Day 6

I forgot how manic Monday mornings are! On a Monday the press coverage we have to go through doubles because we have to catch up with all the weekend press. We usually aim to have it sifted through and scanned by 11 and today I managed to beat the deadline which I was really happy about.

I then went on a store pick with Abi, to pick up some pieces in store requested by magazines etc and to pick out some pieces for a embellishment, luxe and metallic shoot. I really liked doing this and having a creative input as I get to do so little of it! 

When I returned it was much of the usual, processing returns and sending images etc. I got sent on another errand today and this time I was alot more calm, I think this was because I knew the location and it didnt send me in a panic straight away. If I could keep this cool with all errands in sure I could get things done alot quicker. I had to go the post office and map plan a place to get us giant gift bags, knowing these two locations could be beneficial for future internships. 

We've also been told a certain very famous make celebrity may be visiting the show room this week or next and I'm preying its this week! Very exciting. The opportunities I'm getting at this placement are crazy . I think I came on a really good week. 

I felt alot more comfortable and confident today. It's amazing what a week can do. Feeling much mornwposorive

Day 5

Today was the start of fashion week and the press team were in and out of the office at press days today, this made me feel a little relaxed because I didn't feel like I was being watched all the time.

We had to make sure all the Eudon Choi gifting was sent out to celebrities and get the last lot of returns sent back to the Oxford street store. I did alot of high res image sending today for magazine briefs, this is something I really enjoy because I have some kind of freedom in what I pick and it would be great to see if any of the stuff I did send images of gets used in a feature. It's a little nod to myself that I'm on the right tracks in some respects. 

I didn't get an invite to the Eudon choi screening, this is because interns are only used on the door for events and you have to know what majority of press look like to prevent unwanted guests coming in. Because the other intern has been there a long time she knows the press, so she got to go. I must admit this did make me feel a little downhearted. But in reflection I understand that RI must utilise people's strengths and having me there would probably make me a hindrance not a help. I have to learn to grow thicker skin and not take things so personally.

I also was a little gutted that I didn't get to go and do the street style pics for lfw as myself and one of the other girls had previously discussed. Again I think they wanted to utilise the intern with more knowledge which is frustrating to me because I want to prove myself however I don't see how I can do this just bagging returns and doing basic jobs. I do consistently ask and offer to do things. Persistent is key I think.

I did however get to build the PowerPoint for the rihanna coverage to be sent to head office, this was a really simple task but I enjoyed the research and the visual side of putting it all together, layouts are a strong point for me I discovered through uni and now this. 

Day 4

After the manic two days focused on the rihanna launch today was alot not relaxed. 

Today I answered the phone for the first time today something that had made me really really nervous at closer but river islands phones were alot simpler to use and I'd listened to the other intern answer the phone so many times I was able to answer the phone confidently and take messages quickly and easily. Following my success of helping to VM rail of the show room I was asked to help to do more of it today, because I do so much VM'ing I'm my regular job I found this an easy and enjoyable task to complete and I was really happy with the results. 

We also had an Australian editor come in to view and pick from the show room today and I spent time talking with her and basically keeping her happy, which was a great experiance , just talking to professionals and gettin used to the wah you should behave.

I also learnt how to full book things out when we use the manual way, which is needed when pieces are buyers samples. 

Day 1 end of the day

I've had such a good day. We've been assiting rihannas team and doing food and drink runs aswell as keeping up the press recording stuff. I can't wait for day too.

