Kerri BridgmanWhat fashion taught me about building beyond the runway.
When I enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology, I thought I was preparing for a lifetime of sourcing fabrics and traveling to manufacturers overseas. And in many ways, I was. But what I didn’t realize then was that I was also learning how to manage timelines, solve supply chain issues, coordinate cross-functional teams, and most importantly, bring vision into form.
That foundation didn’t just prepare me for fashion. It gave me the tools to step confidently into the construction world a few years later, swapping showroom floors for job sites and tech packs for paving maps.
In both fields, the stakes are high. One small misstep—a delayed fabric delivery or a missing permit—can impact an entire launch or paving crew.
Whether I was matching final production orders or reviewing site plans, the core skills are the same: ☎️ Clear communication 📑 Organized execution ⛑️ A deep respect for process
FIT didn’t teach me to think like a designer—it taught me to anticipate what a designer would need before they even said it.
I learned how to problem-solve like a project manager, manage chaos under pressure, and see beauty in precision. That foundation gave me the mindset to thrive in any industry, whether I’m walking around in heels or lacing up work boots.
Because at the end of the day, production is production. Whether it’s a perfectly tailored blazer or a freshly paved road, the heart of it all is turning ideas into something real.
If you’re building something—whether it’s a collection, a company, or a new chapter—and you need someone who gets both the vision and the logistics, I’d love to collaborate. Reach out anytime at kerrib@oceoluxe.com. Let’s make it real, together.