(LEFT: view from the train just coming into Waterloo station. RIGHT: The studio I'm working from)
Last week I started my internship at Glass Boutique! I'm only working with them part time, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, because I can't afford the commute from Southampton everyday, (which takes 2 hours door to door). It's costing about £100 a week including the underground for the three days; luckily they're helping me out with expenses within London though and are also covering my lunch up to £5 which is generous.
When I am not with them at their Brick Lane studio, I'm working part time in Southampton, (which I'm really not enjoying), and carrying on with my projects for them from home - I feel like I'm constantly glued to my mac screen which is tiring, but to be honest it's fun work and I'm learning a lot so it will pay off in the end! (This would explain why my blog is looking a little neglected as of late so I do apologise for that!)
(LEFT: My little work space, sat at a table with three other people. I bring my own mac in. RIGHT: YMC shoe boxes)
My daily duties include dealing with customer service inquiries, sending orders, pulling outfits from our samples, steaming, taking photographs, blogging, tweeting, contacting bloggers and generally promoting the womanswear sold on the Glass Boutique website. (So if you're interested in supporting Glass Boutique and want to pop a banner up on your blog for me then please do let me know!) ^_^
(LEFT: Samples in the showroom. RIGHT: A location I shot in around Brick Lane area)
A really positive aspect of this internship is that I'm actually learning and getting hands on experience rather than just being forced to do all of the mundane jobs that nobody else wants to do. After all, interning should not just be about free labor for the company, as an intern, you should be learning and gaining the experience you need in order to get employment in the future.
I just thought, when you think about it, people are so desperate to work in fashion, that half of them work for free...that's how competitive it is!
LEFT/RIGHT: TRIWA watches I shot for the newsletter
I've really enjoyed my first week and if any of you are looking to work in fashion I would recommend trying to find a placement within a smaller company to start off with as it's a little more personal and you'll probably learn more...and they may even remember your name! I interned at an established magazine last summer and it was okay but I don't think they even would have noticed if I hadn't turned up!
In between interning, working, blogging and eating I am trying to find a flat/houseshare in London so that my friend and I can move there in June. We're looking for a two bed flat so we don't have to worry about other housemates being messy and inconsiderate, (something that house sharing at university has driven me to hate), but because the cost of living in London is so high...we may have to find some strangers to live with...scary! Exciting? I'm also trying to get myself a part time job up there cos I am going to be SO skint for probably the next year, how depressing!
I hope this has been helpful for anyone looking to intern/work in fashion in the future! I'll keep you updated in where I'm at and what I'm doing! Hope everyone had a great weekend xx
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Shop Glass Boutique HERE
This was such an interesting post to read as I'm really eager to pursue a career in fashion once I finish University next year. It sounds like a lot of hard work but it will all be worth it in the end and it sounds like you're gaining some incredible experience! Good luck with it all and I look forward to reading more about it :D
ReplyDeleteI would be very interested in putting a banner on my blog for Glass Boutique - my blogs only quite small but every little helps doesn't it :) My url is http://beautifulsimplicity-holziepink.blogspot.co.uk/ and all of my contact details are on there under the about me section :)
Love Holz oxo
I've popped the picture with the link in my sidebar :)
DeleteLove Holz oxo
Thank you!! ^_^ xx
Deleteoh wow...i work for free, i work with a designer and i think i did quite well within the brand for within the time i spend there. But at times i feel like am doing shit and not doing the big stuff ya no? am not even studying fashion or anything i just used to model for them. am studying film. But i love your blog...love reading <3
ReplyDeleteand oh i would totes love to have a banner, i think ur doing awesome!!
ReplyDeleteAw thank you! What's your email address? I'll send you one over!
Deletethis is awesome!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sweetindigoroad.blogspot.com/
Every time I've moved in with people I don't know its worked out so much better than moving in with friends! I hope your internship continues to go well, glad your enjoying it xxx
ReplyDeleteAh, wise words I shall keep this in mind! xx
DeleteThanks for this post! I moved in with five strangers once and it was the most fun year of my life. I'm in the same boat soon as I'll be graduating with my journalism diploma and having to think about the joyous task of unpaid internships. x
ReplyDeleteGreat post, the intern-ship sounds great, and I love the brand YMC!!
ReplyDeletehttp://paisley-desireelaidler.blogspot.co.uk/
hey, totally my email is mariatouhydara@yahoo.co.uk
ReplyDeleteLove the photos you've snapped and seeing the behind the scenes of your fashion internship!
ReplyDeletelovely post :)
ReplyDeletei'm following you, follow me back if you love to, thank you :)
xx
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