I Want This Job: Madame Figaro Beauty Editor

Oooh, I'm so excited to present you with my 3rd installment of "I want this Job" feature. I luuurve beauty and am a major sucker for products, experimenting with make up looks & reading about all the latest goodness in magazines.
NB: I have something weird going on with blogger and composing the posts, hence the sporadic font types!!! What a mare, sorry peeps!

One magazine I buy consistently here in Greece is Madame Figaro, whose glorious glossy pages, dreamy fashion & stunning beauty pages always give me a fully satisfied feeling. (I'm not quite there in reading and totally understanding Greek, so pictures and styling or visuals are what work for me).

I'd like to introduce Thalia Kechri of Madame Figaro, who going to give us a frank and honest sneak peek into being a Beauty Editor. Enjoy!

I want this job: Beauty Editor

Where do you work? Madame Figaro Magazine, Greece

What's a typical day in the life of Thalia Kechri?

As a beauty editor I don't have to go to work very early – that's a plus- so I have some time for my family and myself in the morning. I must admit each day is different since I often have to go to photo shoots or attend beauty events, usually cosmetic launches. So, when I haven't got another obligation I arrive at work at about 11,00 and start answering my e-mails. I receive a lot of different products and press releases every day so I have to go through all this stuff see what interests me and what doesn't. I may have to attend to a meeting with my editor in chief to decide next issues subjects. Then I get down to writing and preparing for my photo shoots. I also have a lot of talking on the phone to do. Lots of pr managers call me daily to talk to me about their clients, their products and so on. There isn't really a certain time limit to my job. If I have finished everything I have to do, I may leave at 5,00-5,30 but most of the days I have to be here to help the graphic designers to set the magazine's pages and make sure there are no mistakes made.

What core responsibilities do you have?

First of all I have decide on my subjects, make sure they are interesting and following the season's needs & trends. Then I must write the texts, consult some experts – like doctors, make up artists or hair experts – follow the trends & watch the fashion shows, especially if I want to write about make up or hair trends. I also have to be in contact with beauty products company in order to be informed about new products, new cosmetic breakthroughs.

What do you love most about your job? Have you always been passionate about beauty?

To be honest I was not passionate about beauty but I've always wanted to work in a magazine. So I ended up working in beauty by accident but I realized I liked this particular subject and I don' t regret having chosen this sector. When I first started working things were quiet different and there were many things I loved about it. I loved writing, trying on all these new beautiful cosmetics and doing something exciting. Nowadays, things are tough but I still like the fact that I get in touch with a lot of different people, I don' t have to sit in an office all day and I don't get easily bored.

Is the job as glamorous as it sounds?

The job used to be quiet glamorous but it is not anymore – not in Greece that is. I used to travel a lot in order to attend to international events but trips are now a luxury. Furthermore, when you do a job for so long you get to be more down to earth, and not get easily excited by things that others consider exceptional.

What's not so great about your job? Challenges etc?

One thing is not so great is that I can't write my opinion about the products I am presenting. I have to be careful not to offend big companies that pay a lot of money for publicity to the magazine I work for. In other countries- USA, UK, France – that doesn't happen. Journalists are free to write whatever they want but here we are bound by different interests.

How often do companies send in new product to you to review? Is there a beauty closet at Madame Figaro for all the amazing new products? - (I want to live in it!)

As I wrote above that is one of the great things about this job. Companies send their products all the time and there are several beauty closets at Mme Figaro.

What are your thoughts on the beauty bloggers out there?

I really admire all these women who try to take care of themselves and be beautiful even though they are so busy, they often have jobs and families and try to cope with everything, yet have time to blog about beauty. So, I believe the beauty bloggers should be well informed, try and be objective about the products they review and help all women be beautiful without spending much money nor time.

How did you get into beauty writing and what is the career path for those who want this job?

Well, I studied to be a translator but I've always enjoyed writing. I found out from a friend that Mme Figaro was looking for an assistant that spoke French and I had an interview. Since my editors in chief realized I was good at writing I became a beauty editor – it took me about 4-5 years. But this is Greece and there are no rules.

What skills do you need to be a great beauty writer?

First of all you have to have the ability to adapt to each magazine's style. I can't write for Cosmo in the same way I am writing for Mme Figaro. Then you have to be direct, straight to the point and avoid getting out of the subject. You also have to be concise – describe something in a few words. And of course you have to be imaginative because often you must write similar subjects with a totally different concept.

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to become a Beauty Editor? Is it a tough career to break into?

This is the worst time for someone to try to become a beauty editor in Greece. No one is hiring. Things may be easier on the Internet but even there they don't pay you that well and Greek sites aren't very well organized yet.

What's the biggest beauty myth you have come across in your career?

That a face cream can erase wrinkles that's why I try to be careful and use words like reduce, soften, but never erase. Only a plastic surgeon can erase wrinkles. And that a body cream can make cellulite disappear.

What are your top 10 beauty essentials?

1. Concealer
2. Blush (Pink since I am blond, coral if you are brunette)
3. Lipstick (red in the winter, pinkish in the summer)
4. Mascara (brown in the morning, black in the evening)
5. Grey nail polish (for this season at least)
6. Eau de Parfum
7. Moisturizing Day cream
8. Eye cream against bags and circles.
9. Body oils (the are dry and moisturize without leaving traces)
10. Hair mask – the only way to repair coloured, damaged hair.

