Emily Curl not only has the biggest heart of any woman you'll ever meet, but also has the biggest dreams. This UGA grad moved up to NYC to work for the largest independent fashion and style site in the US, Refinery29. She's had the chance to do red carpet interviews and be a part of New York Fashion Week. Learn about how this amazing young woman is making strides in a big city:
1. What's your story? What makes you unique?
I grew up just North of Atlanta, with the closest-knit family I feel lucky to call mine. We were born and raised to be Bulldogs, so when I received my acceptance email; that was a day to remember. I studied Digital & Broadcast Journalism at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. It is still one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. After college, I moved up to New York City to work for Refinery29, which is the largest independent fashion and style site in the US, on their newly developed video team. I am still so thrilled to be a part of such a innovative, creative team. I believe what makes people really and truly and beautifully unique, is the idea that they know their authentic, genuine self. While I work on that every day, what makes me unique is the fact that I try to do and say things daily that remain true to that philosophy. And I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by people who inspire and create and are wildly curious.
2. What motivates you?
My biggest motivators are creators; the people who see the world a little differently. I have fallen in love with artists like Dallas Clayton and Alexa Chung. A vast variety of people who are passionately curious about the world and the things they can create within it. I get so excited when I see things differently because of what someone else has shown me. Strong women, artist, or designers that have started from the bottom and have tirelessly worked and are now so successful also motivate me. It’s also a reminder that failure is real and that it’s normal and that it is probably the most pivotal part of the journey. I love reading stories and hearing examples of the ones who have gone before me. It gives me hope. And it creates a fire within me to never stop learning from the world around me.
3. Who is a hero of yours?
As cheesy as it sounds, my heroes are my family, friends, bosses and UGA family that have instilled a love like no other in me. It’s so important to surround yourself with people who believe in you, your spirit and your skills. And it’s so important to be that person for someone else too. These relationships are the ones that make you feel like you’re flying and the ones that remind you to keep dreaming. Surround yourself with the people you most want to be like, and that’s what you’ll become. And the best thing in life is to have people in your corner, rooting for you and picking you up when you fall down, and for you to be that person for them. One of my best friends actually sent me this the other day and it seems so applicable. “In friendship, we think we have chosen our peers. In reality a few years’ difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles between certain houses, the choice of one university instead of another, the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting- any of these chances might have kept us apart. But for a Christian, there are, strictly speaking, no chances. A secret master of ceremonies has been at work… The friendship is not a reward fo our discriminating and good taste in finding one another out, it is the instrument by which God reveals to each of us the beauty of others.” –CS Lewis
4. What's your future plan? Your goals?
I love this question. It reminds me to dream and to look ahead, which is always an exciting thought. I think the beautiful thing about where I am now and where others might be too is that we are just not exactly sure what we want in the future. And I want to tell you that that is okay. That most of us feel that way. I think the single biggest lesson I’ve learned is how important it is to be present, and focus hard on what is in front of us at the moment. I have absolutely loved working for Refinery29. And would love to continue to help create engaging invigorating video content. As far as future steps, I would love to be involved with more entertainment reporting, brand building and illustrating. I’m constantly learning, so this list might change tomorrow ! and there’s a certain level of fun and spontaneity in that, too.
5. If you could give one piece of advice, what would it be?
When I first came to work in New York, and I had this vivid image of what my life was going to look like. I imagined it most like a Carrie Bradshaw + T-Swift mash-up. I would run around the city in amazing designer clothes, grab Starbucks on my way to my office window and send a couple emails and be on my merry way. What I didn’t realize is that being a working adult is hard. And it takes practice, patience, forgiveness, and dedication. It takes you realizing exactly who you want to be and how you want that to manifest in your day-to-day work environment. My biggest piece of advice is to fiercely and tirelessly pay meticulous attention to detail, and specifically the details that no one else thought to or cared to remember. Be that person with the mindset that “no job is too small.” What I have discovered time and time again, is that people trust other people that really care; not just about the beautiful clothes and the red carpets, but the less glamorous details that people steer clear from. Don’t steer clear of those things. Embrace them, run with them, and when that trust is built into a foundation that cannot be torn down by one mistake, those big things suddenly become yours. And these big things you create are so beautifully done because of how much you cared about the little things. And those are going to be your true moments of pride.
6. What is something you feel strongly about (a cause, belief, etc.)?
I feel most strongly about people; and more specifically, the acceptance and understanding of everyone. No matter what someone believes, who someone loves, or what they look like; they are human and their feet are heavy with purpose and intention. I cannot stress enough how important I believe it is to really understand and accept someone else’s life and story and where they came from and how they think differently than you.
7. What's one of the coolest things you've ever done?
Refinery29 recently celebrated their !0 year anniversary (10 years !!) with a launching party to kick off New York Fashion Week called 29Rooms, where they partnered with artists and designers and created 29 insanely magical rooms. Opening night, I had the opportunity to help with the red carpet interviews as the special guests arrived at the party. It was incredible seeing and engaging and interviewing with people I had always dreamed about; people like Alexa Chung, Drew Barrymore and Catt Sadler. They were incredible and beautiful and smart and witty and I felt so honored to get to be a part of it.
8. Anything we haven't asked that you'd like to talk about.
I just want to say a HUGE thank you to The Dean’s List and to Meredith Dean who is building an empire of smart and incredible people from all over the globe. Thanks, Meredith, for choosing me to be featured and for the amazing work you are already doing. It’s such an inspiration to so many. xxEm