In the future, Julia Tighe hopes to work in the marketing department of a fashion brand, be a stylist, or start her own boutique. When she isn’t studying, Julia can be found hanging out with friends or going thrifting.

Get to know Julia

  • Majors: Apparel, merchandising, and design, merchandising option, and marketing 
  • Class: Sophomore
  • Hometown: West Des Moines (Polk, Dallas, Warren, and Madison counties)
  • Career goal: Work in the marketing department of a fashion brand, be a stylist, or start her own boutique.
  • Clubs/activities: The Fashion Show, TREND magazine, CHS Ambassadors, Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority
  • Awards/honors: Dean’s list
  • Favorite place on campus: Student Innovation Center
  • Most influential ISU mentor: Sarah Bennett-George
  • Favorite class: AMD 210, Computer Applications in Digital Design
  • Why Iowa State: Renowned apparel, merchandising, and design program, fell in love with campus

Julia Tighe exercises leadership through club involvement and internship experience

As a sophomore double-majoring in apparel, merchandising, and design and marketing, Julia Tighe has held many positions that have confirmed she is on the right career path. Immediately immersing herself in fashion-related clubs and organizations, she has involved herself in opportunities that allow her to exercise and refine her leadership skills. 

“Coming [to Iowa State], I knew I wanted to get involved in as many things as possible,” Julia said. “I joined [TREND magazine and The Fashion Show] and knew I wanted to have some leadership roles in the future.”

Julia has worked as both an accessories and men’s ready-to-wear director for TREND magazine, which has been her creative outlet in the midst of a schedule full of logic-based classes.

“Generally, a lot of my classes are business, numbers, statistics, all that type of stuff,” Julia said. “It was nice to have [TREND magazine] where I could actually be creative.”

She also recently served as a design director for Iowa State’s annual student-run runway show, The Fashion Show.

“In every little aspect [of The Fashion Show], there is a different committee,” Julia said. “It’s cool to see everyone focus on their strengths and come together into this big, overall fashion show.”

In addition to club involvement, Julia has consistently held a position at Stacey’s Inc., a bridal store located in Urbandale, Iowa. Starting her senior year of high school as a prom consultant, Julia quickly worked her way up and was entrusted with more internship-like duties. 

“I feel like I’ve gotten a diverse range of skills that I can actually apply to other internships in the future,” Julia said. 

Working at Stacey’s Inc. has also opened her eyes to the bridal industry and her passion for in-person shopping experiences.

“Bridal is something that is going to be around no matter what, even though all these retail formats are moving online,” Julia said. “When you’re buying your bridal gown, you want that in-person sales experience.”

This summer, Julia will be working as an intern at Buckle in Ames, Iowa, where she looks forward to focusing on sales.