Oak Park student attends Fashion University in New York

SOPHIA FISCHER/Acorn Newspapers TEEN TREASURES- Jillian Bietz, back home in her Oak Park kitchen, shows off some of the designer goodies she received as a delegate at Teen Vogue magazine's Fashion University in New York City. An Oak Park teen left her fashion magazines at home and stepped into New York City's fashion world for a weekend in October. Jillian Bietz, 18, an admitted fashion magazine junkie, was a delegate at Teen Vogue magazine's Fashion University Oct. 27 to 29, where she got an inside look at the business from some of the industry's top names including Tim Gunn, Cynthia Rowley and Teen Vogue editor Amy Astley.

The event, which attracted about 500 delegates between the ages of 16 and 22 from eight countries, was held at the Times Square offices of Condé Nast, home of such publications as The New Yorker, Vogue and Vanity Fair.

"I read the magazine, but to actually be there was so surreal," Bietz said.

Participants attended a fashion show featuring designer Erin Featherston, toured Teen Vogue's offices and received a certificate of program completion from designers Tommy Hilfiger, Vera Wang and Rebecca Taylor. They also participated in a variety of workshops, led by such industry leaders as designer Cynthia Rowley, addressing fashion photography, managing a clothing line and jewelry design. Among Beitz's favorite events was a seminar led by Tim Gunn, star of the reality television show "Project Runway," and designer Liz Claiborne's chief creative officer.

"It was amazing seeing him in person," said Bietz, who is a big Gunn fan. "He showed a slide show of the styles he likes, which was really interesting."

Bietz was thrilled to be among so many industry veterans. "Sometimes when people are high up they are condescending and intimidating, but at Fashion U they weren't. They were all really nice," she said.

Bietz and the other delegates were excited to receive a Dooney & Bourke acrylic bag filled with designer accessories and cosmetics, including Vera Wang's new perfume "Princess."

Participants paid for their own transportation to New York, accommodations and meals, as well as a $150 fee that went toward a scholarship fund for aspiring design students.

The magazine received 1,500 applications this year, according to Maria Benetos, Teen Vogue promotion director. Delegates were selected based on design sketches and their responses to the application's questions.

The magazine launched Fashion University in 2006 after realizing that a growing number of girls were interested in the business aspect of fashion.

"You'd think most girls would want to be models, but they want to learn about public relations and photography, about retail and design houses," Benetos said. "This event opens doors for them, showing them how to take the next step to become something they didn't know existed."

Being with others who have the same passion for fashion bonds many of the delegates, who often stay in touch after the event, added Benetos.

Bietz admits to being "obsessed" with fashion magazines. Her bedroom is filled with issues of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Seventeen, Cosmo Girl and, of course, Teen Vogue, her favorite for its fashion and lifestyle articles.

"Magazines document time periods. They help you remember things about your life," Bietz said.

"If Jillian is not at home she's at Barnes & Noble reading magazines," said her mother, Barbara Bietz. "The magazine guy at Pavilion's knows her."

In her first year at Moorpark College, Bietz writes for several online magazines, including a teen column for www. familiesonlinemagazine.com. She is interested in a career as a fashion magazine writer.

The Bietz family knew Jillian was a fashion fanatic early on.

"From the time she was tiny she would change her clothes several times a day," Barbara Bietz said. "Jillian comes from a long line of outstanding shoppers on both sides of the family."

While relatives do take Jillian's fashion advice, her brother Trevor, 15, does not. "I try to dress my brother and give him tips, but he doesn't listen," she said. "Now he walks around in clothes I don't approve of."

Bietz describes her fashion style as diverse, ranging from vintage to trendy. Her favorite stores are Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom, Forever 21, Target and the Fairfax Flea Market on Sundays. She enjoys expressing herself through style.

"You can tell a lot about a person by what they're wearing," Bietz said. "Fashion is wearable art."

Bietz said she may apply for the Fashion University program again next year.

"There's always stuff to learn, and it's fun," she said.