Slated to be one of the first graduates from the O’More School of Fashion’s fashion merchandising program, Caitlin Bloodworth is already hustling to prepare for life after earning that degree. In May, the Brentwood, Tenn., native kicked off a summer internship with The Tennessean’s style section—an opportunity she secured through Jamie Atlas, School of Fashion chair—as well as a brand ambassador for Nashville-based brand Ceri Hoover.
Although Caitlin grew up near O’More and heard about the opportunities offered at the four-year, not-for-profit design school, it was watching the success of others before her that really sparked an interest in fashion, and influenced her decision to enroll as a student.
Today, Caitlin is applying what she’s learned in her classes at O’More to her real-world experiences.
“O’More has prepared me well, especially the new fashion merchandising program,” she says. “I’ve seen a change in myself since last semester, and see myself growing.
“It also helped me secure my internship with the Tennessean. I’ve always wanted to write and learn about publishing. The head of our fashion department at O’More knew my interests and she helped me get the job.”
Caitlin says that Cathi Aycock, otherwise known as the “Style Diva” for the Tennessean, allows her much freedom in the work, which has allowed her to blossom even more.
Although Caitlin’s major focuses heavily on the business side of fashion—numbers, building resumes and portfolio development—she also enjoys working with lifestyle-based publications. She says she has an interest in writing, and references fashion sites such as The Man Repeller, where writers have leeway for creativity in their musings. She hopes to be able to achieve that freedom someday and sees her internship with The Tennessean as a time for progress in that area.
Caitlin explains the experience has removed her from the business-focused environment of fashion merchandising and has allowed her to use her creativity and social skills.
“I have the freedom to take photos, to create a product and I’m doing a lot of research,” she says. “I also enjoy interviewing people—it helps me feel more comfortable interacting with people, and it helps me feel more confident with the words I am speaking.”
Along with her internship at The Tennessean and a part-time job at Olivia Olive Oil tasting bar, Caitlin also has an internship this summer with Ceri Hoover, a Nashville-based brand that she found through the popular social media app Instagram.
A locally owned company, Ceri Hoover produces leather and hair-on-hide custom bags. Caitlin’s been sporting her fashionable black hair-on-hide bag regularly to show her support.
Caitlin says her O’More education, current summer internships and a prior internship with Stacey Rhodes Jewelry Boutique have all helped her gain a well-rounded knowledge of the industry, and allowed her develop personal skills that are pivotal in fashion merchandising and publications. When she gains her O’More degree in a little over a year, she ultimately hopes her career leads her to entrepreneurship, where she can utilize all of these talents in one avenue of life.
Caitlin says she hopes to stay in Nashville’s rapidly rising fashion community, and that through the small, hands-on classes she’s had the opportunity to form important mentorships that could help drive her dreams. One such relationship is with her Illustrator instructor Hannah Jones, one-half of popular Nashville brand Jamie and the Jones (both alumni are O’More graduates).
“Jamie and the Jones’ clothing line started locally,” Caitlin says. “It’s teachers like her, and brands like that, that are so inspiring.”
To learn more about the fashion merchandising program and internship opportunities, go here.
