Welcome to The Director’s Cut, an interactive column featuring fashion, beauty and career advice from RGNN Director and Founder, @isabelevabohrer.
“A day in the life working at Ralph Lauren.” That’s how Taryn McCleary’s content first popped up on my Instagram reels. And I can imagine I am not the only one; she has a very clear aesthetic – “new englander turned carolina girl” reads her current bio and that’s exactly what the captivating visuals reflect. It’s no wonder she has scored collabs with luxury brands such as Chanel, Neiman Marcus, Prada, Mugler, YSL, Polo Ralph Lauren, Revolve, and oh, a Versace campaign with her mother for this year’s Mother’s Day!
Taryn, who started out as an intern at Oscar de la Renta, has so much career advice for aspiring fashion industry professionals. Read on to find out how she went “from intern to influencer” (and I am using quotes because this is actually the title of a guest lecture she gave at her alma mater, Marist University, this year!). The interview is packed with tips on the most pressing questions – how to get a job at Ralph Lauren, how to get invited to NYFW even if you’re still in college, how to start working with luxury brands, how to start modeling and so much more. She really has achieved what she set out when she posted that first reel of working at Ralph Lauren – to intentionally shed a light on the fact that you don’t need to live in a big fashion capital to make it in fashion.
You graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising and Business Minor from Marist University. What is your take on having to study fashion in order to work in the fashion industry? Is it necessary, or can students pursue other majors and still be successful in fashion?
I think studying fashion can be incredibly valuable—it gave me a strong foundation in trend forecasting, merchandising strategy, textiles, and the business of fashion, which helped me hit the ground running after graduation. That said, I don’t believe it’s the only path. The fashion industry thrives on creativity, innovation, and diverse perspectives, and those can come from many different academic backgrounds. I’ve seen people with degrees in marketing, communications, and even psychology bring something truly unique to the table.
Recently, I had the honor of being invited back to Marist to speak to a class of freshman fashion students about social media and working in the fashion and beauty space. It was incredibly meaningful to serve as a mentor to emerging talent—just as past students once mentored me when I was in their shoes.
Opportunities like that remind me how important community and connection are in this industry. What matters most isn’t just your degree, but your passion, curiosity, and willingness to immerse yourself in the work—whether through internships, side projects, or hands-on experience.
While at university, you scored what many students would call the dream internship – at Oscar de la Renta. How did you get that internship? What recommendations do you have for students looking to land fashion internships?
Landing the internship at Oscar de la Renta was definitely a dream come true. While at University, I took full advantage of the volunteer opportunities my program offered–whether it was assisting at fashion shows, working backstage, or helping with showroom setups. Even though these roles were unpaid, I saw them as a chance to get my foot in the door and build real connections. I made it a point to work hard, be reliable, and always go the extra mile, even for the smallest tasks. That consistency helped me build trust with people in the industry, including those who later became decision-makers for internships. When the opportunity at Oscar de la Renta came up, I had already built relationships with people connected to the brand, and they remembered the impression I made. I was clear about my interest, followed up thoughtfully and let them know how much the opportunity meant to me.
For students trying to break into the industry, my biggest advice is: say yes to as many relevant experiences as you can, even if they’re unpaid at first. Show up with a great attitude, be the person others want to work with, and don’t be afraid to follow up or express your interest–it shows initiative, and people remember that.
Then, you went on to work for Ralph Lauren, which is actually when your “Day in the Life” content first popped up on our IG feed! What advice do you have for students who want to get an internship or job at Ralph Lauren?
Ralph Lauren was such a full-circle moment for me. When I was around 14, I ran a Tumblr blog dedicated to the preppy, New England aesthetic—filled with vintage Ralph Lauren ads and imagery. I built a small but passionate community around that world, not realizing then how much it was shaping my creative vision and career path. I’ve been wearing the brand since I was a kid—my childhood bedroom was all Ralph Lauren linens. That timeless Americana aesthetic, the storytelling, the heritage—it’s always resonated deeply with me. After working in fashion for a few years, I moved from New England to North Carolina and spent almost two years with another brand.
