2000 Sewanhaka grad fulfills fashion dream

Julie Hartline

THEN
Age: 18
Year graduated: 2000 Sewanhaka High School
What's Ahead: Fashion merchandising, UMass Amherst

NOW
Age: 29
Current residence: Astoria
Education: Bachelor’s degree in hotel and tourism management, UMass Amherst, 2005.
Occupation: Sales executive, Soho Fashion

Hartline was all set to go into fashion design when UMass dropped the major due to budget cuts after her first semester there. She was advised to follow the business path and, as it turns out, the two worlds have meshed quite nicely for her.

She graduated in 2005 and for the past two years Hartline has been at Soho Fashion in Manhattan, which owns the licenses to outerwear brands like Steve Madden and Bebe Outerwear.

“I sell to different retailers throughout the country,” Hartline said. “I couldn’t think of a better job for me.”

Hartline, who grew up in Stewart Manor, now lives in Astoria. Down the road she hopes to start her own business doing the same thing.

Her advice to grads: “If you love something, you have to pursue it and stick with it, and you’ll make it happen.”