Student Style Stalker: May 2013

Friday 31 May 2013

My Thoughts on ELLE so far...

I have been at ELLE for a week now (it's gone so fast!) but so far I have learnt a lot about how the fashion department works. It's a very busy and fast paced industry so you have to ensure you are that extra one step ahead as sometimes it can get a little over whelming when there are 4 urgent returns to do at once.

Before I started, people told me it would be similar to the film 'The Devil Wears Prada' and in some ways it is, but the people in the offices and the industry are extremely busy with many other things.

Although in the offices there is communication between staff regarding shoots, pages and most often returns, a lot of the time it's just you, at your desk, getting on with the job at hand.

For me, I enjoy being kept busy, there for the return are perfect as I know I can move from one to the other and continue with what ever else needs to be done.

I'm loving my time at ELLE so far, and today I have a lot more to learn as from Monday, I will be the 'main' intern and will have to show someone else what to do. So today will be spent taking all the information in.

Don't forget to check out my next post on how my Friday at ELLE went today

Rachel. x

Thursday 30 May 2013

ELLE Day 3

Arriving at 10am, my desk was tidy and ready for me to start my busy day. Today's priority was the fashion cupboard. With items constantly being taken in and out of the cupboard for editorial and shoots, it rarely stays tidy and things are always moved around, making it mine, and Megan's (another intern) job to organise. Believe it or not, ELLE'S fashion cupboards are relatively small, yet filled with incredible designers, making it hard to place things. A good two hours later and the cupboard was organised. Much better, and the team certainly appreciated it as they were too busy planning and working on the September issue.

Next, my job was to collect delivery from the post room, with a whole shelf dedicated to ELLE fashion, there are a good 20+ deliveries per day, and with a tiny cupboard, it can be a little tricky unpacking it all.

The majority of my days are spent doing urgent and normal returns. Urgent ones need putting in the original packaging, and taken downstairs to becollected by someone from the store it was requested from. And all other returns are simply posted to the store, simple once you get the hang of it!

The least favourite part of my day would have to be bagging up hangers, not the most exciting job, but the fashion cupboard looks a whole lot better now, and the most favourite part of my day would have to be arranging the fashion cupboard, and seeing all of the new trends that no one else has seen yet. I promise you, it's worth the wait, they are fabulous!

Pictures;

Sorting hangers - not fun

Fashion returns - got the hang of it now!

Dolce & Gabbana bird cage heels - LOVE

That's all for now, after a long day, it's another long train journey home, then back to ELLE tomorrow. I'll be head intern on Monday as Megan's leaving tomorrow, but excited to take on the challenge!

Rachel x

Wednesday 29 May 2013

ELLE Day 2

My second day at ELLE allowed me to wake up an extra half an hour later, so that was much appreciated, trust me, these long days certainly get the better of you! But if you don't put in the hard work, you don't get the reward! I arrived at the Hearst offices at 9.50 ready for my 10am start. Before hand I was admiring the shops on Carnaby street.

My day continued with many fashion returns. Filling out paper may sound tedious, but when you get to hold and admire all the amazing designer clothes shoes and handbags, you can't complain.

Today I also got to arrange and tidy the fashion cupboard. Yes, I know what your thinking tidying is the most boring thing on the world, but when you are arranging Ralph Lauren bags into colour order it becomes a whole lot more fun.

Whilst browsing through the fashion cupboard, I discovered all of the new upcoming trends. And I can tell you now, they are amazing! I can't wait for them to come out. Not that I can afford half of the items, actually, make that any of the items but even still, they are gorgeous! I won't give any away, as tempting as it is to share the wonderful new trends with you, I'll leave it as a surprise. Maybe you can guess some?...

I found today more relaxed, but I guess the second day always is. You have met everyone. Learnt your way around the building, and have a brief of what you are doing. I found today a lot easier than yesterday.

Here are my pictures of my day from start to finish...

- Walking to ELLE along Carnaby street

- Making a start on jewellery returns

- More and more jewellery returns

- Finally last shot of the day, a huge board of the ELLE Rihanna cover. This looks great just outside the office.

