The Intern

[theforeverintern-blog]

Is Fashion Ready for the AI Revolution?

Artificial intelligence can help businesses align supply and demand, scale personal service and design better products.

Is Fashion Ready for the AI Revolution?

It seems like the day of Artificial Intelligence are coming closer and closer than ever before. Companies all across the world are spending millions in developing forms of AI that can make the fashion industry more efficient, cheaper, and smarter. We’ll soon find out how close we are to reaching an AI Revolution.

Read more about the AI Revolution on Business of Fashion.

[theforeverintern-blog]

Hermès Sales Growth Slows on China, Europe Attacks

Hermès said sales growth slowed after attacks in Brussels and Paris put off some tourists and an economic slowdown in China weighed on demand.

Hermès Sales Growth Slows on China, Europe Attacks

Another retailer seeing a slowdown in sales in China is Hermès, it seems that after the recent attacks in Europe and the economic turmoil in Asia consumers have slowed down on investing their money into Hermès.

Read more about it on Business of Fashion.

[theforeverintern-blog]

Can American Retailers Kick Their Discounts Addiction?

Rampant discounting at American retailers is creating a race to the bottom, shrinking profit margins and diminishing brand value. Where will it end?

Can American Retailers Kick Their Discounts Addiction?

What’s a company without a profit margin? A non-profit organization. As more and more discount retailers continue to open industry leaders are beginning to wonder if American’s will ever stop this dirty addiction.

Read more about it on Business of Fashion.

[theforeverintern-blog]

Valentino Cuts Prices in Asia to Boost Local Sales

Italian fashion house Valentino will cut its prices in Asia to bring them into line with European prices.

Valentino Cuts Prices in Asia to Boost Local Sales

It’s no secret that luxury retail has had it rough in the last few quarters, especially in the Asian market. Everyone from Burberry to Gucci have seen their profit margins drop quarter after quarter but that’s not stopping Valentino. This week Valentino cut prices to boost sales in Asia!

Read more about it on Business of Fashion.

[theforeverintern-blog]

What Fashion Can Learn From Beyoncé

Fashion's formulaic approach to communications is holding it back, argues BoF's Imran Amed.

What Fashion Can Learn From Beyoncé

After Beyoncé new visual album, “Lemonade” took the world by storm earlier this week we must now take a step back and find out what we can learn from the queen herself. You have to hand it her, for someone who likes to keep her life private she sure has been able to capitalize and dominate the world by giving fans and the rest of the world an insight into her personal life.

Read more about what we can learn on Business of Fashion

[theforeverintern-blog]

Etihad Airways, AKA Fashion Airlines

This just in! Etihad Airways has become the new sponsor  of 17 of the WME/IMG fashion events around the world, including fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan and Sydney. According to IMG, about 100,000 travelers head to New York for fashion week alone which shows it will be a great opportunity for industry insiders and for Etihad Airways. It’s a shocker no one has thought about this idea before, Etihad Airways is planning on having “fashion flights” that will have special fashion treats and will get industry insiders excited about the airline. Not even the sky is the limit for this airline!

xoxo,

Star Burleigh

[theforeverintern-blog]

California Minimum Wage Hike Hits LA Garment Industry

As of January 1st, 2016 the new minimum wage in all of California is $10, on it’s wage to $15 by the end of 2022. Over the years many have been for and opposed this idea, and although the state saw a lot of backlash from approving this law the government found it was vital to the state’s economy to pass this law. Now it seems many of the companies left in the heart of the garment industry in Los Angeles are cutting down on jobs and looking to expand production outside of the U.S.

[theforeverintern-blog]

Creative Director’s are Disposable?

It may just be my young age that hasn’t been following the fashion industry for very long but this year has been emotionally sad for me. Why? Because every other week it seems like a creative director is departing or being let go. For months we heard the rumors about Raf leaving Dior, Alexander Wang not wanting to renew his contract, Alessandro leaving Berluti, Hedi being let go, and then the worse shocker of all Elbaz being let go from Lanvin… each one of these rumors broke my heart when they became a reality. But I wonder am I oblivious to think that creative director’s like Karl Lagerfeld exist anymore? Am I dumb enough to think that in a society where everything is disposable, creative directors are not? xoxxo, Star Burleigh

[theforeverintern-blog]

[theforeverintern-blog]

Fill It Clutches

Have you ever found yourself thinking about how boring your clutch is, ever wonder why everyone has the same thing over and over again? We sure have! We thought long and hard about how we could make a clutch fun and exciting. So much of the time we see clutches that are all the same shape and colors, very rarely do we see clutches that are unexpected or youthful. That's why we decided to create the "Fill It" clutches. These lucite clutches are perfect for anyone who wants a clutch that is original, a piece of art, and a conversation starter. You will have the option of choosing what you want us to fill the bag with, we can put anything from pearls to confetti to letter beads...anything you like we can do it! The idea is for you to have a clutch that you feel defines who you are, we want women to take their clutches out and give the world an insight on who they are. 

