Tuesday 6 September 2011

Change is good.

After a long summer break from university, I decided to change my course to Fashion Branding & Marketing.  I felt a course that was more strategic would be a better suit for my way of thinking & attitude to work. I will be entering second year and although slightly nervous to be a 'newbee' again, I am excited to see what may be in store for me! 


Over the summer, I have be working on a new CV & trying to figure out where I would like to apply to intern or gain work experience from next.  The new CV will be up on here shortly!


From my glamour internship in Easter, I have seen my own work published in print & also online.  It is so rewarding to see your own work feature in one of the best women's mags!
Check out http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/magazine/glamour-work-experience-blog/charlotte-spencer-blog


Thanks GLAMOUR!

Monday 23 May 2011

Laid back downtown New York.

Whilst wandering the streets of the Lower East side in New York it seemed appropriate to take a few snaps of what the stylish shop assistants were wearing and of course take a few tips for my own wardrobe!





How do I describe New York fashion? Casual & Laid-back.  There is a most definite air of effortless amongst these fashionistas with warmth being a very important factor.  Love the cosy knit ware! 


And the winner is....


Tuesday 10 May 2011

My Glamour internship...


Switching from uni life to a “London intern” was nerve racking but looking back I adapted quickly.  Commuting to London was a learning curve and after fretting about what impression I would make was pleasantly surprised at how the Glamour girls accepted little old me.  After all, they have seen lots of interns and my inner self was saying they were probably all better.  Self deprecation isn’t a bad thing as well as first day nerves, they all help you strike the right impression.  I did wonder though if I had done the right thing, as I was missing two weeks of term but as my uni lecturer says, this type of experience is absolutely vital to making your degree worthwhile.

I know it is common knowledge that you will be told not to worry about what you are wearing but I, of course did.  With a little help from my Mum – she is good at knowing what not to wear and there’s nothing like a Mum to give you the truth.   I settled for a peach chiffon frill blouse, a pair of khaki paper bag trousers and a tan pair of loafers to compliment my trusty Mulberry!  One thing to note; commuting requires a comfort factor which I quickly adapted to by choosing comfy shoes and taking heels to change into. 


I saw this issue right from the start in the dummy folder all they way to print on the shop shelf!


Week One

Wow!  I am exhausted after a few days into my first week and can see now how much energy goes into all the pages of Glamour.  Task number one was to conduct a poll in Oxford Street.  Sounds easy but when faced with pouring rain and a few cold shoulders; it was a pretty taxing task.  I had to ask three questions aimed at women who were likely “Glamour” candidates and record my findings for the features team.  I learnt as I went along that if I sounded confident I would be able to get these women to really open up.

OMG have been asked to find a pink watering can – needed for photo shoot.  As I am not an avid gardener was slightly panicked by this.  But hey, a little help from the Daily Mail’s YOU magazine pointed me to Sarah Raven’s products on line and voilà, mission accomplished.  I also requested a seedling tray to loan and both items were sent off to the photographer for a feature on money.
Later on in the week I saw the finished feature up on the wall and was proud to see my contribution.

I now know what a “dummy run” is – each month the pages in the dummy mag are updated with all the new stockists.  I am amazed at how much I have learnt by the first week.


Week Two

Something I have learnt is that in this industry if you want to progress you need a good address book.  It is all about talking to as many people as you can.  As nervous as I was, I made myself approach the Events Manager, for GQ and Glamour, Michelle Russell, as I was intent on introducing myself.  I have a real interest in fashion events and knew that I could not miss the opportunity to get myself known to her.   I am glad the nerves did not take the better of me, as she was a warm and friendly person who instantly sat down with me and gave me valuable advice and tips.

Even a Glamour girl would not miss out on a sweet treat in the afternoon to accompany a cup of tea, so I headed down to Selfridges with the editor’s special card to get two boxes of free Krispy Kreme Donuts.  It meant half an hour more in the gym for me that night, as I could not resist one!
Yum!

I gained a good idea of the techniques for interviewing celebrities because I transcribed the recordings for the entertainment editor.  It was great cos’ I got a sneak preview of the WOTY awards winners.  But, that’s for me to know and you to find out…

I wish I had taken some tips from my weekend job waitressing at weddings because that would have prepared me for my next task – flower arranging.  I was given a budget and headed to Fortnum and Mason, which I thought was a safe option.  I didn’t then realise that I had to arrange them for Jo, the Editor, who was being filmed at her desk and needed a floral creation.  So I panicked, may be a little too much, at the thought of my creation being on TV, and having made a phone call to Mum was feeling a little more confident with the bouquet I had chosen.  However, Sophie, the PA, commented that it looked a little Christmasy and slightly wild.  Panic reappeared and so I tried to frantically create a summer creation.  Joined in the kitchen by a member of the Art Team, I recovered what could have been a disaster and we managed to redress the situation.   It was just my luck that a beautiful bouquet arrived from Mulberry quite coincidently and really did show up my amateur floristry skills.  Is the WI looking for younger members?


Week Three

Really pleased that I have involved my family into this internship (I’m not so sure they are though!)– Dad is dropping me off at the station, Mum helps with the daily outfits and the big brothers are good for testing out Glamour ideas. 

A competition to win a celebrity handbag was an insight – have you ever wondered who wins these competitions and whether they really do happen.  Well they do and I parcelled out a Daisy Lowe, Eliza Doolittle, Kat Deeley, Kylie and Jessie J handbag full of goodies.  How lucky were they to receive these. 

Kylie's handbag

The Beauty Department also needed help with finding matching lipsticks in a box full of more lipsticks that I have seen in my life!  I had to then get in touch with the press offices to check the prices – it was quite odd calling up and saying, “Hello, this is Charlotte calling from Glamour magazine” – might I just add, the number one women’s magazine in Britain!