One day, I got a message on LinkedIn from a local recruiter who thought I’d be a great fit for a role. When he told me it was with Ralph Lauren, I was honestly shocked—I had no idea they had a presence in North Carolina. My LinkedIn profile didn’t indicate that I was actively looking for a new position; the recruiter from Ralph Lauren reached out proactively. They were searching for professionals in the area with a background in fashion and came across my profile. It really reinforced for me how valuable it is to keep your LinkedIn profile up to date, even if you’re not actively job hunting.
That opportunity came through LinkedIn, but what helped me stand out was the thoughtful cover letter I submitted. Alongside my résumé, I wrote a letter that directly addressed every job requirement and painted a clear picture of how my experience aligned with the role. It wasn’t just about listing accomplishments—it was about telling a story and showing exactly how I could bring value to the team. While working at Ralph Lauren, I got to travel to New York for market weeks and even met Ralph Lauren and the CEO, Patrice Louvet. And what made it even more meaningful was realizing that some of the people I had once followed or interacted with on Tumblr were now working at the brand or appearing in campaigns. It was a surreal, full-circle experience.
In September 2024, I started posting day-in-the-life vlogs on TikTok and Instagram—just from a place of pure intention. I wanted to show people that you can have a meaningful career in fashion, even if you’re not in a major city like New York or L.A.
I felt it was important to offer a different kind of representation—proof that fashion careers can exist outside of the traditional fashion capitals, and that you can still be connected to creativity, heritage, and purpose.
So, for students hoping to work at Ralph Lauren, my advice is this: first, immerse yourself in the brand—not just the product, but the values, storytelling, and lifestyle it represents. And second, be intentional about how you present yourself professionally. Treat LinkedIn like your digital storefront, and when it comes time to apply, put real care into your cover letter. That’s where you can make your case—personally, thoughtfully, and strategically.
Now, you are a full-time content creator and social media consultant. How do you find clients as a freelance social media consultant? What advice do you have for students or recent graduates who would also like to do social media consulting for brands?
It’s definitely been a journey getting to this point, but I think the most important part of finding clients as a freelance social media consultant is being really clear about your value and not being afraid to put yourself out there. For me, I’ve had success by combining relationship-building with a very intentional online presence. [To clarify,] the consulting work I do is for local businesses who hire me for social media strategy, content creation, and management. These projects are entirely separate from the sponsored content I create through my personal brand as a content creator.
A lot of my clients have come through word of mouth or seeing my own content on Instagram, which helps show what I can do in real time. I also make it easy for people to connect the dots–my page reflects my aesthetic, my entrepreneurial mindset, my surroundings, and my past experiences, so brands can picture what I could do for them. I’ve also gone the more proactive route, especially when I was starting out–walking into local shops, offering a few ideas upfront, and being honest about how I can help grow their business online. That kind of initiative stands out, especially for smaller businesses that may not know where to start with social media.
For students or recent grads who want to get into consulting, I’d say: build a strong personal brand that feels true to you, even if it’s small at first! Use your own platforms as a portfolio. Then go out and talk to people–network on LinkedIn, reach out to brands you genuinely love, and offer something specific. You don’t need a huge following to get started; you just need to show you understand how to tell a brand’s story online in a way that drives real connection.
As a full-time content creator who has worked with luxury brands like Chanel, Neiman Marcus, Prada, Mugler, YSL, Polo Ralph Lauren, Revolve, and more, how did you start pitching yourself to brands?
When I first started pitching myself to brands, I realized the most important thing was understanding the brand before ever sending an email or DM. I always take the time to study their proposition to customers–what feeling they’re trying to create, how they show up visually on social media, and who their audience is. That helps me figure out how my own content could naturally align with theirs. I also make it a point to post about brands I genuinely love before ever pitching. When you show organic interest first–styling their pieces, tagging them, sharing thoughtful captions–they’re more likely to notice you and see the authentic connection. That’s honestly how a lot of my bigger collaborations started. Brands like Chanel, YSL, or Prada didn’t come from cold emails–they came after I consistently posted in a way that reflected their aesthetic and values. Once I did pitch, I kept it short and tailored, focusing on what I could do for them and showing examples that aligned with their look and tone.
