"I WANT THIS JOB" - ACCESSORIES & FOOTWEAR BUYER V.2

Hey lovelies! How's your weekend going? 

Gosh, it's been a while, but really, I've been dying to share part two of "I want this Job" Footwear Buyer for Topshop, since Jo has moved onwards & upwards and I wanted to follow up on what she's up to now. If you missed part one, check it out here first. You'll find that Jo spills the beans on what it's like to have a career in Fashion Buying along with a sneak peak into what it's like working for another amazing British High Street brand.
 

Where do you work?  Whistles, London
Job title: Buyer - Shoes and Accessories
Qualifications:

Ba Hons Fashion, BAA (Buyers Admin Assistant) at BHS 2000-2002, AB (Assistant Buyer) at Dolcis 2002-2003, AB at TOPSHOP 2003-2006, JB (Junior Buyer) 2006-2008, Buyer 2008-2010, Designer and Sales 2010-2012, Established Buyer 2012.

 
What does the job involve? 

Responsible for building a balanced range in terms of price points, end-use, mix of casual/dressy and core range/top store. (imagine a pyramid - the bottom tier is the core/main range - the top being the design/top store pieces -smaller buy) We work on 3 hits per season - phase one, phase two and high summer or Xmas and it is bought as a collection so everything ties in together in terms of the colour palette, trims, prints, silhouettes and details creating a considered, confident and cohesive collection. 

This is put together working closely with the designer and the merchandiser, looking at past best and worst sellers and new emerging trends. Finally when all the samples are back, the range plan is worked out with the merchandiser and presented and signed off with the management team.

  via Google images

What's your general day to day working pattern like? 

Monday is always the busiest. We go through all the sales and figures from the week before and forecast the sales for the following week. (This is a huge wadge of paper with all the styles etc which all Buyers have to go through to check the sales figures/how fast/slow something is selling, I remember the first time I saw one of these and was incredibly overwhelmed) We analyse each style in terms of sales and react accordingly. If something is selling well we will look to repeat it quickly or move it on with something newer that might take those sales as long as it fits with the on-coming trends and collection in store. 

If something has reacted poorly whether its a style, colour or trend, we try to amend and adjust any orders placed that are similar and pose a threat to our sales, The rest of the week is spent working with the team (design, merchandiser, Assistant Buyer and BAA).... 
Chasing samples and re-working them, fitting and confirming black seal samples, confirming production samples, chasing delivery dates, placing orders, negotiating prices, meeting with suppliers, strategising the on-coming season, trend research (using blogs, magazines, websites such as net a porter and style.com). We also try and get out to shops as much as we can to look at what the competition are doing and look for new ideas from aspirational brands and vintage stores.

 via Google images

Working hours? 

9am until 6pm but sometimes work late and when we're travelling the hours can be long!

 
Travel: Buying trips? What trade shows do you attend, trips abroad etc?  

Lineappelle leather fair in Bolognia, Premiere Classe in Paris, Micam shoe trade fair in Milan. Shops - Paris, New York, Milan, LA, HK.....Factory visits in Brazil, China, Spain, Portugal and India. There's a lot travel involved but you generally have someone to share it with!

 
What do you love about this job? Any extra perks? 

The beautiful product, the buzz, the lovely, creative and passionate team.  

Our inspiring visionary, CEO Jane Shepherson. We also have amazing sample sales where we can buy something that's not in store yet for a tenth of the price and all proceeds go to charity.

 Remi Chain Necklace £65 - I just adore this so much!

What's not so great about this job? 

Not sure - its all great at the moment! Sales are good, but when sales are down its tough - as with any business - and requires some quick thinking, strategic planning and some risk-taking!

 
How different is this role compared to your Buying role at Topshop? 

The customer is more mature with a higher disposable income so she comes into the store looking to invest in an item. She has high expectations in terms of quality and styling and is generally a loyal/frequent shopper so the range planning is really focused around this and the collection is considered, planned and phased throughout the season, rather than a rolling, monthly buying calender that is a lot more reactive to sales and has a large amount of different options.

