Meet Her Campus South Carolina’s first Campus Celebrity since our relaunch — Annie Drowne!
Annie is a senior and the editor-in-chief of the University of South Carolina’s biggest magazine, Garnet and Black. She has also worked for nationally famed magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue. Annie is known on campus for looking amazing in her unique and highly fashionable outfits. Although she has quite a demanding schedule, her friends constantly surround her. With such a bubbly and outgoing personality, it’s not hard to see why! Originally from Stamford, Connecticut, Annie chose U of SC because she wanted to “switch it up.” She says she plans to head back up north after graduation, so she figured she’d do something fun and different for her college experience.
We sat down with Annie to find out more about who she is and–more importantly–how she does it. With a major in visual communications and a minor in fashion merchandising, it’s no surprise that Annie thrives as editor of G&B. But of course, when you meet a college student who spent her last summer at Vogue, you have to ask about that first.
“It was insane,” Annie replies with a laugh. “Working for Vogue was a dream that I never thought could be a reality. The fact that I was working there was so cool.” Of course it was! Annie went on to explain her “super girl crush” on Vogue’s creative director, Grace Coddington, and how amazing her experience was.
“I feel a lot better about going into the job world now,” Annie says. Understandably so. Who could reject a woman with Vogue on her resume?
But Annie’s favorite experience thus far was actually her internship with another notable fashion magazine, Harper’s Bazaar. “I just learned so much there, and it helped me so much with my job on campus now,” Annie says. “I want to go back there every day!”
So how did Annie become editor-in-chief of G&B? Even she admits she never saw it coming. Annie started working for G&B her junior year, designing page layouts and working on fashion shoots. Not surprisingly, Annie became friends with everyone on staff. She became especially close with the previous editor, Jordan, who convinced Annie that she would do an amazing job as the next editor and encouraged her to take on the position.
“Jordan took me under her wing and taught me everything I know,” Annie explains. “And I’m really happy she did because now I can’t imagine doing anything different.”
Although being editor-in-chief is cool and exciting, she admits it can be difficult. According to Annie, the biggest struggle is having to oversee so many people. Under the editor, there are nine staff members, and each of those members has his or her own staff. With a total of about 70 staff members, Annie says communication can be challenging.
Annie’s biggest goal for G&B is to have a memorable year full of good issues. “I mostly want everyone on staff to be proud of the issues that we have made this year,” she says. This semester, the staff is working on an issue dedicated to G&B’s 20th anniversary, and Annie is very excited to be editor during such a big year.
Aside from G&B, Annie is also involved with her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma. Annie served as the public relations chairman for Kappa and said it was a “good way to get involved within the huge chapter, and also very rewarding.” Annie had many responsibilities, but her favorite was planning the Parent’s Cocktail. She believes being Kappa’s PR chair was “an insightful PR experience” she hopes will benefit her future career.
Five years from now, Annie hopes to be working at a magazine, preferably in New York or London, but she says she’s “not picky.” I think Annie speaks for most college students when she says, “I don’t know where I’m going to end up, I just want to be somewhere!”
With her love and passion for publications, her impressive internships, and her success with G&B, I’m more than positive she will end up somewhere great.