The aftermath of New York fashion week doesn't really exist. The offices have been slow for about 3 weeks for many, but not myself. Most of the editors are out of town visiting Milan, Paris and London for their array of fashion shows, so there really isn't many sample traffic within the offices and closet. This is also the time when a lot of assistants take short vacations pretty much because its the only opportunity they get away from the higher executives all year.
My task while the editors were away was to create "look books" of ALL the shows. We started this after New York fashion week ended because it was so busy with everything happening centered around the actual office, so it's been very hectic. I have to find every show of every city that has occurred, transfer the pictures into a computer file and rename them all according to what look they were on the runway. For instance, if I were to label the third look that came down the runway of Yigal's show as the fourth this could cause detrimental problems when the editors are ordering particular styles for photoshoots and other editorial pieces. So although this seems tedious and never ending, its VERY important to remain detail oriented and not lose concentration.
After all of the looks were gathered into folders on the computer and renamed according to their style numbers, they have to be printed in a specific style that fits the editor's visual needs. After they are printed (which takes FOREVER) everything gets sleeved to protect the photos and organized alphabetically according to location. Everything is then labeled and organized on the shelves. This process is repeated for each individual editor. I was in charge of doing these for CW and NG.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Behind the Scene
So along with my gained knowledge of organizing fashion week, working on schedules and attending shows I was also lucky enough to work behind stage at one of the shows.
I've been trying to network with as many individuals as possible while working here, because as I've come to learn it is definitely all about who you know. A fantastic resume can't hurt, but if you're name isn't out there in the industry even by the slightest the chances of landing a dream job are very slim.
So I contacted a friend of mine I met through my study abroad experience and asked if she knew of any way to be more involved with fashion week. As it turns out she did! I came in contact with one of the PR companies that works to set up the fashion shows and was able to work Sunday evening of NYC fashion week. This included the Custo Barcelona show and Tommy Hilfiger, among others. I am so mad I missed the DVF show!
Anyways, I entered through the back area of Lincoln Center this time, which in itself was a very interesting experience. This is where all the celebrities, VIP, models, staff and press enter. At one point standing backstage I turned to my left and Anna Wintour was standing directly next to me. I looked across the way and Andre Leon Talley was undeniably giving his famous opinions towards the nights events. Later in the night I bumped arms with Rosario Dawson. It's so strange to think how these individuals are all just real people like you and I, because I know I personally place them on a pedestal, but how can you not when you look at all they've accomplished in their life?
I was backstage for a while in the hair and makeup areas as dozens of models were being dolled up. There were fancy beverage and hor d'ourves stations and photographers galore.
After making it through the maze of backstage scenery I entered through the main stage into the seating area. We organized and preset all the programs and labels for the seats. Then I was put in charge of the fashion GPS sign in's and checked in all the individuals for the shows. There were PLENTY of people coming up who didn't have tickets which became really awkward because you don't want to be harsh or mean towards people but in all honestly you can't let them in without a ticket. There was even a girl I worked with that came in trying to get a ticket, which I inevitably had to deny because the show was full.
I am so lucky to have been able to see all facets of New York fashion week from viewing an actual show, to organizing schedules to seating individuals and being backstage. It's something I'll never forget and I'm sure it won't be the last time I'm involved in the events of fashion week.
I've been trying to network with as many individuals as possible while working here, because as I've come to learn it is definitely all about who you know. A fantastic resume can't hurt, but if you're name isn't out there in the industry even by the slightest the chances of landing a dream job are very slim.
So I contacted a friend of mine I met through my study abroad experience and asked if she knew of any way to be more involved with fashion week. As it turns out she did! I came in contact with one of the PR companies that works to set up the fashion shows and was able to work Sunday evening of NYC fashion week. This included the Custo Barcelona show and Tommy Hilfiger, among others. I am so mad I missed the DVF show!
Anyways, I entered through the back area of Lincoln Center this time, which in itself was a very interesting experience. This is where all the celebrities, VIP, models, staff and press enter. At one point standing backstage I turned to my left and Anna Wintour was standing directly next to me. I looked across the way and Andre Leon Talley was undeniably giving his famous opinions towards the nights events. Later in the night I bumped arms with Rosario Dawson. It's so strange to think how these individuals are all just real people like you and I, because I know I personally place them on a pedestal, but how can you not when you look at all they've accomplished in their life?
I was backstage for a while in the hair and makeup areas as dozens of models were being dolled up. There were fancy beverage and hor d'ourves stations and photographers galore.