 Kir Royale Suede Boot £150 here

 
What you wish you'd known & advice to anyone looking to get into the Buying industry?  

Hard to answer this as every company is different and the buying role can be as creative or as number crunching as you make it. Advice would be for anyone getting into buying to target a brand you are passionate about and identify with. Success can come from having good taste levels and a personal love for the product. You have to be able to juggle alot at the same time and be flexible in the a fast paced environment. Change occurs a lot due to sales reactions, new trends emerging or price/lead times making things unworkable so you have to be adaptable and motivated to move forward constantly and learn from your mistakes.

 
Everyday essentials:  

Trainers or ballet pumps, 2 blackberries (one work, one personal), Chanel rouge Coco shine lipstick, Chloe love perfume, Mulberry diary and notebook, Benefit hula bronzer, calculator, business cards and my new LULU Frost for Whistles statement diamante necklace (online now!)

 
You've been a shoe product developer/designer, which celebrity would you love to design a shoe for and why? 

 I love Rita Ora! - maybe I could come up with the ultimate heeled hi-top trainer for her?! ;0)

 via GQ mag

Any style secrets you'd like to share?  

Not sure I withhold any secrets but if you want to be the envy of everyone in your office, lectures or local pub then this seasons varsity jacket from Whistles is a must and you can get your initials sewn on - need I say more?!

 
As a Buyer, what's your attitude to shopping, seeing as you always work a season ahead? Is it not difficult buying accessories and footwear? Do you prefer to invest in key pieces with longevity? 

It's not difficult but can certainly make a dent in your bank account! Absolutely all about investing in key pieces...buy less and pay more seems to be a growing trend. De clutter your wardrobe and invest in key staple pieces that you'll wear and love for years, Plus you save time in the morning trying to decide what to wear!

 Pure sophistication: Beatrice Box bag £85

 Which beauty product can you not live without? 

Carmex, Bobbi Brown extra eye repair cream and L'Occitane shea butter hand cream  - nothing else will do!

Thank you so so much Jo! I hope you all enjoyed this!

For more fashion careers in the "I want this job" series, please click here.

x.o.x.o 

"I Want This Job": Luxury label Senior Womenswear Designer

Hey everyone!
Who's been excited & blown away by fashion week so far??? I'm loving everyone's highlights of either their fave collections and overviews of AW12/13 rtw... Pretty much fell in love with Jason Wu, Temperley, J Mendel... sigh. There's so much gorgeousness that makes me actually love the winter season more. Been catching up slowly with what the fash pack wore too over at Lee's blog - LeeOliveira & also Tommy Ton on style.com.

I've been dying to share this next "I Want this Job" feature for a while now, but since I can't exactly reveal who she works for (- I don't want her to get in trouble with PR/HR folks!), perhaps I can mention the prestigious luxury label is showing today at LFW. Today's feature is on Senior Womens Wear Designer & style maven Tanya. She is about to give us the low-down on one of the most-wanted jobs around!

Camille Miceli, Jewellery/Accessories designer at Dior via Nowness

What do you actually do?
I design a second line for a luxury fashion brand based in London. On a day to day basis I spend my time drawing, doing fittings, preparing research boards, communicating with our factories and product development team. I travel both internationally and in the UK visiting factories and fabric fairs. I am also involved in lookbook photoshoot, critical path planning and print direction.

What's your typical working day like?
See above. I start at 8.30-9am usually and have breakfast at my desk! I am away a lot and also work at home on days I have lots of sketching to do. I also tend to have meetings scheduled in most days for range planning, print direction, fabric sourcing, design hand over, fitting and sales & marketing direction, plus feedback. I try and eat lunch away from my desk and I tend to finish around 7pm ish.

What core responsibilities do you have as a Senior womenswear Designer?