For creators just starting out, my biggest advice is to treat your page like a visual resume. Let it reflect your taste, consistency, and how you support the brands you love–because that’s what gets you on their radar before the pitch even lands!
If you had to give aspiring content creators three tips to work with luxury brands, what would they be?
If I had to narrow it down to 3 tips for aspiring content creators who want to work with luxury brands, here’s what I’d say:
1. Understand the brand’s world before you ever reach out. Luxury brands are incredibly intentional with their storytelling and aesthetics. Study how they speak to their customers, how they curate their imagery, and what emotions they evoke. Your content should feel like it naturally fits into their world–don’t just copy it, complement it.
2. Show, don’t just tell. Before pitching, start posting about the brand organically. Style their products if you own them, tag them, create content that aligns with their vibe, and show your audience why you love them. That kind of organic alignment is what gets you on their radar–and shows you’re already a fan, not just chasing a check or clout.
3. Polish your presence. Treat your Instagram or Tiktok like a portfolio. Make sure your bio is clear, your aesthetic is cohesive, and your content reflects the kind of quality a luxury brand would want to be associated with. You don’t need hundreds of thousands of followers–you need consistency, taste and professionalism.
Luxury brands are all about storytelling and curation, so the more your page feels intentional and elevated, the more they’ll see you as someone who fits within their world.
What are your tips for students who want to attend NYFW? How did you start reaching out to designers to attend?
If you’re a student who wants to attend New York Fashion Week, my biggest piece of advice is to start by getting involved in any way you can–even if it’s behind the scenes. That’s actually how I got my start. I volunteered through my university and was able to work backstage at shows, which gave me a real understanding of how Fashion Week operated. It also helped me build confidence and connections that made me feel much more prepared to pitch myself as a creator later on in my career. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with starting out as a volunteer–it actually looks amazing on your resume and gives you firsthand industry exposure. It shows initiative, work ethic, and real desire to learn. Plus, you’ll meet people in production, PR, and even designers, which can open doors for future opportunities.
Once I was more established as a creator, I started reaching out directly to brands, PR agencies, any connections, and showrooms I aligned with. I made sure my social platform reflected the type of content they’d want to see–clean, consistent, on-brand–and included examples of how I could provide value during Fashion week (whether it be through show recaps, brand history videos, DITL vlogs, etc.) not just asking “can I attend your show”.
Whether you’re backstage or in the front row, just being in the room–especially early in your career–is a huge win. It’s all about showing up, learning the rhythm of the industry, and building relationships over time.
Last but not least (as if all the hats you wear weren’t impressive enough!), you also model. What advice do you have for students who want to get started in the modeling industry?
When I first got started (around 2016), I didn’t have a traditional path into modeling–and I think that’s what makes it so accessible now. Back in college, I knew I wanted to be a creator, but we didn’t really have the roadmap or guidance around content creation that exists today. So for me, it started with networking locally. I began connecting with photographers in the Hudson Valley area, volunteering to model or doing trade for print shoots, and building relationships with creatives who were also looking to grow their portfolios.
That’s actually how I landed one of my first big breaks: I worked with a photographer a few times, and later on, they happened to be shooting a campaign for Aeropostale. They included me in the casting because we already built that trust and creative chemistry. I ended up being featured in their Back to School social campaign–which just goes to show how powerful and important your local creative community can be. So my biggest advice for students who want to get into modeling is this: start where you are, build connections with photographers and stylists in your area, and say yes to test shoots or local opportunities. Not only will you gain experience, but you never know who’s watching or where those relationships might take you.
Follow Taryn on Instagram @tarmcc, Tiktok @tarmcc, YouTube @tarynmccleary and connect with her on LinkedIn.
Questions or comments? Follow me on IG @isabelevabohrer or TikTok and say hi! See you soon!
