An online portfolio

As a Graduate looking for a career in fashion STANDING OUT is so important. I've been applying for so many jobs recently and eagerly waiting replies , but quite frankly I want to be in a job that I enjoy ASAP! I have a First Class Honours degree and am so passionate about doing well, that I started to think to myself "How can I stand out from the rest?". Most jobs simply only ask for a CV and Covering Letter, and although I apply for jobs I know I can succeed in I think employers need an extra reason to invite me in for an interview. 

I decided that as I am going into a creative industry to think outside the box and create an online portfolio that can be attached to any job application. For anyone in the same position to me it is though extra little things that will make you stand out in amongst those hundreds of applications.

1. My first advice would be to note where your strengths lay and plan 1-2 pages on each one. If you are a stylist then keep your portfolio mainly styling and add a couple of pages of any other interests you may have, eg: writing or photography. My strengths lie in photography, styling, fashion writing and PR so I plan to create a couple of pages on each. I think it is best to put your main interest at the front as this will be the type of jobs you will be applying for most regularly. 

2. Keep it simple, screen shots, images but not a lot of writing. I have included one page at the front that act's as a kind of CV or biography but apart from that it is mostly images. This is designed to make you stand out and not to send your future employer to sleep. 

3. Include a contents page so that if you are applying for a writing role they can go straight to your writing work. This saves time and trust me these people viewing your applications are very busy-they will love this!

4. Be yourself, be honest and show off what you can do. If you have done photography in the past but don't want to do it in the future then don't include this in your portfolio. Otherwise trust me they will see you are an all rounder and plan you do EVERYTHING in your power to benefit them. 

5. Finally save as a PDF so that you can add pages when you get more experience and then send it out to as many people as possible! Remember you can't intern forever. 

I still haven't finished my online portfolio as I only started it last night but I wanted to share with you a bit about what I'm up to. It would be great to see what you think.

Living-in-a-fashion-world

Ooh Oxblood!

1. Oxblood leather skirt from ASOS

2. Classic casio watch with oxblood face

3. Deep purple skater skirt from Topshop

4. Oxblood clutch bag from Russell & Bromley 

5. Deep oxblood bag from 'The Cambridge Satchel Company'. 

6. Polo neck oxblood crop tee

7. Oxblood contrast heel from ASOS

8. Oxblood midi dress from Topshop

Everything on my wish list at the moment seems to have one thing in common-the COLOUR! Oxblood uses a mix of burgundy and maroon tones and I absolutely love it. Whether you have a staple dress such as the Midi dress from Topshop or the leather skirt from ASOS, the colour has the versatility to find a way into everyone's wardrobe. 

The item at the top of my wish list has to be the Russell & Bromley clutch bag perfect for a night out or a date to the cinema. If you need a bit more room for a trip to work then why not try the deep red bag from The Cambridge Satchel company. 

The oxblood look is vampish and elegant and is perfect for an every day look. I would most likely mix Oxblood with a lot of black and some deep cherry lips. What do you think of the Oxblood look?

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Emerging Trend: Meggings

Although I regularly write for menswear magazine, Pause, most of the time my blog posts are photography related or clothes that I would like to wear myself. However whilst at London Collections: Men, I really enjoyed writing about menswear even more and considered starting a separate menswear blog. Then I thought why not start writing a bit more about menswear on my current blog-who know's it might even attract some more male followers. 

Anyway enough about me-this post is about the emerging trend: Meggings (Male leggings)!I know it is hard to think of a time where women's leggings weren't in fashion but trust me there was a time. I remember when leggings started filling our shops and people weren't too sure, but soon enough the streets and catwalks embraced leggings and they have been a wardrobe staple ever since. Meggings, on the other hand are trying to find a way into the male wardrobe, I think the best way to describe them is Marmite. I don't ever think they are going to be as popular as leggings are with women, as quite frankly they are unflattering and very feminine.