• Critical path planning & range planning
• Direction for the season including concept and theme
• Print direction
• Mood and colour boards
• Designing the collection including detailed specs (aka flats: technical drawings of the garment showing stitches, measurements & info) for handover to the pattern and product development teams
• Fitting: both prototypes and production fits
• Fabric selection
• Trim selection
• Pricing structure ensuring fabric and CMT prices for for retail structure
• Strike off (product sample) approvals
• Trim specs
• Showroom set up
• Seasonal presentations to sales/ press
• Model selection/castings
• Lookbook styling and direction on the shoot

What are you working on at the moment?
I am currently working on RTW for SS13 putting together colour palettes/research boards and initial design concepts

Yohji Yamamoto's sketches in progress via Nowness

Does the preparation of a season's collection take a lot of time?
It should do but I often find I spend most of my time travelling and in meetings and increasingly spending less time actually designing the collection. I have recently taken on an assistant designer and that is helping to spread the load!

What do you love about this job & why is it so fabulous?
I love the fact everyday is different and I have control over my working day.

Is it as glamorous as it sounds being a designer?
Absolutely not!!! There are always great perks but the travelling and long days are exhausting and I regularly miss social invites as I am away!

Designer's Inspirational sketches for SS12 via Instyle.com

Do you design digitally or the old school way, sketches by hand?

The brand I work for favour the old school sketching by hand which works for me as I am definitely not an illustrator girl. I still illustrate my designs on the figure as I think it is really important to think about how they will move when worn.

When designing a range/collection, are you very aware of the competition and what's out there? Do you design with the The brands signature style in mind? What's going through your mind when creating something?

I am very aware of price points and what is happening in the market. I work on a second line and I think you have to be to make a collection successful as what retails well is often not the obvious! I have to make sure everything works for the brand identity but I am always informed by price/manufacturing constraints etc as well as wanting to create something new.

How 'hands on' are you in terms of overseeing samples get made to the final product being manufactured?

Very! See above, I am involved through to production sealer samples.

Emma Cooks research mood board, via Nowness

What piece have you been most proud of that you designed & have you seen anyone in anything that you specifically designed?
It is often the pieces you don't want to see! Amy Winehouse was photographed in one of her famous court appearances in a piece I had designed which greatly amused me and the rest of the team!!!

Have you travelled anywhere exciting with this job?
I travel quite a lot, mainly Tokyo, Hong Kong, China, Paris, Portugal and across the UK!

What's not so great about this job?
The fact I work on a whole collection which includes all product areas.

What do you do to get inspired when you have those blah days?
Sometimes you just have those days and you have to step away for a few hours! If not, I wander round Portobello followed by Dover Street or liberty!

Which trade shows, prediction fairs, fabric fairs etc do you visit/go to regularly?
PV Paris. (Première Vision - World's leading fabric & textiles fair held twice a year - I remember those horrid 4am starts to get to the Eurostar then having to spend all day concentrating on fabrics then catching last train back to London - tiring stuff!)

What (technical) skills are required to be a great Designer?
I think you have to know how things go together and have a wide knowledge of machinery and finishes. I don't think you can expect a good product at the end if you do not have a good idea how the process is achieved. The best designers I have ever met are technically very gifted too.

What's the career path like (Education - courses you took, work experience & training to get to where you are now)?
I did an art foundation followed by a BA at Kingston University in Fashion Design. From there I had several roles as design assistants at luxury brands in London before landing this role.

How did you find your dream job as a Designer?
Through an agency. Design jobs only tend to get filled through design agencies or word of mouth!

Would you ever like to set up & launch your own label in the future?
I don't think so. I think success is not always down to the amount of work you put in, especially when it comes to fashion, and I wouldn't want to risk everything for that. I also love working in a team so I would find it hard working on my own in the beginning.

beautiful illustration by Elisa Mazzone

What advice & what do you have to say to the next ambitious graduates or anyone, particularly for those hoping to follow in your footsteps as a designer?
Think about why you want to work in fashion. It can be incredibly rewarding but it is also relentless and cut throat. It is not the glamourous lifestyle most assume. You have to love clothes but more importantly the mechanics of how they work.

