never a perfect time; sometimes you have to take big risks to see big rewards. Trust your gut. Two: Don't let anyone, ever, dull your sparkle.
Who are some of your career heroes?
Delphine Arnault, Annie Leibovitz, Natalie Massenet, Carine Roitfeld, and Tim Walker.
What's coming up for Intermix this season?
The ‘70s trend is going to be incorporated in a big way. We love the feminine flare and bohemian glamour!
Finish these sentences…
Today for lunch I had… a green juice… very unlike me. I'm trying a new thing.
The first website I log onto every day is… Style.com and then Instagram.
The beauty product you can always find in my purse is… you can find every beauty product in my bag; I'm like a walking apothecary. I can't live without rose water and Dinoplatz lip gloss.
My must-have work gadget is… my iPhone. Specifically, the calendar on my iPhone.
My usual Starbucks order is… grande soy sugar free vanilla latte.
If I need a quick break during work, I usually…bounce into the drugstore beneath the office and mosey around.
If I wasn't doing this job, I would… be a photographer and then eventually own a flower shop.
My favorite Instagram filter is… lo-fi.
My celeb style icon is… Sarah Jessica Parker.