Four Bermudian teenagers learned that the high fashion industry isn’t all glamour and glitz, during a special internship in New York City this summer. The girls were members of Finesse Productions run by Terry-Lynn Weeks and Bernadette McIntosh-Tucker who are both teachers at Clearwater Middle School.

Finesse Productions is for students aged 8 to 16 and comprises two girls groups Fly Girls for older students, and Diva Girls for younger kids. It is basically an improvement programme geared towards their social development, etiquette and modelling.

In the last two years, Ms Weeks and Mrs. Tucker have teamed up with Bermudian Shiona Turini who was working for Yves St. Laurent in New York. Recently, Ms Turini has moved to W Magazine as the accessories market editor.

To be selected for the internship, students had to write an essay, fill in an application and go through an interview process. They also had to be a certain age.

For the students aged 14 to 16, the week-long internship programme in New York was an opportunity to work behind the scenes at such places as 1 Model management, YSL, Saks, In Style Magazine, Jane Magazine, Bottega Venetta and Sony Records

“Shioni Turini hosted us and set up all the site visits,” said Ms Weeks. “She has said that even though she has changed jobs she would still like to help us with the internships. We had a great time while we were in New York. We are very grateful to Ms Turini.”

For the girls, the internship wasn’t just about the fashion industry, it was also about learning about the working world. Many of the girls who go on the internship have never had a summer job before.

“We work on things like table etiquette, because we always go out to dinner when we are in New York,” Mrs. McIntosh-Tucker said. “It is also about job experience because we deal with career development, getting up on time, organising yourself, prioritising.

“We were like a regiment out there, making sure these four girls were up and out the door, had their breakfast, in a taxi in enough time to be there, before they had to start, not right at nine o’clock or at 9.15 a.m.

“Through all of that they had to be very responsible. They were in New York City, and there were times that Ms Weeks and I could not walk with them. They had to do it themselves. They had to be responsible.”

The girls also had to learn to dress appropriately. Some companies they visited required dress attire, while others were less formal.

“While we were out there, every day we had to get up at a certain time to catch a taxi to our destination,” said Sheraé Simons, 16, of CedarBridge Academy. “There were two in each internship. On the first day we visited Vibe Magazine. When we were there, we made our own magazines and put in whatever we wanted to put, and named it ourselves. She showed us all around Vibe magazine and introduced us to new people. It was just a nice experience.”

For Ty’esha Oswald, 15, also of CedarBridge Academy, the internship turned out to be a twice in a lifetime experience.

“This is my second time on the trip,” she said. “This time we went to more places. It was so overwhelming. It was different. I wouldn’t say it was better, but it was a wonderful opportunity and experience.”

At Vibe Magazine students picked out clothes under the theme of animal prints. The students were told that if the magazine went with the outfits they picked, they would get a mention in the magazine and free copies of the next issue.

Some of the students went into the internship with the idea of pursuing a fashion career after college, while others weren’t so sure.

“I am somewhat interested in a job in the fashion industry, but I am kind of undecided,” said Seionna Barnett, 16, from Berkeley Institute. “It might be something that I would like to go into. I have been in the group for three years now. My confidence level has been boosted. I just feel a little bit more rounded.”

Shatequa Trott, 15, of CedarBridge Academy, said her ideas about fashion have definitely been influenced by the trip to New York.

“One thing that surprised me was that when you saw the models walking around they looked like ordinary people,” said Sheraé. “In person they don’t look like they do in the magazines.”

Ms Weeks said the internship is a wonderful opportunity that few Bermudian students get to experience. “Not everyone gets to go to these places,” she said. “Also, it helps these girls to realise that there is more to fashion than people prancing on the runway. It shows them the things that go on behind the scenes. We just see the finished product in a movie or on television. They may do other careers but they will always have an interest in fashion.”

She said the girls in the group help to keep Finesse Productions evolving and changing. The Fly Girls do other things besides the internship including community service, and an annual fashion show.

This year the girls used their fashion show to raise money for burn victim Dijon Simmons. He was the second person to receive money from Finesse Productions for medical expenses.