Successful second day, now for a 45min train journey home, dinner, bed, then up at 6am to start the day all over again!

Rachel x

Tuesday 28 May 2013

Day 1 at ELLE Magazine

Today was the day I started at Elle Magazine! After a not so fun 6am wake up call, I arrived in London, but now had to find the Hearst Magazine headquarters. Luckily, it didn't take me too long, and I was there in no time. Well, after a few wrong turns anyway. I arrived at the building, and it finally hit me that this would be my new work place for the following week.

After introducing myself, I was welcomed with my own personal swipe card for the building, okay, so a swipe card isn't exactly exciting, but this is ELLE were talking about, and I had access to one of the biggest fashion magazine companies ever, there for it was and is a big deal!

After a tour of the building, and shown to my desk, my day began with meeting other people from the ELLE team, followed by an introduction to the amazing fashion cupboard. Surrounded by Dolce & Gabbanna, Christian Dior, Mulberry, Louis Vuitton and many other great designers, I was in girl heaven. But my task for the day was to return products back to the store ELLE had borrowed them from.

Fashion Returns Form For ELLE.

A good half an hour into my day, I was asked if I wanted to be on the weekly 'What Elle Wears' page on the website. This shows you what some of the people at ELLE wear to work on a daily basis. I was so excited, and jumped at the chance to go and have my picture taken outside in London by the amazing photographer Victoria Adamson who works Freelance. Me, and two of the other interns Mark and Megan had our pictures shot outside in a very dull and rainy location.

What ELLE Wears

These were the final shots from the pictures Victoria got outside. I can't believe I have had the great opportunity to have my picture on the website, let alone be working for the magazine. I wore a Topshop dress, teamed with a statement necklace, leather jacket and oversized tote bag. I went for a smart, casual look for the day.

The rest of my 10am-6pm day continued in the Fashion department. With more items to be returned, packaged, collected and sent back, only meant I had more return forms to complete. I found it rather rewarding, knowing that I had completed my task, getting items returned and more amazing items back into the Fashion Cupboard.

Arranging jewellery to be sent back

ELLE loves Topshop jewellery

Here is a small selection of Jewellery I sorted to be returned to the shop. ELLE orders in the items to shoot for features in the magazine, and then after the shoot, they have to be sent back to the shops, and today, it was my job to sort them all out and package them ready to be sent away tomorrow.

Overall, an amazing first day! Got my picture on the ELLE website, learnt how to do returns, and fell in love with the fashion cupboard. One of my greatest achievements and experiences so far to date.

I wonder what the rest of the week holds?

Rachel

Wednesday 22 May 2013

Photoshoot Fun

I decided to take some pictures of my friend Gemma so that I could have a play around with the editing on Photoshop, as well as upload them to my blog for you lovely lot to have a peek at. I decided to keep it casual, allowing Gemma to pick outfits she was comfortable in, with me having some input on the accessories. Using her house as a studio, I took a series of shots...

Fur Coat, Bralet, Topshop Skater Skirt

Same as above

Khaki jacket, internacionale, fur scarf, h&m

Black Leggings, Topshop, Striped Top - Newlook

Same as above

Necklace & Top H&M, Jeans, Topshop, Wedges, River Island

Gold chain and spiked necklace H&M

Aren't these mirrored River Island Wedges gorgeous?!

Watch, Armarni

Look finished with a pair of high knee socks.

I selected the best shots from the shoot to add to the piece. My favourite pictures would have to be the ones shot outside of Gemma in the green jacket with the hedge as a background. It had a very wintery theme to the shoot. It's always fun to have a mess around with pictures, editing and adding different effects. I kept the shots as natural as possible when editing, slightly enhancing colours and features to make the picture stand out more. I loved doing this shoot, and using a friend made it even more fun to take the pictures!

Have you done any photo shoots on friends for your blog, or maybe a project?

Rachel

Tuesday 21 May 2013

Recent Purchases

Whilst catching up with friends this first week back at home, I couldn't help but treat myself to a few treats whilst having a 'browse' around town. It is summer after all, and nothing says summer like a bright nail varnish and some statement jewellery does it?

