A Midwinter Dream by Chanel

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I watch a lot of Fashion videos. I have an entire page on YouTube dedicated to the latest and greatest models strutting down the runway or the backstage interview amongst the hustle and bustle. I’ve even been fortunate enough to sit at a few show live – although never front row….

Through the sea of video and digital razzle dazzle as each brand tries to out do the other – I come across a few reels that truly strike an emotional chord or enhance my viewpoint on fashion, life and imagination.  This Chanel series does just that.

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#FilmContestforall: @LouisVuitton

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I am always all about any opportunities for a complete unknown to rise up into the echelons of high fashion using their wit, creativity and hard work.  @LouisVuitton recently launched the 2012 Journeys Awards where they ask entrants to create a short film outlining their interpretation of a journey.  This year they are also adding the twist to have filmmakers explore the idea of an “encounter.”  They explain:

An encounter. It is part of every journey.

An illuminating experience

A face to face with reality

A confrontation with destiny

A celebration of the unknown

Anywhere, anytime

Now

What will you encounter?

Where will life take you ?

Why do I love it?  The key to this is that ANYONE can enter and I would love to see all of the potential creativity that you all could express in the next 70 days before the films are due for entry.

#fashionfilmforall

Insider View: Landing a Fashion Internship

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Photo Credit: Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times

And @LorraineELLE keeps on giving…. Almost as soon as I pushed out my last post “Insider View: Interviewing for a Job in Fashion” Lorraine (we are on a first name basis now since I love her blog…2012 goal is to now meet her in person) sent out another great guide on what she looks for in an intern. For many, this is the first step out of school to becoming the next great fashion genius and @CFDA award winner.  Here’s what she had to say:

What do I look for they asked? It struck me you may want to know, too. So listen up would-be editor-in-chiefs:

  • Have passion and enthusiasm. If you want to intern at ELLE, you need to love every aspect of fashion and be prepared to work hard. This means doing the not-so-good bits alongside the very exciting ones. An ELLE intern who works in our fashion department is likely to go on a cover shoot in LA, but she’s also going to spend a week in our fashion cupboard returning all the clothes called in for a shoot to press agencies and designers.
  • Keep your feet on the ground. This is not a fictional world like Ugly Betty or The Devil Wears Prada. This is a business like any other, we have hundreds of pages to fill each month, so we need people who will make that possible.
  • There is a time and a place to ask for an internship. Twitter, for example, is not the place to ask. Email a letter and explain why I would choose you over other candidates. Keep it short and to the point.
  • Be specific about what department you want to work in and what you’ll bring to the table. Simply saying: ‘I have a month to fill with work experience, can I come to you?’ does not impress an editor.
  • Don’t apply to intern at businesses that you don’t love dearly – you’ll get bored and not give the best impression of yourself.
  • Intern across a business you’re interested in. You never know, you may want to be a fashion assistant but, actually, excel in the magazine’s marketing department.
  • Be persistent and say yes to everything, go that one step further. You don’t have to be a big personality, but if you’re the intern that does the coffee run and comes up with a brilliant new system of storing things in the fashion cupboard you’ll be remembered.
  • Be polite. Always.
  • Be patient and think ahead. You won’t reach the top immediately, but you will get there quicker if you are a joy to work with and you react well to everything that is going on around you. Never be afraid of putting ideas forward in a measured and intelligent way.

I started as an intern on a local newspaper when it was my dream to be a journalist and eventually edit magazines. And I now employ a team of interns, all of whom have a valid voice in the creation of this magazine. I told the film crew today, much to their surprise, that I learn as much from those below me, interns especially, as I do from those more experienced above me. Every generation of young people brings a new outlook to a publication like ELLE and I welcome that.

#gogetemtiger

Insider View: Interviewing for a Job in Fashion

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@LorraineELLE

I recently read a nice little blog post by the enigmatic @LorraineELLE – Editor-in-Chief of UK ELLE and pictured above in a fantastic @dolcegabbana ensemble.  In it, she gives out the best advice I’ve seen on dressing for an interview in the fashion biz.  Many of us dream about this opportunity and when the moment finally arrives to go prove out fashion chops, end up frozen in fear standing in front of our closets or overdoing it and looking like @ladygaga.  Here are her tips:

