Lets make Lemonade

This next post is from a very recent life lesson one has just learnt....never get distracted. 

Life is full of ups and downs. I count myself as a very positive person, but occasionally I'll have an odd week where my life is one big TV drama (only in my head though) and I over-react at every little thing! This blog is turning into an agony aunt! 

Anyway my love life has taken an unexpected turn for the worse, last week all hunky dory, now all down the drain. My work is obviously been put on hold with London and my drama taking up my attention. Although I did have a good tutorial today to discuss my final project, then off to work where I am pretty sure they all think I'm insane! And to top it all off, I don't think my house mates know how to deal with me and my unexpected mood swings. 

This writing your issues up on screen does help some what! It is rather therapeutic and I do suggest it to anyone. If anyone is reading this, I promise you I'm not an obsessive dork who enjoys destroying every relationship possible, friend or hunk! I am just a normal, somewhat deranged fashion student, who for some reason seems to repel men. At the end of the day, if life give you lemons....just make lemonade! 

London Baby!

So....as a student courier, occasionally I am asked to go to something called a UCAS fair. This is where all the Universities from the UK collect and persuade students that they are the best! The one I am attending tomorrow and Wednesday is purely for art and design courses. I went to the one last year, and it was a very enjoyable experience. I got to speak to a number of interesting people, who all seemed to appreciate what I was saying! I tend to speak about the subject topics we study and the opportunities which are available to us. I then tell them everything I personally have done in my three years of being a student at Glamorgan. 

Some students will do the three years, and get a first! Focusing purely on your degree can be one thing, but like I spoke about in my last post, the experience one gains by working within the industry as an intern, can be more valuable that what one learns in the classroom! 

I really speak highly of this when I talk about our University! All our lecturers encourage to do that little extra, whether it is putting on your own event, taking photos as much as possible, or even helping out with a school newspaper! This will all come in 'handy' when you come to that first job interview. They always want to see you are different, something special in this world of 'copycats'. I am not saying that I am something special, and I probably haven't done enough to impress anyone in the real world.... we'll see! 

I often look back and ask myself "what have I actually done in these last two and a bit years?" and often think it isn't that much. However, whenever I go to these UCAS fairs and begin to speak to new students, they often look amazed by what I am telling them. As third years, we begin to realise that it's the norm, and watching a fashion show is like watching ads on telly....for me backstage still constantly excites me! 

Bubbly at Links

Just returned from a meeting at my new job in 'Links of London'. We had Cava and pick'n'mix and talked about the Christmas season. Did you know we only have four Saturdays left until it's the jolly day itself! Time has flown by this year and the thought of me graduating in five months is a scary thought. Not even 21 yet, I still feel very young to be starting to work in the real world. At the same time I feel ready for anything, and in the mood for work in the industry. 

My Mother always says, you will be working for the rest of your life, there's no rush. She's right, in some respects, but I do worry that because in the fashion industry you have to build a name for ones self, it isn't as simple as here is my degree, right this is your job. You have to build knowledge and gain experiences within the industry itself. Much of the topics you learn in a fashion degree is the basic of what you will gain from one weeks internship at a marketing company or PR agency. Doing a job first hand is fair more valuable than reading about it. 

I have already had many jobs within the fashion industry, and particular in fashion show production. Yet I still feel very nervous whenever I meet a new client, or employee. I get the impression that they think I am inexperienced and, lets say it, blonde. So I always feel like I need to prove myself much more, making myself work harder at events. 

This new job is Christmas temp work, and it has made me realise the amount of new information one needs to take on board. Sometimes I wonder if it is worth it, with all my other work which needs starting, but then I see how much more knowledge I am gaining from a six week job placement at a high priced jewellery. You never know when it may come in handy!

Cultured house

Living with more than one nationality under one roof can be a bit confusing sometimes. I grew up in Germany for the beginning of my teenage life, so understanding the language is very easy for me. My two new German sisters are wonderful and I love them hugely. Currently I am sitting in a very cold sitting room, listening to the two of them working away on their business coursework.

I understand everything they are saying, and often I think they forget....

Next door is an American friend of ours, very hungover from our wild night out last night. He is wonderful, full of energy, well not this morning, but has been a huge help with my current workload.

