Most people think working at a fashion magazine is a dream job. And they’re absolutely right! Editing gorgeous clothes and accessories, traveling the world, and creating beautiful pictures with creative people is a dream. That’s why eager young fashion lovers clamor for the opportunity to work in Flare’s fashion department. I’ve just recently hired an exciting new team – all of them former interns. Here’s what it took for them to make the cut:
PASSION: Working in a creative field, you acquire certain skills over time, but you can’t “learn” something like fashion. The superstars live, breath and eat fashion. Your passion for the subject is what makes the magazines pages come alive - just don’t use the clichéd phrase “passion for fashion” in your interview! Editorial isn’t exactly financially lucrative and requires many long hours, unglamorous tasks of schlepping, lifting and sometimes working on unpleasant shoot locations. So to survive you really have to LOVE what you’re doing.
FASHION KNOWLEDGE: If you’re just starting out I don’t expect you to have an encyclopedic knowledge of fashion. But you do have to have a point of reference for style through the last few decades. You MUST be fully up to speed on all current collections, new designers, relevant photographers, stylists and hair and makeup artists. With websites such as style.com there’s no excuse for not knowing what’s happening around the world. My team looks at the new collections over breakfast - before they come to work.
RESOURCEFULNESS: What you lack in raw talent, you can make up for in resourcefulness. Thinking one step ahead and not waiting to always be told how and what to do demonstrates creativity and ambition. Keep your ear to the ground. Look in unexpected places for information, story leads and market contacts.
SELF-PRESENTATION: Looking polished and professional will cut it at any other corporate job but in the fashion world your “look” is part of your package. In other words, practice what you preach as a fashion authority. That doesn’t mean wearing head-to-toe designer, it means having good taste, looking current and showing creativity in the way you dress.
CONFIDENCE: Don’t mistake entitlement for confidence. Entitlement turns me off, but confidence that you can do the job makes me believe in you. The fashion world is an intimidating place so you need to be able to hold your own in a room full of strong, loud personalities. Have a point of view and believe in your talent but don’t be afraid to humbled. I always say confidence is your best accessory.
THAT “JE NE SAIS QUOI”: It’s an unquantifiable quality but I can spot it within the first five minutes after meeting the right person. It’s a combination of raw talent, an innate sense of style and creativity and boundless potential. I can’t explain it, but you either have it or don’t and in a subjective, fickle industry like fashion, you won’t survive without it.
Luxury fashion designer Burberry has returned to profit after opening new stores and spending more on online marketing
Burberry reported pre-tax profits of £166m for the year to March. A year ago it made a loss of £16.1m, hit by charges at its Spanish operations.
In the past year it has opened 21 new stores and closed nine. It plans to open 20-30 stores this year worldwide.
The group has also focused on promoting the Burberry brand online.
Sales rose 7% to £1.28bn, with the company recording double-digit sales growth in Europe and Asia Pacific.
Adjusted profit rose 23% to £215m, taking into account one-off items and a favourable exchange rate.
Stores in London in particular benefited from favourable currency movements and increased tourism.
"Looking forward, while mindful of the economic environment, Burberry plans to build on its strong financial position by accelerating investment in growth initiatives in retail, digital and new markets, while continuing to enhance the brand," said chief executive Angela Ahrendts.
Burberry shares were up 7.6% at 659 pence in afternoon trading.
IT'S finally here and, just a few hours after its stars smiled and sparkled on Leicester Square, you too can see the most talked-about film of the summer: Sex and the City 2, out today. So what can you expect from the film?
Well, some of the weirdest and most pleasing cameos you've seen in a long time for a start - from Liza Minnelli performing Beyonce's Single Ladies and Penelope Cruz as the woman we all hope our husband will never meet, to the lovely John Corbett reprising his role as Aidan Shaw.
Sex and the City fans can ignore the adverse reviews the film has received on both sides of the Atlantic, safe in the knowledge that a charge of "style over substance" is not something that will impact your enjoyment of the franchise. It's a two and a half hour fashion show, with plenty to make you cringe slightly, but if you go expecting fashion and fun - rather than a feminist thesis - you won't be disappointed.
GEMMA ARTERTON has a life most 24-year-olds would kill for: wearing couture dresses, getting paid to kiss Jake Gyllenhaal and Daniel Craig and becoming everything from a Princess to a Bond girl for her roles - but is her life really as good as it sounds? We caught up with her to talk fashion, film and the fashion police.
As an actress you get to dress up and play a part - which has been your favourite look on set?
