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TOP FASHION EXPERTS SUPPORT YOUNG STUDENTS ON THEIR WAY TO SUCCESS WITH THANKS TO THE LONDON COLLEGE OF FASHION AND SISTERHOOD MEDIA GROUP

Drapers Online, ASOS, Liberty and VIPICA Productions are among the big names that attended the fashion panel discussion, hosted by Sisterhood Media Group's CEO Kubi Springer on May 27^th at London College of Fashion   
    
Sisterhood Media Group collaborated with the graduate development department at the London College of Fashion (LCF) to inspire and give advice to its students, with what they called ‘An Evening with Industry - Graduating into Fashion!’

 

The event was an exclusive closed door seminar with 100 students in attendance and comprised of in-depth discussions by industry experts who guided, inspired, infused and invigorated the students. The panel included James Barron, Head of Buying at ASOS; James Watson, Head of Menswear at Liberty; Rebekah Roy, Fashion Stylist for London Fashion Week and Writer for Drapers Online; alongside Veronica Veronina, Managing Director of VIPICA Productions. This stylish event was chaired by Kubi Springer, CEO of Sisterhood Media Group and filmed for broadcast on the Sisterhood TV Show, aired on Sky Channel 184.

 

 

Each guest had the opportunity to discuss their career at length, giving students a true insight into their world encompassing the highs and lows of the industry and how they got to their current position. More excitingly for the students there was a Q&A section and a networking experience, where students were able to have one to one conversations and have the chance to hand out their CVs and business cards. This certainly encouraged students, showing them the transition from education into full time fashion employment. This predominantly accentuated and gave focus to those in their final year of university, helping them on the right career path.

 

The students were undoubtedly in safe hands with Kubi Springer, the animated host who kept alive the flow of the evening. Springer herself was a prime example of one of the major talking points of the evening. The general consensus of the evening was that you start at the bottom and work your way up. Springer’s first big break was an internship in New York, where she found her feet in the midst of Puff Daddy’s own marketing agency label Blue Flame and as she put it experienced ‘no sleep for three years working on the Sean John clothing line. Despite the sleepless nights, Springer would reply ‘feel the fear and do it anyway,’ the phrase that enabled her to jump into the world of media and marketing, and now manages her own flourishing company.

 

The first insight into the life of the intern, all work work work but it is one of the most important aspects to have on your CV as we learnt from all the speakers. Springer began the evening by telling the students to introduce themselves to someone they didn’t know because those sitting beside them will unquestionably be the new generation of fashion experts. Learn to know your colleagues and contacts now.

James Barron, the Head of ASOS Menswear Buying was the first to speak. He himself started at LCF, which gave confidence to those in the lecture room. Starting his career on a graduate training scheme for Marks and Spencer’s, Barron has come to learn about the industry inside and out. From M&S to Moss Bros to Envy and Chilli Pepper to now the Head of ASOS Menswear Buying, gaining valuable experience along the way also emphasises the need to adapt to different ways of working and learning skills that can be transferred to different fields. ASOS has become the UK’s largest independent online fashion and beauty retailer, and Barron stresses their progressive nature and different attitude. They interact with their audience by having a community online via Facebook and Twitter, which certainly appeals to the new generation of graduates. An extremely hard working man with a good eye for fashion, Barron has shown that hard work pays off.

 

James Watson, the Head of Menswear Design at Liberty illustrated the male side of designing. He joked that he wished he listened more at university, which was most likely a sign for the current students sitting in the room. Watson had an interesting start in the fashion industry; he started with a 6 week placement with Arcadia Menswear, which led him to Liberty. Liberty is an iconic store on Great Marlborough Street, London. Surrounded by trendy stores, Liberty however stands out a mile with its beautiful Tudor architecture. This store is regarded as the quintessential English emporium, remaining true to its integral design heritage by embracing individual design. Watson goes into detail how their designs are principally in house designs, dating back to the 1800s. Starting off in what seems like an attic with only 7 people, the company has grown into something spectacular. When asked if companies such as Liberty hire international employees, Watson replied ‘it’s all about if you have the right attitude, not where you’re from,’ which was an encouraging statement for many of the students.