After making it through the maze of backstage scenery I entered through the main stage into the seating area. We organized and preset all the programs and labels for the seats. Then I was put in charge of the fashion GPS sign in's and checked in all the individuals for the shows. There were PLENTY of people coming up who didn't have tickets which became really awkward because you don't want to be harsh or mean towards people but in all honestly you can't let them in without a ticket. There was even a girl I worked with that came in trying to get a ticket, which I inevitably had to deny because the show was full.
I am so lucky to have been able to see all facets of New York fashion week from viewing an actual show, to organizing schedules to seating individuals and being backstage. It's something I'll never forget and I'm sure it won't be the last time I'm involved in the events of fashion week.
FASHION WEEK
First of all, you might as well refer to it as "Fashion Month". The New York fashion scene has been so frantic for a solid two months that I feel as if I'm almost having an outer body experience.
In the office the interns are completely in charge of all scheduling duties for around 10 editors. This year in the fashion world, in an attempt to be more "green" the PR agencies and fashion houses have implemented a new scheduling system called Fashion GPS. This is basically similar to a bar code and it can be scanned for easy access to confirming attendance at shows and obtaining seats upon arrivals.
It's very interesting to see the fashion show set up from a first hand perspective. I've learned a lot about designer prestige and societal rankings of fashion designers, PR firms and editorial employees. It's interesting to note the scandals and secrets behind receiving fashion week invitations. There is definitely a lot of hard work that goes into organizing show times, a lot of drama and office politics and a lot of hand-me-down invitations available.
When it comes to excess invitations it's interesting how they get divided up. Some of the invitations get traded between editors, some get passed down to the features side of the office and others get distributed to us interns. Apparently a lot of other magazines and fashion firms do not give invitations to interns so freely, but overall at MC a majority of the interns got to see at least one show.
I remember I was in the office and it was towards the end of the day when things were wrapping up and one of the editors pulled me aside and asked me if I wanted to go to a show. Without even questioning which show it was of course I immediately accepted the invite! The show ended up being Cynthia Rowley, which couldn't have been more perfect since the last time I visited New York she was one of the designer's studios that I personally toured and I even got to meet her and her design team.
The show was amazing and exactly as I had imagined. However it was interesting to note how small the actual venue of the stage was. Lincoln Park was more amazing than ever, it was one of the most gorgeous set ups I have seen and one couldn't help but feel famous with the dozens of camera crews and bloggers everywhere taking everyone's pictures, including mine, and inquiring to what individuals thought of the shows. With the mixture of the lights, music, celebrities (I saw Julia Stiles!) it truly was a dream come true.
All of these events and hard work have only reassured me that I am in the right field and doing exactly what I should be doing with my life. I asked my friend the other day what he would do if he were rich and didn't have to work another day in his life. I couldn't help but feel saddened to his response of "nothing but lay on a beach", because I know that if I were in the same position I would only immerse myself further into the world of fashion.
In the office the interns are completely in charge of all scheduling duties for around 10 editors. This year in the fashion world, in an attempt to be more "green" the PR agencies and fashion houses have implemented a new scheduling system called Fashion GPS. This is basically similar to a bar code and it can be scanned for easy access to confirming attendance at shows and obtaining seats upon arrivals.
It's very interesting to see the fashion show set up from a first hand perspective. I've learned a lot about designer prestige and societal rankings of fashion designers, PR firms and editorial employees. It's interesting to note the scandals and secrets behind receiving fashion week invitations. There is definitely a lot of hard work that goes into organizing show times, a lot of drama and office politics and a lot of hand-me-down invitations available.
When it comes to excess invitations it's interesting how they get divided up. Some of the invitations get traded between editors, some get passed down to the features side of the office and others get distributed to us interns. Apparently a lot of other magazines and fashion firms do not give invitations to interns so freely, but overall at MC a majority of the interns got to see at least one show.
I remember I was in the office and it was towards the end of the day when things were wrapping up and one of the editors pulled me aside and asked me if I wanted to go to a show. Without even questioning which show it was of course I immediately accepted the invite! The show ended up being Cynthia Rowley, which couldn't have been more perfect since the last time I visited New York she was one of the designer's studios that I personally toured and I even got to meet her and her design team.
The show was amazing and exactly as I had imagined. However it was interesting to note how small the actual venue of the stage was. Lincoln Park was more amazing than ever, it was one of the most gorgeous set ups I have seen and one couldn't help but feel famous with the dozens of camera crews and bloggers everywhere taking everyone's pictures, including mine, and inquiring to what individuals thought of the shows. With the mixture of the lights, music, celebrities (I saw Julia Stiles!) it truly was a dream come true.
All of these events and hard work have only reassured me that I am in the right field and doing exactly what I should be doing with my life. I asked my friend the other day what he would do if he were rich and didn't have to work another day in his life. I couldn't help but feel saddened to his response of "nothing but lay on a beach", because I know that if I were in the same position I would only immerse myself further into the world of fashion.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Puzzles
I thought I'd give a little example of a typical "run" at Marie Claire.
