Playing with the Big Boys

I finally finished my killer cover letter, it starts

Dear XX, I realise in your position at XX your time is precious and you receive a plethora of emails daily. However, please allow me 3 paragraphs to prove I am far from a time waster.

Boom. So today I've been sending out applications to the biggest fashion PR players in London. As I was sending I could see that I was getting messages back at the same time. My heart sank because the replies were so fast there's no way they could be good responses. Hesitantly, I click 'open'..
'Would you like to interview with regard to an internship?'
'Thanks very much for your response. I would definitely love to interview.'
'Free at 4:30pm on Tuesday?'
Oh shoot I have lunch with Alexandra Shulman and Sarah Burton.
Of course I'm free.
As always, not naming names, but I have an interview with an account manager working for one of the biggest global fashion PR companies in the world. I'm talking London, NY, Paris, Milano, Hong Kong.. Their offices are based in Mayfair, naturally.

Despite my excitement and willingness to intern (if you work with good people, its great and takes the pressure off - you're there purely to learn and be taught, which i adore) I do have reservations..
I spent 3 months interning and working my a s s off getting into huge amounts of debt. With no job at the end of it. Am I an idiot doing the same thing again?
It is a different situation I guess. This is a huge company. They wouldn't hire me because they hated me rather than couldn't afford me. I have no problem with that. In fact I'd probably rather that.
Being told 'We want you to work for us but don't have the budget' certainly does not pay the bills. Or keep me warm at night. And all other cliched phrases.
Also now I have this magical thing.. options..
I now have 2 potential 'jobs'. I can choose, keep looking for paid work whilst interning, and hopefully, one of these days I will work for someone and they will give me money in return. A novel idea.
One big shot replied with details of his agencies paid internship program, which sounds rather promising. Except then I have direct competition, which I don't love the idea of. I'm good at standing out from a pack, but I don't appreciate the variables in competitions - even MORE applicants to be better than, some poor slave of an assistant trawling through tons of applications, hating us more than she hates her job, so tired she starts picking out applications purely if she likes the applicants name.. I don't like competitions. I don't like relying on someone else to make my career. That said, I'll apply. Definitely can't hurt. Shall let you know how swanning around Mayfair goes next week, I'm off to party for the weekend. x x

Must be talking to an Angel

It's been a week since I met up with Rachael and the PR search began. I have created a super stunning spreadsheet, so organised it would blow Monica Gellar's little brunette mind.
The sheets are organised by all the avenues I need to cover - PR recruitment agencies/PR agencies themselves/PR Job sites/In-House PR - with all the appropriate contact details.
I've been going through each person/company and calling, sending emails with my cv, follow up calls etc for each person in the spreadsheet.
Rachael said I need to:

'Make a job of getting a job'

and that is indeed what I'm doing.
Yesterday I was going through my PR recruitment agencies page, just making calls. I came to a company I didn't pay much attention to as their site suggested they were quite a small company - When I got an answerphone I moved on.
I'm so glad I called again. Mel, the MD and founder, answered. After explaining my situation she told me 'I don't take on graduate/entry level, purely because I don't get paid for it! But I'll send you all of my fashion PR contacts?'
Uhh... you mean you want to send me your goldddust list of PR contacts, at absolutely no benefit to yourself? Yea I think I'll take it!

This morning I had a missed call from Mel, called her back and she says..
'So I've got you an interview'

Sorry WHATTT?! The woman got me an interview in under 24 hours with a PR agency in Marylebone specialising in lifestyles - exactly the kind of thing I want to be doing.

The company would probably want to start me out interning (travel paid) and then hopefully hire me after. YES YES YES.
Just can't get over this lady. And the fact that this is happening. Even if nothing comes of it, just the idea that something CAN come of it is enough.
And grateful, I know this is all purely because of the Lord and the help he's giving me, could not have done it without Him.
Mel still sent me her contacts list - direct emails to HUGE agencies like Relative MO, The Communications Store, Starworks.. INSANE. Big-guns like these don't even have 'career' sections on their sites their that exclusive. I CANNOT GET OVER THIS LADY. She told me 'she likes me and wants to help' - I have no idea why since our call lasted 2 minutes, she sounds mega powerful and I'm like this puny, unemployed graduate. I didn't think people like Mel & Rachael existed. I've heard of them, but thought they were popular myths, like 4 leaf clovers, unicorns, and pots of gold at the end of a rainbow..
I'm excited, I'm so utterly and completely excited.