A girl and especially a Glamour girl can never have enough beauty aids, so when I was invited to a sale in one of the other Conde Nast offices where everything was on offer for 50p, it was a dream come true!

Week Four

Oh yes, I must mention my celebrity spotting – Dermot O’Leary – on one of my daily walks running errands to either Vogue House or on a Pret run to pick up a few Flat whites for the office. 

This week took me out and about taking candid camera shots and short face-to-face interviews in and around Oxford Street for the next Vox Pops feature.  I was on a manhunt but as Scarlett joked, that was fine just as long as I actually did the Vox Pops too!  Quite nervous about doing this at first but really enjoyed the challenge and surprised at how most people are very receptive to giving you info, even men!

Really getting into the stride of commuting to London and have even taken to reading the evening Standard and Metro, morning and night – a first for me.

Week Five

The highlight of this week was my invitation to go on a photo shoot with Emma, from the Picture’s Team.  I stayed up in London with a friend so that I could get to Finsbury Park easily.  The shoot was at a photographers house, very shabby chic and gorgeous.  Learnt a lot, I helped steam the clothes, pick up breakfast and lunch from M&S and I really enjoyed meeting the models, even though the male model was two hours late!  Can’t wait to see the two features in print!

On the last day I decided to end my Glamour internship with some little cup cakes from Fortnum and Mason.  Very fitting for a Glamour Girl…

Finally, intern is the wrong word for my work experience – doesn’t it mean detained, restricted or confined.  On the contrary, I felt stimulated, appreciated and motivated and loved every minute of being there.


Look out for the August issue for my vox pop article!





Friday 29 April 2011

Wednesday 27 April 2011

a lighter shade of pale...

It seems summer has arrived. After the scorching temperatures at the weekend it is time to embrace the sunshine and tuck those dark colours to the back of your wardrobe. Your wardrobe this summer should be an even lighter shade of pale.

Pretty florals work great with spring denim - mix & match is key for this trend.

Sunday 3 April 2011

Cherry picking my wardrobe...

As I walked along Bond street today on my way to Vogue house to pick up a disc of images from the library, something fruity occurred to me.  It seems that this spring everyone will be cherry picking their wardrobe.  The fruity trend is Kitsch yet obnoxious and complements perfectly the colour blocking trend.  The cherry print looks lovely with denim - a printed playsuit with a denim shirt is a great combination for a summer day.



£170.00

But, its not just cherries, every fruit is popping up, enough so to make a whole fruit salad!  
Quite simply - Fruit is fashion.






Charlotte Dellal, the designer behind the Charlotte Olympia shoe brand, is quite the tutti frutti.  The heels are decorated with interlaced pineapples, bananas, strawberries and watermelons. The collection also includes a banana bag.

Tuesday 29 March 2011

GLAMOUR

It is the start of my 4 weeks at Glamour magazine in London.  


I am working on Old bond street and commuting everyday.


It seems surreal, but after just 2 days, I am already feeling quite at ease with the fast pace of London and interning at Britain's No1 women's magazine!  I answer the phone with a 'Hello Glamour', have sneak previews of the next issues, research for the features & entertainment team and not to forget go on the good old tea run!


Today's highlight - brought home the May 2011 issue before it has even made the shelves!... not that i'll be giving anything away on here.

'Is your Dad a drug dealer? 'Cause these photos are dope!

These photos are a translation of today's cool...


I stumbled across this LA based brand Stampd' whilst researching for Uni work. 


I've been thinking for a while about why I like these images... they relate very little to me and yet I love them.  The crisp black and white definition cries laid back cool, in a scene that is something I am not familiar with. I am certainly not 'dope'.












A selection of accessories & footwear from 'Dope' by Stampd'.  

http://www.stampdla.com/shop/

Tuesday 22 February 2011

101 Dalmatians...

Here come the... Dalmatians!


Topshop Unique A/W 11 hit the runway with 'a feast of 1930s big city Americana'.
With Cruella De Vil as the collection's style icon, models flooded the catwalk with dalmatian spots, puppy noses & poodle - esque topknots. 















I am too excited for the collection to reach the shops - 'a patchwork of old world glamour meets modern cool'. 


http://www.fashionising.com/pictures/b--Cruella-De-Vil-a-Unique-inspiration-6091.html

Friday 21 January 2011

Camel & brights...

It seems ironic that I come back to University where I am studying Fashion and I loose inspiration for my blog. 
I am taking a break from my 2,000 word marketing report on Barbour to make a post.


My love affair with Camel it seems is following me very much into 2011 - its time to pair the neutral with the bright, the alkaline with the acid...








Check out this - http://fujifiles.blogspot.com/2010/12/street-style-camel-color.html

Monday 17 January 2011

"Dancer in the dark"

I absolutely love this photo shoot with Nylon mag and Mila Kunis. 
I watched the 'Black Swan' last night - I have to admit not exactly what I expected but still a great film.  "As taut as a ligament, it's a gripping thriller with astonishing performances" (Luke Crisell, Nylon).






Mila Kunis is beautiful - you can't help but notice her twiggy-like eyes first.  They are huge.
Photos - Melodie Mcdaniel 

Thursday 13 January 2011

Thongs = Weapons of ass destruction! (Company Magazine)

"The thong should have been left on sumo wrestlers.  It's like dental floss for the arse." - Jameela, Company Magazine.


I concur.

Legwear


My graphic leggings...














Leggings - Bershka
Blouse - Charity shop
Fur gillet - US charity shop


My lace socks....






Black crop top - Greece
Black lace waistcoat - Urban Outfitters
High waisted shorts - Resurrection vintage clothing
Lace socks - Primark