[theforeverintern-blog]

Sleepwear IS Streetwear

I woke up like this! Who doesn’t want to be glamorous and comfortable? I know I do! This trend may seem a little silly at first but once you try it out you will never want to wear anything else. The trend is perfect for almost any occasion, work, shopping, and even a cocktail party. Everyone from Taylor Swift to Kim Kardashian is doing it, so why don’t you?!

[theforeverintern-blog]

RUFFLES, RUFFLES, And More RUFFLES!

We first saw this trend start in MFW, and we never thought it would be come such a hit! This new trend to hit the latest catwalks is fun, exciting, flirtatious, and romantic. The silhouettes range from understated to over the top. And it's about embracing ruffles everywhere, from head to toe!

[theforeverintern-blog]

Do’s & Dont’s as a Fashion Intern:

So you finally landed your first fashion internship, and you are totally psyched. But now what, what’s appropriate and what’s not? Here are a few examples of what you shouldn’t and should do as an intern.

Don’t: Act like you know everything, because you don’t. Do: Ask questions when you don’t understand something.

Don’t: Ever, ever think there is nothing to do. Do: Be proactive, be creative.

Don’t: Dress like you are a model at a Rick Owens fashion show. Do: Dress to impress; never too loud, never too trendy.

Don’t: Be late, sassy, or annoying. Do: Be on time, polite, sweet, and productive.

Don’t: Get involved in office drama, no matter what your opinion is. Do: Be a good sport and keep your opinions to yourself.

Don’t: Take selfies with everyone you possibly can. Do: Take selfies of employees when they ask you to or say it’s allowed.

Don’t: Tweet/Instagram/Snapchat about every little thing you are doing at work. Do: Tweet/Instagram/Snapchat ONCE every so often about how much you love your internship, but keep it simple no details are necessary.

Don’t: Ever accept an alcoholic drink before work, during work, or at a work event. Do: Be polite when rejecting a drink.  

Don’t: Invite yourself to special events that employees are invited to. Do: Attend special events if employees invite you, still no drinking.

Don’t: Invite employees to your party/wild night out on the town. Do: Invite other interns to your party/wild night out on the town but only if you guys become friends.

Don’t: Be rude to the new interns even if you have been interning for the company for over a year. Do: Be nice to the new intern, remember they are probably just as nervous you once was.

Don’t: Forget your place. Do: Remember that you are there to help and learn, no matter what you are just the intern.

[theforeverintern-blog]

Q&A Session w/ Jaqueline Pittson, Intern at Wilkes Bashford

Jaqueline Pittson is currently a student at CCSF and the newest intern at Wilkes Bashford, she’s here today to answer some questions on her intern experience.

Star: Thank you for joining me today, I am excited to learn more about how your experience is going as an intern at Wilkes Bashford. Jaqueline: Happy to be here Star, I am excited to tell you all about it.

Star: How long have you been an intern at Wilkes Bashford? Jaqueline: I’ve been at Wilkes Bashford since the middle of October.

Star: How did you hear about the position? Jaqueline: I volunteered at a fashion show at the beginning of October and met a woman who worked at Wilkes Bashford who asked me if I was looking for an internship and I immediately emailed her my resume.

Star: So you started fairly quickly, were you nervous by how fast everything happened for you? Jaqueline: I was really nervous, I didn’t know what to expect or what I would be doing, all I knew is that they were looking for an intern and I was going to do my best.

Star: What was the interview process like? Jaqueline: It was a lot easier than I thought it would be, they needed someone to start quick so the day after I emailed my resume I had a phone interview and was hired over the phone.

Star: What was your first day like? Jaqueline: It was intimidating, fun, exciting, and blurry all at once. The lady who originally offered me the position was really nice and showed me around the whole story and showed me what I would be doing, but it was just so much information I felt like I couldn’t keep up.

Star: What do your main responsibilities consist of? Jaqueline: It varies by day, but my main responsibility is to assist the women’s sellers with sales and client relationship building.

Star: Can you tell us more about what client relationship building means? Jaqueline: Yes of course! Wilkes Bashford is one of those companies that will go the extra mile for all their clients. Sometimes that means opening the store early, sometimes we will send a team of people to client’s homes to help them get ready for a trip or special event, sometimes we will get them tickets to special events in the city. My job is to help their sales associate do everything they possibly can to ensure that their client is happy with their customer service.

Star: Have you been able to apply what you have learned at school in your intern position? Jaqueline: Yes, almost every day that I am there I am able to teach someone about trends or help with alterations…it’s amazing to be able to use so much of what I have learned at school in my internship.

