Aissata’s Summer Internship at Decor Global

This summer, CWC Year 1 Fellow Aissata took her creativity and design skills to Decor Global, a private label company that designs for Wild Fable, a Target-exclusive brand known for its bold, trend-forward pieces.

CWC Year 1 Fellow Aissata

Aissata joined CWC in 2021 and is now a senior at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), majoring in Fashion Design with a concentration in Sportswear. Her passion for design, combined with her CWC experience, helped prepare her to thrive in Decor’s fast-paced environment.

Below, Aissata shares more about her internship experience in her own words:

My Internship Experience at Decor Global

This past summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern at Decor, a private label company that designs for Wild Fable, a Target-exclusive brand known for its bold, trend-forward pieces. As someone passionate about fashion and design, this internship was an amazing chance to apply my creative skills while learning directly from industry professionals.

I had the privilege of working with both the Juniors Sportswear and Denim Design teams, which gave me valuable insight into different categories within the apparel design process. From assisting in the early stages of concept development to supporting final presentations, I was able to contribute to various parts of the design cycle.

One of the highlights of my internship was deepening my understanding of trend forecasting and print development. I worked closely with the team to research and compile trend decks, which helped guide the design direction for upcoming collections. I also gained hands-on experience with print design, learning how patterns and graphics are developed and adapted for production. This is a skill I’m excited to continue exploring.

Aissata

In addition, I had the chance to apply my technical knowledge in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator across multiple tasks, from creating flats and editing prints to putting together visual presentations. These real-world applications helped me strengthen my digital design skills and better understand how these tools are used in a professional setting.

What made this experience truly valuable was the supportive and collaborative environment at Decor. The team was welcoming, encouraging, and always willing to share their knowledge. I felt like I was part of something meaningful, not just observing but contributing.

Decor’s designs with LuLuLemon credit:https://vimeo.com/716204472/d9bde62926?share=copy

This internship has allowed me to step foot into the corporate world of fashion and observe the contrast between contemporary brands and the mass market. It has broadened my experience in ways that I can apply more effectively in future roles. I'm incredibly grateful for everything I’ve learned and how it has shaped my perspective as a young designer.

A heartfelt thank-you to CWC Namasha Schelling for making this opportunity possible, and to the amazing team at Decor — Sarah, Ben, and Elodie — for your guidance, support, and trust throughout my time with you. Your mentorship meant the world to me, and I’m so appreciative of everything you shared.

You can learn about our Fellows’ summer internships on our blog at creativeswantchange.org/blog

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