The welsh flatmates are at a football game, I believe and won't be back till later. I love the combination in this house, it has a brilliant alive feel to it. Something is always happening! I also like how I combine the 3 nationalities together. I am half Welsh, part English and part Swiss. How complicated!

Couch work

Whilst my flatmates "man" is making breakfast/lunch/dinner, I sit here constantly trying to start my market research section of my business plan....which is proving harder than I thought. Anyway I recently got my marks back for my dissertation proposal and received the best mark in the year which was rather surprising I might add. So last night I celebrated with rugby and a gig....drinking a bit more than previously intended. The rugby was shockingly bad! So much so that the stadium was more interested in doing a Mexican wave than watch the game. I then went to CLWB, a popular club in Cardiff for Drum and bass lovers. However last night I went to keep a friend company on a "like" quest...which turned into a rather interesting and messy night. Currently trying to find out whether my friend is all right after getting in trouble with the police and me having to convince the nice women that he was really fine and we only needed to take him home. Him running off at 4am didn't help the situation.

So back to my current work load! With constant refills of tea and the biggest bar of Galaxy one has ever seen I will continue to attempt to start this market research plan. It would help if I knew what part of the market I should research. I am starting a business on Digital marketing and communications through the use of social media. Therefore I obviously need to research into the increase use of social media and how it has effected the way we market products but in particular the fashion industry.

I also need to think of a name for it! I was thinking maybe something like 'Ping'.....could be interesting.

Second Shift

It was my 2nd shift at the lovely "Links of London" store in Cardiff this evening, and what an enjoyable one it was.... this will come across a tad boring for anyone who is reading this, but thought I'd share!

Assistant manager Becky and I were having a wonderful conversation about how her and her partner met 7 years ago, when a lady came into the shop complaining about a bracelet she had bought a few weeks back. We kindly explained to her that the Links Sweetie was not designed to sit perfectly on ones wrist. Whilst another couple enter the store, I carried on the sale asking why she had purchase the bracelet in the first place. Answering, "mainly to collect charms", I then said perhaps this is the reason why it doesn't feel right. At this time there were no charms on it!

After taking her over to where the charms were being displayed, we discussed for 10minutes about which ones she liked. She then left shop but after purchasing two of the most expensive silver charms we stock!

I'd like to say this was down to my selling abilities, however some women just need an excuse. We have a saying in retail, women enjoy being reassured that it is okay to buy something for themselves once in a while and this was a prime example.....whoever she was, I hope she enjoys the bracelet more now there are a few diamonds in it, after all..... what's the saying lovely's...... "Diamonds are a girls best friend"

Digital Marketing

For one of my three project in my final year, we have been asked to create a business! Yeah....tell me about it, just over a month to create a business plan from scratch. Anyway, I liked the idea of creating my own PR company, although now, focusing on a "Digital Marketing and Communications Agency". This way I can combine my love for Digital Marketing with the traditions of Fashion Show production. If you haven't learnt by now, I am incredible passionate about the fashion show side of the industry. Working for the likes of "Russo" and managing productions for Chanel would be a dream come true.

Anyway back to my original discussion, Digital Marketing and Communications Agency....I am going to create a Viral Fashion Show for an upcoming designer, if I can find one who wants me to work with them :p. I am going to create a setting for the show, organise models, crew, assistants and filming, then eventually edit and produce a viral "look book" in the form of a Fashion Show.

The show will be set in a minimalistic, white walled basement, with simple dropped light bulbs hanging at different lengths along each side of the catwalk.  

Anyway thought I'd tell you all this because over the next few months that is what I'll be working on, and informing you which stage I am at! What Joy final year of University is... hard work but amazing projects because we get to choose!!!!

Etienne Russo

My Idol! The man behind the amazing production company Villa Eugenie.

He has created shows for the most high and almighty designers and works with the ones he has a personal passion for....I adore any of his show, and nothing is impossible for Russo. He creates masterpieces, and enjoys challenges! I only dream of working for him one day, or reaching half the standard he presents. I wish I could pore as much passion into a show, as he does with everyone!

The First of Many

So welcome, whoever you may be! Currently I am sitting, still in bed at midday, amongst by dissertation books whilst the rain is battering my window in lovely Cardiff.  As my dissertation is analysing how society views and conveys Fashion Shows through the use of Social media, I thought maybe it was about time to create my own Blog and speak about whatever comes to mind! So here goes.....