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.

The calm before the storm

Kicking back in the studio, Absolutely Fabulous playing in the background, drinking delicious hot choc from the adorable cafe next door (fyi the most delicious waiter works there, incidentally he makes the most incredible sandwiches. hes delicious in more ways than one - multidelish!) sent a few emails, prepared a sample send out for a magazine shoot, (blogged - shh.) .. its all been rather relaxed here today.

LFW still looms in the distance like some sort of ominous hooded figure, but for now, why stress!

Always an exception

I know know know I should NOT be blogging at work but.. my title says its ok, plus noone can see me, so. That makes it alright.
Business Partner Lady TOTALLY just said that I get to choose my own little dress from Designer Lady's collection to wear at LFW.
I GET TO WEAR HER CLOTHES...
Imagine me trying hard not to hyperventilate as I imagine twirling around in the many creations I've had my beady fashion eye on since I've been working here.
I love my job.

Ahhh..

The dude designer upstairs (who's name I had never heard.. the one that's kind of a big deal) totally just told me I have a nice skirt on. Fashion approval from a designer is like being given a big warm bowl of melted chocolate.
Sweet.

Do you know who I am?? .. No.

This week I took DL's dogs out to the garden roof of the studios. On my way I was asked 'are you the dog walker?’ by some guy with the snottiest voice. He introduced himself with the pretentious tone that incinuates his introduction is unnecessary because you should already know who he is.
Of course I acted as if I hadn’t a clue who he was. Which wasn’t too hard since I didn’t.
(Naturally, I read about him in Vogue the day after. He is kind of a big deal. Crap.)

Cute intern friend and I discovered another adorable little café right next to the studio. Its called something like ‘Mouse & Delotts’. So today I’m talking to the woman serving me..
‘so do you own this place?’
‘well I’m mouse’
.. I laugh, completely forgetting the name of the café and thinking shes making an odd joke..
‘you’re what, a mouse??’
‘no.. I’m mouse. of mouse and delotts.. I own half the company’
‘oh.. right.'
Crap.

Really need to stop this i-have-no-idea-who-you-are-which-is-awful-because-actually-you’re-rather-significant thing I have going on.

Oh I have yet to learn…

London Fashion Week is a witch.

8.45pm - on the last leg of my journey home.

Today has been.. emotional.. which is an understatement but an appropriate enough word.
There has been swearing...tension...mad sprinting to & from the studio.
There have been tears.
There have been emergency bottles of Cava opened (bought by myself - first time for everything hey..)

Though 70% of the time I am lucky enough to be part of a sweet, chilled out team..

..the run up to LFW is evil.

In-house PR has given me the chance to see what exactly goes into launching your own label. There are an infinite amount of tasks, you have to completely trust those you hire to competently complete the job you pay them for.
When a major store put in a big order for your collection, they don’t care that your seamstress did wonky stitches or screwed up the buttonholes on a shirt. They don’t want to be told that half the order got left out of the delivery because the DHL courier guy was an ass and wouldnt wait 2 minutes for the 2nd box of clothes. They don’t want to hear that 5 tshirt dresses were printed on jersey instead of crepe de chine. They either have the full order or they don’t. No matter what the outcome is, the designer is the one it all reflects onto.

The phrase of the day has been a distressed 'Why didn't I just open a chippie instead' muttered under breath as the next crisis unravels.

LFW is september 16th - 20th. The crazy continues..