Autumn Woody ’23 hosted an intimate industry panel at Soho House Chicago, connecting students with leaders in fashion, media, and costume design, and offering candid insight into real-world creative careers.

A candid conversation about fashion, media, and costume design unfolded on December 4 at Soho House Chicago, where Columbia College Chicago students gathered for an intimate industry panel organized and hosted by Autumn Woody ’23, also known as Ms. Woody. Designed specifically for students navigating creative careers, the event connected current Columbia talent with professionals shaping contemporary fashion and visual culture.

Woody, who earned her BA in Marketing with a minor in Fashion Studies and Art History, is the founder of LPCP.i, a Chicago-based creative incubation and community platform connecting fashion, media, and culture. Woody conceived, planned, and produced the panel independently—drawing on her professional network to bring working creatives directly into the room. The result was a focused, behind-the-scenes look at how careers in fashion, media, and costume design are built and sustained.

The panel featured Angelina Cantu, executive producer and in-house stylist at “Paper Magazine”; Courtney Wheeler, lead costume designer for FX’s “The Bear”; Lariana Santiago ‘16, Fashion Business alum and assistant costume designer on “The Bear”; and Mickey Boardman, editorial director of “Paper Magazine.” Together, they discussed their career paths, day-to-day realities of their roles, and the collaborative work that happens behind the scenes of high-profile creative projects.

According to Woody, rather than centering on prestige alone, the conversation emphasized process—how opportunities emerge, how teams function, and why foundational skills matter as much as visibility. Panelists spoke openly about logistics, adaptability, and persistence, offering students a clearer understanding of the ecosystem behind fashion editorials and television production.

“For me, this was about being the alum I needed when I was a student,” says Woody. As part of a cohort whose college experience included remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, she developed a heightened awareness of how access, initiative, and mentorship shape creative careers. “I learned quickly how important it is to seek out information, build relationships, and stay curious. This was about sharing what I’ve learned since graduating.”

That perspective shaped the event’s tone and structure. Students arrived throughout the evening and engaged directly with panelists in a setting designed for conversation rather than presentation. Many attendees noted that the discussion reframed how they understood the fashion industry, particularly the distinction between highly visible creative roles and the technical, strategic, and hands-on positions that make those roles possible.

The event also highlighted the power of alumni connection. Santiago shared her own path from Columbia to working as an assistant costume designer on “The Bear,” offering students a tangible example of how a Columbia education can translate into professional experience.

Woody credits her continued relationships with Columbia faculty for helping shape both her career and the event itself. As a student, she worked closely with School of Fashion Director Colbey Reid on the Fashion Closet and was mentored by Associate Professor Dana Connell on the Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF) program, a national non-profit that awards scholarships. Those connections, she says, reinforced the importance of maintaining relationships beyond graduation and staying engaged with the Columbia community.

“I wanted to bring a small piece of the kind of access students get through programs like FSF or industry travel back to campus,” Woody says. “Not every student can take part in those experiences, so this was another way to create meaningful exposure.”

The evening was documented by photographer Christopher Finn (@howdidyouseethat on Instagram), capturing moments from the panel as well as student conversations before and after the discussion. Early-arriving students were also greeted by local vendor Overdressed Local, adding a community-centered element to the gathering.

Woody hopes the panel becomes an annual, institutionally supported event—one that continues to grow while remaining grounded in access, mentorship, and real-world insight.

“I’ve already heard from students about how impactful it was,” she says. “If this can continue, it could become something really meaningful for future generations of Columbia students.”

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