Get to Know Alexis Bennett, Shopping Editor at Cosmopolitan

Alexis Bennett is no stranger to the fashion industry, working as an editor for some of the top magazines in the world: i.e. Cosmopolitan, Condé Nast Publications, and InStyle. With her expertise in increasing digital media companies’ revenue through e-commerce content, her determined work ethic, and her bubbly, radiating energy, it is no surprise that she is a key player in the industry. We sat down with Alexis to learn how she got her start in the industry, and how she’s Making it in Manhattan.

Growing up, were you always interested in fashion?
Yes. I always loved fashion, but from more of a modeling perspective. As a little girl, I would study designers and their collections and dream of one day walking down the runway for them. Once I went to college, I lost sight of that dream, and I felt like I had to study something "serious." So, my fist major in college was actually Biology, with plans of eventually going to med school. Over the years, that changed (thankfully!!), and I decided to follow my curiosity, which led me to creating a path to one day become a fashion editor.

Who or what have been some of your biggest fashion inspirations?
On my journey to becoming a fashion editor, I really tried to soak up as much as I could from other women who were already doing what I was aspiring to do. So, I watched every YouTube video, read every article...you name it. I wanted to soak up as much as I could from women like Sydne Bolden, Shiona Turini, and Subira Shaw.

What did you wear to your first interview?
On my very first interview, I wore this white Calvin Klein dress that I bought from Marshalls with a pair of brown boots. I definitely wouldn't wear the same look again now. But at the moment, I felt confident in it, and I think that's most important: to wear something that won't hold you back from unleashing your personality.

How does what you learned in college compare to actually working in the industry?
Whew, child. I, honestly, feel like all—I repeat—ALL of the best lessons were learned by actually doing the work. School was a great way to learn theories and analyze case studies, but when you get your hands dirty and do the work, it truly sharpens your skills. I believe that's especially true for editors. You become a better writer by writing.

I see you received your MBA from LIM in Fashion Management and Entrepreneurship. How essential do you think receiving a masters is to work and succeed in the Fashion Industry?
I don't think that receiving a master's degree is essential to work in fashion at all. The fashion industry is really about who you know. Your network is your net worth. I've landed the majority of my jobs through associates and fostering relationships with peers. A lot of open positions aren't publicized and the only way to hear about them is through word of mouth.

Can you discuss your position as the Shopping Editor at Cosmo and what a typical day is like, pre-quarantine and how it has changed now?
I'm pretty much doing the same things now, like writing and editing stories daily as well as building relationships with our affiliate partners. The only thing that has drastically changed is the press appointments and events. Instead of meeting with brands in person, it's now Zoom calls and private Instagram pages showcasing the latest designs.

What is your favorite aspect of working at Cosmo?
I love how collaborative the team is. At previous magazines I've worked for, it was the digital team here and the print team over there. At Cosmo, everyone does everything so you get an opportunity to flex different muscles, which is very refreshing.

What is the most difficult aspect of being an editor?
The most difficult part about being an editor is the deadlines. If I want to write about a sale but it's only going to be live for 24 hours, I have to rush and get that up and to our readers, ASAP. I also juggle multiple projects at the same time. One moment I can be working with a freelancer on a story and squeezing in a story for one of our print issues. You have to be able to juggle several balls at once.

What brands are you loving right now? And what do you look for in new or emerging brands?
Personally, I'm into anything that's cute and comfy. My sweatpants collection is becoming pretty impressive. I'm really into Sporty & Rich and the new women's collection launched by the Jordan brand. When I'm looking for emerging brands to feature in Cosmo, I think about the reader and I use data collected from previous stories to determine what I think they'll be into.

If you could go back and give your 20-year-old self advice, what would it be?
I would tell my 20-year-old self not to worry about everything because it always, ALWAYS works out.

What advice would you give to young women hoping to follow a similar path as yourself, especially given our current state of affairs?
I would say to just go for it, no matter what you want to achieve. Be willing to do whatever it takes to bring your goal to fruition, even if that means working for free or taking a few steps backward to align yourself with your final target. A lot of people want to reach the top of a mountain, but sometimes the path you're on won't take you to the top. Don't be afraid to go back down and find the path that will.

We have a lot of young people out there applying for their first jobs, what qualities do you look for when hiring someone to join your team?
I haven't done any hiring yet. But I think what has helped me to land a few of my jobs is my confidence. If you don't believe you can do it, how can the hiring manager believe in you? So wear something that makes you feel like that b*tch, do your research, and own it.