The Tell-All of Sofia Crawford’s Internship Experience and Development at The Impression
Written by Jade Pettyjohn. Photo by Greanly Phillips.
An internship is often the bridge between aspiration and profession, and for one intern at The Impression, that bridge was built through mentorship, deadlines and discovery. Under the guidance of Mackenzie Zuckerman, the publication’s head of editorial content, Sofia Crawford improved her writing skills and confidence while working as a professional writer for the first time.
“My editor, Mackenzie, is such a great person to work with. It sounds so cheesy, but I’ve gained so much knowledge in how to write about fashion and articulate ideas. I really credit that to Mackenzie and her work with us.”
The internship had an initial 10-week term for the summer but was extended to December for Crawford as a testament to her strong performance. Encouragement from Savannah College of Art and Design professors Shawn Kerivan and Tish Hamilton provided academic and professional support.
The path to The Impression began with a message from her Career Success adviser, which led to a rigorous one-hour interview with Mackenzie in May. Acceptance came less than 10 minutes after she sent her follow-up email.
“I got to learn about the CEO, I learned about Mackenzie and her experience, and she explained what our schedule and routine would look like. She gave us a little trial run and a campaign to review, but we had to keep the tone and messaging of the magazine. I remember being too nervous.”
Among Crawford’s key assignments was researching creative directors’ movements during a “musical chairs” season, when many designers were switching between fashion houses, with particular attention to Jonathan Anderson’s menswear and womenswear collections.
“I did a lot of insights on Jonathan Anderson, sort of a soft launch of his debut. He would do teasers and campaigns and what they meant to him. You can either be overwhelmed by the house’s legacy and the archive, or you can dive right into it and pretty much nail it. It was probably one of my favorite things I wrote.”
These stories required more than simple reporting — they demanded the ability to read between the lines of social media hints and decode the creative language of the fashion industry, from imagery of green leather and ladybugs to references to Basquiat.
One defining moment came when Crawford broke the news of Anna Wintour’s departure to her team. By acting swiftly to confirm and publish the information ahead of competitors, the intern demonstrated initiative and responsiveness. Participation in team discussions and industry tips from publications such as Condé Nast also helped interns anticipate when major news might break.
When asked what impact she wants to make with her writing, Crawford paused before replying.
“I love fashion — not because of the clothes, but because of the people in the industry. At the end of the day, fashion is not that serious. Clothes are not that serious. What I do think is serious is the amount of people who are pouring their passion and creativity into what they do. If there is any young girl who is thinking about getting into fashion, I would be like, ‘this is something you can pursue,’ because it wasn’t on my radar before coming to SCAD.”
Beyond technical skill, cultural identity emerged as a quiet but influential force in the intern’s development. As someone from Ecuador, she said she aspires to write for Harper’s Bazaar Ecuador, a recently launched edition, using bilingual storytelling with cultural connection. This ambition reflects a desire to bridge markets and elevate diverse voices in fashion media while expanding her reach and relevance.
Throughout the experience, kindness stood out as a guiding principle — both a personal value and a professional ethos. Amid leadership changes and shifting market narratives, The Impression offered a space for growth rooted in mentorship and respect. In an industry defined by constant reinvention, the internship proved that adaptability, awareness and authenticity remain the foundation of a lasting voice.
“It’s like I’m a baby journalist, because I’m so new to this, but I will always be proud when I’m in my 40s and 50s. I’ll think, ‘Oh my goodness, I got into writing at the same time that all of the greats who will go down as legends.’”
Crawford’s next goal is to graduate from SCAD with a fashion marketing degree and a minor in fashion journalism, and to apply to Colombia for higher education in writing. A few weeks after the interview took place, Crawford learned that her article on Carla Romero Zunino, a fashion brand and visual artist, was published by Harper’s Bazaar Ecuador. Her aspirations are high, and this internship opportunity is just the beginning for the young writer.
“I always want to be remembered as someone who was just kind. No matter what I do, the thing I want everyone who has ever worked with me to say is, ‘She is just a kind person.’ I think that’s so important. That’s my number one.”
