Friday 6 January 2012

December at Dazed and Confused

During the month of December, I knew I had time off from University coming up. Instead of doing what I usually do in the holidays, (sleep, watch friends, spend money I don't have etc..) I decided to try and get myself some work experience in the fashion industry. When I emailed in to one of my favourite fashion and lifestyle magazine, Dazed and Confused, asking if they had any work available, I did not expect to be working as an intern for the month of December, let alone a reply!

Dazed and Confused is a British style magazine, founded in 1992 by photographer Rankin and editor Jefferson Hack, (who is also the father to Kate Moss's child). Well known for its consistency to feature up and comping artists before they become famous, Dazed is about all areas of the creative industry, fashion, music, art, film and literature. Dazed and Confused is one of the worlds most innovative and influential magazines.

Before Dazed, I had never done any work experience, or in fact shamefully, never had a real job (as babysitting apparently doesn't count) so I really didn't know what to expect. Deciding what to wear on my first day was a nightmare, but in the end I decided to go for something quite casual, which I decided due to the magazines style. After worrying for the whole journey there that I was too casual, I realised upon arrival I had made the right decision. People in the office were dressed in hoodies, oversized jumpers and converse rather than your typical smart office wear. Instantly I felt comfortable in the office.

The office itself is located in Old Street, a 2min walk from the oh-so-trendy shoreditch. Dazed share the office with AnOther magazine, and it is laid out openly in sections, e.g. fashion, online, editorial etc.. I managed to bag my internship with the fashion department, which meant I spent the majority of my time in the fashion cupboard.

I got to handle to most beautiful clothes. Clothes from my favourite ever catwalk show, Meadham Kirchhoff SS12. Half the time I had to stop my self running into the toilets and trying on Meadham Kirchhoff pinafores, Chanel mini dresses or Dior Couture gowns. I packed, un-packed, folded and hung up all the garments going in and out of the Dazed office, while trying to keep the cupboard reasonably tidy.

The time that I spent out of the fashion cupboard, I was either in the magazine cupboard, hunting for old issues, or out of the streets of London, dropping off and picking up clothes from PR companies and head offices. I went literally everywhere.. North, East, South, West. To Dalston to Stoke Newington, to Kings Cross to Kensington. Although it was hard work carrying heavy bags to and fro I got to peak inside some of London's most well known designer head quarters and PR companies offices, where I'd work out in my head which one had the best decoration or which one I'd like to work in.

There were perks to the internship. These came in the forms of being on a shoot, where Robbie Spencer had styled an Asian model to be doll like, accessorised with chinese fans, summer umbrellas and candy coloured bonnets. And Christian Louboutin biscuits given to the interns, shaped like shoes and bags with icing covered in edible glitter.

Even though I may have dreded getting up early and travelling in the cold winds, my time at Dazed has been both insightful and exciting. I have loved and loathed the internship at different points but overall I can easily say I am so glad I have done it. Being able to say I have done work for one of London's best and well known magazines in the industry makes me so happy and to be honest, quite proud too. The hard work has definately been worth it and I would be more than happy to intern at Dazed again in the future.

3 comments:

  1. This is awesome! Congrats!!!
    xx Emily
    www.thestyleexplorer.blogspot.com

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  2. Hi Billie,

    I stumbled across your blog when I googled 'Dazed and Confused work experience" and found it so cool that you did an internship there! Sounds like you really enjoyed your time with them! I was wondering if I could ask who you contacted within the company regarding experience? I hope that's okay.

    Priya :)

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