I felt disheartened at the end of my previous placement- I'd worked hard for months to prove myself; come in early, stayed late and skipped lunches to try and force my employers to see that I was worth it. In the end, it didn't work out but it's some comfort that I know it's not because I didn't try my best or work hard enough. Sometimes things just don't go to plan and I thought I should practise what I preach [which, I've discovered, is mega difficult], pick myself up and try again! It's really easy to feel like you're not getting anywhere with your work or getting the recognition you deserve, but there's more than one magazine in London and I've just been telling myself that things will work out.
Onwards and upwards! I had an email last week from the Executive Fashion & Beauty Director at Red magazine, asking if I was available to freelance during the fashion week period. This was a dream come true! Red was my very first monthly magazine internship two years ago, and although I haven't been back since I occasionally emailed a couple of the girls regarding job opportunities. Nothing was available back then, but one of them passed my contact details on, which proves my theory that when one door closes another one opens- it also conveniently makes practising what I preach much easier! I've just finished my second week with the team and even though there are some new faces, I'm happy to say that the atmosphere is exactly the same.
The main criticism levelled at the fashion industry is usually its single minded ruthlessness, and, subsequently, its lack of camaraderie and empathy between colleagues and interns alike.. I can't lie, that has been the case in several places I've interned and worked but I can say, hand on heart, that Red is one of the kindest and most nurturing magazines in the industry today. The girls at Red aren't concerned with tearing each other down to improve their own situations, or make their interns' lives miserable just because they can. The infamous rite of passage that most interns are forced to undergo is non existent at Red- instead replaced by constant monitoring of your well being and general appreciation for your help. However, this could end up backfiring if it is your first placement, as it did slightly in my case, because I went into my following internships with spectacularly rose tinted glasses, thinking everybody was sweetness and light..
I wouldn't say I'm as naive or trusting as I was at the beginning of all this; although I have definitely not made the transformation into fully fledged life-ruiner and all round unpleasant fashion girl either. I do find it a little bit sad that my outlook has changed [I now have a jaded view of most people I come across in fashion and their motives] but I'm hoping I can use this to become more assertive and confident in my own abilities. I want to be able to ask for what I'm owed or make people see that I'm worth giving a job to- maybe becoming more forceful in the work place will work to my advantage. A bit of aggression couldn't hurt, could it?
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| "Thank You" cards the girls have kept.. Mine's up there too- almost two years later! |