Above is the collection of things I brought. I got myself some bargains thankfully, as a statement necklace can be pricey depending on where you go. The two I got here are from H&M and Dorothy Perkins. The DP one is the one with the rectangles coming off it, with a lovely mirrored effect. And at £5 with matching earrings, who would say no?!

I'm a sucker for a sale on jewellery, and I have to say, before I brought these earrings, I was stood looking at the sale section for a good 15 minutes. There are so many lovely pieces to choose from. I finally settled on these earrings. The top pair, finished with a gold outline are silver and glittery. Another thing I go weak at the knees for, anything glittery! I liked the bigger gold pair for a casual daytime look, and at £3.50 for both pairs, why not treat yourself?

This is the first statement necklace I've brought, and for £5.00 in Dorothy Perkins, the choice was easy. Well in fact, the choice was between gold and silver, but I eventually settled on silver. I planned to wear this whilst on a placement at ELLE Magazine, but it works great for a night time look also. It has a great mirror effect, great for reflecting the sun (if it ever comes out.)

This silver barred necklace I got from H&M. Out of all the necklaces they had on show, this was the one I found the most simple, and affordable at £7.99. I've recently been drawn more to gold jewellery, but I've found that sometimes it can be a little harsh, especially on my skin, so a silver is perfect if you have a pale skin tone. I'm looking forward to trying out this necklace with some different outfits to see how it looks.

If you know me, you'll know I can't resist a new nail varnish, so whilst shopping, I got myself some BarryM colours. I had the Essie one already, but these colours look great together don't you think? These three would have to be my summer picks. Nice and bright, just what you need to get you in the summer mood.

I got these from Superdrug, but Boots sell them also. If you can't find these colours anywhere, take a look on the website for a wider selection. Try not to get too carried away like I do though, nail varnishes are definitely my weakness!

This was the final colour I treated myself to. Miss Sporty's collection of nail varnishes aren't great and I find that the colour does chip easily, even after two coats plus a top coat. (Apologies for the chipped nails above.) Apart from that, the colour choices are great! I'm currently wearing this metallic blue, and have had many complements!

Have you brought anything this week?

Rachel

Monday 20 May 2013

Primark Bargains

After a recent trip to Primark, I came across some Hareem trousers. I remember them being on trend a few years back, but like all trends, they eventually go out of fashion, then eventually come back around, and here they are, once again in time for summer. For me, these are the perfect alternative to tracksuit bottoms, nice and comfortable, and if you know me, you'll know that as soon as I get home, the jeans are off, and the trackie bottoms are on. Being comfortable is a must! Whilst having a browse in Primark the other day, I came across these few pairs, and for only £9 each, you can't go wrong. I brought myself the pair second on the left, all of the bright colours drew me to them instantly. Perfect summer buy for my Ibiza holiday when it gets a little chilly in the evening. Here are some of the patterned ones they have in stock at the moment. Along with some plain simple colours. Spoilt for choice! Primark Bargains

I'm really loving all of the different patterned clothes around at the moment. I thought I'd put together a collage of my favourite Hareem's and items I'd wear with the trousers for the perfect look. Here are my favourite items.

Personally, I'm loving the monochrome look at the moment, and these patterned and aztec Hareem's are my favourites. A simple black and white outfit is easy to pull together, and is great for that effortless look. Above is how I'd wear my hareems. With a simple white crop top, you have a perfect summer outfit for the daytime or evening. Added with a jacket, the outfit is pulled together for a casual daytime look. A statement necklace would work great with either of these trousers, and against the white top, it's bound to catch someones eye! If I was brave enough, I'd definitely wear a bowler hat to complete this look. Hats are perfect for them messy hair days when you can't be bothered, and a black one would look perfect with this outfit. Finally, a simple pair of black pumps to pull the look together. Even better, why not add a pair of heels for the night time? Day to night outfit in seconds.

Have you got your eye on any Hareem trousers for summer?

Rachel
x