Why intern?
Okay.
What is the point of having an internship?
This is something I would base my assignment on (if I had the chance..)
because I would be able to give my professor the best answer.
However, I need to be more specific than that when writing my paper.
So, I decided to talk about it here.
I mean, after all, it's my blog so here we go!
I believe the main question is:
how do you get experience without any experience?
I have a friend who often asks me:
"how would I get an internship without a previous internship" and
"how do I get a job without a relevant internship to back me up"
Well, anyone looking for an internship or job today
has more resources than ever before.
I am talking about social media sites such as
linkedin, facebook and twitter.
You just have to get out there. Be creative.
Create contacts, tweet back to companies
you would love to work at and follow their tumblr accounts.
Believe it or not but many companies actually tweet back!
However, the bad news is that the competition is tough.
Actually, I don't think you can graduate college in this day and age without
some relevant internships listed in your resume.
My year of internship(s) has come to and end but
if I could, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!
Yes, it has been a whirlwind at times and working unpaid for
an entire year is something many people believe is insane.
But I tell you one thing:
the people I have met, the places I have been and the things I have learned
make it all worthwhile.
I mean, hey..I have even learned some Spanish.
I want an apartment with a built-in bookshelf
Whether I am writing about fashion or travel, I am writing. And I love it.
Fashion: it's actually funny how I ended up writing about it.
Once upon a time I was one of those people that thought
that anyone involved in the fashion industry was shallow and superficial.
At the same time though, I was wearing the latest
designers and rocking my studded stilettos.
So for all intents and purposes I was being a bit of a hypocrite.
A little more contemplation and I arrived at the conclusion that
in fact I like fashion, and that 'fashion people'
are often deeply artistic people, creating visions and
forms that directly influence culture and society.
On a personal level, fashion can change your mood and inspire you,
and that intrinsic power can be amazing.
One of my favourite designers, Oscar de la Renta once said:
"when a woman falls in love with something
so much that she wants to wear it -
it is as that point when it becomes fashion".
Starting my fashion PR career in Los Angeles I soon realized that
'fashion people' are interesting and unique in many ways
and my internships gave me an unparalleled look into their world.
I attended fashion events and shows, talked with fashion editors,
met people from all aspects of the industry, traveled a lot and saw
the inner workings of the fashion magazine world as well.
DKNY's PR girl once wrote the following on her Tumblr page:
"We know PR stands for 'Public Relations' but I believe
it also stands for 'Personal Relations".
I quickly recognized the truth in this statement.
There is so much more to fashion PR than
just glamour and glossy ad spreads.
The key to the industry, at almost every level, is collaboration, and
creating and nourishing these relationships so they heed fruitful results.
Thanks to the explosion of social media, and our world shrinking in general,
we have more tools than ever to create these relationships.
Of course, it doesn't hurt to have impeccable
writing skills, but those can be harder to attain.
You usually have them, or you don't.
So where am I going with all this?
For as long as I can remember I've wanted to become a writer.
As a child I would sit and flip through fashion mags and pray that
one day my name too would appear at the top of one of their stories.
My first mentor in high school was an editor and she
instilled in me the belief and determination
that if I wrote, every single day that I would one day reach my
goal of becoming a professional writer.
So I headed her advice and worked H-a-r-d.
I'm not a motivational speaker, but the advice
I can offer to aspiring authors is two-fold:
Always wear your passion (this will bring you new opportunities)
and always follow your dream no matter how daunting it might seem.
Do whatever it takes to get there!
As for myself, whether I'm writing about fashion,
food, or travel, I am writing, and I love it.
It doesn't matter if I do it in my Louboutins or my sneakers.
Drama, drama.
There's been so much drama in my life lately. Good and bad. Anyhow, my friend from London just left today (I will miss her so so much!) and after a day at the beach followed by sushi at my favorite restaurant here in Barcelona, I have spent the evening shopping and cleaning my apartment. Speaking of drama, I just watched an episode of the Hills on TV of when they were living at the Villas (aka the Hillside as they call it in the series). It made me think of all the good times I had when living at the Villas and with my roomies, all of our fun adventures and road-trips. Even though I love Barcelona, I can't help of missing LA and California from time to time.
New Apartment, New Adventures.
Sorry for the bad update lately. Although I have had a lovely five days or so without work, I have been busier than ever. I have moved from one side of the city to the other (El Born) A two floor apartment only for me. What's even better is that it's closer to the ocean as well as to the park where I always go running. My friend from London is here visiting me and today we are going to the beach.
Talents.
Today, I got this poster from my co-worker and friend Hilary. She goes to Parsons in New York and is an a-m-a-z-i-n-g designer and has been designing the whole fashion book that I have been working on for weeks now. A big thank you to her! I'm gonna print this poster and put it up in my apartment.