The costumes in Prince of Persia were exquisite, designed by Penny Rose who designed all of the costumes for Pirates of the Caribbean. The attention to detail was outstanding and I was really made to feel like a princess on set. I loved how every outfit and look I had helped to tell the story. I also loved the harem trousers that I had and secretly wished I could have taken them home! I always end up dressing a bit like my character when I'm filming and have been wearing harem trousers with pride ever since. I wasn't, however, a massive fan of the perma-tan and hair extensions - not really my type of thing - but it's always good to experiment!
You have to dress up for red carpet events; do you enjoy it or just view it as part of the job?
Of course I enjoy it! I get to wear things that I would never be able to wear in my own life. As I do more work, I've been able to wear some really fantastic designers, like Valentino for example. I'm always excited to try things on and play designer dress up!
How has being a Bond girl impacted your career - are you offered more exciting parts as a result, or typecast as a love interest?
I'm so proud that I was involved with the Bond film, and it definitely opened doors for me career-wise, in terms of being more recognised in the film industry, but there is also a stigma attached which I've had to fight against. I think that's starting to change for me now though. I've challenged myself in the roles that I played since then, which I think has also challenged people's perception of what I can do.
Do you think about what you wear on an average day more than you used to since photographers might follow you?
I'm terrible! I'm so scatty that I forget to wear make-up, or wear a good pair of shoes, and that'll be the day that I'm photographed! My awareness of what I wear has changed though, especially in the last few months, and that's not a bad thing. I love clothes!
Whose style do you admire?
I've always loved Bianca Jagger circa the Studio 54 days. She was so utterly chic and cool.
What are you style essentials - what couldn't you live without?
I couldn't live without jackets. I have so many I've lost count. They instantly tie together an outfit for me.
Who are your favourite designers?
It changes daily, but I am very loyal to Louis Vuitton - it always makes beautiful clothes for women. I also love Isabel Marant for easy, chic daywear.
What are your favourite items in your wardrobe?
I have an incredible Halston jumpsuit that I have worn over and over again. I love Margiela and have a sweater that is literally falling apart now because I've worn it so much. I'm also sentimental when it comes to clothes. There are some items that I will never get rid of as I wore them at poignant times in my life. I even have a red and white dress that my mum made for me when I was a baby stashed in there somewhere; it's one of my most treasured possessions.
What is the last thing you bought to wear?
Yesterday I bought an incredible pair of vintage, leather harem trousers in a shop in Los Angeles. I couldn't believe it when I looked at the price tag and they were $38!
Has your style has changed as your profile has grown?
I think it's more grown up now. I'm always aware of keeping the British edge that I'm very proud of, and of course I have more access to incredible designers now. My style is ever evolving, it's all very exciting!
Safilo Group, worldwide leader in the premium eyewear sector, and Juicy Couture, one of the world’s most dominant lifestyle brands for women and girls, have renewed the licensing agreement granting Safilo the worldwide right to design, manufacture and distribute optical frames sunglasses and related eyewear products for the Juicy Couture brand.
The multi-year agreement and additional five-year renewal option covers optical frames, sunglasses and certain other eyewear products for women and girls branded with the JUICY COUTURE and JUICY trademarks and extends a worldwide partnership originally forged in 2005. Juicy Couture has a proven track record in many countries where ready-to-wear consumers appreciate a complete lifestyle offering, including accessories.
“We are very pleased to continue our relationship with one of the world's leading lifestyle brands,” said Roberto Vedovotto CEO of Safilo Group. “This license agreement with one of the fastest growing brands in the fashion industry is a perfect fit with our brand portfolio and it provides us with an opportunity to further develop the eyewear collection of this modern and internationally recognized brand.”
“We are thrilled to build on the success of our partnership with Safilo, which began five years ago,” said Edgar Huber, President of Juicy Couture. “Safilo’s global strength makes them the right partner to take Juicy Couture’s business to the next level of growth. We look forward to continuing our relationship and introducing innovative eyewear fashions that will delight Juicy Couture customers across the world.”
Feminine, chic, and playful, Juicy Couture’s glasses, sunglasses and related eyewear products have won over discerning fashionistas internationally. During any given season, the Juicy Couture assortment may include fashionable silhouettes and an array of frames that range in colors from modern, dark tones and stylish tortoise shell to buttercup-yellow and neon pink. Juicy Couture eyewear is known for its touch of whimsy, often featuring playful heart shapes, peace symbols and Swarovski crystal detailing.
