Let it Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow!

Look at this snow!! I went into work this morning but was sent home five hours later because of this weather. I half expected a snow day this morning, being from Seattle and all. There, even a chance of snow means no school or work. At least I’m starting to feel better though.

Tomorrow is the start of fashion week! Still haven’t heard what show I’ll be able to attend (I’m hoping I still get to). Click on the link to find out the schedule. http://www.mbfashionweek.com/newyork/fall2010/schedule/index.html

To date, these Alexander McQueen python shoes for Spring/Summer 2010 runway, have been the most extraordinary, amazing and absurd designer goods that I've seen. They remind me of hooves or even crab claws, which seems to make sense, since this collection has a very reptilian influence. They are 12 inch heels (at only 5’3, maybe I should invest in a pair, I’d totally wear them and I’d still be shorter than my boyfriend)! These shoes (or stilts rather) were very controversial, so much so that three models including Sasha Pivovarova, Natasha Poly and Abbey Lee Kershaw (who walked in Victoria’s Secret 2009 fashion show) refused to participate. Abbey had previously fainted at a Spring 2009 McQueen show due to a too-tight corset and has fallen and almost fallen during Rodarte’s shows because of too-tall heels as well. Click on the following link to watch Abbey share her opinion and experiences:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/10/model-abby-lee-kershaw-ta_n_456793.html

I love how structured all of the garments are and how they resemble dinosaurs and/or butterflies. While it may look a little out of place in everyday wear, the shoes are selling extensively and it’s no surprise that Ms. Lady Gaga dawns them in Bad Romance.

In other McQueen news, Alexander just announced that Nicole Fox (winner of America’s Next Top Model cycle 13—the petite competition) will be the face of his Spring/Summer 2011 collection! This gives hope to all of the little people out there, not to mention, she’s the first contestant to receive an international campaign!

McQueen photos courtesy of http://www.bryanboy.com/bryanboy_le_superstar_fab/2009/10/alexander-mcqueens-python-armadillo-shoes-spring-2010.html

and www.style.com

Today and Yesterday

02/08/2010

Well, I went into work late today, trying to rid myself of this awful cold. It was pretty much the same routine—the usual, just returns, check-ins, packing trunks for upcoming photo shoots, photocopying, and printing out looks from style.com. We did stay late today to work on swimsuit returns (which meant a pizza dinner for the interns), however, we still have a lot (almost all of it) left to do.

02/09/2010

So, I’m stuck in the house today. This nasty cold just won’t go away (today I sound like a man)! But, on a lighter (more healthy) note, I was inspired by my blog name (There's No Place Like Fashion) to create the following: Oh, and that's Stella (the dog we are dog-sitting)! Sooo cute:

What's in Store?

So I’m not sure what the upcoming week has in store but the rest of last week was pretty busy. Since the swim story is over, it is now time to return all 16 or so racks of swimsuits! Tomorrow, we are staying until 9:00pm (at the latest) to organize and return them, with dinner provided. I’m sick though, congested and sore throat, ugh hopefully I’m better by the morning. Also, this week is the beginning of fashion week (February 11-18) and my boss told me that she will give me some shows to attend (not sure which though)!!! I will let you guys know as soon as I find out.

So recently it has been ungodly cold in New York, between the upper teens and lower twenties! Here are a few new items that are both appropriate for this weather and make me feel like a real New Yorker!

(knee-high) boots, hat, glasses, red lipstick, (sleeping bag) coat, (faux fur) coat

Three Day Shoot in One Day

I am exhausted! With only five hours of sleep last night, I spent almost 12 hours at today’s shoot but it was worth it! I arrived at 7:00am sharp and began unpacking the 16 trunks of swimsuits and accessories, which took almost 3 hours. While we set up, the models started to arrive and get into their appropriate (and not so appropriate) swimsuits. They got their hair, makeup and nails done and then began the shooting of 15 women! They wore both “don’t” and flattering swimwear for their individual shapes from flat chested to plus and pear. As they came off of their shoot, I had to take pictures of all of the jewelry and accessories that they were wearing and write down their description so that the item could be credited in the magazine. It was fast paced and chaotic, my bosses called it, “a three day shoot in only one day!” While the shoot was going on, the Today Show arrived (just a single woman holding a camera) and filmed the swim makeover (it will air sometime in May). All of the models (everyday women) were gorgeous and I so admire them for loving their bodies and being confident enough to flaunt their assets for the world to see! You go girls! Despite the long hours (I didn’t leave until 6:30pm—fashion is always the first to arrive and the last to leave) it was a great opportunity and I am looking forward to both the bra and denim makeovers!

Also, the view from the studio at 7:00am was gorgeous!

