Alaina Wodarek, a 2024 WVU fashion, dress and merchandising graduate, is now pursuing a career as a content creator, model and founder of her own company.
Wodarek grew up in Pittsburgh and originally attended Morehead State University as a biology major and cheerleader. She said she realized her initial path wasn’t the right fit for her, leading her to transfer to WVU in 2021.
“I felt very lost, so I wanted to transfer to a school that was closer to home, but a big school, and also that had fashion so I could start actually doing what I was passionate about,” Wodarek said.
She transferred to WVU as a sophomore studying a fashion, dress and merchandising and went on to start her own social media page where she documented her experiences traveling and networking with other fashion companies.
Alaina Wodarek attends the 2024 Fashion Scholarship Fund Awards Gala.
Wodarek’s career took off after winning the Fashion Scholarship Fund for two consecutive years in 2023 and 2024.
The fund, a nonprofit organization that supports students entering the fashion industry, provides recipients with networking opportunities and helps them develop skills in design, merchandising, marketing and business strategy.
Wodarek said applying for the Fashion Scholarship Fund was one of the hardest projects she’s ever done, but also one of the most rewarding.
“That experience could really change your life, like how it changed mine,” she said.
As a scholarship winner, Wodarek had the opportunity to travel to New York City and network with fashion companies, including Nordstrom and SKIMS. The opportunity led her to an internship at SKIMS this past summer.
During the internship, Wodarek worked in the merchandising department, completing an analysis of the company and its competitors. At the conclusion of the summer, she was flown out to Los Angeles to present a sustainability proposal at the company’s headquarters.
“I had such an amazing time working with that team,” Wodarek explained. “When I was in LA, I got to help out, and I got to listen into team meetings, job shadow and help with the 2025 boards. So that was such a cool experience, being able to learn that up close with the big inspirations I had from the previous year.”
Wodarek said she was inspired by SKIMS co-founder Emma Grede during her internship, who she met after her first time winning the Fashion Scholarship Fund.
“She kind of just lit a fire in me when I saw her on stage,” Wodarek said, “She was so powerful, and such a girlboss, and that’s when I felt that spark of inspiration to start my own business.”
After her internship, Wodarek concentrated on her own company, Alaina Rose LLC, which initially began as Wodarek’s social media presence. She documented her experiences in the fashion industry throughout her time at WVU and began building an online following.
In March, she applied for an LLC, which helped her build credibility and gain more financial control while opening her brand up to partnership opportunities.
“It was a huge step in making what I do sustainable and long term, rather than just a side hustle,” she said.
Now, her company focuses on helping other brands and companies promote their products and services.
When Wodarek creates a promotional campaign, she said she manages it in stages. She begins by communicating with the brand, planning and scripting the campaign, waiting for approval, filming, editing and then posting.
She compared the process to “putting together a painting.”
Wodarek said she spent the last year growing her business, describing it as a “learning year” for her. She said she focused on learning more about finances, strengthening her business and connecting with clients.
Wodarek encouraged those who are looking to make a career on social media to post their content, even if they are nervous, and to make personal connections through networking.
For more information on Wodarek, visit her YouTube channel, Alaina Wodarek, Instagram page, @alaina_wodarek, and TikTok account, @alaina_wodarek. To learn more about the Fashion Scholarship Fund, visit fashionscholarshipfund.org.