Kara Nicole Hamalainen
"If you can dream it, you can do it" - Walt Disney
After months of applying and interviewing, my dream officially came true and I received an offer for the Disney Live Entertainment Costuming Buyer role on October 30th, 2023! Words could not describe how honored and grateful I felt to have been chosen for this position. Every day I feel beyond blessed that I was given the opportunity to become part of a company known for its excellence in storytelling that enhances, delights, and inspires audiences worldwide. All of my hard work, dedication, and perseverance paid off as I was able to enter into my dream role right out of college! A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way and throughout the interview process.
Why Disney & The Costuming Buyer Role
I felt as though this role would be an amazing fit for me given my background and experiences. Specifically, my education has allowed me to obtain a vast array of knowledge in fashion, both from the design and merchandising sides. I have had the opportunity to complete projects that replicate the responsibilities of a buyer, became extremely efficient in Microsoft Excel and mathematical concepts used for merchandise planning, and I have learned about the unique trade policies that affect apparel and raw material sourcing. In addition to that, I have been a performer myself my entire life and would cherish the opportunity to work in the costuming industry in some capacity. Lastly, I have really appreciated the values Disney holds. After reading about some of the company’s values, storytelling really stood out to me. Through the power of storytelling, Disney creates truly unforgettable magical moments and inspires people to follow their dreams and passions. That is exactly what I did with fashion, and I would love to work for a company that inspires people to follow their dreams, because there were times in my life when Disney did that for me. Therefore, working for an organization like Disney that values storytelling in a role that I felt was perfect for me at this point in my career is truly a dream come true.
First Day: Tuesday, January 16th, 2024
Projects & Training
I was the intern on the Character Programs & Development Buying team, responsible for the replenishment of character costumes. While interning on this team, I learned the day-to-day responsibilities of being a character replenishment buyer while also completing projects that would be beneficial to the team and improve the way in which our business operates. Found below are three of the projects I worked on during the course of my internship.
01
Research on Replacement Character Costume Pieces
Quick Project
During my internship, I was able to provide assistance with research on replacement character costumes. In an effort to take some work off of an overloaded vendor, I researched character shoes online that did not require extensive customization. I was provided with an image of the current shoe used with the costume and tried to find something online that would best replicate it. Some important factors I took into consideration while conducting my research included the shoe brand, price, size range, and features that would make it an ideal substitute. Additionally, I got to research other costume pieces for any item that no longer had a viable source and needed a replacement, such as winter gloves. Some of the characters I helped research included Rapunzel, Merida, Flynn Rider, Prince Naveen, Vi Moradi, Miguel, Jack Skellington, and Sally. These quick projects allowed me to strengthen my sourcing skills and understand the process of redevelopment for a character costume piece.
02
Purchase Order Tracking System
In-Depth Project
The purpose of this project was to create a tracking mechanism for every character costume order, creating visibility for every step in the production process, the current status of all orders, and the ability to identify delays. I was able to take part in the production of this mass communication system and help create a community dashboard that would be used across many different areas of DLE Character Costuming. My main responsibilities included writing a work order for all 2,000 of my team's open orders in an effort to begin tracking the process for the orders already in progress. From this point forward, the buyers on my team would be tasked with writing a work order for each item after creating the purchase order so the tracking of that order could begin right away. This project allowed me to gain proficiency in Maximo and Smartsheet, and I was able to familiarize myself with all of the outside vendors my team works with as well as where they are located around the world.
03
Fabric Swatch Card Wall
In-Depth Project
The purpose of this project was to create a visual representation of all fabrics and raw materials currently utilized in the production of character costumes. This would allow the fabric buyers on our team to have accurate documentation and a quick reference of all inventoried fabrics before outside sourcing materials, as well as serve as support for fabric redevelopment needs. I was responsible for creating swatch cards for each of the 5,000 materials on our Material Master List and adding these swatch cards to our fabric wall, organizing them by material number. Not only was I updating our team's current inventory physically, but I was also responsible for updating our current inventory digitally on Yunique to allow all DLE Character Costuming teams to utilize the most accurate information. Throughout this project, I received a great introduction to Yunique and SAP while becoming familiar with the vendors my team uses for the character costume's raw materials.
Events
During my internship, I had the opportunity to participate in numerous once in a lifetime events. These events included classes related to costuming and character experiences, networking with DLE leaders and executives, and seminars that showcased different aspects of DLE Business Integration, Casting, and Costuming. Some of my favorite and most memorable events were the Magic Kingdom Costuming Operations Tour Day, Magic Kingdom Easter Parade Overnight Rehearsal, and the Animal Kingdom Park Day Experience (pictured below). Spending time away from the office to gain an on-site perspective of costuming allowed me to witness firsthand how my work behind the scenes has an impact on thousands of people every single day.
Internship Final Presentation
May 22nd, 2024
During one of the final weeks of my internship, I had the opportunity to present the work I completed during my internship to the Disney Live Entertainment executives and leaders. I assembled a 10-minute PowerPoint presentation that highlighted the projects described above as well as my day-to-day responsibilities as a buyer on my team. It was a great opportunity to present my accomplishments in a corporate setting and display how I made magic over the course of my internship!
Graduation Celebration
June 3rd, 2024
During the last week of my internship, we got to celebrate everyone's amazing accomplishments and learnings over the session at our Intern Graduation Celebration. We also had a moment to thank all of the wonderful leaders and mentors who made the internship program so memorable and special.
Reflection
It has been such an honor and a blessing to have been a part of such an incredible opportunity for 5 months. I am so grateful to have met many incredible people, participated in numerous once in a lifetime events, and witnessed how my work behind the scenes makes an impact on thousands of people every day. The Costume Buyer Internship has not only provided me with hands-on experience of the day-to-day responsibilities of a buyer, but it has also allowed me to strengthen my understanding of sourcing strategies as well as knowledge of the textile and apparel industry. I would like to send a special thank you to my team, leadership, and fellow costuming interns for truly making this the most magical experience ever.