Internships and College: Teen Vogue Handbook

Some of us have known fashion was their livelihood since the could play dress up in their mothers' closets. Others, such as myself slowly discovered the industry and become enthralled by it daily. Those of us with the slow start may soon have some much needed help on how to break into this competative industry. Teen Vogue is set to release its "Insider's Guide to Careers in Fashion" in October. The book will include career advice, tips, and interviews with big industry names such as Marc Jacobs, Karl Lagerfield, and Patrick Demarchelier.

You can watch what Amy Astley (Teen Vogue's Editor-in-Chief) has to say about the handbook here:

"Do your homework, go online, visit every museum, and intern. You just need to have a love for what you're doing. It's not about thinking that it's the cool thing; it's about really believing in it."
-Anna Wintour

What do you think about the Teen Vogue Handbook? Are you going to purchase it?

Internships and College: Design Your Dorm

Design Your Dorm is a relatively new website that brings a whole new dimension to dorm decorating. I wish this website was up and running when I was an incoming college freshman spending my days on The Container Store website thinking of decorating ideas. The website allows you to create a 3-D model of your dorm. For those of you attending big schools, they have exact dorm replicas which is great. The website also allows to choose from a generic room type. The service provides a great way for you and I to see what will fit in our tiny dorms and what won't. While the idea is great, I think it still needs a lot of work. As you can see above, I began putting up posters (I have the colorful Martini Glass Poster in my dining room!) but was unable to place any comforter or move around some of the furniture. It needs to be more flexible. I wish I could remove the wardrobes (we have built-in closets) and move the window. I think the idea is genius, and I recommend checking it out, but some of the details need to be worked out.

Check out Design Your Dorm Here:

Be sure to check out their Moving Day Checklist!

What do you think of Design Your Dorm? Does it make planning for Move-In Day easier?

Internships and College: Dorm Decorating 101

                                            [Image Courtesy of The Container Store]

The best part of about moving into your own place, whether it be your dorm or a new apartment, is being able to express yourself in a whole new way. Living at home sometimes makes it hard to fully decorate according to your tastes and style. I know my room is cluttered with things from my childhood. So, a chance to start fresh and explore decorating ideas can definitely be exciting! 

Choose a Color Scheme or Theme
By choosing a color scheme, I don't mean to make everything in your room blue. Many times, especially dorms have white walls that you aren't allowed to paint. Use this as an opportunity to play with different bright colors in your bedspread, posters, and even your desk. The room in the image above isn't too matchy, but there certainly is an underlying fresh yellow young theme.

Be Conscious of Space
Conserve! Put up shelves and use boxes. You don't have to buy boring clear plastic storage boxes in every single size for everything. I do recommend purchasing big sturdy boxes for under your bed, but for around your room use canvas boxes or baskets in different patterns, prints, and colors.

Decorate Walls
Make use of all the blank space. Put up mirrors, posters, or pictures. Want to be a little different? Invest in a mural or some wall art/stickers. I've even seen people hang up huge tapestries on their walls or from their ceilings. This is your time to be creative, so try something new.

Invest in Extra Lighting
This past year, my bedroom had one lamp (mind you, my school has great dorms, so be prepared). There are great ways to light up a room. Check out garage sales for some great vintage lamps and light stands. A lot of students I know like to use Christmas lights all around the edges of their room as a fun way to brighten up their space.

Organize
Everything. I'm not the most organized person (on the weekends it can get a little out of hand), but for the most part I like keeping things pretty structured. If you need to make room in your closet, purchase a shoe rack or closet organizer to place inside.

Check back throughout the summer for some more ideas, links, and sales!

Think you’ve got a great place or unique ideas? Share by commenting or send me a picture at modaholica@gmail.com and you may be featured on Modaholica.

Internships and College: What to Wear

Your style at work will depend on the company's dress code.  Yesterday was my first day at my internship, and I have to admit my clothes were definitly lacking any kind of personal style.  Since it was my first day, I thought it better to be overdressed in black slacks, a white and grey striped button down, and a black blazer. Business Professional. I did like my jewelry, but it still felt lacking.  I'll be sure to update my look from now on though.  If you need some suggestions to make your work outfit more fun, I'll be posting some ideas.

The Connie Striped Chiffon Top is a light pastel coral.  There's a subtle presence of a cream color which makes it perfect to wear with brown colors.  I like the tie detail.  It's different from your typical button down without being over the top.

Connie Striped Chiffon Top Available at Forever 21 for $19.80

Dark brown slacks is a nice neutral alternative to the typical black and grey. The Gianni Flare Trouser creates a flattering shape because it narrows down at the knees and then widens out, balancing the hips.

Gianni Flare Trouser Available at Forever 21 for $22.80

The Cherize Leather Tote is a nice taupe color and its shape is perfect for work, because it's large enough for any kind of notebook or folder you may need.

Cherize Leather Tote Available at Forever 21 for $29.80

Iactually own the Rose Drop Earring Set.  It's a very simple set that is easy to work into outfits. My favorite is the rose studs, such a fun and easy way to work in the summer floral trend.

Rose Drop Earring Set Available at Forever 21 for $4.80

I love the Nine West Barbe heels.  They're the most comfortable heels I've ever owned, and they're available in plenty of colors.  If you're looking for a good pair of heels, definitely invest in these.

Nine West Barbe Available at Piperlime for $69.00

Do you always try to work in your own style and trends into your work outfits?

Internships and College: Resume Writing Tips

So you’ve found a job or internship that you really want to apply for, but need to write or update your resume. Don’t know where to begin? Start by searching for a template for Microsoft Word or sample resumes online. This way you can get a general idea what they should look like and start compiling the information you’ll need.

