The Diary of a Fashion Intern is a new weekly series where you can read the inspiring stories of fashion interns.
As you might have read in my previous postings: My name is Lilly, I am nineteen years old and I currently intern at a major London based Fashion PR company.
I am going to let you be part of my internship during the next few weeks.
Week 1:
The week in which I realised, that I should have prepared myself (computer wise).
The first weeks are always the most stressful ones. You get to know a new team, you have to deal with a new work environment and speed and most importantly, you get to know your tasks.
My tasks do not sound really stressful or difficult at all: I have to drop and collect deliveries at and from different locations, have to book in samples, send them out, organise the showroom and have to clip all press coverages from different clients.
I am positive, that all of that is going to be easy to deal with after a while. But when you do not have any experience when it comes to computers and online programs (even Excel and Word) you will definitely struggle.
And that is basically what has happened to me during my last few days.
I always try to work as fast and precise as possible, as I put this huge pressure on myself that I want to be as good as possible.
Just a little side tip for you: Do not put too much pressure on yourself whilst interning. People will not be unsatisfied with you and it will not ruin your career when you work a bit slower but precise. That is what I have to learn as well. Just because I have always been sure that I want to go into fashion I cannot immediately deal with new task as people, who have major experience with it.
However, on my first day I got introduced to the team, received an Intern Manual with all important steps and tasks and directly slided into it.
I felt a bit lost and insecure about whether this decision has been right: Interning at a PR Agency without any experience. But YES it absolutely is, because you learn quicker when actually doing things.
Day two has been much more exciting but even more nerve-wrecking for me, as I went to Vogue.
I had to drop off a delivery at Vogue and my IPhone literally died on my way.
ALWAYS remember to have your phone charged. Interns always do deliveries and you should better not get lost on your way. That is bad for you as well as for the Sample you have the responsibility for (even though I bet the people would rather care about the Sample).
I started to panic as I wanted to deliver as quick as possible. Anyway, I started asking my way through the streets of London Soho… I was dripping and red like a tomatoe when I finally arrived at Vogue House – And then., as being sweaty at Vogue is not bad enough already, I took the wrong entrance. It seemed logical for me that I would have to use the official main-entrance but when I entered the house and told the security men, that I wanted to drop a delivery off, he explained that I would have to go all around the house to find a special delivery entrance. Two perfectly styled girls with their Valentino Heels were waiting in the foyer and you do not want to know how they looked at me. Sure, my look might has been a bit disturbing: A long Paul Smith Coat and flared jeans with Converse, whilst completely sweaty and out of breath on the upper part. But I was so overwhelmed by everything, that I just ran out and dropped the package off at the right entrance. Embarrassing.
The rest of the day has been pretty busy but with nothing special to mention as well as day three. Only that I have asked a thousand questions and still did not get to remember all.
Whereas day four has been pretty exciting yet tiring.
I had to get up at 7AM to head off to an event which took place at >The Hide< London. It was an event for one of our clients and people from Vogue, Mens Health, BoF, Elle etc were invited.
Meet up was at 7AM and our boss told us a day before that we would not be allowed to be even five minutes late.
I wasn’t. But I arrived 30Min early… So german.
We started with the preparations as soon as all the others arrived. And my tasks consisted of: Tadaaaa… Steaming clothes. I promise that I can officially be called >The Queen Of Steaming<. I do not know how many samples I prepared, but it is for sure that it were way too many in a really short time period.
The other intern and I were allowed to greet the guests and lead them to the brunch location and I was So freaking nervous yet excited. Talking to people from Vogue has always been some kind of dream and it came true so much sooner than expected. We took a couple of pictures for the PR agencies Instagram and headed back to the office then.
I worked for 11 hours that day, but it was worth the stress and long hours.
I might have not felt tired this day, but the following days are the worst. Only manquo: I will not be able to rest during the next couple of days, as I have to work to get my rent in… Tough life.
Anyway: Just stay positive and always try to remember, that you are going to grow with every step you take.
And: Better to ask a thousand times than hesitating and always feeling uncomfortable.
Stay tuned for the next weeks
Lilly X