Huge thank you to Tanya for sharing this with us!
x.o.x.o

"I Want This Job (Badly)": Cosmetic Product Designer

Well hey there lovelies, how goes your week so far? I know I haven't posted about a feature like this in a while, but believe me, you're all gonna love me for this "I want this job" feature!
Frankly, I would swap lives and careers for this talented bloggers job, whom I'm sure many of you are already familiar with.
Anyhoos, ever since I discovered Dawns inspiring blog "The Alternative Wife", I've been living in 'happily ever after land', getting drawn into snippets of her life as a New Yorker & the dreamy, uber feminine and just plain gorgeous imagery. It was through our mutual love of beauty products and probably my addiction to perfume that I discovered that she had the coolest jobs in the world. So cool I have to share with you all!

I want this job: Cosmetic Product Designer

What's a typical day in the life of Dawn of The Alternative wife?
Well let me first start out by telling you all a little bit about cosmetic product development or cosmetic innovation. It's a separate function from marketing or Research & Development (R&D). Basically a cosmetic product developer comes up with new concepts or products ideas. We work hand in hand with marketing on strategy and then we work with R&D on development, ie how each product should look, feel, smell and taste like and also what the function should be including what ingredients we want them to include.

That being said it's hard to say a typical day. Some days I'm at the office in meetings working with various team members to ensure that a product will be launched. Other days I'm meeting with fragrance houses or raw material suppliers to see the new trends. Other days I'm off at a lab or production facility somewhere working on site with the chemists to approve products. Then some days I'm meeting with clients to present new products. And I always squeeze in a little competitive shopping time when I can. It's important to know what's going on in the industry.


What do you love most about your job? Were you always passionate about beauty/cosmetics?

I love that I basically get to play with makeup all day and what girlie girl doesn't like that? I've always been a pretty creative person. I have a passion for art and illustration and I just love to create things and I'm fortunate enough to have a job that marries my passions. Creating and beauty. I've always been obsessed with beauty and cosmetics since I was a young girl. I used to play in my mother and grandmother's cosmetic drawers. And I managed a cosmetic boutique while in high school and majored in Cosmetic Marketing in college. I knew what I wanted to do at a very young age and just went after it.

Is the job as glamourous as it sounds?
There are aspects that can be incredibly glamorous, working with perfumers to develop new fragrances, the travel to find new and exciting things, the launch parties, working with celebrities and designers and such but day to day working in the office it's not all that glamorous. At the end of the day it's a job. An incredible job but it is work.


What area of the cosmetics/beauty industry do you enjoy designing & coming up with new concepts for most & why?
I've worked on all aspects of the beauty industry...color cosmetics, skin care, bath and body and fragrance. I honestly love each and every part of it. From the visual and textural aspects of it to the innovation and technology. They're all equally intriguing and rewarding.

What's not so great about your job?
It's hard to complain about my job. The only thing I can think of is the frustration of wanting to launch a product and not being able to for some reason.

What is the most exciting thing you've ever developed?
Oh this is a hard one! They're all my babies, really. I never launched a product that I didn't love and believe in. I wouldn't launch it if I didn't believe that it was incredible. If I had to think of one thing I guess I'd go way back to my first job right out of college. I was working at Revlon and I was lucky enough to work on Ulltima IIs Lipsexxy, the predecessor of Revlon's ColorStay lipcolor which was a major breakthrough in the industry at the time. Also I worked on LipFusion Lip Plumper which was another major breakthrough in the industry a few years ago.


What is it like working on a fragrance? How do you research and come up with a successful scent?
It's truly incredible. And such an art form. I work with all of the major perfume houses and really all the credit has to go to them and the perfumers. They're the artists. I can just evaluate and decide what I like and what I think will be successful.


What actually goes into an anti-ageing cream? What makes it reverse or improve the skin? (sorry very random, but I am curious!)
There are so many ingredients and new technologies that it's hard to focus on just one. There are a few different ways to address aging. One is prevention and another is reversing the damage that has already been done. I work with all of the raw material suppliers out there and various R&D teams and I have to tell you that there are things that truly do work, retinols and peptides being some of them.


What tools are required to help you with your job on a day to day basis?
You definitely have to stay on top of trends from a fashion, lifestyle and color standpoint as well as from an ingredient standpoint. The industry moves very quickly and you have to have your finger on the pulse. Also it's always good to look back to see what's been successful before and to see how you can update it and improve on it. I work with various trend and research agencies, raw material suppliers, I read industry journals, fashion and lifestyle magazines constantly, and I always keep my eyes open when I'm out an about. You never know what will inspire you! Often you can find a concept in a different industry and then it can be applied to beauty.