Can a 10€ face cream be just as good and have the same or better results than a face cream costing 100€?

It definitely can. When you pay 100€ for a cream, besides ingredients, you pay for the advertising campaign, the luxury bottle, the brand name and the big fancy package. Some very cheap products use effective ingredient and continue to be cheap because they don't have a fancy campaign or a luxurious package. They are still effective though.

Any expert beauty tips you would like to share with my readers?

My most important tip is that you don't need too many products to keep you skin beautiful and young. You mostly need to moisturize. Moisturize your face and your body both by using moisturizers and by eating fresh fruit and vegetable – not just by drinking water. If your skin is not moisturized enough then no anti-wrinkle cream – not even the most expensive in the world – can help you look young.

If you missed the previous "I want this Job" features, please see here for Footwear Buyer for Topshop & here for Ladieswear Designer.

"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

"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" : Visual Merchandising

Shop windows are the very thing that entices you into walking through the door & making a purchase. Whilst attractive displays provide a very enjoyable retail experience... Remember Charlotte in SATC getting totally sucked in by the shoes on display & the weird shoe assistant???

Levi's store on Regent Street, London

Anyhow, I'd love to introduce you to my 4th installment of "I want this Job" featuring someone of exceptional talent in Visual Merchandising; Jason Traves, whom I've been lucky to work with (although in a totally different dept.) in my previous life. He's so much fun (if you work with him - you're really lucky!!!), incredibly talented and super creative...

I Want This Job: Visual Merchandising
Job Title: Retail Presentation Manager
Who do you work for? Levi's, UK

What do you actually do?
I build and protect the companies brand image visually through windows, Visual Merchandising (VM), Creative installations and shop-fit activity.


What's your typical working day like?
My day to day work involves creating new installations and the planning that goes with them, running my team of talented retail co-ordinator's and V.M (visual merchandising) manager and ensuring everyone is on track to deliver our strategy, and then the boring stuff like budgets and signing invoices!
What are you working on at the moment?
I'm working on the new installation for our Flagship store, can't tell you the focus though as then I would ruin the launch! I'm also rolling out some new branded spaces in department stores that Levis partner with.

What do you love about this job & why is it fabulous?
I love that I get paid to be creative yet still get to develop my commercial and people skills, I like the idea of taking a blank space and completely changing the look and feel of it.


Whose window's inspire you?
Of course Harvey Nichols, my friend Laura is the creative genius behind their windows and I love how she always pulls something new out of the bag, I also love Barney's windows in New York, Simon Doonan has really transformed how visuals can tell a story or have an opinion, he always has a fun way of talking about current affairs through his windows, the last I saw was a window dedicated to Michelle Obama when Barack Obama was inaugurated.

Harvey Nichols 2008

See here for more Harvey Nichols amazing window displays.

What's the most exciting job you've ever created/conceptualize in your career?
I liked the copper hoarding I conceptualized and commissioned for the new Levis flagship store, mainly because it was something a little out of the norm. I like to have variety in my work, another of my favorites was an installation I did in the Cinch store on Newburgh street which was inspired by the Amish and the way they re-cycle everything so it takes on a different life, I basically transformed the whole store by re-cladding the frontage into a whirlwind of different coloured pieces of wood. I tend to like my most recent work as it feels fresher whereas previous installations can feel dated.

Check out the night-time sparkles, love, love, love!

Cinch Store on Newburgh st, London

What's not so great about this job?
Endless Invoice signing, budget sheets....you have to take the good with the bad! (J-it's not THAT bad!!!)...

501 window of Selfridges Dept. store, London

What core responsibilities do you have?
Ensuring all of the logos and trademarks are used correctly, window design, overseeing the visual merchandising and ensuring it makes sense and drives sales, building brand equity through the projects I deliver, building world class visual merchandising teams.


What skills do you need to be a great Visual Merchandiser?
Creativity, a commercial understanding of VM, a bigger understanding of the brand and its vision, adaptability and flexibility as the hours come sometimes be long and unsociable.

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to become a Visual Merchandiser? Is it a tough career to break into?
Yes it can be, the best training is to try and start by getting work experience or a junior role in a department store, his way you will get to work with all types of product from fashion to white goods to perfumery, you should work with all products even if you favour one in particular as you never know what the next opportunity will be.

What's the career path like?
I started as soon as I left school working at junior level in a department store, the best experience is to just get straight in at store level, I know people who wasted a good few years at college when they could have been learning on the job, I don't know if there are any good courses out there right now.

Levi's with House of Holland window, Selfridges Dept. store, London

How did you start networking/get started/find your dream job?
I worked my way up through the ranks and learnt as I went along and made sure I made the best of each career turn.
Is it essential to have a portfolio?
Definitely, you have to show your creativity somehow, if you don't have a portfolio then sketch window ideas and show your understanding of the sector you are trying to get into, whether it be Denim, Fashion or furniture.

Jason has also worked for Kookai, UK & produced some amazing windows & VM with the team

Anything else you'd like to share?
Look for inspiration everywhere, Galleries are good, travel always opens the mind a bit and try and think out of the box.

Thanks so much for sharing J - you're a legend!

NB: Jason is now Head of creative And visual merchandising at Miss Selfridge, Jan 2011