and off i went...

The all important contacts

2007-03-21T23:22:19+01:00

Today I was in contact with Eric Downs, Fashion assistant at Harper's Bazaar. My lecturer kindly pointed me in his direction for some advice. Eric is an ex-student of my university and is 'the man' to speak to with regards to work placements. I initially e mailed Eric requesting advice and his opinions on work experience. Within fifteen minutes he had replied with a lengthy e mail.
After a four week placement at Harper's Eric was invited to apply for a six month internship, which he started when he graduated. This has been extended for a further three months. Prior to Harper's Eric spent six weeks at a gay men's publication called AXM. During this placement he had the opportunity to go to Copenhagen on a press trip. Here he met different journalists from men's magazines from all over the world. Whilst on this trip he managed to secure commissions for two US based publications.
From this information it is evident that contacts and making opportunities for yourself are imperative. When I write to different publications and take on board the responses i get and realise the potential that is there for me, I become more determined to carry on in my quest. I understand that it's because of my previous experience that editors are taking the time to respond or ask further questions. Editors want evidence that an individual is genuine about there aspirations. Making yourself known, having the confidence to approach companies and making the effort to meet potential contacts is a must. Of course everyone has to start somewhere. If you have no relevant experience then it's up to you to make opportunities. Be pushy and show determination is what I say.

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Right place; wrong time

2007-03-20T19:44:16+01:00

Today, unfortunately, I didn't recive any e-mails. I received two phone calls instead.
" Hello this is Natasha from Instyle magazine. I've just recieved your e-mail and after looking through it wondered if you would like to start a months work placement on Monday?"
"Monday. What this Monday?" I said. Like the girl would mean any other Monday of the year.
Instyle magazine had a girl cancel on them at the last minute. They called me to take her place. Jesus, Mary and Joseph - would you bloody believe it? Right place; wrong time. Did she have to put me through this? She obviously didn't look through my C.V like she said she did. If she did she would have noticed that I'm a student at University. Where I'm from, the beginning of March is usually term time - isn't it? I couldn't possibly juggle a months placement and university. I wanted to scream. What an amazing opportunity; and it's just slipped right through my hands. Natasha did re-assure me that she would try and fit me in for June or August when I am available i.e not at uni.
All is not lost. I have a months placement with Grazia magazine in July. This will be my opportunity to taste life on a fashion magazine. This was arranged back when I started Uni in September. The fashion department had kept my C.V on file from when I applied the year previous. After an interview with Catherine Neito (fashion assistant) and Sophie Ferguson-Jones (senior fashion assistant) I secured a place on their books. Grazia baby yeah!
Before the day had finished I found myself on the phone to another publication. The Telegraph wanted to know when I was available from. I won't go into details but the same situation occured. They wanted me as soon as possible. Shall i just leave uni now? No, definately not worth it. However I suppose i'll never know will i?

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Will she or won't she?

2007-03-20T01:59:14+01:00

Two acknowledgments? How about three - in two hours! One lesson learnt - I must be more optimistic. I feel so happy and I'm even more determined to crack this work placement shannanigans. This is the passion and the hunger speaking now: Someone will take me on whether they like it or not.
Mimi Spencer is a freelance Fashion writer, who has always inspired and entertained. She adds a personal touch to her writing. This is a style that i endeavour to emulate. Well, this lovely lady replied to me personally: "Hi Becki. I have passed your C.V and letter on to Kate Blackwell at You magazine, who organizes work placements. Good luck and all the best. Mimi".
Bless Mimi! I suddenly have a lot of respect for this woman, just because she replied to me. I will follow up this e-mail with a phone call next week. Hopefully one day I can thank the lovely Mimi for...well, just for passing on my C.V really. It's a start.
I decided to go wild and e-mail the International Herald Tribune. Probably a bit out of my depth, considering its location. I hope to visit America one day so who knows? The paper confirmed the my resume had reached them and and that they will keep it active on theie files for the next six weeks. If I havn't heard from them within this time I must consider that it hasn't been retained. In other words, it's in the bin - Tickety Boo!
At university we are currently studying Alternate Media: Internet and broadcast journalism. As I considered it extremely relevant, I seized the opportunity and wrote to my favourite daytime programme: This Morning. Oh what a skill to make you laugh at that time of the day; you've got to love Phil and Fern. I've also always fancied giving John Scott, fashion stylist, a run for his money on 'Beat the stylist'. I recieved an e-mail from viewers enquiries. This informed me that the show has arrangements with certain universities/colleges, and that this changes every six months. This year they are working with the University of East London. Fair enough.
Things are looking up. I could be inundated with offers. They'll be fighting over me - not too optimistic Becki! I could, potentially, be in the right place t the right time. Who knows? All will be revealed.

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a new fashionionable C.V.

2007-03-19T17:04:26+01:00

Unfortunately for many, work experience is unpaid! The biggest bummer of it all I know. After jumping at the commands of the fashion pack on the Mirror, I was rewarded with - wait for it - not a penny. Not even travel expenses. But what can you say? It was this particular placement that determined where I would be heading with regards to my career. I could only be grateful for the knowledge I had acquired and the fact that the girls had had a huge impact on the biggest decision of my life. I was thanked for my hard work with a bundle of beauty products, which was better than nothing. I certainly wouldn't have purchased any of what was given to me. Maybe, if I actually worked for the Mirror I could afford Biotherm face creams and M.A.C make-up. As a fashion intern - it felt like my Birthday had come early.
A couple of years later and I have finally sat myself down to compile a new Curriculum Vitae. This is it, i have sufficient experience to show-off on my C.V. Hopefully enough experience to evoke interest from various fashion editors. The slightest boo-boo or not enough previous experience and your posh new C.V. earns a place in their bin. This is a tough business. I've sent my brand spanking new C.V. to lots of fashion publications. Let's wait and see how great or how rude this industry really is. I'm expecting at least two acknowledgments. Fingers crossed!

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and off i went...

2007-03-19T16:12:34+01:00

A one way journey on the National Express brought me from Devon to London. Abandoning the clotted cream and country air of Plymouth I endeavored to find my niche - in fashion.
Five years and several changes of mind later, I have new foibles: Starbucks and sushi. London is my utopia and I am heading in one direction only - to become a fashion writer.
Having experienced much excitement, glamour and great opportunity in the fashion capital, I am now 'serving time' as a student!
I thoroughly enjoy learning what I am so passionate about: Fashion journalism. I have always been keen to learn and enhance my skills, with a view to long term career plans. However as I am notoriously ambitious and extremely impatient, being a student for another two years is, to me, like a prison sentence.
At twenty three I'm allowing myself to stamp my feet and sulk. I want a job; an official status. I want to not 'house share' and clean up other people's crap, I want to not live in destitution and feel awful if I decide to opt for Heinz baked beans as a pose to Tesco's own. It’s all about perseverance.
Considering what I've achieved to date, I am progressing up the career ladder, just not at a sufficient speed. I have studied Fashion design at the London college of Fashion.
Following this I was fortunate enough to work for the Mirror newspaper for two months, gaining invaluable experience and advice. I also worked for my local newspaper the Evening Herald, where I wrote my first PUBLISHED fashion article on a current trend. I gained a credit in the paper; I was on my way!
Now all that is left to do is continue in my quest for work - whilst at uni. Every little opportunity I can get my hands on will be worth the world to me. Only I can determine how well I do in life. Watch and see; I'll be at the top of that ladder...

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