What's the career path for anyone wanting to get into the cosmetics industry? (Education, training etc) -Do you have to have to be a genius in the science department & have a knowledge about molecules and cells?
I just happened to go to school specifically for cosmetics marketing but that's not the only way to get into the industry. It really depends on which part of cosmetics you're looking to get into. If you're going for marketing or product development a marketing degree and an internship or job in the beauty industry will help you get your foot in the door. Even if you work retail at a counter that will show you have an interest and passion for the industry. And you definitely do not have to be a genius in science unless you're looking to go into R&D. I happen to love science and formulation so that's helped me have a better understanding of the workings of a formula but the formulators are the geniuses.

Have you ever come up with a concept for a huge cosmetics/beauty brand? If yes, can you share what it was?
I'd go back to LipFusion. I was being presented with a new technology meant for skincare to plump out wrinkles and I thought wouldn't it be great to put this in a lip formula to plump up lips. The chemists I worked with formulated an incredible product that truly works!

What are your thoughts on lotions, potions and creams that claim they can reduce wrinkles or can improve the texture of your skin to creams that reduce the appearance of cellulite?
Cellulite is a tough one. Anti aging creams definitely can and do work but I've yet to find a product or technology that truly works on cellulite. We've been searching for years now and nothing yet. I mean some can help temporarily but nothing long term. I'll let you know when one is discovered!


Can a $20 face cream be just as good and have the same or better results than a face cream costing $100?
Absolutely. Well I'd go up to $30 but there are definitely drug store formulas that work incredibly well.


Are there any beauty products you'd like to recommend?
I would but I wouldn't want to get in trouble or offend anyone. If any one would like some recommendations, feel free to email me :) via The Alternative Wife

I hope you all enjoyed this feature! I sure learnt a lot through the answers... all very fascinating! Dawn, thank you again, it's been a pleasure having you over on A Brit Greek! Smooches x.o.x.o

Stunning Images via my newest Photographer Love addiction: Kenneth Willardt - Some of the images are from the 2011/2012 calender for Maybelline, other via his site
Perfume lab image via designsponge

"I Want This Job" Make-Up Artist & Ambassador for Max Factor Greece

OK, so, I am beyond excited about this installment of "I want this Job", why?
Well, basically this is one of the professions I would have loved to have done, had I not been in Fashion. (Fashion Butter if you're reading, in another life I'd be driving around in a big fat, ice cream style van, giving out make-overs, rainbow coloured nail polish and the finest Gelato (naturally!).

I love make-up, make-overs, whatever... it's the inner creative mojo that gets unleashed once in a while.
When I moved over here, I was blown away by the amazing live TV "How-To's" on "Kafes me tin Eleni" and I also noticed how amazing Zeta Makripoulia looked on Greek 'Dancing with the Stars' (apologies to those who have no clue what/who i'm talking, she's a Greek Beauty - famous TV presenter & actress below).

I simply had to know the force behind was making these women gorgeous. I posted this a while ago, in hope of hunting down the genius and lucky for me, the gorgeous Katerina of Fashion Algorithms shed me some the light! The secret beauty weapon is this guy!

Introducing the mega talented and brilliant make up artist extraordinaire - Yiannis Marketakis!

I Want This Job: Make Up Artist
Who do you work for?
Max Factor (MF), over the last five years as ambassador of MF in Greece


What sparked your interest in make-up/beauty?
I love make up, even though my studies at the beginning were in a completely different path (I studied financial and law in Panteion University of Athens, and conservation and restoration of Art and then I studied make up and hair styling).
I love make up and beauty because it's very creative, you are working with a "live canvas"which is giving you the pleasure to transform and make people beautiful.




What's a typical day in the life of Yiannis Marketakis?
A typical day for me is starting early in the morning, it depends on the daily schedule: from working on a photo-shoot on a location requiring the use of the day light, and then working on an advertisement, filming in a studio to working late at night in a night club doing the make up of a famous singer. The day after you can find me in a world conference of Max Factor presenting products or flying in new york for a campaign!

