London Fashion Journalism Masterclass

I have just returned from an amazing weekend in London, as I went down with uni to attend a fashion journalism masterclass. The talk took place in the University of Sunderland's London Campus at Canary Wharf, and we all set off from Sunderland VERY early on the train on Friday morning.

The masterclass featured talks from four top journalists:
Rachel Richardson, editor of fabulous magazine,
Hattie Crisell, a freelance Journalist,
Hannah Almassi, Deputy Fashion News and Features Editor at Grazia,
Louise Gannon, a showbiz Journalist.

These four Journalists are all very hard, working, ambitious women, and they gave us a fantastic view into what our futures as fashion Journalists will hopefully look like! They shared with us their tips on getting a foot in the door, and on working in the industry in general, and so I thought I'd share the best bits of advice I gained from the day.

Get Experience.
At this, and indeed other talks I've attended, the emphasis was on getting as much experience as possible, but we were also told to get as much out of the experience as possible while there, so basically be polite to everyone, and go above and beyond what you are supposed to do, because if an opportunity comes up they might remember you and working really hard for free will be worth it in the end!

Prepare yourself for rejection.
We all know that its the sad case at the moment that we will face rejection no matter what line of work we choose to follow, but in journalism, rejection will come even after you've got a job. You may not be chosen to do a really good interview, or a piece you have written may be cut, but the advice we were given on Friday was not to "be precious about it." This will be no indication of your ability or your work, and there may be several different reasons behind the decisions.

Look the part.
Do not turn up looking scruffy. As Rachel told us, "you are a representation of the brand" and if the brand is Fashion then you will have to look like you have made an effort. 

Learn your trade.
All four of the girls agreed that it is important to know which writers you admire and know their work well. Read around your subject, but also don't focus solely on it, but be aware of current affairs, finance and other areas, that could be the angle or idea for a feature or story.

Inspiration comes from everywhere.
As previously mentioned, reading around the subject can inspire you, but this can come from anywhere, Magazines, Blogs, books or Newspapers, and inspiration can also be something as simple as things you and your friends are discussing amongst yourselves, or that you all feel is a pressing issue. I f you do come up with a good feature or story pitch it now, even if you are still a student, if it is a good idea and it is well written it may just get published.

And a few final tips:
Everyone you know is a contact, use them well.
Be yourself.
Don't feel you need to know everything all the time.
Keep your social footprint clean. Be careful what you post on Facebook and Twitter.


Thanks to the four speakers and to the University for arranging the masterclass it was inspiring and so helpful, and it meant I got to spend an amazing weekend in London with my sister, (more on that later) so now I just need to get my degree and get a job. All these essays will be worth it in the end

Graduation Fashion!

Black dress: bought at a local boutique

My Dress: Oasis
My shoes: Topshop
Aveen's Shoes: Dune
Cap and Gown Optional!

On Saturday, my big sister graduated from drama school, and became a qualified actress. I kept promising her I'll blog about her, so I decided the best present would be a feature on my blog!
Congratulations Aveen, and to all my readers, you should prepare to see her on a screen or stage near you soon! take a note of that face and remember where you saw her first! we had such an amazing day and weekend, and spent most of it in a daze of champagne and wine, and it was generally just a nice, relaxing weekend. Now I just need to work hard and get my own degree.

Newcastle Fashion Week.

As you may or may not know, this week is Newcastle Fashion Week. There are many fashion themed events being held in the city, and tonight, was no exception.

I was invited to attend a talk from Elizabeth Walker at Northumbria University and I was massively looking forward to it. She talked to us about her life, her career and Fashion in general. she had such an amazing and inspiring life, and told us all about the places all over the world that she has travelled to, making me envious of the places she's been!

Liz Walker

During the talk she outlined how she started out at ballet school, before deciding that a career in ballet wasn't what she wanted, as it was "too much hard work and not enough time for boys!" She then applied to art school, and for those of you also in this position do not give up hope, it took her two attempts at applying, so just keep at it!