 

Rebekah Roy, a Freelance Fashion Stylist and Writer for Drapers Online was next to speak; Roy was born in England and grew up in Canada, which is apparently similar to living in Scotland she jokes. This meaning, fashion in England dictates what is worn in Scotland and for her, fashion in the States dictated what was worn in Canada. Her career path was different to Barron and Watson as she did not necessarily work her way up, but it instead was a series of moments that linked simultaneously. Roy began her career being more inclined to costume because of her starting out studying theatre. She then came to England and did short courses in styling. She points out, it’s styling other people that she is interested in and not herself, when a student asked if she found it difficult wondering what to wear when she woke up. Chance has a lot to do with the development of your career Roy goes on to say, when she fortunately sat next to someone at an event who was related to staff at the exceptional Vogue Magazine. Now working as a successful freelancer, Roy would have jobs that may last for a few days but this is reflected in the way her career commenced; she said ‘there was not one big break through moment but smalls things that connected together.’

 

The last to speak was Veronica Veronina, the Managing Director of her own company VIPICA Productions, with her business partners. Also an LCF student, studying Fashion Management, it was through her nationality that Veronina was given the opportunity to climb ladders. Her knowledge of the Russian language provided a window from which she was able to extend an internship at the Showroom, whilst she was still studying. She primarily worked in the sales department, selling collections to the Russians and yet still attending classes. She then went through a series of PR jobs, which encouraged her to also go freelance and to then set up her own company. VIPICA, which is an abbreviation of hers and her business partner’s name, is an integrated management and consultancy company for the corporate and entertainment industries offering a packed assortment of services. Their clients have been outstanding, ranging from Mahiki Club to the Mint Leaf Fashion Show. Throughout her career, Veronina has been learning and she said that it is important to be honest about how much you don’t know in order to improve but at the same time putting on the face of a competent and confident person.

 

Questions from students to the panel proved to be highly rewarding for those wanting to get into the industry. When asked what they love about their jobs, all agreed that travelling around the world was a main factor. From Paris Fashion Week to a job in Rio de Janeiro to Roy styling a celebrity on the red carpet in L.A, the life of a fashion professional is never dull. All the panellists highlighted that you never know who you will meet, contacts are around every corner. However travelling can also be a downfall. Watson and Springer both discuss about the lack of social life, especially when Springer missed the birth of her niece. Sometimes these are the sacrifices you have to make when you want to be in this sort of industry. You really have to love your job; it will never be a 9-5 working day. When asked if you can have a social life, that entirely depends on the individual. You make your own decisions.

 

When asked about interview techniques for jobs and internships, Barron claims that research is key. You should impress your employer with what you have learnt regarding their company. Roy adds that you ought to always present yourself in a formal way, even through emails and covering letters. Employers like work experience, even a weekend job in a retail store because it shows dedication and especially jobs that are related to the industry works a treat. They all agree that being multi skilled is an advantage, especially learning a language, Italian to be exact says Watson. Veronina admires charisma, being able to work independently and using your initiative. Asking many questions shows you are willing to learn and for her, getting a box of chocolates every week from a keen intern doesn’t ruin your chances either!

Overall the general message that came through was that experience is everything in the fashion industry, start from the bottom to climb the metaphorical fashion ladder. Your future employers need to know that you know the industry and how it works. It is importance doing what you can when you first start and being willing to work ridiculously hard to get where you want to be. It cannot be denied that events like these are essential to our understanding of what to expect in the working world.

 

To learn more about the London College of Fashion log onto www.fashion.arts.ac.uk and to discover more about Sisterhood and their dynamic shows log onto www.sisterhoodtv.com