At the moment, i'm on tour with Helena Paparizou (snap shot above) all over Greece.

Elena Paparizou looking hot!

Can you tell us a little about what goes on behind the scenes? A sneak peek into your world - be it TV appearance, preparing a celebrity for a movie premiere/event, photo-shoot for a magazine or for a collaboration with a make up brand?
The reality behind the scenes can be very tough sometimes, it's not always so flashy and glamorous that people believe. There is always the constant pressure about the time there is (I can just picture someone in the background going "4 minutes, you got 4 minutes only!!!") & a lot of things that have to be prepared specially when we are on a live TV show.
There is no room for mistakes as everything must be perfect at the right time, everytime! The make up, the hair, the styling, the lights etc... so as you can probably imagine there is a lot of pressure!

Yiannis working on Doukissa Nomikou

In a photo shoot the things are different, there is more time to create, to repair fix and change everything that you don't like!

What do you love about this job & why is it so fabulous?
As I mentioned before, I love this job because of the creativity and with this job, it never get boring, you are in a different place everyday with different people doing different things!
It's very fabulous because you have to deal with celebrities, actors, singers, models and you are also part of the fashion industry.

Is it as glamorous as it sounds?
Yes! It's very glamorous, because you live with all these people and sometimes very close. For example, i'm working with Helena Paparizou for the last six years, I'm in her daily schedule and sometimes i'm following her program for a long time. So we'll end up living in the same hotels, eating in the same restaurants, going out in the same places! Of course it's glamorous!


Have you travelled anywhere amazing as a make-up artist?
I have travelled around the globe a lot as a make up artist, from Japan, China, Australia, French Polynesia, Bora Bora, Maldives, all around USA, Canada, Latin America, Russia and all over Europe, Africa and Asia.


What's most challenging/difficult about this job?
The most challenging thing with this job is to create different looks on one person, sometimes long hours and the most difficult is to have contact with the people that you're working with. What core responsibilities do you have as a Make-up artist?
-to be always there if needed

-to have always clean products and tools

-to be always informed and updated in trends and in fashion

Which celebrity do you love working with?
I love working with my girls Elena Paparizou, Zeta Makripoulia, and Eleni Menegaki the most but of course i love working with all the celebrities.

Eleni Menegaki

Elena Paparizou

Which brands of make up do you love working with?
Max Factor make up products.

What skills do you need to be a great Make-up artist?
The skills for being a make up artist is "free hand and creative mind" inspiration and observation

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to become a Make-up artist?
My advice for those who want to be a make-up artist is hard work, read a lot of international fashion magazines and my moto in make up is "less is more"


What's the career path like? (Education, training, how long does it take to get to where you are/successful make up artist?)
The education & training is the first step, most important is the practice, it depends on how creative you are. My advice is to open your mind and feed it with a lot of creative data! Get different information from different sources and try to make them yours! Create your own style so when somebody sees a picture, they can say "Oh, that's Marketakis' make up"!

Editorials for International magazines & L'Officiel

How did you find your dream job as a Make-up artist? Do you have a portfolio?
By working hard, finding myself an agency. My site is under construction, however, you can visit www.yiannismarketakis.com soon.
For the moment you can see a small sample at www.effex.gr which is the agency i'm with.

Any make up tips you'd like to share?
Sleep 8 hours a day, drink a lot of water and keep your skin clean and hydrated. That helps a lot in making it easier for the make up to look fabulous.

Use liquid and light foundations to have a light invisible cover, especially in the morning and never go OTT and use all the products together!

A huge thank you to Yiannis for sharing this info with us (he's super busy man) - we love him! Personally I'd love a mini version of Yiannis to take everywhere with me so I can look equally as gorgeous 1st thing in the morning! Elena Paparizou sure is one lucky lady!

"I want this Job" : Fashion Stylist - Glamour Magazine

Hey guys, the next installment of "I want this Job" is being posted a day earlier than usual, this week's been kinda chokka crazy so trying to get my blogging mojo together has not been easy.
Doesn't help that it is insanely hot in Athens too, I swear the nauseating heat permeates through the weeny pores of concrete.

