All images by: Kerry Curl https://www.kerrycurl.com/
Be Warned, It's going to be a long one.. Ready?
The last couple of months have been crazy to say the very least. If you follow my absent self on Instagram (oops), you're probably aware that I have been a little bit here - there - everywhere, since graduating the beginning of July 18.
Before I get into this blog post, I want everybody to know that WHATEVER you chose to do, WHENEVER you chose to do it, you are amazing & don't ever feel pressured by others to work at a different pace from how you set out to do things in life
So.. For people who may not be aware.. I have just finished off what seems a life time of studies in Fashion related subjects. I first set out my education in fashion back in 2013 when I went to City College to do an Extended Diploma Level 3 in Fashion & Textiles Design before heading to University where I graduated this July with a degree in Fashion Promotion and Communication. Let me tell you, education isn't always fun, but its definitely rewarding when you study something you genuinely enjoy!
"Something I was always aware of throughout my studies at University was.."
Something I was always aware of throughout my studies at university was, how important it is to gain real life experience in the fashion industry. Not only does this teach you which area's you enjoy more than others but also gives you the opportunity to build on yourself and network with others. With the fashion industry being particularly renowned for it's cut throat personality, it can make the industry look particularly scary and intimidating.. I, just like a lot of other's didn't really know where to begin.
Setting myself the task of immersing myself SOMEHOW within the industry, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to speak to the fashion editor of the Guardian who lives some what close to my holiday house. Expressing my interests to her (which was particularly varied at the time), I could tell that, she was just as confused as what route to take as me. A couple of months past of knuckling down at uni, until I checked my inbox and much to my surprise had an email from the Guardian's personal stylist asking if I would be interested in joining their regular fashion shoot called 'All Ages'. Ecstatic by the thought of gaining some inside experience, I took her up on the offer almost immediately.
As university continued, so did my relationship with the Guardian and I would occasionally find myself helping out as an assistant stylist from time to time. What I learned at this exact moment was how randomly put together the fashion industry is - creatives from all different walk's of life and background's were sharing a similar vision in what to create at one given time.
"That is the great thing about gaining experience.. its completely different to what you initially lead yourself to believe in.."
It's fair to say that, by the time I headed into my third and final year at University, I had a pretty strong idea of which area of the industry I was particularly keen in entering once graduating later that year. What I realised I was most interested in progressing in was Art Direction. Although I had thoroughly enjoyed my time helping style a handful of shoots - I realised it was definitely not for me. That is the great thing about gaining experience.. it's completely different to what you initially lead yourself to believe in whilst sitting in your bedroom or at university, until your actually there doing the real & physical thing'Realising that it's all good and well SAYING to my tutors and myself that I want to be an Art Director, I needed to make sure I was making the right decision by getting myself some actual experience in a company of some sort.
So in a bid to wiggle my way in to a brand or company I adore - I set myself the task of contacting a handful of places in my spare time & grabbing any possible opportunity I could.
British Vogue
My first real work experience fell from interning in the Art Department at British Vogue during the summer month of July 2018. I can firmly say that It was everything I wished for and more! I will be writing a whole separate blog post on BV but for now - here's what I really want people to take away from my time there:
1) Never, EVER doubt yourself because the 'untouchable' is in fact touchable and if you have a burning passion for something - It will get you where you want to be if you put the effort in.
2) Send follow up emails - especially if you don't hear back from a company you adore the first time. This is how I ended up securing experience with Vogue and it was definitely worth the wait.
3) Trust your gut & intuition. Regardless of what people say - ALWAYS put yourself first and never succumb to fear or failure. It's only natural to fear things that you care about about but try your hardest to push this aside and focus on the bigger picture.
4) Make the upmost out of every possible opportunity because you never know what you might encounter along the way. Being open minded is a must! Not everything is what you expect until you do the real thing - trust me!
5) Make an effort to be kind to everybody you meet as you never know what they might say or offer you. Kindness is key in this industry and it doesn't tend to go unrecognised if you are strong willed.
Gentleman's Journal
Shortly after interning at Vogue, I was fortunate enough to gain some experience at Gentleman's Journal - a luxury menswear lifestyle magazine in Fulham. Although it wasn't a publication I had admittedly read up an awful lot about before beginning my internship there, this actually really helped benefit me because..
1) I didn't go in with any preconceptions of what I would gain out of the experience so I used every possible opportunity to learn the best way I could.
2) The people that make up a company can really make or brake your time whilst gaining experience, so - making a real effort to get to know people, is super important for uncountable reasons.
3) I was able to witness the way a company is built and what job I realistically need to begin with, in order to get myself to my end goal - as an art director.
B The Communications Agency
B The Communications Agency
Stepping away from publications, I also wanted to gain some experience in a different sector - such as a creative agency. For a month I interned as a social media and content creator at B The Communications Agency. I can definitely say that social media is not an area of interest job wise - (which people may find weird) as it's built entirely of off thing's I do in my spare time, but I'd prefer to keep it as a hobby rather than anything else. The thing's I learned during my time there was:
1) Research was/is key when being part of the social media team
2) My voice was heard and my input was appreciated (Which sadly isn't the case for other companies and brands I've worked for)
2) My voice was heard and my input was appreciated (Which sadly isn't the case for other companies and brands I've worked for)
3) The teams seemed more integrated than other places i've interned at and I did not feel afraid to confront anybody in conversation.
4) Creativity was at the heart of the workers. Everybody had the opportunity to have their input, whether it was used or not - thats all that counts.
Thats it from me for now but until next time - know that gaining experience in the industry before going head first in to a full time job is extremely beneficial. Thing's aren't always as they seem on paper & please do trust your intuition - its key!
For any questions & queries you may have - please contact me either by email: info@livharrould.com or via my Instagram: @livharrould