Fax issues 

Dish washer

Day 1 - Riverisland PR

It is currently day one, lunch time of my internship with River Island's PR office. I am already enjoying this internship so much more than my previous one. The office and team are smaller. Which makes me feel ill be able to build a report with each member hopefully. There is also 2 long term interns here, which is good, because unlike last time I don't feel like we are in competition and it's good to have someone to turn too. I've came on a great week. Fashion week is fast approaching and today Rihannas two American stylist are here in the office doing castings for rihannas new collection, so exciting. I've been doing coffee runs for them and soaking up the atmosphere. In terms of work RI are alot more organised, they have a internship book with a really good guide on everything. This morning myself and one of the long term Interbs have been going through the weekends newspapers and media for features and missed opportunists and filing these correctly. For missed opportunities we are to detail this in a spreadsheet and for pieces we are featured in we have to scan them and save them on to a hard drive for the members of the teams to do their reports. I feel alot more confident now with photocopiers - which although a small thing it's alot more reasurring. I've been told I've came on a good week and I'm really looking forward to it and feeling positive the team are so much more welcoming. I am getting to grips with names by writing them down. We are also sorting out gifting for celebrities this afternoon and their is a rather big launch bash tomorrow. 

Key words:

Show room : for magazines, editors Eric to visit and select pieces

Missed opportunities : publications we were not published in but competitiors were 

Day 3

Today I got to work at a better time because the trains were different , when I got the office I had to get everyone breakfast which was fine as I'm really used to remembering orders now. I also know everyone's name. When I returned the press controller was very stressed because a member of staff in head office was supposed to send samples to rihanna and Melissa a model and they were checking out of their hotel at 11. I was told to pack the items for gifting and told that I would need to take them there personally. Myself and the other intern both ended up going because there. Was so many bags and by this point it was 10 to 11. I then had to hail a cab for the first time ever and we had to direct the driver to 45 park lane with google maps, we jumped out the cab and waited in the lobby. I felt so important doing this job, and we made it in time and ensured rihanna and Melissa got their samples. When we returned to the office I was in charge of sorting out the returns to store.

I learn alot about the returns and booking out today. We have a show room in the office in which members of magazines and press can come vie anew collections and take pieces for editorials etc. samples are to be hung on clear hangers and displayed with a press tag in the show room. Store pieces will have a store label on. And are to be hung on regular silver river island hangers put into groups of ten by women's / men's / accessories and kids and then a tag is to be written on they are to be bagged and we have enough we book them out on the e portal on the computer and arrange a courtier. Samples that are returned usually have a RVR number on which also has to be typed into the same w portal to notify head office they have returned. This is a much better system then closer - which was all on paper. The e portal has pictures of the items and the person they were booked out by. Almost like a clothi libary. Today's allowed me to get really comfortable with this programme. I successfully cleared all 3 huge boxes in the show room and the press controller was very inpressed.

We then had the job of getting the show room back to looking like a show room because it had been taken over by the model casting. I told one of the team I had visual merchandising experiance and she let me VM one bay and has left it how I did it.

Before I went home I helped the make press officer bag an all black story for an editorial.

Day 2

Today has been insane. It was the exclusive launch of rihannas collection for river island, and i got to go. Orginally i wasnt on the list but the press controller was so pleased with me on the first day she let me come.

the morning was still full of rihannas team finishing model casting and i learnt nearly all of their names on lunch runs. i also started getting used to returns, learning how to send high res images, filling the press cuttings.

I was then asked by a member of rihannas team if I could help bag all of the models clothes for the catwalk which I said yes too immediately, I made conversation with one of the senior stylists and she offered me some advice and just gave me general insight into the industry she's in, having conversations like that make me realise how strong my people skills can be.

Since I've been interning I've always tried to look for opportunities and i found one today, I overheard a conversation about one of the team taking street style photos on Friday and I asked if she needed a hand as I have my own dslr and study photography at uni and she said yes straight away. I'm really glad I used my imitative and asked.

I had a bit of a down point at the end of the day. We had wrist bands left over to give out and one of the other longer standing interns (RI works by having 1 long term and 1 short term - however there was also another returning intern covering for the team) was asked to deliver them to cosmo's editor. She didnt want to do it even though ahe had nothing else to do - so I had to. I found the directions very hard and relied mostly on google maps on my phone but after asking some strangers I made it eventually. Although I was panicked it was not as bad as it was at closer because I knew I'd find it eventually and that this was something all interns do. The receptionist was really unpleasant and unhelpful and when the editor came down she gave him a mouthful for how he had treated me. I successfully gave her the wrist bands in time and went back to the office. At the time I felt very negative about how stressed it had made me and how the other intern had lumbered this job on me. However in hindsight. I could have just made a valuable contact for the future.

