After years of dedication, McKenzie Davis, a senior at Oklahoma State University, fulfilled her dream of attending New York Fashion Week. However, her vision extends far beyond the city’s runways. Davis, a marketing major and MBA candidate, is determined to make Oklahoma a key player in the fashion industry.
“At OSU’s career fair, you see industries like oil and gas, insurance, and more, but there’s nothing for fashion or beauty,” said Davis. “I want to bring those opportunities to Oklahoma so people who are passionate about fashion can stay here and thrive.”
Davis, who was selected as the only student from Oklahoma for College Fashionista’s Creators Loft this September, had the chance to network with top industry leaders. The event, a hub for college content creators in fashion and beauty, allowed her to form valuable connections and gain insight into the business of fashion.
Now 23, Davis represents Oklahoma State University for Campus Collective, partnering with major brands such as Dove, Prada, and Garnier to promote student ambassadorships and career opportunities for future graduates.
Reflecting on her time in New York, Davis said, “It was interesting to see how similar New York was to Oklahoma once you get outside the city. If they can do it, why can’t we?”
Davis’ journey into fashion started after high school, with a modest $15-per-hour modeling gig. Through strategic networking at statewide photography meetups, she gradually grew her portfolio and command, eventually earning $250 per hour for modeling. At OSU, she balances her senior year with pursuing an MBA through the accelerated 4+1 program and is a key member of the Center for Sales and Service Excellence (CSSE). She is also the center’s first-ever freshman member and a multi-year captain of CSSE’s annual golf fundraiser.
“McKenzie is an exceptional student and person,” said Whitney Roman, director of CSSE. “Her initiative, drive, and capabilities are a model for all OSU students.”
Davis attributes much of her success to a concept she learned from Dr. Andy Urich, chair for talent development at OSU. He taught her the idea of creating “lucky situations”—opportunities that arise from putting oneself in the right place at the right time. For Davis, this approach helped her navigate the fashion world, from responding to a photographer’s shoot invitation to attending local modeling meetups where she gained crucial industry knowledge.
“If I hadn’t made those early connections, I never would have made it to New York Fashion Week,” she said. “What I’m learning in business school now, like marketing and pricing, I was already practicing through those modeling connections.”
While attending New York Fashion Week was a significant milestone, Davis’ ultimate goal is to build a fashion industry presence in Oklahoma. She envisions a future where OSU’s career fairs feature fashion industry recruiters alongside those from energy and insurance.
“I want future fashion enthusiasts to have the chance to pursue their dreams here in Oklahoma,” she said. “In five to ten years, I hope a 23-year-old at the career fair will be able to meet recruiters from fashion companies.”
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