Written by Safa Razvi
LVMH x Rimowa Speaker Panel With Nicole Rodriguez Woods
On November 20th, 2024, The Vault enthusiastically welcomed alumni Nicole Rodriguez Woods back to the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. As a narrative strategist, Nicole shared her career trajectory and her advice for students.
Working in the fashion industry under LVMH for Rimowa, a luxury luggage manufacturer, Nicole’s career is a lesson for all aspiring students hoping to enter the industry. But first, Nicole took us back to her undergraduate days at UW-Madison, where she studied Art History and spent time studying abroad in Prague.
Nicole also recounted her first experience post-grad, in Berlin where she stepped into a local art gallery and confidently told the owner she would be working there. This set the tone for her career, as she seized opportunities and made the most of her skill set. She became a storyteller, a visionary and a creative force. With her artistic energy, she developed powerful campaign concepts for luxury brands. She gained work experience, setting her up for future positions.
Reflecting on the time she spent at UW-Madison, Nicole characterized herself as “scrappy,” and “ready to do any job.” This mindset, and a natural curiosity about the world, have brought her through each career stage. She emphasized the value of each experience as being an opportunity to grow, advising students to ask themselves: Does this speak to me? Knowing what you want from an experience, she explained, will bring you success.
Her work in fashion was transformative, a pivotal moment being when she was asked if she could relocate to Paris within two months. Embracing the opportunity, she used her art background as an asset, crafting compelling narratives for brands and helping them build their vision. In her work as a strategist, she’s learned that many brands struggle to articulate what they’re looking for. This gap, she explains, opens space for greater conversations and more creativity. Working with LVMH brands, she shares that there is a recipe for success. Many methods are tried and true, so her role as a storyteller worked well with the techniques that had been successful in the past.
She also emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, “Know yourself– your capabilities and where they can lead you.” By understanding what you want, what resonates with you and being ready to experience new things, success will occur.
