Ava Trandel
Lake Forest,IL
Summary
Aspiring fashion student with experience in styling, retail, and modeling, bringing both a practical and creative understanding of the industry. Through retail, I’ve developed strong skills in client interaction and visual presentation, while modeling has deepened my awareness of garment movement, image-making, and marketing. I am seeking to further develop my creative and technical practice through formal study, with the goal of pursuing a career spanning fashion design, editorial styling, and creative direction.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Model
Select Model Management
Chicago, IL
02.2020 - 12.2024
- Catalog, fit, and editorial model based in Chicago.
- Featured on the cover of Sheridan Road Magazine in September 2022.
- Attended casting calls and regular meetings with agents and clients.
Vintage Fashion and Styling Intern
Kameo Vintage
Winnetka, IL
05.2024 - 09.2024
- Engaged with clients as a retail and styling associate.
- Photographed clothing and accessories for use on the store's website and social media.
- Collaborated with team members to maintain an organized workspace and accurate account of inventory.
- Sourced and curated collections for trunk shows, individual styling, and social media showcasing.
- Assisted in keeping the website up to date and aligned with current inventory.
- Social media management and marketing on Instagram and TikTok.
- Product merchandising and price assessment.
Model
St Andrews Charity Fashion Show
St Andrews, Scotland
09.2023 - 03.2024
- Runway modeled for Scotland's largest fashion show, with over 1,600 attendees, that has raised over 630,000 GBP since the show was founded.
- Attended fundraising events, rehearsals, and committee meetings throughout the year.
Managing Editor of Features
Lake Forest Academy Spectator
Lake Forest, IL
08.2022 - 05.2023
- Wrote feature, op-ed, and arts and entertainment news articles independently and collaboratively.
- Supervised feature writers and provided feedback and approval on articles.
- Utilized Adobe InDesign to create pages for online and printed articles.
- Took original photos to use in articles.
- Conducted interviews with students, faculty, and professionals outside of school.
- Presented all-school announcements to promote The Spectator.
Retail Sales Associate
Athene
Winnetka, IL
12.2021 - 05.2023
- Organized merchandise displays to enhance visual appeal and customer engagement.
- Steamed clothing, and ensured all merchandise was well presented.
- Organized and maintain inventory accuracy.
- Assisted in client styling and advising.
- Supported training of new associates.
- Assisted in using social media to promote new merchandise, promotions, styling tips, and information on the designers represented in the store.
Bridges Board President of Outreach
Lurie Children's Hospital Of Chicago
Chicago, IL
04.2021 - 04.2023
- Executive Bridges Teen Leadership Board Member from 2021 to 2022, and recognized as one of the top five fundraisers in 2022.
- One of five presidents managing over 100 board members from 2022 to 2023.
- Collectively helped to raise over $100,000 from 2022 to 2023.
- Attended weekly meetings with the board presidents of other divisions.
- Led monthly general and executive board meetings.
- Planned, led, and attended various fundraising events throughout the year, including the Dance Marathon.
- Presented the Bridges Board goals and initiatives to the hospital administration and Adult Executive Board members.
- Utilized personal connections and a network to secure sponsorships and donations.
- Mentored new board members on roles and responsibilities within the organization.
Law Intern
Oxford Scholastica Academy
01.2022 - 04.2022
- Collaborated with peers to research and write a peer-reviewed essay titled "Assessing Globalisation's Relationship with the ICCPR and Human Rights."
- Tutored by an Oxford Law student on the intersectionality between human rights, globalization, and law.
- Learned how to write an academic paper.
Education
High School Diploma -
Lake Forest Academy
Lake Forest, IL05-2023
Some College (No Degree) - Art History And Philosophy
University of St Andrews
St Andrews, ScotlandSkills
- Fashion styling and curation
- Social media marketing (Instagram, TikTok)
- Retail merchandising and price assessment
- Adobe InDesign, Canva, Microsoft Excel, and PowerPoint proficiency
- Runway, editorial, and commercial modeling
- Journalistic writing
- Trend analysis
- Event planning
- Public speaking
- Organizational skills
- Fashion photography
- Fashion illustration and mixed media art proficiency
Languages
French
Professional
Projects
- Submitted poems to poetry contests in the US and UK, results TBD in 2026.
- In the process of applying to Fashion Schools in the US and Europe, with the intention of earning a BFA or AAS degree in Fashion Design beginning in Fall 2026.
Affiliations
Violinist, 14 years of experience.
Timeline
Vintage Fashion and Styling Intern
Kameo Vintage
05.2024 - 09.2024
Model
St Andrews Charity Fashion Show
09.2023 - 03.2024
Managing Editor of Features
Lake Forest Academy Spectator
08.2022 - 05.2023
Law Intern
Oxford Scholastica Academy
01.2022 - 04.2022
Retail Sales Associate
Athene
12.2021 - 05.2023
Bridges Board President of Outreach
Lurie Children's Hospital Of Chicago
04.2021 - 04.2023
Model
Select Model Management
02.2020 - 12.2024
High School Diploma -
Lake Forest Academy
Some College (No Degree) - Art History And Philosophy
University of St Andrews