I'm an ASOS Insider!!!

A short while ago (I've been rather busy recently so I've completely lost track of time) I applied online at ASOS to join their Access All ASOS team. Obviously I never thought I'd actually become one and I totally forgot about it, but then yesterday I received an email to tell me that I'd been successful!

For those of you that don't know, Access All ASOS is the opportunity for a selection of their most loyal fans to gain access to the latest news and information from ASOS. This includes their new collections, chances to visit ASOS HQ and supposedly the odd freebie or discounts. Sounds appealing, right?

I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of this and I really hope I get the opportunity to take part in some of the stuff they have on offer. It's only just kicked off, but I hope to let you know if I get to participate in any of these amazing events. Applications for 2013 have now closed, but they'll be taking on more applications next year so keep your eyes peeled!

Step Up New Look

New Look has slipped under my radar for quite some time now, but after browsing around on their website and nipping in to store a few weeks ago, my system is blinking and telling me that this is going to become my new go-to shop for affordable but on trend pieces!

Many of my shopping hours have been spent frustrated over how expensive the likes of Topshop and Urban Outfitters are, but never satisfied with the replicas that the likes of Primark offer. Enter New Look. I'm a fan of the prices, the quality and the clothes! Should I feel bad that I've always underestimated this brand? Well, here's how I'm making up for it. I've pulled together a tonne of style surprises from their website, which I wouldn't be surprised to find in the more expensive, edgy high street shops.  

1. Chunky Black Heels

2. Chiffon Cami

3. Asymmetric Wrap Skirt

4. Black Embroidered Dress

5. Biker Coat

6. Geometric A-Line Skirt

7. Jacquard High Neck Cami

8. Chunky Gladiator Sandals

I already own the two cami's. I thought that £18 for the one's in Topshop were a bit too expensive for just a simple vest, but the £5 one's in Primark were a really odd fit. So I was met in the middle by New Look who offered me this chiffon cami for just £10. I've also been a bit of a jacquard fan recently, so the other vest was perfect for me!!

I'm in love with both pairs of shoes, and they look like something you'd spot in Topshop!! The dress featured is also the spit of this Urban Outfitters dress that I was lusting over for months but refused to part with £52 for.

How do you feel about New Look? Are there any other stores that you underestimated for some time?

Kimono Krazy!

Fabulously flowy, delightfully delicate and beautifully bohemian! I'm in love with this oriental inspired trend. To be honest, I love anything that's going to add a bit of a boho vibe to an outfit, and with the glorious weather we're having at the moment, minus the terrestrial rain, the next-to-nothing material and loose fit is perfect to avoid any unattractive sweating, whilst still looking like the cool kids at Coachella. 

Kimonos are available practically everywhere at the moment, and you'll find them in all sorts of styles, from the traditional oriental florals to bang-on-trend modern neons! Here's a round up of my favourite kimonos to suit all occasions, as well as how I styled up my own knitted version!

Formal

1. Black Lace Kimono - New Look, £19.99

2. Blazer Kimono - ASOS, £40

3. Mono Kimono Jacket - Urban Outfitters, £50

 Modern

1. Lime Embroidered Kimono - Topshop, £65

2. Blue Mandala Print Kimono - Motel or ASOS, £45

3. Vintage Floral Kimono - ASOS, £65

4. Textured Stripe Kimono - ASOS, £50

Traditional 

1. Bird Print Kimono - Topshop, £55

2. Oriental Kimono - Miss Selfridge, was £55 now £30

3. Canton Kimono - Motel, £48

And here's how I styled my Topshop knitted kimono. I love the burnt orange colour!!

What's your opinion on kimono's? Love the oriental look, or think they're best left for fancy dress?

Intern Diaries: Week 2

The tasks for my second week as an intern were similar from the first week. The whole internship has involved a lot of social media. I'm happy I get such a big role when it comes to this and I am completely trusted to update all the social networking websites with whatever I want! I even set the brand up with a Lookbook account. 