When I came back to the office everyone was getting ready. I was told I had to go seperatley with the competition winners as there wasn't enough press bands, this really upset me. And I nearly decided not to go. In hindsight I think it was the stress of the delivery and taking the situation to heart. I had an hour till the event and I knew deep down that I'd be a fool to miss such an exclusive event. So I did go. I went in alone and made friends with some people in the que who I stayed with mostly. The event was amazing, however I wanted to show the team that I was worth taking so I set about social media taking as many good quality images and videos and tweeting lots, the press controller actually took my picture sand put some on the official RI Instagram because she was so impressed. I was so glad I went to the event, however I did have to go early because of the train. But I was so proud of myself for surviving such a stressful ad manic day and greatful to have been a part of it. 

  

Day 8 - the round up

Today has been one of my favourite days so far. We got to the office early again and everyone was in great moods and the weather was lovely. We had alot of garments to book in because of all the things we'd ordered for the shoot the day before, we then got to style some festival outfits and hang them in the fashion cupboard. It was then I heard the desk talking about sending off the left over makeup from the beauty sale off to the charity shop, the other magazine beauty sale we'd been to earlier in the week was a disappointment so I used my unitive and asked politely if we donated could we have a look, we were allowed and we didnt have to pay as we'd all worked so hard the last two weeks. We were then given more goodies from press day goodie bags that the desk didnt want. I then spoke to a woman from the did girl desk who was really interested in my background in photography and she said she'd try and get me in on a shoot. We then went to a brainstorming session which was amazing I can't put alot of details here but I have made notes. Also met ollie and chesca from made in Chelsea and was really star struck! Finished my transcribing an got the train home. The biggest thing I've taken away from today is that I have realised I don't want to work for a weekly celeb mag. I want to work more fashion based deffo. Which is good - this is why I took this placement to find out things like this. I have felt comfortable and content today

Day 7 - end of the day

After I finished researching I was asked to transcribe an interview .. I hate transcribing

Day 7 - lunch

Today's been good , I've been researching more of the same appliqué and sheer garments. But now it's to request high street items for a shoot tomorrow - I'm really hoping ill get to help on the shoot tomorrow it's what I'm most looking forward too. I've also mastered answering the phone finally. Feeling positive

Day 6 - the round up

Today went very quickly which suprised me because I was really tired this morning and we've not had alot to do today atall really. The usual collecting the post doing returns booking stuff in. The highlight of today for me was being put on another research task, I was given pictures of two celebrities and asked to find a high street duplicate of their outfits - i do this alot on my own blog and I was chuffed because I knew I'd be able to nail this task. I found lots of alternatives and presented the items to the beauty writer who was really impressed that I'd found one particular outfit and asked me to call in a sample straight away, which means it will be being used in the magazine at some point :) I also went a new route today as I am communiting from Southampton again now, it was daunting this morning but I didn't get lost. I also went out on my lunch and found some new parts of London. I'm getting much better at travel which is good. Sent home early again because tere was nothing to do, good day - can't wait to get some dinner I'm starving

Day 5 - The round up

Today again started very slow. Our supervisor left early and we were left with the style editor and beauty writer. After many more returns and phone calls I finally got to do something worthwhile. I got asked to do the pages for 'who wore it best' where I can to source where the clothes were from and how much they cost before writing a little descriptor I learnt how to set out the page on word to be sent to the design people which was useful and I got to again use my research skills and do something new and creative