[Image Courtesy of Relia Staff]

My Tips:

Make sure your resume looks and sounds professional. Stay simple in appearance. When it comes to resumes, less is more. As clever and different as Elle Wood’s resume seems, a pink fragranced resume may not be the best choice.

Try using detailed words and titles, and be clear in what you’re trying to say. This is your 15 seconds to shine. Make sure your resume effectively represents you and what you’d want your employer to know. Explain all of your skills and knowledge in a sophisticated, yet straightforward manner.

Use headings, bullets, bold/italics, and structure to your advantage. Break down your resume for readability. This also allows you to present your information in a way in which your important skills stand out.

Don’t lie or exaggerate. Don’t write “Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite” if you have no idea how to work with Microsoft Access. During an interview, I was asked how comfortable I was with Excel, and I replied that I was very comfortable and proficient in it. My interviewer proceeded to ask me if I could show him how to filter a database on Excel. Everything worked out well, but be mindful of what you’re writing.

Lastly, if you’re enrolled at a college or university, use their resources!! Take advantage of books at the library or the career center. Many schools offer one-on-one help and may even proofread your resume.

How’s your job search going this summer?

Internships and College: What Fashion Job Category is Best for You?

You like the clothes, read the magazines, and subscribe to blogs. You are a self-proclaimed fashionista, obsessed with all things fashion. If you’ve decided a career in fashion is your calling, but you don’t know exactly what you want to do, take a look at the following categories. See which fits your talents and dreams.

[Image Courtesy of All Arts Schools]

Designing

So, you think you want to be a designer? If you have vision and sketching is your thing, invest in a lot paper and pencils, and an education from schools such as FIT, Parsons, FIDM, and others. It’s a tough life for a designer. Breaking into the fashion world is difficult, let alone for an aspiring designer. If you truly believe in yourself and your work, stick to it.

Manufacturing

A career in manufacturing involves the process of turning the fabrics, trim, etc. in the finished product. Jobs in this category can involve choosing fabrics, sewing, or managing. A career in manufacturing can often be very hands-on. Basically, you’re responsible for turning an idea into reality.

Buying and Merchandising

As a buyer you’re often responsible for deciding what to purchase from a wholesaler so you can place it in stores. Sometimes it can involve predicting emerging trends and examining which items are selling (versus others). Merchandisers work with promotion. They have to figure out what looks best in-store to visually enhance promotion. Buyers and merchandisers may often work together to determine what to place and how to place it to increase sales.

Editorial

If you one day hope to read your writing in the pages of Vogue, Elle, Lucky, or another magazine, an editorial job is for you. Editorial jobs can also include editing responsibilities or graphic design. This is well suited for people with a creative eye.

Marketing/Public Relations

If you’re a social individual and don’t mind networking, a career in marketing or public relations might be for you. This career path involves branding, advertising, and generating publicity for a product, company, or fashion house.

Modeling

If you know how to strut your stuff, modeling may be in your future. You need to know how to work your body both in front of the camera and/or on the runway. Responsibilities include being a muse to your photographer and being absolutely fierce, hahaha.

Photography

A photographer knows how to use angles and lighting to enhance a photograph. If you think you have this vision, a career as a fashion photographer is for you. Build up a portfolio. Strive to be a little different but interesting, and maybe you’ll one day see your photos gracing the pages of magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar.


Have any questions about specific jobs in these categories? Comment or e-mail me, and I’ll try to help you out to the best of my ability!


What job category seems most appealing to you?

Internships and College: School's Out!

Most of us college students are well on our way out of our college classrooms. Finals are over, but all of those papers and studying might have put our internship search aside. Don’t give up! It’s not too late to find your ideal internship. There are still opportunities available, so don’t resort to your same old summer job just yet.

Lately these next 5 sites have been lingering in my web history:

Fashion Specific:

FreeFashionInternships.com

It’s all in the name. FreeFashionInternships.com is the perfect place to find the fashion internship you’ve been dreaming about. Today, I applied for an internship I would’ve never found if it wasn’t listed on their site. With most fashion job resources charging poor college students like you and me, this website is easy, free, and one of my favorite internship search resources.

DailyFashionJobs.com

This blog is devoted to providing internship seekers fashion related jobs for students of all majors. Here you can find a design, editorial, or marketing internship. There is such a variety that you're sure to find an appealing internship, because they have it all.

General:

Craigslist.com

You may not think of Craigslist to be the ideal job search tool, but the truth is, it has some valuable opportunities so, don’t just pass it by. The key is to be smart on your search. Look for company names, and do some of your own research. There are tons of companies, big and small, looking for the right intern and it just might be you! The thing I love about Craigslist is that it has tons of features so you can really narrow down what kind of internship you’re looking for. So do your work, but be smart and safe!

Hotjobs.com

Plug in your keyword and zip code and instantly a list of internships in your immediate area pop up. I love how user-friendly Hotjobs is. It’s so easy to navigate, and it tells you when the internship was posted, how convenient. It seems that a lot of big retail/fashion companies list internships there (Think…Tommy Hilfiger, Lucky Brand Jeans, Macy’s), which is definitely nice.

Monster.com

Similarly to Hotjobs, you can upload and save resumes and cover letters making your internship hunt that much simpler. My favorite thing about Monster and what distinguishes it from other job search engines is how it typically redirects you to the company website, and if you choose to apply, a little box creeps up from the bottom. This way you can explore the company, see if it suits you, and quickly apply.