Here's how my week went:

Day 1 - The first day of the week saw us photographing all the shoes we didn't get the chance to shoot at the weekend. We also made a fun little video of us dancing around in the shoes. There was some seriously funky footwork going on! Only a few of the shoes were my size so I don't think I can quite call myself a foot model just yet.

Day 2 - I had to upload pictures of all the sale items to our Facebook and Pinterest pages. This was a pretty tedious task but I guess it's the interns job to do all the nitty gritty stuff. I was also given the task of creating a few mood boards for the new collection whilst looking after the shop. We finally received the shots from the photo shoot at the weekend, so another tedious job was lined up - uploading all the items to ASOS Marketplace. Hurrah!

Day 3 - As well as becoming a foot model this week, I also gave hand bag and scarf modelling a try. All these pictures were also uploaded to ASOS Marketplace. More social media work was done, and it was today I set up the Lookbook account! I also started using their Chictopia account again which had been lying dormant for quite some time. 

Day 4 - My final day! Myself and some of the other interns spent the day in the shop whilst working on the brand's social media. We even got cake because it was on of the interns' birthdays over the weekend! It was a nice final day to have despite the weather welding my bottom to my seat! 

I really enjoyed my time and I feel like I learnt so much in such a short space of time. Of course I'd love to intern at bigger companies, but it's true that you get a real hands on experience on smaller brands because the team is so much smaller! Everyone was so friendly and I intend on going back for another two weeks later on in the holidays, but I need to time to relax and catch up on my college work first!

Please leave any questions, I'd love to hear from you!!

Intern Diaries: The Photo-shoot

Don't get your hopes up thinking that this was some high end, glamorous photo shoot. It wasn't. All the prep was done in the tiny office, the shots were done just outside our building using only a camera, and we had about sixty different outfits with three different make-up looks on two different models to shoot in the space of about six hours. Talk about hectic!

My job was primarily just to carry the masses of clothes around with me to allow for super fast changing, with a few opinions on the styling and direction of the shoot thrown in. I found myself peering over the photographers shoulder to get a peep of the photos - and they looked fab! It's amazing what a bit of make-up, some natural light and a decent camera can do! They're gonna be the coolest shots on ASOS Marketplace - watch out!

It was great to be able to get so involved with the photo shoot, even though the brand is only small, and the team even tinier. I'd love to be able to experience a full on glam editorial for Vogue, but that's setting my hopes a little to high, don't ya think? Regardless, the whole day was so much fun and the lovely weather made it even better!

The shoot just consisted of product shots for ASOS Marketplace, so it was quite technical in that we had to show off the clothes accurately, with views from all angles, and we had to apply the no flash and no editing rules that ASOS enforce. We gathered quite a crowd! The professionals on the shoot such as the make-up artist and male model were confused as to why people found this interesting but it isn't something you see everyday! At least I haven't seen a shoot take place before. If I was one of them I'd be stopping and staring too! Heck, I'd put my jacket on the ground and sit and watch!!

It was a loooong day. I arrived at 10am, and didn't leave till 8pm. We weren't expecting it to take so long but it was well worth it. The shots look great, it was a fun day and I can now say I've assisted on a photoshoot. Win win all round!

Intern Diaries: Week 1

So I managed to land myself an internship (which are pretty damn hard to find up here in Manchester) with a small start up brand based in the city centre. I was really happy when I found out I'd got it, because I had no experience what so ever, and they always say the first internship is the hardest to get, probably for that reason. 

I'm only there for two weeks, but hopefully I can go back later on in the holidays for another two weeks (as I'm pretty sure my best friend and my boyfriend are on holiday at the same time which is going to be mega torture for me, I need to keep myself occupied). 

So here's what I did in the first week:

Day one: A nervous me walked in to the studio, but was pleasantly surprised to find that everyone there was very nice and friendly, and I wasn't given too big a task on my first day. Myself and the other interns (who had already been there for a a week or two before me) were given plain t-shirts to customise and let our creative juices flow. It was a nice relaxed first day.

