Abby Hannon always knew she loved the bridal industry, and this summer, she is making one of her dreams become a reality.
Hannon will spend the summer interning at Kleinfeld Bridal, the store made famous by the TLC series “Say Yes to the Dress.”
Hannon is a fourth-year retailing and fashion merchandising student and will be an assistant bridal consultant this summer at Kleinfeld. Throughout the summer, she will shadow the store’s consultants and learn what they do.
“I am most looking forward to all the hands-on learning I will be doing, especially since opening a bridal boutique is ultimately what I want to do with my future,” Hannon said. “And who better to learn from than the best?”
College students from all over the U.S. applied, but only 20 were selected to move to New York for the summer to work at the store.
Hannon told Mike Moody, director of internships for the Department of Retailing, that she wanted to work at Kleinfeld. He helped get her the contact information she needed, and soon Hannon was in New York for an interview.
“After many persistent emails to Joan (Roberts) inquiring about my status, I finally got my answer on Feb. 28 ‘that my persistence had paid off,’” Hannon said.
Hannon will help in all aspects at the bridal shop, from getting dresses in the stock room and putting them on brides-to-be to fitting them and helping finish the sale.
“I am a little nervous, but more than anything, I am so excited for all the new experiences I will have and all the new friends I will make this summer,” Hannon said. “I’m just ready to embrace the change and go with whatever happens. I’m definitely more excited than nervous.”
She will get acclimated with the big names on the TLC show as she will be working with all of them throughout the summer.
“I am also really looking forward to meeting Randy (Fenoli) and Pnina Tornai, because they are both fabulous,” Hannon said.
Ideally, Hannon hopes this internship will lead to a job with Kleinfeld.
“But if that doesn’t happen, I will be happy just having the chance to learn from the best of the best in the industry that I want to have a future in,” Hannon said.