#CosmoCareers Fashion Masterclass - London
Yesterday saw the first of two #CosmoCareers Masterclasses chaired by Cosmopolitan Editor, Louise Court and supported by an expert panel from various fashion sectors. They offered a great insight into the fashion industry as well as helpful advice on how to make it and also how to gain the most from work experience opportunities.
Meet the fashion panel
Laura Gravestock, Award-winning – British jewellery designer
After gaining 5 years experience in retail, Laura realised her true passion was for jewellery. She didn’t attend university but instead completed a 10 week evening course, before quitting her management job at Monsoon to set up her own jewellery business.
During the event Laura explained how it is just as valuable to have experience and working in retail roles can show that you have good communication and customer service skills as well as an understanding of consumer buying habits and spending.
Leanne Jones, Buying Manager for River Island
Prior to working as a Buying Manager – where Leanne is responsible for all accessories, jewellery and handbags and River Island (how exciting!) she worked in as an Assistant Buyer at Dorothy Perkins.
Lisa Goody, Senior Press Officer at Miss Selfridge
Before working in PR, Lisa completed a 1 year internship at Cosmopolitan magazine which led to her getting a job as a Press Assistant at House of Frazer where she worked for 18 months before moving to Miss Selfridge and Wallis. She learn a lot by starting at the bottom and working her way up.
Emily Fleuriot, Co-founder of Fashionpopcorn.com
Emily works as a freelance fashion writer and editor – mainly within the digital and social media sector and has also worked with major online retailers as well as the British Fashion Council. She is co-founder of Fashionpopcorn.com (which she set up her sister) as a fashion, film and technology platform and has recently gained experience working for Cosmopolitan as part of their online editorial team.
Ian Wright Fashion director at Industry magazine and website Drapers
After studying a completely unrelated degree at university for a year, Ian Wright decided he wanted to study Fashion Design. With little experience, he managed to blag his way onto a course and through that was able to gain some valuable work experience placements. After graduating he landed a job at ASOS within menswear before moving to a more commercial role at Industry magazine, Drapers.
Fashion Industry – Pros and Cons
The overriding opinion from the panel was that there is a miss conception of how fun and glamorous the industry can be, “it is a lot of hard work, it can be demanding and you constantly need to be creative and looking for opportunities” said Leanne Jones, Buying Manager at River Island. However, there are also lots of positives – Laura Gravestock was lucky enough to turn her hobby into a dream job, “my top moment has got to be when we went to America for a Press Launch and meeting PR and bloggers and seeing their reaction to our products”. Emily was also lucky enough to travel to New York while working for Cosmopolitan to do an interview with Mischa Barton.
“The opportunities you get through work placements are invaluable” Ian Wright, Fashion Director from Drapers mirrored as he spoke about his degree and the opportunity he had to attend a Marc Jacobs show and after party in New York.
“Another pro is seeing someone wearing the products you have spent months getting ready”, said Leanne – as she noted some of the River Island bags she’d seen at the event – my red studded woven strap tumbled bowler bag included! “The feeling you get when you see someone wearing a piece you’ve created and designed” Laura agreed.
For more Twitter quotes from the night follow – @clairescatwalk
Advice
Emily explained the importance of having an understanding of basic digital media, “it has to come from a passion, to create a platform to interact with like-minded people. Fashion is still playing catch-up with technology. You can ultimately create your own job” – as she has proved.
“To get into the industry, Fashion Monitor website is a great place to start and it’s free to search jobs” Cosmopolitan Editor, Louise Court advised - as well as doing your research on the company you are apply for and checking your e-mail / covering letter, and C.V for spelling mistakes! Ian added, “Your CV should be simple. Your cover letter should tell me why I should employ you, but keep it short. I don’t want to read 20 pages about on how wonderful you are”.
Gaining the most from your work experience
Meet the fashion panel
Laura Gravestock, Award-winning – British jewellery designer
After gaining 5 years experience in retail, Laura realised her true passion was for jewellery. She didn’t attend university but instead completed a 10 week evening course, before quitting her management job at Monsoon to set up her own jewellery business.
During the event Laura explained how it is just as valuable to have experience and working in retail roles can show that you have good communication and customer service skills as well as an understanding of consumer buying habits and spending.
Leanne Jones, Buying Manager for River Island
Prior to working as a Buying Manager – where Leanne is responsible for all accessories, jewellery and handbags and River Island (how exciting!) she worked in as an Assistant Buyer at Dorothy Perkins.
Lisa Goody, Senior Press Officer at Miss Selfridge
Before working in PR, Lisa completed a 1 year internship at Cosmopolitan magazine which led to her getting a job as a Press Assistant at House of Frazer where she worked for 18 months before moving to Miss Selfridge and Wallis. She learn a lot by starting at the bottom and working her way up.
Emily Fleuriot, Co-founder of Fashionpopcorn.com
Emily works as a freelance fashion writer and editor – mainly within the digital and social media sector and has also worked with major online retailers as well as the British Fashion Council. She is co-founder of Fashionpopcorn.com (which she set up her sister) as a fashion, film and technology platform and has recently gained experience working for Cosmopolitan as part of their online editorial team.
Ian Wright Fashion director at Industry magazine and website Drapers
After studying a completely unrelated degree at university for a year, Ian Wright decided he wanted to study Fashion Design. With little experience, he managed to blag his way onto a course and through that was able to gain some valuable work experience placements. After graduating he landed a job at ASOS within menswear before moving to a more commercial role at Industry magazine, Drapers.
Fashion Industry – Pros and Cons
The overriding opinion from the panel was that there is a miss conception of how fun and glamorous the industry can be, “it is a lot of hard work, it can be demanding and you constantly need to be creative and looking for opportunities” said Leanne Jones, Buying Manager at River Island. However, there are also lots of positives – Laura Gravestock was lucky enough to turn her hobby into a dream job, “my top moment has got to be when we went to America for a Press Launch and meeting PR and bloggers and seeing their reaction to our products”. Emily was also lucky enough to travel to New York while working for Cosmopolitan to do an interview with Mischa Barton.
“The opportunities you get through work placements are invaluable” Ian Wright, Fashion Director from Drapers mirrored as he spoke about his degree and the opportunity he had to attend a Marc Jacobs show and after party in New York.
“Another pro is seeing someone wearing the products you have spent months getting ready”, said Leanne – as she noted some of the River Island bags she’d seen at the event – my red studded woven strap tumbled bowler bag included! “The feeling you get when you see someone wearing a piece you’ve created and designed” Laura agreed.
For more Twitter quotes from the night follow – @clairescatwalk
Advice
Emily explained the importance of having an understanding of basic digital media, “it has to come from a passion, to create a platform to interact with like-minded people. Fashion is still playing catch-up with technology. You can ultimately create your own job” – as she has proved.
“To get into the industry, Fashion Monitor website is a great place to start and it’s free to search jobs” Cosmopolitan Editor, Louise Court advised - as well as doing your research on the company you are apply for and checking your e-mail / covering letter, and C.V for spelling mistakes! Ian added, “Your CV should be simple. Your cover letter should tell me why I should employ you, but keep it short. I don’t want to read 20 pages about on how wonderful you are”.
Gaining the most from your work experience
- Create contacts and keep them
- Show them you are keen
- Make sure you complete the tasks you are given
- Be positive and smile :)
- Quantify your skill set
- Impress on your internship, go out of your way, above and beyond
- Ask questions
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