Day two: We started off the day by sketching some designs for the new collection, and then we were sent out to snap some street style shots (wow, talk about alliteration!) which we were very unsuccessful with because it was really early and no one was about. :( I had to do little errands throughout the day like nipping to the bank, and putting stickers on a huge pile of lookbooks. Then I was given the task to create a print for the upcoming collection which I was really excited about, although the speed of the computer that I was working on made the experience rather frustrating, and the fact I was using macs which I've hardly used before. I was also sent to work in the shop they have in Affleck's for a couple of hours.

Day three: I spent the first half of the day working on the different social media websites the brand has which included making a Pinterest board, and a sort of 'steal her style' celebrity look sheet using pieces from the brand, which I then uploaded to their Facebook page. When I came back after my lunch break, a photo shoot for ASOS Marketplace was being organised which I helped with, then we all spent the rest of the day styling for the shoot which was so much fun!! I can't wait to actually attend the shoot and assist with everything! :D

Day four: Today was a very tiring day. I write this having just woken up from a nap. The morning was spent locating all the items that we needed for the shoot which was a huge task considering the amount of clothes that are crammed in to such a tiny office space. After this I was sent to work in the shop, where I spent my day on the laptop checking the social media sites, and I also got to create my 'pick of the week' from the items in store, as well as an outfit post on ASOS Fashion Finder and I also did some more designs for the upcoming collection. 

I think working for a small brand is really great because you get much more of a hands-on experience. I wasn't expecting to be given so much responsibility. I was half expecting to be stuck in a little corner with a list as long as my arm of mundane little tasks to do, but so far I feel like I've really contributed to the brand and learnt a lot. The hours are quite long, but I only work 4 days a week, and the experience is definitely worth it!

I hope you've enjoyed reading about the first week on my internship, and that this post wasn't too lengthy. I will have another post up by Monday talking about my experience on the photo shoot, and then another post up next Friday covering my second week as an intern! So please check back if you'd like to hear more!! :)

Please leave any questions or comments, I'd love to hear from you! xx

Britain And Ireland's Next Top Model is back!

I'm a huge fan of all the Next Top Model shows, and I am delighted to announce (even though you probably already knew) that BINTM is back for their 9th series after what seems like far too long a wait! After America's finishes, Britain's tends to start immediately after, but Next Top Model hasn't graced British screens in months and I almost died with anticipation! Fortunately, we were awarded for our wait with two episodes on Thursday! The second episode was especially exciting as they did a mock cover for my favourite magazine COMPANY!!

I already have my favourites, but it's early days and they may change after the girls have had their makeovers. 

My four favourties: 

Naomi - Because she looks like a typical model (and I seem to favour towards fellow blondes)

Jessica - I think she is adorable and I love her crazy hair

Laura - She's gorgeous once those glasses and piercings are removed

Sophie - I just really love her look

Did you watch BINTM on Thursday? Who are your favourite models? Leave a comment, I'd love to know!

Tune in to Britain & Ireland's Next Top Model, Thursdays at 9pm on Sky Living

Primark at ASOS

Ahhhhh Primark. When we're running low on funds we can always turn to you to find affordable clothing. But it usually involves hopping on a bus, and then spending an hour trawling through the chaos to find a few items that are on the non-tacky side of cheap, when really I'd much rather do all that from the comfort of my own bed. 

As you all probably know, Primark doesn't have a proper website where you can buy their clothes online *sad face*. Enter ASOS. Leading online fashion retailer ASOS has teamed up with Primark and are offering a few of their pieces to buy on their website, for a limited time *happy face*!  At the moment Primark is just 'testing the waters' as they say, and seeing how the sales go. Hopefully, all being well, ASOS will soon enough offer a large selection of Primark's finest so we can all get a bargain without having to step outside!

I am personally very excited about this as I usually divert away from Primark because I'm too lazy to search through the ugly stuff to find the real (knock off) gems. Being able to filter through everything online would make this whole process much quicker and easier, and we've all been craving an online Primark shop for far too long now!