I want to travel. No, nanny. Sorry make that fashion.

Past few weeks have been .. varied, shall we say..

-decided to nanny in London to get.money.fast & high-tail it to New Zealand (Random I know, but I'm fantastic with kids and could definitely do it, especially for £400 net/week thankyouverymuch)
-worked hard, signed up with 3 agencies and interviewed for nanny positions - (in one interview, the mother welled up when her baby cried - definite crazy potential.. I saw myself out)

Then came the inevitable 'What am I doing?'
I don't want to be a freaking NANNY.
I'm 21, have a ton of potential and could do SO much. Why would I want to chase some snotty child around in what would probably be my very own remake of 'The Help'?
To be fair, I do think I could have done it, and still do. It's not the worst job and its respectable for those that can handle it long term.
I'm not sure I could.
I wondered why on earth I was trying so hard for a role I wasn't passionate about. What was I passionate about?
I then met up with the contact, Rachael (see last post) who was
i n c r e d i b l e. The help, advice and strategies for getting into fashion PR was invaluable. We sat down in Notting Hill over steaming mugs of chocolate and she just gave me the push I needed, spurting a plethora of fantastic ideas.
Rachael is my new love. She helped out a perfect stranger to the best of her ability when she could have just sent an email or something quick and easy. More than anything, she made me see that it is possible, there are jobs out there, and if I want them I have to work dam hard.
I know now that I hadn't done as much as I thought. Haven't exhausted all avenues. Could do more.
And I will.

What do we want?

FASHION.
It's been 3 months since I had my lifechanging, whirlwind dip into the sweet pool of fashion. And I'm craving it.

Basically I'm addicted.

I miss the constant creativity, the art, the glamour, the CLOTHES, the fast paced conveyor belt of events (and emotions), the SHOES..
I've always thought I would be a bit above it, you know, intellectual and all. I was challenged and stimulated for 3 years studying the inner neurological workings of the mind and human behaviour.
Fashion? Yea, fine, but surely I'd eventually tire of its superficial, hollow nature.
Turns out no.
Now that I again return like a lamb, to suckle at its silk swathed teat.. That's weird.
What I'm saying is, I miss it.
I plan to travel, I want to live in New Zealand for a year (http://newzeal-thatgirl.blogspot.com/) but that may be partly because I cannot seem to get a job in London.
Goodness knows I tried, h a r d.
But I now have .. a contact. A friend of a friend is a model booker. She's agreed to meet me for a late lunch next week to discuss.

Hurrah! Back to lunching in london with leisure.

We will chat about what she does, I will ask many interesting questions and be charming and engaging. Most likely she will be able to sense efficiency and hard work in my aura alone.
She'll set me up at her agency and I'll consider it.

..
Back in the real world.. I am meeting her, but its more out of interest and keeping my options open. I can't say that the model agency world has ever kept me terribly interestd, but then I know nothing about it. I'm sure I may have said the same of fashion PR a few years back.
She sent me a few links to fashion job sites, which was lovely of her. One I use regularly, the other was new.
I then saw THIS gem of a job description:

The XXXX fashion team are looking for an account assistant to work on some of the agency's most high profile and exciting fashion accounts.

Applicants must have completed previous fashion internships and show a strong industry knowledge. Key responsibilities will include media liaison, showroom management and assisting the team on various administrative tasks. This is a great entry level opportunity for someone looking to take the next step up from an internship.

Uh can you say perfect?
I applied, of course. Despite turning my back on the fashion industry forever on account of my consistent rejection after my internship.
Like I said, I'm addicted.
Shall keep you posted. (she says after not writing for an age..)

Life as it is

Updates. It's been a while. Try to not be dissappointed as we move quickly through the troughs and peaks which are my last 2 months.