Star: Do you have any advice for fashion interns? Jaqueline: Take note of every experience you get as an intern, people know you are there to learn and they are always teaching you… you just have to be willing to listen.

Star: Thank you so much for stopping by and telling us more about your experience, I wish you the best of luck. Jaqueline: It’s my pleasure Star, I hope that in reading my experience I can inspire others to intern and learn as much as they possibly can.

[theforeverintern-blog]

HOW TO LAND YOUR FIRST FASHION INTERNSHIP

So you want to land your first fashion internship but don’t know where to start? Follow these 8 simple steps and start building your dream career!

Be sure to WANT it: The fashion industry is cut throat, make sure you are ready to handle the craziness of this industry.

EDUCATE yourself: Make sure you know everything there is to know about the company you are hoping to intern for and make sure to know as much as you possibly can learn about the fashion industry.

Keep a high GPA: Although all companies will not require a copy of your transcript it’s always something you can show off, a high GPA will show employers that you are responsible and committed.

Get a great REFERRAL: Have someone in the industry who can vouch for your work ethic or be on the good side of an instructor who can speak well of you as a student.

Create an awesome RESUME: You may not have much to put in your work experience, but include any volunteer experiences, relevant clubs you are part of, relevant fashion courses, and any special projects. Anything that can make you look good.

APPLY during the Winter: Most fashion companies will want interns during the summer and will require for interns to submit their applications during the Winter to give them enough time to find the right candidates.

PRACTICE for the interview: Never ever show up to an interview without prepping, there’s nothing worse than interviewing someone who isn’t prepared.

FOLLOW-UP through email: Always thank your interviewer for taking their time to interview you and wish them a good day. This will show that you are appreciative of their time and that you are respectful.

[theforeverintern-blog]

See Now, Buy Now

This past NYFW I was lucky enough to score a few invites to fashion shows and also had the opportunity to intern for Black Frame PR firm to whom I have to thank for letting me watch some pretty big shows. For a new comer like myself anything to do with fashion week is magical and special but something seemed off this season. Weeks before fashion month began there was a lot of talk on how fashion houses were planning on changing their fashion show system in hopes of driving more sales. I knew this was a big topic for everyone across the globe but I didn’t realize how much it would affect the morale of fashion week. Every where my friends and I went we would hear at least one person complain about how they thought fashion week was pointless or how social media was to be blamed for all this chaos or how fashion week was for losers.

All this talk and media attention got me thinking, about the future of the fashion show system. Designers such as Rebecca Minkoff, Diane von Furstenberg, Tom Ford, and Burberry all have incorporated the “see now, buy now” fashion show system. Yet many fashion houses such as Gucci, Chanel, Saint Laurent, and many more have rejected the the fashion show system. The new fashion show system has now created a wall between fashion houses and consumers. On one side we now have fashion houses who understand that this generation of consumers cannot be patient enough to wait 6 months to buy garments and on the other side we have fashion houses who refuse to recognize that times are changing. In my opinion, the fashion houses who have rejected the new fashion show system will eventually have to change their ways or sales will begin to tank for them.

It’s mind blowing to see how much social media has affected the way our generation and the generations after us consume. Everything is about the right now, we are no longer a society that knows what patience means. Only time will tell if we can handle this fast paced fashion system.

[theforeverintern-blog]

The Political This Woman Really Cares About

Let’s take a break from all the fashion talk and talk about something more serious, politics. As a woman and as a first time voter I have been following the 2016 race like an addict. Through watching this crazy race I have developed my own opinions on current issues in the world that need to be changed by our next president. Here are five political issues I really care about: 

1. Increase college affordability and ease the burden of student loans for those who have already graduated. 

This is a no-brainer, how can our country expect our society to progress if only the rich can afford an education?  Imagine how many more people will have a chance at the American Dream if they are given the opportunity of receiving a college education or are given a break on their student loans for those who have already graduated.

 2. People who came to the U.S. illegally should be able to apply for citizenship if they fulfill certain criteria. 

It has been estimated that $11.5 billion are paid in taxes every year by illegals, these are obviously people whom want to play by the rules and make this country a better place for all of us…let them stay! 

3. Raise the federal minimum wage. 

The annual cost for the average single adult with no children is about $28,474 how can someone making $7.25 the hour ever dream of even coming close to $28k? Citizens should be able to afford an average lifestyle. 

4. Defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. 

How many more lives do we have to loose before we say enough is enough? Both Iraq and Syria need our help, the longer we wait the worse things get. 

5. Dismantle ISIS’s Internet presence. 

ISIS isn’t stopping any time soon, but let’s focus on taking the Internet away from them and then see how they fall apart.