Today Show Tomorrow

Ugh, it was so hard waking up at 7:15am for work this morning, even after nine hours of sleep. My Monday, which started out like most Mondays at the internship (see previous entry) ended up taking some exciting and unexpected turns! Today I was informed that I will be assisting on another photo shoot tomorrow! Tomorrow is the big swim shoot and there will be 15 or so subjects modeling! It is going to be a long day (especially with a 7:00am call time) but I’m excited to gain the experience! So the schedule looks like this:

7:00am Fashion

8:00am Photo Crew

9:00am Hair, Makeup and Subjects

(Fabiane’s Catering)!

The day will begin by unpacking the trunks of clothes (swimsuits) and getting everything organized (jewelry, purses, hats, towels etc.). Then, as the models finished shooting their looks (they will change multiple times) we will have to take pictures of the looks for the credits. At the end of the day we will pack everything back up! Tomorrow I will specify exactly what I did. What makes this shoot different, however, is the fact that the Today Show will be filming, so we have been told to dress cute (not that we don’t already)!! I know that tomorrow will involve a lot of running around so I’m not going to wear heels…It’s going to be hectic and exciting!

In other news, as I was getting on the elevator today, I ran into Grace Coddington (the creative director of Vogue magazine)! Prior to watching The September Issue (a documentary about Anna Wintour and the makings of a September issue) I would not have been fazed, but I now realize that she is a very powerful and influential voice at Vogue (often overshadowed by Mrs. Wintour). I did see the Editor-In-Chief herself getting onto an elevator about a month ago, but it was only from afar (you can recognize that woman from a mile away). While Grace Coddington merely glanced in my direction, it is still very thrilling to see the people that make the fashion world spin and what I hope to aspire to one day!

Just to prove that the world is totally unfair, I thought I would share with you what I saw and overheard today. During a model casting, a beautiful, tall and oh so thin model came in who just did a shoot for sports illustrated. The best part is that she is in school, pursuing a degree at—guess where?? HARVARD! Beauty and brains, what a combo! Good for her, why not? So don’t assume that all models are brainless for she completely discredits this statement!

Well, 7:00am call time, got to get some sleep!

An Introduction...

So after about a month and a half of living in the big apple, I feel as though I’m getting the hang of this city pretty well. My parents were just in town visiting me and for once I was able to play tour guide (for those of you who know me, I’m quite directionally challenged back home—even after 20 years)! We had a great time and were able to explore the city more extensively, discovering the most amazing places to eat, grab a cup of coffee (chai in my case) and shop (I will post pictures of our fabulous finds later).

During my parents’ stay, my employer at the magazine offered me the week off, I gladly accepted, however came in on Thursday after hearing that MTV’s “The City” was going to be filming in our office! Unfortunately, the filming was not as glamourous as I had initially expected. Besides receiving a friendly smile from the gorgeous Whitney Port (she is so tall and thin—definitely model material), we were not included in the filming (previously we had been informed that we might be, “dress in heels!” they said) nor were we even able to complete our daily tasks due to the camera crews’ presence. I can’t say I wasn’t also hoping to be the newest character on the show as well—which, needless to say, didn’t happen. But nevertheless, it was still very entertaining and more exciting than anything you would see in Seattle in regards to celebrity sightings and the like.

After interning over the summer for the amazing Lily Raskind, the designer of Sunshine And Shadow, I applied for this fashion magazine internship (among others) and am scheduled to work there full time (5 days a week) until sometime in May. For those of you who are curious, I will at a later date, write about how I received these opportunities and lead you to resources that have helped me. I really believe in internships (especially in this highly competitive industry) and would love to offer advice to anyone who is interested. Here is a typical day at the internship:

Arrive between 8:45 and 9:00am

Take out the racks of clothing out of the closet and set them up

Deliver the mail

Check in the designer clothing (I’m a part of the French market)

Return the unwanted or already used designer clothing

Print out looks on www.style.com

Label and cut out

Make photocopies of looks

Go on runs to pick up or drop off clothing/accessories

The occasional coffee run

Help with the accessories when I’ve finished my tasks in fashion

Put away the racks of clothing back into the closet

Leave between 6:00 and 7:00pm

Days certainly vary though! I’ve been able to assist on a photo shoot (no one famous yet though) and sit in for my boss (which I will be doing for two weeks in March), among other things (fashion week is quickly approaching *fingers crossed*). So far it has been an amazing opportunity—you have to start somewhere!

New York, New York

Hello all! I am writing from New York. That’s right! After completely uprooting my life in Seattle to pursue a (top) magazine fashion internship, I am finally settled and ready to start documenting my time here. This blog will be a compilation of my experiences, purchases, pictures and everything fashion related!

Hope you enjoy!