Fashion week was incredible. The people, the atmosphere, the shoes. Oh the Shoes. Envy for 5 days straight is not healthy for any human.
However, being pounced on whenever I entered the terraces of Somerset House was nourishing. You needed a pass to clear you for all sections of fashion week, exhibitions, press areas, catwalk spaces. But anyone could go to the ground floor outside area. So it was a media feast as bloggers, tv presenters and photographers scrambled over each other to get the latest morsel of fashion - whether it be a delectable stacked heel shoe or a caramel floor skimming coat. This was my excuse to let designer lady put her clothes on me - I would go up to the ground floor (we were exhibiting in the basement galleries) and be photographed in her dresses - instant press.
It must be said there is no greater cure for a somber state than entering a space and being immediately photographed. At first I was a bit put out that no one asked, just snapped away. Then I realised it was the norm and actally a 'would you mind if I get a shot of your shoes' was quite the rareity. Also I noticed that there were cereal trendsters, would would hang out in this area, all nonchalant. They'd act completely normal when asked for a photo, whilst secretly languishing in delivering a coooler then cool snap to the joyous photographer.

Despite the immense hard work in the run up, during the actual week, I felt completely precious. With all the parties, lunch dates and socialising it really didnt feel like work.
The highlight of my week was the Amanda Wakelely show. I'd been hoping to catch a show, was getting lunch one day, when a stranger asked 'Are you going back to somerset house? Want my Amanda Wakelely show ticket?' Uhhh hell to the y e a a.

I'm cutting a long story short, but yes, that week was incredible. Did I come back to the real world with a bang? A long conversation with my bank would answer with the affirmative. I was completely broke. Worse than broke. I had to finish with designer lady right after LFW because I simply couldn't afford to intern anymore.

Since the end of September, I've been forced to resort to the only way I know how to make fast money. Retail. Urgh.
I have had to swallow a lot of pride with a side of humble pie. I went from hanging out on Mount St., mingling with Chelsea socialites and Samantha Cameron (thats right.) to being told how to fold a pile of shirts. And then being told I was doing it wrong. And then again.
Soul crushing doesn't even cover it.
However, for now, it is a means to an end while I try ever so frantically to get a foothold on that slippery ladder of the elusive fashion industry. I'll keep you updated.
xoxo desperate girl

7 days and counting

It's 7 days until showtime and I’m still absolutely loving it here. The amount of tiredness I’m currently experiencing however, is insane. I’ve worked every day this week (standard) and working tomorrow too. But we’re shooting the look book so it will be fun. Also business lady totally said I had to come because she ‘needs me’! and im just a sucker for needy..
I’ve been involved in this process right from the start. Watched the production of the collection, written press releases detailing inspiration behind the pieces, assisted in casting models – no way am I missing out on the actual shoot.

Lunch at the Mayfair on Monday was lovely, I introduced Designer Lady to a vip she'd been wanting to meet for an age. She was happy, I had done my job, it was all good.
Afterwards I project managed the building of an installation we have in an exclusive boutique in Chelsea. An installation is a section of the shop with the designers clothes, and you make it stand apart from the rest of the shop. We had flowers hanging from the ceiling, wrapped a mannequin-tree in luxurious silk pieces, had rose petals everywhere, generally made the space look stunningly gothic-ly whimsical.
I'd like to say it was a complete drag hanging out in Kings Road all day after being fed at the Mayfair but.. I really can't.
So blessed to have this job, though it is completely draining my resources. Saw an advert for credit cards on the train today

'Chasing the dream, living the nightmare?'

That's how it is for me, just not so dramatic. I'm doing this incredible job, going to amazing places, but slowly and surely I am getting more and more broke. What to do? The same as everything else.
Worry about it after fashion week.

Chosen one

Designer lady is attending a luncheon tomorrow at the MAYFAIR HOTEL with the BFC. The BFC as in BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL. British Fashion Council as in Alexandra Shulman and other total fashion heavyweights. As in editors of Vogue/ Tatler/ Elle.
Who has she chosen to go with her because Business Partner lady is unavailable?
ME.
As in big. freaking. deal.