Mission- Go to Rachel Roy and pick up sample dresses for a photo shoot... not as easy as it sounds, however, here's how it went:
First of all, I'd just like to reiterate how AMAZING hopstop is and how I'd be lost without it. Also, New Yorkers are much friendlier than made out to be, if you even look the slightest bit puzzled they will ask you if you need assistance.
Okay, so given the address I hopstop my way to the location on my phone. Two transfers later and I'm headed eastbound on Broadway in attempt to get the amazing spring collection gowns. Upon entering the building there are 3 banks of elevators all divided by specific floors. I find Rachel Roy on the directory and head up to the 50th floor via elevator bank 3. I get up there and it's literally abandoned besides a small Asian man sewing clothing samples. He lets me into the office and I wander until I find someone who looks like they are a sales representative. I finally find someone and they tell me I need to go to Rachel by Rachel Roy on the 14th floor, but in order to do this I must first go back to the lobby so I can transfer to elevator bank number 1.
I do all of this and finally arrive on the 14th floor only to find a sign with an arrow pointing in two directions, one saying "Rachel Roy" and the other saying "messengers and pick ups". I head in the direction of "pick-ups" and there is a sign on the door saying to go to the Rachel Roy door and buzz the number of the person I need to speak to. I go to the door and there's a note for the person I need to find saying to go back towards the elevator to a door on the opposite side entitled "Creative Directors". I get to this door and the intercom to buzz people is broken. I find a random phone on the wall and dial an extension that matches the name of the individual I am looking for. She answers and tells me to go back to the first door I was originally at directly behind me.
Talk about stressful...
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
it's all who you know.
The subMercer, Spitzers, Pianos, Budakan, Stout, Balthazar, Kiss & Fly, Blind Barber, Veranda, Highline Ballroom... all I can say is I'm living the good life :)
subMercer
Budakan
Kiss & Fly
subMercer
Budakan
Kiss & Fly
SAG AWARDS 2011
Glee Favorite Lea Michele in Oscar de la Renta
New-to-spotlight Mila Kunis in Alexander McQueen
Dictator of Taste & Style
After a first week of mundane, tedious and repetitive tasks I finally feel as if I've arrived. I'm into the groove of things and at the top of my game among a sea of my competitive fashion hungry peers. Working Monday through Friday 9AM-9PM doesn't even have a negative connotation, I love fashion and I love being surrounded by it on a daily basis.
Although I still continue with the day to day chores of receiving and filing invoices and returns, packing/unpacking trunks for photoshoots and organizing couture, I've reached a level of maturity at the publication and in turn I've been rewarded with minor perks and added responsibilities- the only direction to go from here is up. Not to mention the fact that on one of my runs the other day I gave directions to someone, which leads me to question, am I finally a real New Yorker?
Yesterday there was a photo shoot occurring at SunWest Studios and today there was another at Milk Studios. A crisis arrived on the set of the Menswear shoot yesterday where the preordered suits didn't fit the male models as planned. I was immediately sent to Brooks Brothers with the company credit card with a list of colors and model sizes, where I then picked out suit styles to take to the photo shoot. The set was surreal and exactly as I had imagined. Fresh, crisp settings with fancy photographers and insanely skinny women, endless hor d'ourves and various choices of sparkling sodas and bottled waters. Among the most glorious items I spotted on set were a pair of teal suede Christian Louboutin scaled pumps and a seventy-nine thousand dollar canary diamond Tiffany's ring. I was in awe simply being in the same room with this art.
Today at Heart Towers Seventeen Magazine was hosting an PR event in relation to the "Got Milk" campaign. In a matter of an hour the entire second floor lobby area by the elevators was transformed into the likeness of a small Hollywood premier. Photographers everywhere, people lined up outside the doors and press wistfully documenting every moment of the evening's events. Julianne Hough, the current cover model of Seventeen Magazine and new face of "Got Milk" was present.
I was also sent in a cab to pick up a cuff that had been shot in studio D for the magazine and a watch that was a personal item of JC. I couldn't help but feel important transporting items of such significance to someone so high up in the publication world.
I was also one of two interns able to stay in the closet during a pod cast shoot of one of the fashion editors, ZR, which is then distributed throughout the fashion community and featured online through Marie Claire's website.
To top these past few work days off, I ended today sitting at the desk of another fashion editor, CW, and working to complete returns from a photoshoot on her computer. Of course I sat back, relaxed, looked around and couldn't help but dream that one day this would be me, a real fashion editor- choosing models, designing fashion editorials, styling photoshoots and dictating the future tastes and styles of thousands and thousands of hopeful girls...
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