The first magazine she worked at was 'Harper's Bazaar' which was then called 'Harper's Queen', and from here she told us about all the people she knows in the industry, people whose work I greatly admire such as Mario Testino, David Bailey and Anna Wintour, and how life on fashion magazines isn't always as glamorous as it seems! (She told us that we shouldn't even think about having friends or a social life during fashion weeks!)

She told us about how she didn't really want to take the job at Marie Claire, but that "Jobs are like boyfriends, the less you want them, the more they want you!" and so she took her career to Marie Claire, where she worked for eighteen years, before freelancing at the Telegraph and The Times.

Throughout the talk she was funny, and charmed us the entire audience, who hung on her every word. She graced us with many anecdotes about her career, including one where Manolo Blahnik wore a pair of stiletto's because: "If you girl's have to suffer for my art then I should too!"

She has released 'The Style Book' and is currently working on a second book 'The Pattern Book'. It is available to buy in several countries, including The UK, Spain, France, America and Japan.

This was such a fabulous talk from such an inspirational fashion legend. we also had the chance to feel like VIP's with our very own 'Reserved' Seats and free Jubilee style cupcakes, courtesy of The Great British Cupcakery! I could get used to these freebies!

Red Soled Shoes.

Tonight sees the launch of the long-anticipated (by me anyway!) exhibition of the work of Christian Louboutin. The exhibition, which takes place from tomorrow (01 May) until July 9th at the Design Museum in London.


When I first heard about the exhibition I was very excited and instantly started planning my attendance the last time I was in London, but I was over-eager and got the dates very wrong! However, I may still have the opportunity to attend and if I do, I will take that opportunity and run with it, possibly dragging my family along for the ride! (Much to my Dad's dismay....)


I have spent the last hour eagerly following the live tweets of the launch courtesy of Elle and Grazia and looking at Pictures on Vogue's website. I need to start saving for my dream pair. 


Every fashionista will appreciate Louboutin's work, and most people I know see them as being a work of art rather than just a shoe. From the Iconic, trademark Red soles, to the individuality of every one, the designer himself sees the shoes as special, but has said that one of the difficulties of the exhibition is that the shoes are being viewed as objects and not being worn. "When I am designing it starts from a sketch but is never complete until the moment of seeing it on someone's foot," he says.


Donna Loveday, the curator of the exhibit, wanted to explore the designers inspiration and background story when she started the exhibit twelve months ago. "When we started I knew that women adored his shoes," said Loveday, "but we wanted visitors to come away with an understanding of how he designs, what inspires him, and to look at his work in progress."


Below are some of my favourite shoes being featured in the exhibit.
Pictures courtesy of Vogue.com

Loan Day Lovelies!

Tomorrow is the day all you students out there have been waiting for. After (barely) surviving Easter break on your overdraft and parental handouts (and in my case, birthday money) You are all officially rich again. This calls for one thing, a Shopping Spree! Naughty me, well, lets just call it research.

1. Striped Maxi Skirt: £75.00- Miss Selfridge
This is my Ideal summer piece. Maxi Skirts are my favourite thing ever! this material and design is so feminine!

2. Glitter Sole Sandals: £50.00- Topshop
I am a self-confessed Flatform Hater! and although I have been told by Victoria that these aren't really flatforms, I do believe they are the closest thing to a pair that I have actually liked. they are everything I usually dislike in a shoe, but they are SO CUTE!

3. Bird Print Shorts: £18.99- Missguided
Printed shorts are one of the items that I find myself reaching for every summer. I love a bit of bird print too. and lets be honest, even if it wasn't loan day, the price tag wont have us passing out in shock!

4. Blue Stone Ring: £8.91- Etsy
I am constantly on the lookout for quirky jewellery, and this ring is different, without being too flashy. Also, what a BARGAIN!

5. White Cutout Dress: £37.00- Miss Selfridge
This dress ticks so many trend boxes this season, White, girly, and a hint of lace. Perfect!

6.Blue Flower Print Dress: 65.00- Oasis
Another girly dress. I like girly dresses and I think everyone should own one this season!

7. Patent Bow Pumps: £35.00- Oasis
Nude shoes are my go-to, match-everything piece. These Pumps have an extra cute white bow added.

I feel I have just supplied you all with cuteness-sickening-girly-overload. Apologies.