Anyhoos, further to the previous post, it's kinda ironic that I've got one fabulous Fashion Stylist who's going to give you the low-down on her job! I'm sure you're all familiar with Glamour magazine, famed for it's Style 'Do's & Don'ts', the fantastic 'Fast Fashion' pages to 'Beauty Get the Look' pages.



"I Want This Job": Martha Papadatou
Job Title/description: Fashion Stylist
Who do you work for? Glamour Magazine, Greece

What do you actually do?
I am a fashion stylist and I work for Glamour Greece Magazine. As a stylist for the magazine I am responsible for the fashion pages of Glamour. That includes picking out the clothes and the accessories that I want to feature in my pages, also choosing the photographer I want to work with for the issue, casting the model and the make up artist for my Editorial.

What's your typical working day like?
Well, I have a hard time waking up, but then I try to organize my day.

• I start in the morning by going to shops and companies and picking out clothes for our fashion pages.
• I discuss the editorial with the collaborating photographer. It is essential that we both are able to express equally what we want to show in our editorial. We usually choose together the model that will feature in it.
• I go to the office to check my e-mails. I have to check the new models that are in town and wait to see when the clothes and accessories that I have order from abroad will be arriving to the office.
• I go to our wardrobe room to assemble the clothes and accessories for the photo shoots.

What do you love about this job & why is it so fabulous?
Well first of all, I love clothes. So I am very blessed that I do a job that involves something I love. I am always very excited to see the new trends and to see what my favourite designers have to show us. But I think the best thing for me is that I am never, ever, bored. I feel that every day I have something new to do.

Is it as glamorous as it sounds?
Some days it is and some days it is not. I think it is glamorous when you go to the fashion parties and fashion shows. All the rest, is very hard (but fulfilling) work.


Where is the most exciting place you've traveled to for a job?
To the Caribbean, specifically I went to the West Indies.

What's the most amazing styling job you've done in your career?
Working for Glamour.

What's it like styling a photo-shoot for Glamour?
It is very exciting. We start the day drinking strong coffee and we start doing the model’s hair and make up. When the model is ready I start dressing her and we begin. I love photo shoots because through them, I can express my style and be creative.


Have you had any styling/nightmare experiences?
A few, but truly, I can’t remember any at the moment.

What's not so great about this job?
Well, all jobs have a flip side. I think the not so great part of it, is when the issue is due for print and everybody in the office is anxious and running for last minute changes in pages and issues. And also, as a stylist you have to carry a lot of heavy bags full of clothes, accessories and shoes! No doubt, as a stylist it also means steaming a lot of clothes, dressing the models & returning samples back to designers/PR agencies too!


What core responsibilities do you have?

• Pick up clothes for the theme of the shoot, co-ordinating the look with photographer, make up artist and hair stylist etc. and return the clothes.
• Assemble the clothes for my pages and check that everything that should be featured in them, actually is.
• Shoot my editorial. And, of course, always deliver on schedule. - Make sure the clothes used are properly credited.
  

What skills do you need to be a great stylist?
1. A sense of style.
2. Organization skills.
3. Patience
4. The will to work very hard.


What advice would you give to anyone who wants to become a stylist? Is it a tough career to break into?
I believe that you must look beyond the glamorous part and be willing to accept the fact that this is hard work.

What's the career path like?
I think all career paths are the same (university, work experience, working from bottom upwards). If you are true to what you do, you will eventually be acknowledged for it.


How did you start networking/get started/find your dream job as a stylist?
Is it essential to have a portfolio?
A classmate from fashion school introduced me to the world of glossy magazines. So for me, it was quite easy. I believe that it is, yes. You show your work through the pages of your portfolio, it’s like a passport.

Anything hot styling tips you'd like to share?
Be true to your self and your own style. It is Essential.
Don’t go into a styling frenzy.
Love Fashion but always wear fashion - don’t let fashion wear YOU!

Thanks so much for sharing Martha!

images via: Glamour magazine, Greece