When you think of fashion, some of the first things that come to mind are magazines such as Vogue, Allure and Vanity Fair. Not only do these magazines epitomize the world of high-end fashion and beauty, they are all owned by a company called Condé Nast. This week, I got the amazing opportunity to go visit a family friend who works for Allure and she gave me a tour of their fabulous office filled full of fashionable employees, gorgeous views, and sophistication galore.
Condé Nast’s offices are located in the One World Trade Center tower, taking up floors 20 through 44 for their self-contained empire. As soon as I stepped off the elevator on the 31st floor-- Allure’s headquarters-- I was met by solid white walls, a series of screens previewing images from the magazine, and two giant glass doors engraved with the word "Allure". After sitting in the waiting room for a little and taking it all in, my family friend came out and got me, and we were on our way.
Our first stop was the general Condé Nast offices, which actually has the most breathtaking view I have ever seen. The walls are lined floor to ceiling with windows, overlooking the river and the skyline of New Jersey. The floor plan is completely open, displaying photos of this month’s featured photographer on the white walls. In addition to the featured photo display, the floor is full of gorgeous conference rooms, of all sizes and types to accommodate any meeting situation.
After the general offices, we were off to the cafeteria for a quick bite to eat. To say the very least, it was fancy and fabulous! They have every food type you could ever imagine. From fresh sushi to chopped salads, the choices were endless. I settled on a crab cake accompanied by a fresh arugula, mango and tomato salad, and it was delicious! The seating area is like a gourmet restaurant, sleek and sophisticated overlooking the city.
Next stop was the in-house production floor, where all the Condé Nast brands photograph their still shoots, editorial campaigns and interviews. You name it, and this studio can shoot it. One of production staff gave us a tour around the seven different, all-white production facilities. While I was there, still shoots were going on for Allure and Vanity Fair. One of the photographers even showed me how she goes from the initial shot to the finished product.
Last but not least, we took a tour around the Allure floor. I got a glimpse into the beauty and fashion closets and got to see where all the Allure employees make all the magic happen. Our tour ended off with an Allure bag stuffed with beauty goodies and a hug goodbye from my family friend.
Overall, my impression of the Condé Nast offices was basically just a whirlwind of fabulousness. The aura of the offices was magical and probably something I will never forget. My dream is to work at a company like Condé Nast and this tour gave me an unforgettable peek into the possibilities for the future.