The Safilo Group is worldwide leader in the premium eyewear sector and maintains a leadership position in the prescription, sunglasses, fashion and sports eyewear sectors. Present in the international market through exclusive distributors and 32 subsidiaries
in primary markets (U.S.A., Europe and Far East). The main proprietary branded collections distributed are: Safilo, Carrera, Smith Optics, Oxydo, Blue Bay, and the licensed branded collections are: Alexander McQueen, A/X Armani Exchange, Balenciaga, Banana Republic, Bottega Veneta, BOSS by Hugo Boss, Diesel, 55DSL, Dior, Emporio Armani, Fossil, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, HUGO by Hugo Boss, J.Lo by Jennifer Lopez, Jimmy Choo, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade, Liz Claiborne, Marc Jacobs, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Max Mara, Max&Co., Nine West, Pierre Cardin, Saks Fifth Avenue, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent and, starting from Fall 2010, Tommy Hilfiger.
Juicy Couture is the world’s most irreverent, fun, and on-trend lifestyle brand for women and girls of all ages. Whimsical, confident, and feminine with an edge, Juicy Couture was founded in Los Angeles by two fashion-obsessed best friends. Known for making the track suit an icon of casual luxury, today Juicy Couture is a global phenomenon with an assortment that spans fashion apparel, handbags, jewelry, fragrance, eyewear, shoes, intimates, swimwear, yoga and baby. Juicy’s newest collection, Bird by Juicy Couture, is an elevated assortment that meshes street-wear-chic with pedigreed luxury to create the quintessential wardrobe for the modern, downtown muse. Juicy Couture is available in the United States through approximately 100 Juicy Couture and Juicy Couture Outlet stores, in select department stores, and online at JuicyCouture.com. The world of Juicy is expanding at an unprecedented pace, and Juicy Couture is currently available in approximately 60 countries through both freestanding and shop-in-shop retail destinations in the UK, EU, Middle East, and Asia.
Peking Handicrafts branch that, provides service to flagship retailers, is broadening its collectible of kitchen textile products with over 10 new designs crafts by Anna Maria Horner.
These products will mainly consist of aprons and kitchen towels and will also be embossed with Horner’s signature bold colours and feminine-designs. All products are made of 100 percent cotton and will include full and half-sized aprons with a range of styles in kitchen towels.
These products with news designs and styles will be introduced this summer during the July 2010, Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishing Market.
Pakistani cotton dealers averred that, no deal was inked on the Karachi Cotton Exchange (KCE) last week, over uncertainty on the imposition of regulatory duty on yarn exports.
Dealers further informed that, the Karachi Cotton Association (KCA) spot rates remained stable at Rs 6,400 per maund and Rs 6,859 per 40 kilograms without any changes in rates.
July cotton exports to the US fell by 0.56 cents standing at 81.28 cents per pound, whereas rate for October payments recovered by 0.42 cents registering 78.57 cents per pound.
More so, there seems to be some rumour, doing the rounds of Pakistani cotton market that, the recently imposed regulatory duty will most likely be cut to 7.5 percent from the current 15 percent.
The Ministry of Textile Industry had just recently formed two representative bodies for both the spinning and value-added segments in order to solve their problems. Two renowned industrialists, who were chosen to head these bodies, will soon present a proposal for resolving the sector-based problems
Models present designs from Maria Bonita during the 17th edition of Fashion Rio in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May. 29, 2010.
Audrey Hepburn's little black dress has been voted the greatest female screen outfit of all time.
The Givenchy gown which the late actress accessorised with a string of pearls and long black gloves in the opening scenes of the 1961 iconic movie 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' is the most popular dress of all time, according to a new survey by Lovefilm.
Helen Cowley, editor of Lovefilm magazine, said: "Audrey Hepburn has truly made that little black dress a fashion staple which has stood the test of time despite competition from some of the most stylish females around."
The screen beauty's dress beat off competition from other iconic outfits such as Ursula Andress' white bikini in James Bond film, 'Dr No', which came fourth, and 'Sex and the City' star Sarah Jessica Parker's silk wedding gown, which came 10th in the poll.
Audrey also made another entry in the poll at number six with the long white dress, hat and parasol her character Eliza Doolittle wore to the races in 'My Fair Lady'.
Diane Kruger thinks of Karl Lagerfeld as her "stepfather".
The stunning actress has a very close relationship with the Chanel designer and says she loves working with him.
She told vogue.com: "He is like a stepfather to me. We're very close- we just get on so well. He is a very curious person, he's very interested in people in general. I've known him since I was 16-years-old, ever since I first started to model and he has always been so kind. We go way back. People have said I am his muse but I don't think I'd call myself that. It's not how I think of our relationship. That's big. It's hard to describe Karl, he really is one of a kind."
The 33-year-old beauty loves Karl's designs for Chanel because they are so classic.
She said: "What's not to love about Chanel? It's timeless, it's chic. I don't know many people that don't like it. I love it."
While she is a devoted Chanel fan, Diane is also an admirer of Calvin Klein and was recently announced as the new face of the fashion house's latest fragrance, Beauty.