My School Rocks! 2014-04 Arlene Goldstein | Page 26

rlene Goldstein had a friend in the early 1980s who owned a modeling agency.
This friend asked for Goldstein’s help. Goldstein was a schoolteacher at the time, so her
friend thought she could create a “lesson plan” to help moms re-entering the workplace
put together professional outfits. Goldstein took the challenge, and the resulting seminar
was a huge success.
Through this friendly favor, Goldstein discovered her niche. After her youngest daughter
started kindergarten, Goldstein started her new career – in fashion. Though she received
no formal training, Goldstein worked her way up to serve as director of special events and
fashion director at Parisian, then as vice president of trend merchandising for Saks. Today,
she is vice president of trend merchandising and fashion direction at Belk.
Goldstein sat down with My School Rocks! Magazine and Rockin’ Reporters Ava and Shayna
to talk about her work and the current fashion trends she’s helping to direct.

26 – My School Rocks! | April 2014