Day 4 - the day round up

Being honest there wasn't a whole lot to blog about today. I spent the majority of the day tidying and re organising the fashion cupboard and the jewellery. I got really bummed out earlier. I take everything so personally and I get upset wondering why I'm not being asked to do more. But this is a learning curve for me. Everything is new and it's teaching me to deal with these feelings and toughen up. I did get to do a styling project toward the end of the day. The styling writer gave me two images and wanted me to pick out items from the cupboard which has either sheer and paneling or appliqué detail. She seemed impressed with my work and hopefully ill get to come out of the cupboard tomorrow! I do feel the pressure with 3 of us and I don't want to be the worst out of the 3 of us. It is a competitive industry however this is an internship not a guaranteed job. I impressed the assistant by compiling a system in the fashion cupboard where you can find the brands because I researched all the PR companies that look after each one, I then wrote the addresses out for the PR companies out of Manchester - she said she'd like me to type it up and print it tomorrow.. I also asked about going to press events and maybe compiling a trend report for her if she couldn't go and she said she'd look into it and seemed suprised I was interested. One of the other girls has been asked to write something up by the lifestyle editor - I haven't. But in all honesty writings not what I want to get into, the research, phone calls and mini styling project will e much more beneficial. Plus getting to know PR companies and who they look after inside out can't be a bad thing. I'm now looking forward to the beauty sale tomorrow and a nice long weekend.

Day 3 - end of the day

Not much happend after lunch. We continued to research for celebrity quotes and when the fashion desk went for a communal lunch myself an the other intern manned the desk alone, I learnt finally how to use the phones properly and felt a lot more confident. A PR brow company are coming in next week and asked if I'd like to be the person they do te demo on - I really hope the desk lets me that would be amazing. We then booked in some more clothes for a 'cut out' shoot and got sent home early again. The ends of the days are always so dead.

Day 3 - lunch

Today started slow but is getting better. At first we had little to do however before lunch things got better. A magazine on the same floor is also doing a beauty sale on Friday which I cannot wait for! Today I did some more store returns in Covent garden then was put on another researching task to look through magazines and find quotes from celebrities about there style and there favourite beauty pieces. Which I had to give to the fashion assitant ready for being put into a page. I then got to phone for samples for a shoot. This involved me calling each brand and asking them to send the garments and accessories we wanted for a shoot. This was easier as I was in the beauty consists and didnt feel as under pressure. All the PRs were cooperative and I completed the task with ease.

Day 3 - lunch

Today started slow but is getting better. At first we had little to do however before lunch things got better. A magazine on the same floor is also doing a beauty sale on Friday which I cannot wait for! Today I did some more store returns in Covent garden then was put on another researching task to look through magazines and find quotes from celebrities about there style and there favourite beauty pieces. Which I had to give to the fashion assitant ready for being put into a page. I then got to phone for samples for a shoot. This involved me calling each brand and asking them to send the garments and accessories we wanted for a shoot. This was easier as I was in the beauty consists and didnt feel as under pressure. All the PRs were cooperative and I completed the task with ease.

Day 2 - end of the day

After lunch the 3 of us began to feel like pests to the fashion desk. Second day in and I now know who sits where which is good because I can confidently hand out post and ask the apt person questions. I continued to do studio requests for images and now know how to fill out a studio request form. I also saw the editor of the magazine I'm dying to work at and I think I may approach her if I see her again - what do I have to loose? Following that I used the photocopier again and this time did it successfully. The beauty desk like to have a copy of every two pages they do weekly and they'd built a back log which I sorted through and presented for them. I also got to know the inside of the beauty cupboard quite well today - lots of samples were being sent in and needing filing. I also had to set up bags for 'tried and tested' which were products that were 'trending' or had a hype around them. It was exciting to see new products before anyone. I then cleaned the fashion cupboard again and made more space. And did some booking in alone which I found easy. We also learnt the location of the post room so that we could take down mail that needs to be sent. I've also collected some press releases and packs today for my portfolio, these will be useful for future research and who knows maybe work. Seeing as I am doing an internship in magazines and PR it will be useful to have pr packs sent from companies and then to see how they are out together at a later date. Today I have felt alot more positive I liked my outfit and the beginning of the day gave me a chance to be creative. I'm worried that I was sent home 20 minutes early but there really was nothing to do, I am trying to do things off my own back like getting post and filing beauty products but between the 3 of us we soon run out of things to do. The other intern is quite 'in' with the editorial team so we don't see her alot. I feel like the team are very cold and that I can't join in conversation or joke, luckily the other interns feel the same. I'm hoping this is just because its the 2nd day in. But all in all a much more positive day.

