Have you done any virtual workshops? We couldn’t send members raw materials, so we did one on lip scrubs you can make with ordinary items in your home: sugar, honey—or vegan alternatives—and any type of oil. I used olive oil. It was cool to see everyone on camera, doing the mixing. We’re industry-focused, so we took care to connect this activity to the self-care and wellness industries. They’ve skyrocketed during this time. Tell me about Liana Rivas Designs, which you organized on Etsy. Last year, a friend had to wear this uncool M&M costume for her job, so I made her a pair of M&M earrings. I’ve always been in love with crafts, but I never tried to sell them. She insisted on paying, and I thought, Hmm. My first items were personalized photo Rubik’s cubes.
Do you wish you could see your classmates in person? I’m glad I’m not on campus because I am at high risk for complications if I get COVID-19. We have a group chat for our major, so we’re in contact with one another. I definitely feel like I’ve made friends. Plus, virtual classes level the playing field. I don’t have to travel, and I have more time for my business.
You’re taking the “Fragrance Knowledge” class. Outside of a lab, how does that work? Our professor, Virginia Bonofiglio [chair of Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing], worked with suppliers to send us kits with 36 different raw materials—naturals and synthetics— in little vessels [lower right]. I got a pocket scale. Each week I follow the formula sheets to create fragrances. There are pipettes, and a stand for blotters to tag everything. Honestly? At this point it just feels normal to me.
But isn’t it harder to learn something over the internet? Learning virtually has been easy, actually easier in some ways. We can get 3D-printed items mailed to us for CAD design. We share and get critiques on class calls, and if there’s a problem, the professor can show us how to fix it in real time. There are no learning barriers.
What’s it like to attend your first year of FIT virtually? It was a very smooth transition. My teachers replicate in-person classes so completely, I’m not missing anything. I’m so impressed.
Liana Rivas Designs, her Etsy business.
She has used the time saved to develop
means she doesn’t have to commute.
glad to be home; plus, virtual education
complications from COVID-19, so she’s
The Pivot: Gonzalez-Rivas is at risk for
Major: Communication Design AAS ’22
Name: Juliana Gonzalez-Rivas
Does Rockland County, New York, where you live, feel like FIT? I set up an office in my basement because it was too distracting to take classes in my room. This fall, I’m used to it, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss being in school.
Above: A selection of Liana Rivas Designs.
Do you feel like you’re missing out on the college experience? The college experience is different for everyone. Some people like a large college, and some want to be in a class with five other people. For us, right now, the ideal college experience is online, where we can all be safe and learning to the best of our ability.
Is that, like, a thing? It’s kind of a thing, but no one is making ones like mine. I use Photoshop and Illustrator. I make jewelry, stickers, decor, and photo lockets. We started selling custom face masks because people need masks. To date I’ve made over 300 sales, some of multiple items.
You’re the president of the CFMA Club. What’s it been like this semester? We’ve had great success with Google Meet. We have like 25 to 40 people each week. I can record sessions so students who can’t make it don’t have to miss out. We’ve had guest speakers, including the cofounders of Fempower Beauty, a budding brand focused on activism and self-empowerment. One of them, Alexis Androulakis, is an alumna.
BUSINESS AS (UN)USUAL
MAKE YOUR OWN FRAGRANCE LAB
14 Spring 2021
Name: Sarah Stein
Major: Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing ’21
The Pivot: Can’t go to the lab for “Fragrance Knowl-
edge” class? Check this out. Stein, president of the
student-run Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing
Association club, discovered how to increase
participation in virtual group meetings.
Final plans for the end of your tenure as president? We’re bringing back Alexis from Fempower. We’ll encourage everyone to bring their own lipsticks and show them how a developer evaluates product.
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