From Montclair Intern to Oprah Daily Fashion Commerce Editor

“I thought, why not? I feel like I could be great there,” Raena Loper recalled of finding an internship listing for O, The Oprah Magazine while working at the front desk at Blanton Hall, montclair.edu reported.

That realization launched a ten-year career in media that spans major publishing houses, digital platforms, and e-commerce desks. Loper now serves as Fashion Commerce Editor at Oprah Daily, working in a physical workspace located directly across from Editor-at-Large Gayle King’s office.

From Montclair State University to the Oprah Daily Fashion Closet

Loper’s trajectory began as a student pursuing Bachelor of Arts degrees in Fashion and in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies at Montclair State University. She gained foundational experience working in the university’s historic costume closet alongside retired Professor Abby Lillithun, which built the practical background that caught the attention of magazine recruiters.

As a Montclair Educational Opportunity Fund program scholar, Loper applied strict professional discipline across her academic pursuits. She earned honors in the Fashion Department’s Independent Design competition for three consecutive years before returning to judge the student competition in 2024.

That student-level dedication converted into a role at Hearst. Working in the fashion department, Loper contributed to signature franchises including Oprah’s Favorite Things and The O List. She pitched directly to Oprah Winfrey as the youngest member of the team, maintaining that role for four years.

Loper Transitions to Good Housekeeping Product Testing Role

When O magazine wound down its print edition and subsequent restructuring led to a layoff in 2021, Loper transitioned immediately to Good Housekeeping, another Hearst title, as a product and reviews updates editor.

At Good Housekeeping, her responsibilities expanded beyond apparel into hard goods and appliances. She tested ranges, microwaves, and sewing machines alongside staff scientists and engineers.

“I did everything from testing ranges and microwaves and sewing machines and all the things; it’s really cool there,” Loper said of her time working with technical experts.

That technical testing background later positioned her for digital strategy roles across other major publishing brands. She worked as a weekend updates editor and SEO content strategist at Forbes, an accessories freelancer at InStyle, and a style assistant at NET-A-PORTER. Those diverse digital stops eventually paved the way for her return to Oprah Daily, where daily operations now include evaluating denim and coats for digital commerce performance and editorial quality.

Industry Realities and Career Advice for Media Graduates

Loper emphasizes that foundational habits formed during early internships determine long-term career resilience.

“You have to have an internship,” Loper noted, reflecting on how her front-desk job at Blanton Hall led to her breakthrough in magazine publishing. “Those internships are so important and are there to help you with your career, especially early on.”

Corporate publishing networks remain tight-knit ecosystems where professional relationships frequently dictate hiring outcomes. Most of Loper’s subsequent roles materialized through colleagues she had previously worked with across different titles.

“Everyone kind of knows each other… You never know who you’re going to work with again,” she observed.