Dressing for the Office

As I am starting my new job very soon I figured it was about time I invested in some clothes. The office for me is a creative studio so a suit isn't required (nor is it my style) but I did want something that could be adapted to see clients, was fashionable and comfortable enough when sat working at a computer. Oh, and that I could adapt to be wearable in winter. If I see one more pair of 7/8 trousers I may scream, as much as I love them. Oddly enough I don't want my ankles to freeze and this wind is not productive to anything less than full length/thick tights.

Finding clothing that transcends AW11/12 and SS12 is not easy. The process becomes even harder when you try to find something that won't require you to wear heels. My poor ankles are currently very weak (who knows why) and as such heels aren't really suitable for trotting around in all day. I've not had much luck, except for a few items in Next and Oasis, but there are some great new pieces showing up in the spring collections and I can't wait!

 Marks and Spencer

Left: Deco Diva Limited Top £35, M&S trousers £25, Shoes £29.50, Earrings £12.50, Watch £25

Right: Park Avenue Autograph Top £45, Trousers £45, Shoes £29.50

First Day at Fused

I had my first day at Fused yesterday...and it went alright I think.  Thank God.  I compiled for articles for Area, their local West Mids guide, which goes to print Friday, and wrote about a fundraising music photography auction for the website: Teenage Cancer Trust Six Shooters Auction.

I'm not going to say it's my best work, I've wrote more unique things, but it is very nice to see my name published with an actual article somewhere that is not here...and it's in the most popular articles section currently too after only going online last night.  Yay!  Check it out.

The Big Job Hunt

I have officially finished work for the summer.  Well...I have finished full time work for the summer, I start a work placement at Fused Magazine a week tomorrow and I am massively excited.  I will be writing articles, researching, helping out with their marketing/PR activity and organising their 10th birthday bash.  Awesome!  Sounds a bit full time though doesn't it?  I'm going to become superwoman to get it all done with only two days in the office a week!

Despite this excitement it is time to look for a "proper job" again.  Due to my father's encouragement I have a meeting on Wednesday about "going on the dole".  It will be terrible.  I hate the Job Centre.  However, hopefully they will help my summer cash flow whilst I'm off work and will of course push me to sort a job.

Now, what do I want to do...in no particular order...
1. Be a fantastical magazine editor.
2. Do the marketing for Burberry (they are so on it right now!)
3. Be a fashion buyer extraordinare.
4. Write a novel.
5. Take the world by storm.

Now...any chance of all these things being incorporated into one job?  Anyone reading this who will give me a job?  No, thought not.

Peter Ruis of John Lewis. What a guy.

London's calling according to Peter Ruis, who I met yesterday.  I always presumed that the way to crack the fashion industry was through resilience...carry on applying for things and keeping up to date and one day luck will come my way.  Apparently it won't.  If I'm not in London that is...living in the capital brings a whole new set of options.

As I sat in John Lewis' waiting room he rushed past me and out into the street.  The lovely lady at reception looked at me and mouthed "that's him."  My response: "I know but he's going the wrong way."  She laughed, "he probably needs a coffee first."

She was wrong.  He came back and apologised, he hadn't been told I was here, and we went to the coffee shop together.  He had a smoothie, no caffiene insight, whilst I gulped down a mug of steaming tea.  Thank you for that Mr Ruis, it was just what I needed.  We chatted over his lunch (though we met just after 3:30) and you'd never have guessed that I was sat chatting to the fashion buying director of a massive company.  "I like to get out of the office whenever possible," he said.

I fully believe it's hard to know exactly what you want to do without experiencing it.  You can definitely have ideas but when you get there reality is always different so I was honest.  It's a toss up between buying and marketing.  For similar reasons.  A love of fashion, consumer insight and trend...it effects everything not just fashion believe it or not.

So we came to a conclusion.  Or Peter Ruis came to a conclusion.  Living in a sleepy Staffordshire village isn't going to get me anywhere.  I need to move to London.  By February at the latest, as that's when corporations look into recruiting apparently.  His parting words: "I look forward to your email.  I can help get you sorted.  I promise."

It's pretty amazing to think someone so important is so helpful.  And absolutely lovely too.  Scary stuff though, packing my bags to maybe just work in a shop?  I could do that somewhere that it's cheaper to live surely?  It's not about that though is it...it's about being where I need to be if I want to really get anywhere.  Big decision but think it may be time to take  aleap.  I have three months to work it out.  That'll fly by...but ssshh, let's just get Christmas out the way first eh?

Working Girl

Today was my first day in a new job.  I am general dogsbody for Design by Janine, a dance specialist, for whom I will be doing all sorts of jobs to make sure the handmade one-offs are completed and reach the clients.  I like to think of myself as a 'designer's assistant'.

This is not exactly what I trained to do at university but the more I think about it the more grateful I am to have a job at all.  After all, I know Janine and so was offered the job without application or interview...I have previously done work experience there though and so I have already proven myself.  Yet, whilst I got work so easily, thousands of people across the country are struggling.

The thing is I was one of those people, and in terms of the job I wanted out of university still am, and it pains me to hear of thousands of people applying for mediocre jobs at McDonald's or to be Christmas staff at department stores.  Whilst people seem to think further education is the answer I don't believe it is.  This problem is not going to be solved in the year that you do a masters...or maybe even the three in which you do a degree.  I say this because a tiny percentage of graduates I know have a job doing what they dreamed of before university.

Working is not easy lately...even if you want to.  At the Job Centre about a month ago though I did hear one man say "dude I'm just gonna go chill out and have a joint" so at least not everyone that's unemployed is competition. So good luck to anyone out there searching...hope you wish me luck too.  Not only in my current job but in finding the job of my dreams.  Let's be honest, if you lose track of those dreams what do you have left?  Though in the meantime I'm part of making some very beautiful things...