Check it out here: http://www.asos.com/search/primark?hrd=1&q=primark&SearchSuggestUsed=true

What do you think of ASOS stocking Primark? Are you overjoyed, or do you think this ruins ASOS's reputation of quality fashion? Leave your thoughts in the comment box below. I'd love to hear from you!!

Controversial Issue: Unpaid Internships

For those of my readers who are looking in to a career in the fashion industry, or any industry for that matter, you will probably know that experience is key. You know that door people harp on about, the one you're aiming to get your foot through? The key is simply experience. But obviously experience isn't that easy to get. Otherwise every man and his (purse) dog would be diving head first through that door in to the stylish dream office, with the latest seasons clothes scattered about the place and male models wandering around half naked (or at least this is how I imagine it to be). 

If you can't get a job without having any experience, but you can't gain experience until you've had a job, then you're put in a bit of an awkward position. Everyone has to start somewhere. And this is the beauty of interning.

Many people say that internships are pretty scarce these days, but I think if you know where to look*, and particularly if you live in London, then it shouldn't be too much of an issue. But what about for those of us who don't live in London? Well, they're pretty tricky to find. And what about those of us who aren't even graduates yet? Even trickier. This is why I consider myself very lucky. I'm still at sixth form, and living in Manchester, but have managed to bag myself an internship for two weeks over the summer at a small brand, working on branding, advertising and imagery (as far as I'm aware). I'll keep you updated on this at the time. 

Now on to the controversial bit. As many of you will know, companies don't tend to pay their interns. At first, you may consider this as fair, as the intern has next to no previous experience, and really the company is doing them a favour. But with the more internships you take on, the more you will learn and the more responsibility you will be given, almost to the point where you're practically doing the job of someone who works there (or so I've heard). So where do we draw the line? Should interns be paid?

Many students coming out of uni can not afford to work for free, being up to their ears in debt and what not. But here's how I (and many others) see it; if the government starts forcing companies to pay their interns, they'll be less likely to offer them, meaning we have to sacrifice the already scarce opportunities to gain some first hand experience. As a result, industries will be even harder to break in to. Of course, there is always the option of a compromise. Whilst I was at the Company Fashion Forum, the speakers explained how it is against the law for a company to have an intern for more than a month without paying them. Now, I don't know how true this is, as from what I've seen from looking at other girls blogs, this 'law' isn't acknowledged everywhere. But maybe this would be a good in between ground? 

This whole topic was sparked slightly by my general studies exam today where I managed to slip this in as a bit of an argument for one of the questions. Sorry for the very 'word-y' post. 

*I highly recommend checking out fashionworkie.com and @ukfashionintern on Twitter. Also, job sites such as gumtree.com can be really good too.

What is your view on unpaid internships? Do you have any work experience opportunities that you have blogged about and would like to share? Leave a comment below, thanks.

May Wish List

It's just turned 11pm. I should be revising for my English Literature exam on Friday, but what was meant to be a half hour break somehow escalated in to me watching the Vampire Diaries, adding even more things to my watch list on eBay, and creating this blog post for you lovely readers! 

Paisley Playsuit - Topshop

White Dress - Urban Outfitters

Orange Co-ords - Topshop

Triangle Necklace - Urban Outfitters

Western Belt - Topshop (lots of Topshop on here!)

Orange Dress - Debenhams

Striped Dress - ASOS

'Mom' Jeans - Topshop

Black Sandals - Topshop

Being without a job means that all of these items are well and truly out of reach (although I've managed to bag myself a job interview as a sales advisor so maybe this will soon change!) but a girl can dream right? The paisley playsuit I have been in love with ever since I spotted it in store, and the lovely people at Topshop had designed even more items in that gorgeous paisley pattern, all of which I desperately need; shorts, trousers and blazer. 

The Urban Outfitters dress I have had my eyes on for a LONG time! I can't even remember when I first spotted it, it's been months! But as with all Urban Outfitters products, unless you're in the sale, you won't be coming home to my (overflowing) wardrobe any time soon.

