Designer Rachel Roy is known for taking fashion risks, and last night was no exception as she chose to wear a pair of gold harem pants to the premiere of Valentino’s documentary, “The Last Emperor”:
The silhouette is hard to pull off even in black, but Roy pushed the envelope by donning a glittery pair.
Also, intern hopeful Polly recently sent me the following:
“I was wondering what an intern would do because I want to work in the fashion industry when I’m a bit older. How old do you have to be? Is there anything that I would need to help me get into fashion?”
Internships are typically reserved for college students or recent college graduates, and you can secure one by communicating your interest, enthusiasm, and experience (attach examples of your writing from your college newspaper for example). Once you have your internship, tasks vary depending on the publication, but count on doing lots of grunt work. At my first internship, I was the fashion and beauty intern, so was in charge of calling in and returning clothing samples (magazines use these in their beautiful spreads), keeping them in order, and fact checking (i.e. getting the correct price for a skirt).
Some internships are super hands on–at the end of my first internship I was writing features– but others are largely administrative…I remember spending one summer handing out office faxes and opening mail!
Wherever you land, a few tips:
*Always be early. At least be on time. Stay fifteen minutes late. Don’t take the opportunity for granted or act as if you’re already on staff. Every editor at every magazine was an intern at one point, and they pay careful attention to who really wants to be there. Being on time is the least you can do!
*Use the opportunity to meet editors. Don’t bug them or plop in their office every day, but during your 3-6 month stint, coordinate at least three lunches or meetings with editors you admire. If they don’t have time, e-mail and ask if there’s anything you can do for them. If they say yes, do the best job you can!
*Don’t get too chummy –be polite, competent, and enthusiastic. Don’t yap away with the fashion editor or call anyone a nickname unless you’re 100% sure you can. Don’t get too comfortable: An internship is a try out to see if you can fit in! Along with that comes proper respect and deference to your superiors. This even counts for ‘superiors’ who might be just a couple years older than you.
*Suggest great ideas. Do your homework and pitch interesting new features or articles. Research and make sure not to suggest stories the magazine has done recently. Be open to criticism and don’t get discouraged if you hear ‘no.’
*Don’t turn you nose away from doing grunt work. Every editor had to do it once upon a time, so get that coffee with gusto! Also don’t complain. Be cheery, then go home and complain to your friends!
Done correctly, an internship can result in a job or an offer for another internship. If anything, you’ll leave with a Rolodex full of great contacts and amazing references!
My fellow magazine people, do you have anything to add?
So as you know, this past weekend, I took a trip to Corsica:
It’s a stunningly beautiful place, I highly recommend going!
If you find yourself in the area, a few tips:
Where to stay: My friend and I roomed at Hotel Posta Vecchia (8 Rue Posta Vecchia, +33 (0) 4 95 32 32 38) in one of Corsica’s main cities, Bastia. Rooms range from 70 Euros per night for a standard room in low season to 120 Euros during the summer. Ask to stay on the top floor for great views. Pros: Great bathrooms. Cons: Weak Wifi. Posta Vecchia was adequate, but I wasn’t in love. Shop around.
Where to eat: Corsica is known for its fresh seafood, and I enjoyed delicious mussels, shrimp, and scallops! For true Corsican fare, visit Osterio U Tianu (4 Rue Rigo; 04 95 31 36 67) for a yummy prix fixe dinner of 5 courses plus wine and an aperatif for 23 Euros (around $30). The food was amazing and the service, simply lovely.
Leisure: When it’s warm enough, bring your bathing suit to enjoy one of Corsica’s many beaches. If it’s a bit chilly, rent a car and take a day trip–Corsica has beautiful mountains and ocean views. A friend and I visited the northern towns of Calvi, St. Florent, and Ile Rousse and ate at a must see restaurant called L’Auberge du Chat Qui Peche (04 95 37 81 52).
Language and Culture: Few people speak English, so bring your French phrase book! Know how to order food and ask a few simple questions in French. I didn’t see that many people of color, so expect stares. Just smile–people are very friendly.
Style Notes: Pack comfy shoes to walk around the cobblestone roads of Bastia. I brought my Tory Burch flats, but recommend bringing a cute pair of sneakers for a bit of cushion. Temps are high during the day and dip at night, so layer accordingly. A few J.Crew cashmere sweaters and a denim jacket should do the trick.
In this clip about Paris Fashion Week (which I think is part of CNN’s documentary on Carine Roitfeld), you can see my friend Avon and I as we exit the Yves Saint Laurent show:
Fast forward to 2:54 for our second long TV debut.
So we recently received an e-mail from Leah, who had a burning accessory question:
“I’m looking for a handbag I can carry daily, has plenty of style, and is practical. Do you think it would be a good investment to purchase a Louis Vuitton Speedy?“
Yes, but there are plenty of practical, stylish bags to choose from! If you too need some handbag help, read below for…
The Fashion Bomb’s Guide to Investment Bags for every budget!
High Range: $700+
Meticulous craftsmanship and top of the line materials mean that these bags have high price points. Rest assured, however, that you can wear them everywhere–and pass them down for generations!
Whether in camouflage, damier, or monogram, the classic Speedy is infinitely versatile. Wear it to go shopping in jeans, like Brandy, or dress up a black shift for a day at work.
Chanel’s Quilted handbag has infinite ‘pass down’ potential, and should be apart of every fashionista’s wardrobe. It might not be for every day use, but you’ll tap this bag for nights on the town and weekend excursions.
Introduced only two years ago, the Muse is the perfect luxury bag for the career woman–roomy enough for your magazines, yet elegant enough to make a splash.
Gucci has plenty of classics (Jackie O anyone?), but the Boston bag has a particularly cute shape. Whether vintage or brand spanking new, you’ll look polished and tasteful.
Now for…
Mid Range: $300-600
Expect to pay at least $300 for quality leather–expensive, but you’ll get lots of bang for your buck. These brands are known for offering a variety of styles, bright colors, and look-at-me hardware:
Coach Totes ($300+): Coach handbags carry a legacy of fine materials and high quality fabrics, and is one of America’s most notable luxury lifestyle brands:
Kooba Leather Hobos ($327-$645): Don’t want to blend in? Kooba bags are known for their distinct styles, dominant hardware, and hot colors like pink and yellow:
Foley + Corinna ($420-$600): These have a cultlike following amongst New York Magazine Editors, who flock to them for their unmistakable style and no nonsense design:
Kenneth Cole ($80-$400): While Mr. Cole shines as a shoe god, his handbags are also fashionable and funky. Canvas or leather–you’ll make an impression:
We all know that Rihanna invests heavily in her wardrobe! If you want to get her essence for less, go with these $81 Anlo Brook Skinny Jeans in Arctic:
As a former dancer, I’ve always admired Mya’s talent, and especially love her video for “My love is like Whoa”:
[dailymotion]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2pxai_mya-my-love-is-likewo_music[/dailymotion]
I’m sure the multiple wardrobe changes didn’t hurt either:)
Enjoy!
