Kent State alumni are represented in every corner of the fashion capital of the United States. From leading marketing strategy to designing for internationally recognized brands to managing production for iconic labels, their career journeys demonstrate the depth of talent and preparation that defines Kent State.
The university has a dedicated presence in the Garment District through the Kent State New York City Fashion location, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The program offers Kent State students the opportunity to spend a semester in the city, learning from New York-based faculty and working for some of the world’s most prestigious fashion leaders and brands.
As Kent State’s recognition in New York continues to expand, we spoke with Kent State alumni living in the Big Apple - Mariah Moorer, Brent Flores and Katelyn Nguyen – about their education, careers and Kent State’s presence within the city’s fashion industry.
Mariah Moorer, ’20
Senior Trade Marketing Manager
Inter Parfums, Inc.
When Mariah Moorer visited the Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman School of Fashion Design and Merchandising, she knew she had found the right place to explore her interests in fashion and marketing. What started with her acceptance letter arriving on Christmas Day has grown into a career defined by passion, purpose and an understanding of how Kent State alumni are shaping fashion in New York City.
Four years after graduating, that foundation propelled Mariah into a marketing leader in the fashion and beauty industry all while developing Mariah’s Diamonds, a girls empowerment organization, and serving on the School of Fashion’s advisory board.
As a student at Kent State, Mariah participated in the New York City Fashion program virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic and credits the program and its faculty and industry partners with creating connections that have served her career well.
“Even though I had to do the New York program virtually, I knew that I was moving to New York,” Mariah said. “It made sense because it was not just fashion that I was learning but environment, and I met people that I’m still connected to today. It let me map out my plan for when I moved to New York two weeks after graduation.”
Today, Mariah is a senior trade marketing manager for Inter Parfums, Inc., a corporation that guides prestige fragrances from development to sale worldwide. In this role, Mariah oversees a portfolio of fragrance brands and develops trademarking strategies for them with retailers on global scale.
“It’s really fun being in trade,” Mariah reflected. “I’m able to intersect the worlds of beauty and fashion, and some of the brands that I oversee are Donna Karan, Van Cleef & Arpels and MCM.”
Before working as a trade marketer for Inter Parfums, Inc. and Parfums de Marly, Mariah worked as a global product marketer for the Estée Lauder Companies, particularly for Tom Ford, where she innovated fragrances and discovered her love of the fragrance development process.
Mariah sees her time at Tom Ford as a turning point in her career and noted that Kent State’s reputation for excellence played a part in her joining the brand.
“I was shocked because I didn’t know that the CEO looked at everyone’s resumes before hiring decisions are made,” she said. “And he told me that he initially hesitated in hiring me, but when he saw that I went to Kent he said that he knew I went to a great school.”
When it comes to what’s next, Mariah has a clear vision: to use her voice and platform to empower women of all ages, while maintaining a presence in the corporate world.
“I see myself doing consulting work and building the next generation of girl bosses,” Mariah said.
Inspired by her mother and grandmother, Mariah’s nonprofit organization Mariah’s Diamonds fuels her purpose beyond her professional career, and she hopes to see it expand to have a global footprint. Its premier program, Little Ladies, shows little girls how to grow into radiant, multi-dimensional women while fostering positive relationships between mothers and daughters.
Mariah is also committed to giving back to Kent State. She uses her experience to elevate the university’s presence and recognition in New York and beyond, continuing the cycle of impact that has shaped her own journey.