The Meggins on the left hand side look very similar to black skinny jeans, I'm just guessing they are a whole lot more comfortable. The pair on the right are a lot more out there and I'm sure will find themselves on the streets of Shoreditch and Dalston in the coming weeks. Thinking back to J.W Anderon's A/W 13 show at London Collections:Men where he had both dresses and very short shorts on display it all of a sudden makes Meggings seem very manly indeed. If you are male, would you wear them? And for the females out there-would you date someone wearing Meggings?

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram 

London Collections: Katie Eary A/W 13

I don't even know where to begin with the Katie Eary Autumn/Winter 2013 collection. By far my favourite of London Collections: Men, I was so pleased it was a show I got to see-and I had great seats. Although the people in front of me had an iPad that seems to block the view of all my pictures, so I have kindly 'borrowed' these images off Vogue. Think, gothic floral, blue craps and lot's of pink and you have this collection down to a tee. The collection had such a good reaction from everybody there, and I heard countless times on the way out 'that was the best show yet', and I have to agree. The sound track to the show was brilliant with Kendrick Lemar, amongst other artists supporting the catwalk show. Sunglasses were another hit for Katie Eary, and unlike the sunglasses at Xander Zhou that in my opinion looked a bit out of place, they really worked! Katie also introduced her womenswear into the collection- think dark gothic vamp. Katie Eary you have won me over with this brilliant A/W 2013 collection- you go girl! 

Facebook // Twitter // Instagram 

London Collections: Shaun Samson A/W 13

My Shaun Samson ticket request was granted very late-in fact the night before the show! When I arrived I was hardly surprised as it was very over crowded. I did get quite a good spot, underneath some photographers, crunched up on the floor but it was worth it. Overall I was very impressed with the general running and show spaces at London Collections: Men, my only vouch would be 'The Hospital Club' show space was far too small and over crowded.

Anyway back to Shaun Samson, his A/W 2013 collection was apparently inspired by monsters and mice. However, I would say it looks more like hockey and American football. The collection had quite a bright colour pallette and a mixutre of snapbacks worn backwards, giving it a street feel. The urban theme continued as there were clothes with an almost graffiti aesthetic. The deep marroons and warm reds complimented each other well in contrast with a lot of black.

 Shaun Samson offered a softer side to the collection as some beige chunky knits came out onto the catwalk. Not to mention a splash of tartan that has been so popular at London Collections:Men this season. Thank you Shaun Samson for a brilliant show.

Facebook // Instagram // Twitter 

London Collections: Baartmans + Siegel A/W 13

Whilst covering the London Collections: Men shows for Who's Jack I went to the Baartmans & Siegel presentation which was in fact in a cinema! Check out the full review at Who's Jack. 

London Collections: Exhibitions A/W 13

Well London Collections:Men may now be over for another season, but what a great event it was! The menswear designers were better than ever and the atmosphere was a lot less pretentious compared to London Fashion Week. To start with the LC:M badges are so much nicer than the tacky landyards at London Fashion Week, and the press lounge and cinema viewing, equally as impressive.

I was working for Who's Jack magazine to cover some shows, and it was hectic but a great experience. I have been to London Fashion Week, but yesterday was the first full day of fashion show's that I have had. I must say I am quite sad it is all over-but don't forget it's nearly London Fashion Week. I covered some great show's that should all be up on Who's Jack very soon. 

In between some shows I found the time to check out the exhibitions at The Hospital Club. I always find exhibition's quite awkward because sometimes the designers are sat with their work and other times it is someone who cannot tell you a thing about their work. I love Christopher Raeburn's previous work so I had to check it out at the exhibitions. 

My favourite piece has to be the jacket with map print all over it. After talking to the represenative for CR, I learnt the jacket was actually made out of recycled vintage leather, and the maps were once real maps. The collection focuses on a lot of military influences and overall I was very impressed. As I missed the Christoper Raeburn catwalk, it was great to see the clothes up close and really appreciate them.

Another designer that has had a lot of press over the last couple of days is the designer, Sibling. Mainly for his 'Please Kill Me' jumper, which is set to be the next big thing. What do you think of his chunky pastel knits?