You can check out her work by going on to her website: www.hearcher.com
Last day of work.
It is my last day of work today. After four months I am now ready to leave and enjoy the last time of my summer (..well, apart from the fact that I need to find a close-by library and start my big assignment) This past few months have been nothing but a whirlwind lately and time has passed me by like a little blue bird. Yes, it has been a bit stressful at times and yes, sometimes I had to remind myself that it's summer as I have been working like a crazy person (9 hours a day, sometimes even more) So now what...until the next flight ticket/assignment/internship/job, I just want to go to the beach, bring a book and do absolutely nothing for at least a week (or two..)
Do something today that is worth framing.
Everyday I pass by so many beautiful things. However, sometimes we find ourselves speeding through the 24 hours a day without the time to see how many gorgeous things are worth a snapshot.
Oh! Office Wear.
#OSCARPRGIRL
Mango Runway Show
En Route to 080 Barcelona Fashion Show where Glamour took the Stage. Mango's Fall Collection took my Breath Away.
Working late equals running late to practically everything. Even fashion shows. Buh! Meeting at 8.15 PM, running through the city in my high-heels in order to make it to Mango's showing of their fall'2011 collection. Starting at 8.30 PM, we were just in time to pass the hosts (well, 10 minutes late..but we still got in) Guess if we got one of those nice front-row seats? No, not exactly. They were all taken by people who showed up on time, didn't need to work late and wore flats! (No not really, haha but it was all my fault, I admit that) But it wasn't that bad. We still had a great view and I got some really good pictures. The collection was amazing and so was the atmosphere and the building. Although, I'm pretty sure the clothes we saw tonight won't appear in any of Mango's stores. They were so nice (dresses with shoulder pads, glitter and feathers, red carpet dresses with sequins and embellishment, longer blazers and wonderful maxi skirts) and therefore more likely to be put in showrooms and featured in magazines. Here are some pictures:
080 Barcelona Fashion.
I have a press pass for 080 Barcelona Fashion show and I am really excited to be spending this Thursday watching Mango's latest collection appear on the runway followed by other talented European designers and their fall lines!
Sidenote: I will be writing an article on the fashion show so expect photos, inside info and the latest runway trends.
#PR101
"Once upon a time there was a word named Dear. Dear was lovely and sophisticated and made you feel special. But then one day a young and spirited word named Hi came along. Hi was fun and frisky. Hi instantly made you feel like best friends. And just like that, Dear was old and boring. Saying Hi puts you on an even playing field, whereas writing Dear instantly makes you the subordinate. Hi commands respect. Hi is confident. Hi is upbeat and cheerful. Dear is insecure. But don't worry, there is home for Dear and it's in the Cover Letter where formality is expected. Because in a fast paced world of digital correspondence, confidence is king. You have about one second to get someones attention. Grab it!" DKNYPRGIRL
Having breakfast at Tiffany's.
For the one who lives in BCN
It is a new week and I'm sitting in the office, working on my Fashion E-book. Today, I am researching vintage shops and I just found this amazing store: El Mercadillo. El Mercadillo is a large shop that stocks a mixture of real vintage and inspired clothes. If you are looking for fake Rayban Wayfarers, Sixties style Mod bags and the Beatles T-shirts, this is the place to go! A bit like a mini Camden Market. Location: C/Amalia 19
Frappuccino break.
Walking all over the city, carrying Starbucks orders only proves one fact. That is, I should have picked different shoes today.
In the summertime..
Being in any city during the the summer months can be challenging at times - when all you want for breakfast/lunch/dinner is an ice cube. Of course, we shouldn't complain about the nice weather but none of us want a sunburn. As I am a blond girl with a lot of freckles I decided to do some research in order to find some tips on how to prevent a sunburn.
- Take vitamin E (nuts, olives)
- Drink a lot of water to stay hydrated
- Eat food high on vitamin C (citrus, fruits, strawberries, spinach)
- Beta-carotene (chili peppers, carrots)
080 Barcelona Fashion.
Can't make it to New York, London, Milan or Paris? Don't worry. If there's anything Barcelones excel at it is art, design and dressing for summer. Combine these and you'll have the 080 Barcelona Fashion - bringing you the most talented designers in Europe. Therefore, this coming week, it is time to hang out in the beautiful city of lights and designers.
Now....Starbucks break. Guess which one's mine?!
Live your dream and wear you passion.
Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally (with a little hard work, determination and great shoes of course..)
I want to jump on a plane..
Paris has a certain romantic aura that made me dream of walking the streets - baguette in hand - wearing an imaginary beret for years. I wouldn't mind jumping on a plane and spend a long weekend in the city of love and lights.
Inspiration...
Rainy day...
In the office listening to rainy-day songs after our walk in the rain (to Starbucks and back.) A nice break from the heat if you ask me. I love rainy days.
