Photos – Taken by me during the photoshoot

Styling has always been something i have been interested in but theres always been someone else that wanted to do it and got the opportunities i could never find. In all honesty it put me off it a little as i felt like i would never be good enough for it and some else would always get there first. After all it’s a difficult business to be in and its very easy to chose the simple route.

I began my experience interning at Cube PR Company of which i did for 2 months. It was a really enjoyable 2 months and gave me an insight into working full time as well as learning more about the fashion industry. At the time i wasn’t quite sure if PR was something i enjoyed but after helping out with the Serge De Nimes AW15 event, the social side of PR won me over and its a definite career possibility for the future. Not only did i enjoy it, i have also now gained relationships and contacts that i will be able to use throughout my third year and after i graduate.

Since doing this internship, my eyes have been opened to the fashion industry and you’re only as good as the experience you have. Realistically it doesn’t matter what you get out of your fashion degree, you won’t get a decent job without having some experience under your belt. I suppose in a way having this knowledge has pushed me to want to gain more experience, even if you do have to get up at ridiculous o’clock in the morning to get to London.

Gaining experience isn’t cheap and you have to be prepared to spend the money if you’re wanting a career in fashion. Even though i haven’t got a huge amount of experience its better than nothing and i am one step ahead of those who haven’t  got any and say they can’t afford it. If you want it, you’ll find a way to afford it. At the end of the day you have to be able to afford it after university which in the long run could even cost you more. Everyone i’ve met within the industry hasn’t got where they are from just being lucky, they’ve worked hard and it hasn’t been a cheap ride. I personally think its something people should know about the the fashion industry and when your tutor says ‘you won’t get a job without experience’ she really means it. Even if she is annoying the crap out of you for saying every tutorial.

Using the contacts i have made through the lovely people that work at Cube Company, i have managed to have to opportunity to work with a stylist on a photoshoot. From receiving samples and checking them off to the photoshoot itself and returning the samples to various PR companies. It was an intense 3 days but i learnt a lot about what happens after the PR company sends out the samples and just exactly what the stylist does with them. Both fashion experiences have been menswear and i never thought id find menswear so interesting and enjoyable. I mean it hasn’t stopped me wanting the clothes featured in the shoot. There was the most amazing red shearling burberry coat which was to die for and look beautiful on the model. I for sure wanted that coat in my wardrobe.

Its opened my eyes to the world of mens fashion and how they’re are men out there that are interested in fashion. There’s so many different trends that suit a certain type of man and i love the fact there is so much room to experiment with a man’s look.

Im keeping my eyes peeled for future opportunities and using the contacts i have made to hopefully help me out in the future. Overall, Menswear is an area I’m planning to go into. I still don’t know if PR or styling is the area i want to go into so I’m keeping my options open for now and just going to wait and see what happens. I mean i’ve got to get through third year first,  now thats going to be a task and a half

Charlotte Olivia