Lessons Of An Intern

There is still such a stigma around internships in the fashion industry but for me I have only had great experiences. I am a firm believer in you get what you put into these sorts of opportunities and I go in with all the intentions of being indispensable. And I'd say so far so good, I've met some pretty awesome people and learnt a lot, and not just what Starbucks everyone wants and who has a weakness for mini eggs.

My time at Allsaints started in such a whirlwind that the fact it's ending already seems a bit mad. Within one email I had an interview the next day and by the time I got home that night they had called to offer me the position as PR intern. A week later and I was there, early and dressed in my best (give the best impression on day one and then slowly wind down into rocking the trainers), ready to learn everything and soak up all that I can.

What I learnt whilst there? Well where can I begin, other than patience, working super quickly and efficiently to get the latest SS16 samples to the glossy magazines, I also learnt how to conduct myself in a professional but still totally me way! From chatting with my amazing employers about how they have got to where they are, listening to them talk with fashion assistants at ELLE and Vogue, booking breakfasts with fashion houses and writing notes to accompany gifts to send to the teams, I've learnt how you can build relationships with so many amazing people in the fashion industry.

I of course learnt lots of other valuable skills but I think learning how important it is to build relationships within the fashion industry, knowing who works for who and that breakfast is the best place to talk business are the top ones. So as I get ready to sign off and head to Canada (YES I'm going skiing for ten days and of course I'm totally over excited) I will be reading my magazines, making notes of who is writing what and preparing myself for my new job in February.

SS15 Work Wardrobe

Working for Next has it's advantages: a generous work wardrobe allowance for one. Choosing an outfit to take me through SS15 can be challenging when it's still sub-zero temperatures outside in the morning. But this dress turned out to be a pretty clean cut choice.

As you may have gathered from some of my posts and lots of tweets, I'm a tennis fanatic. I love watching all the Grand Slams and ATP world tour series. I'm also an admirer of the tennis style, especially the women's outfits which they collaborate with designers. Caroline Wozniackis' dress choices designed by Stella McCartney for Adidas are always my most anticipated outfit to see at the championships.

So my pick of dress this season for work is a homage for my love of sports style dressing, a smart tennis dress which makes me feel like I could walk out on centre court at any moment. The dress is made of two components, so it does look almost like a skirt and top combined, in classic grey and white it can be mixed with accessories and colour throughout the season. A hint of yellow on the shoulders makes it feel fresh and the cut of the dress is flattering and stylish. I'll be pairing mine with tights for now during these chilly days, but hope to be able to wear it with some block heels and a bright clutch bag during the summer evenings.

Available for £38 in stores or online here 

Open your heart to the sun..... And breath

Three days hard work and early mornings has pushed me this week. However I have enjoyed these shifts; I've been involved in merchandising the new collections in store, presenting the marketing displays, combining accessories and basically making sure the clothes look desirable to our customers. It's much more the area of fashion I want to be involved in and I feel privileged that my manager allowed me to have this responsibility to be more creative at work.

After these early days, heavy lifting and long shifts, Wednesday nights Pilates class was just what I needed. Sometimes the last thing you feel like doing is excericise after a long day, you just want to curl up in bed with chocolate and watch a film. But with a class booked, I had to get off my bum and go. 

The workout was tough, lots of thigh and bum strengthening and toning. With the sun gleaming through, pumping my legs and breathing hard I felt like I was working out all the stress and tension from the last three days. As always those last three minutes of just laying, breathing and fully relaxing and pushing out any thoughts in my mind were beneficial. Mind clear, body pushed, feeling good. 

Open your heart to the sun... And breath