Goldberg Offers Novel Fashionista Camp

Marian Goldberg is no stranger to the Atlanta fashion scene. After high profile jobs with Dior, David Yurman, Cartier and, more recently, area marketing director for Saks Fifth Avenue, she thought about mentoring young fashionistas who might not be so keen on archery or sitting around a campfire.

Thus began her execution of a local fashion camp with days filled with field trips, stylizing, meeting with fashion experts in a wide swath of exposure from costuming to wellness, branding and catwalking…and it’s not just for girls!

Goldberg said, “I would have loved fashion camps as a child because I faked (not very convincingly) my way through one season of traditional camp. This year, I decided to put the plan into action. I received a plethora of support and was blown away by the impressive talent and connections who generously agreed to participate.”

Campers are between 10-16 years old, and the camp will cover a comprehensive range of topics, including: lessons from stylists, makeup artists, and yoga instructors; fragrance creation; videos of Paris and Milan Fashion Week; meeting the owner of Click Models and more.

Camp cost is $450 for five days/seven hours per day. The only comparable program is in Los Angeles that costs more than $1,250.

Goldberg is considering modified programs year-round. She said, “We’ve had many requests for an adult version, a ‘Mommy and Me’ version, school break sessions, specific to LGBTQ+ groups, or breaking up the age groups into smaller ranges.”

Goldberg wants parents to think that for the right child, fashion may indeed be a serious career choice. She said, “I don’t have my own children but have dozens of nieces, nephews, and godchildren. To see unconditional support by their parents and role models is the best thing you can give your child. There is no right answer, but following your heart cannot be wrong.”

Fashion runs in the family as her mother studied fashion in New York and was a showroom model for the brand Evan-Picone. She was Marian’s fashion role model, and even worked for her as a merchandiser when Marian was with Christian Dior.

Marian Goldberg dipped into her resources and experience with high profile companies to mentor kids in a unique fashion camp.

Goldberg grew up in Charlotte and attended the University of Georgia where she studied international business, and then moved to Atlanta to take a position in the financial field. Knowing it was fashion that fueled her, she embarked on her fashion journey initially in sales and headed up a merchandising program in more than a dozen states and Puerto Rico. She then became a national sales manager for Waterford Linens. She switched courses to the retail side and opened the David Yurman Store in Lenox (2004), eventually becoming the area manager for the Southeast followed by serving as a director for Cartier, before joining Saks. There, she executed more than 500 events and many memorable special experiences.

Goldberg dishes on her own favs: classic designers – McQueen, Dior, Valentino, Givenchy, and, more recently, Sacai, Monse, Dries Van Noten. She often dresses in black, but for evening, she goes for bold jewel tones, red, green, maybe yellow.

She said, “I gravitate towards telling a story with a beautiful color, print, or asymmetrical cut. In camp, we will discuss high/low fashion and investing in timeless pieces that can be worn forever.”

Last word from Goldberg, “Most people have no idea what all careers are available from merchandise planning to personal stylists. ‘Out-of-the-box’ can be whatever they wish to create in the future. How about a career in AI emphasizing sustainability?”

A Sample Week:

Day 1: Retail luxury tours about the DNA of brands like Alexander McQueen, Tom Ford, Dior and focus on icons
Day 2: SCAD tour and lessons from designers and experts in fashion sustainability
Day 3: Styling expertise, personal, editorial, social media and costuming for film/TV
Day 4: Wellness and beauty — focus on mindfulness, healthy habits, skin care and beauty plus fragrance sampling menu.
Day 5: Creating a fashion show with Click Models and Catwalk Productions as well as casting, music, storytelling
The culmination will be with parents treated to a fashion show created by the campers and a personal tour of Nobu (new to Phipps Plaza) with the hotel design team.

For more information, email Goldberg at acessorygrl@me.com.