Co-ords I absolutely adore! It started with Topshop last season but now River Island has jumped on the bandwagon. Hopefully we'll see even more big high street names designing their own versions of the wonderful two piece sets (maybe for a bit cheaper too please - H&M I'm counting on you!).

My favourite piece, and only a recent find, are the sandals from Topshop, but at £72 I don't think they'll ever be seen on my feet. I'm not a huge fan of flashing my toes, so I usually steer clear of sandals, but the band running down the middle looks like it would cover up most of the offenders (although I do have visions of prominent big toes peeping out from behind that band *shudders*).

Have you got any things you've been eyeing up for ages and have finally decided to splurge on?

Topshop's Railroad Collection

If you're an avid follower of Topshop like myself, and find yourself checking their website at least once a day, then you'll have seen their railroad collection. All very 50's American inspired, with a mix of denim, lace and my favourite for this season; tea dresses! I can't get enough of this collection!

When I look at this collection, I immediately picture myself in the blue floral tea dress, with dainty trimmed socks and the white t-bar shoes, sitting in a 50's style diner, tucking into a monster of an ice cream sundae. The collection also has a western prairie vibe, from the more feminine lace pieces, to the array of denim, check shirts and bolo ties!

It's safe to say that I love every piece of this collection, and I think it really defines the style I am in to this spring/summer. Unfortunately  as with all Topshop clothing, I find them to be a tad overpriced, but hopefully I can afford splurge out on just a couple of items from the collection.

This was a very difficult decision, but here are my top 3 pieces from the railroad collection:

Lace Crop Top - £24

Cotton Circle Crop Top - £32

Molly T-Bar Geek Shoes - £35

What are you favourite pieces from this collection? Leave a comment below.

Company Fashion Forum

Last Thursday I attended Company's Fashion Forum in Manchester. Yes, I know this post is a little over due but better late than never ey?

I have to admit, without sounding big headed, I wasn't sure how much I'd take away from this evening besides a fabulous goodie bag. After all, there's only so much a person can tell you about how to make it in a certain industry before you just have to go and find out for yourself. And the amount of time I sit in bed on my laptop researching careers is rather staggering. But I was pleasantly surprised to come away from the evening with a few more great tips!

After much trekking around parts of Manchester I'd never seen before, we finally found the venue! The density of fashionable girls hanging around is a good clue that you're getting close.

It's a good idea to take a note pad and pen (or an iPad if you're fancy like that) so that you can make notes. It didn't actually cross my mind to bring any paper, but thankfully I ended up going straight from college which turned out to be a God send.

The event was kicked off with all the panel members introducing themselves, and then editor Victoria White took the reins and briefly interviewed each person individually so we could learn more about them and how they came to be where they are now. It was quite refreshing to hear that one of the panellists had a very strong regional accent, showing that you don't need to be based in London to make it in fashion. In fact, about half of panel were located outside of London!

Vic then handed it over to us fashion wannabes to ask the questions we'd be dying to know. Now I'm not the most confident of people so putting my hand up and asking a question in front of all those people was a no go for me, but luckily we got the opportunity to go down to the front and speak to them privately at the end. I took this opportunity and ran with it, maybe a little too far?  I felt like I was hounding those poor women, but maybe it came across as enthusiastic. Let's hope!

All in all it was a great evening. I came away with a bag full of goodies (including my favourite moisturiser that I had almost ran out of at home) and a bunch of great advice. I'd really recommend this event to anyone who is unsure of going. Being only a lower sixth student meant I was probably one of the youngest people there, with most girls currently at uni, but the advice was still invaluable, and you might even bump into someone who is at the university you want to go to, so take the opportunity to ask them about their course!

Here are the top three tips I took away from the evening:

• Magazines etc get hundreds of emails a day and yours will probably be sent to the spam folder, so be different and hand write a letter!
• Don't spend too much time in education. Get your degree and get out. Yet another qualification is yet another year away from your dream. Get some internships instead. Experience is key in this industry!
• Never ever throw away a contact! Keep in touch (professionally or personally) with everyone. The people you study with at uni may end up being the assistant of the person you need to impress.