  • Keep the outfit simple but add a styling twist that shows you’ve given it some thought. This makes you individual. You can do it with jewellery or other accessories. I love it when I interview someone with a bag I haven’t seen before or great shoes, for example. But don’t wear anything you are uncomfortable in.
  • There’s a lot to be said for great hair. And subtle but smart make-up. An interview is not the time to try a new lippy or show your love of a Lady Gaga fake eyelash.
  • Research your subject and prospective employer well. I have had people tell me they haven’t read the latest issue of ELLE, believe it or not.
  • Be specific in all your answers and arrive with an ideas list for the role. Every answer you give should be quantifiable with data and facts to back it up. Of course you love ELLE if you’re here for a job, there’s no point telling me that. Tell me why specifically: refer to features that you like and name projects or shoots we have done that have inspired you. Don’t be vague, have an opinion. Do this with your prospective employer and be familiar with their competitors, too.
  • Don’t write a character description on your CV. It’s just you saying what you’re like and that is not scientific – your traits cannot be proven. This really irritates me because it’s meaningless. You may say you have great leaderships skills but others may disagree. And I don’t care what your hobbies are either.
  • If I ask you what your star sign is you know it’s time to go and we won’t be meeting again!

Great words of advice to simplify the decisions you make to create an impressive picture for an interview.  So many of us either underwhelm or overwhelm, it’s nice to see a method to find a balance between the two.

#helpingmytwitteristas

Virtual Fashion History: Valentino

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Favorite view

 

I always get a little jealous when I hear about a new Fashion Exhibition opening up Paris, Madrid or London.  I wish I could just whisk myself away tout de suite and attend the opening night.  I think the museums are starting to catch on as exhibited by the fantastic new Valentino Garavani Virtual Museum that any guy or gal can download to your Mac or PC.

The entire experience immerses you in a virtual reality museum filled with rooms and rooms of fantastic Valentino design archives, photos and additional historical details.  I have a screenshot above of one of my favorite views as I wandered about.

#downloadit

#outsidercommentary: Chris Benz Studio

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Very proud today to launch my YouTube page with three short videos from my self guided tour of the Chris Benz Studio.  @cmbenz has always been a favorite person to visit, graciously welcoming, always ready to trade ideas and stories plus his team is extraordinarily innovative and tech savvy which gets my inner nerd glowing.  I was incredibly bummed to miss out on on buying his latest collaboration with the CFDA + Ebay yesterday when his “You Can’t Fake Fashion” bag sold out in a nanosecond   Enjoy taking a look at his gorgeous studio that could inspire even the most dour curmudgeon.

I hope to show you more studio tours, casual interviews and other insider views in the coming months. #staytuned

Idol Fascination: @KarlLagerfeld

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There are many icons to idolize in the fashion world. Unreachable, influential demi-gods and goddesses who fly around the world and live an insiders life.  But with the advent of the digital age, these people are more and more subject to media recording their lives.  I love the inside look on how these folks work; the way they think, how they speak to each other and their demeanor.  I like to think that if I ever get the chance to meet any of them one day, this is my prep for the experience.

Here’s @KarlLagerfeld working with Carine Roitfeld on the “Little Black Jacket” phot series for his upcoming book “The Little Black Jacket: Chanel’s Classic Revisited” coming out this fall.  Don’t be distracted by the star studded cast of models – it’s the interactions and descriptions from Karl and Carine that steal the show.

#covet

In Praise of: Imperfection

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In fashion and in life there always seems to be this emphasis on perfection.  I think about it every morning as I get ready for work and spend a large quantity of time on my shower, complexion, make-up, hair, look of the day and accessories. Every piece of me needs effort and I feel the pressure to keep myself looking polished as the day progresses.

The fashion industry is also obviously obsessed with perfection as evidenced by the enhanced photos, overproduced videos and massive teams who work on the models, stars and each other for events.  It’s all we see in magazines, online and on the television and it’s what we expect from each other.  There are books, dissertations and endless analysis on the topic.

What delights me the most though is the messy.  The pieces that don’t always fit and the details that make me feel like a “real” girl.  The flyaways, smudges, loose threads and freckles.  The shredded hem, loose strap, natural lashes and mismatched shoes.  Why don’t we celebrate the imperfect more and try to embrace it?

From here on out I am going to have one messy thing about my look every day – no exactly hard to do, but the key is that I am going to choose it (like my messy hair above), love it and flaunt it.  What’s your favorite #fashionmessy?