Day 2 - lunch

Today has been a much better day. For a start I travelled a new route which was 100x easier and got me here half hour early and I met one of the other interns early from yesterday. I think my people skills are developing. Meeting new people is something uni has made me extremely confident with and I feel like I'm beginning to make friends with one of the other interns which is nice and a shoulder to lean on. Today has also been alot more pro active I feel like I'm doing more. I went and picked up the parcels before I came upstairs which they seemed impressed with I then fililed all the beauty products and handed out all the PR invites to seperate desks. Our supervisor didnt get in until 11 so another member of the fashion team set us tasks to do. One girl was left to transcribe an interview one was sent to the fashion cupboard and I was set on a research task. I felt really good about this because my computer skills are strong and I am used to researching for uni projects and internships. I was asked to research fitness and dieting equipment gadgets and sports wear for a dieting special section and my research would be on the wish list page so everything had to be under £50, I felt comfortable in this task and not as daunted, I was sat at the style editors desk as she was away and I also gave it ago at writing the tag line and brief description in hope maybe one or two would catch their eye an maybe get used. Either way it was a useful exercise. I was also asked to man the phones while I was on the desks. I don't deal we'll with situations where I'm not 100% sure with what I have to say so this made me nervous. This paired with the tempronental phones meant there was alot of question asking again - something I hate doing. However I gave it my best shot and eventually I wrote down a little guide to 'answering the phone' which calmed me down. During this the fire alarm went off and the whole building was evacuated.. I've never seen so many people. It's strange because even with events like that I feel like I'm learning more so I embrace it. After I came back and continued researching I was asked to tidy and file the beauty editors parcels and makeup, this was really interesting seeing exclusive previews of new beauty products and seeing what real press packs look like. Then just before lunch ask Italian dropped off some new dough all previews which were AMAZING. Little perks like that make me really want a job in magazines! Today I'm feeling so much more positive! I was going to venture out on my lunch but Christina has joined me again and I think I'd rather relax :)

Day 1 - end of the day

After lunch things got a bit more interesting. The style editor asked me to photocopy some things for her as they are redesigning the magazine currently. I had trouble with the photocopier finding out how to make it copy 10 of each and had to ask, then it started flashing because it was out of paper and again I had to ask and felt like an idiot. Then I'd messed the order up and although they were nice I felt really anxious and it really put a downer on me and I didn't know how I'd pull myself back up. We then sent the returns off with the corier and I was asked to get coffee for the style editor from 'pod' which I had no idea where it was after searching for a couple of minutes and asking people who were useless I finally found it. Navigating is not my strong point but it is something moving away to Southampton has taught me. We then got asked to go out and do some store returns from a shoot they had had last week. THANKFULLY we were sent as a pair and the other girl knew her way round. Which I then found a new route to the office tomorrow much more simple. However I've got on the train and I've got to be in for 9.30 tomorrow and I can either catch a train that gets me there for 8.58 or 9.26 .. No use as there both using highspeed also. I don't want to ask more questions so I think I'm just going to have to pay for the upgrade. Today was very overwhelming and I have learnt offices are extremely fast paced. At least I can say I know how to book things in and out of a fashion cupboard and where the style editors favourite coffee shop is.

Day 1 - lunch time

First day.
Got lost in London, travel was fine but it was when I got off the tube that I got lost, found the building with 5 mins to spare. Found out I am one of 3 interns for the next 2 weeks. Both girls are nice however, I feel I would have got more experiance if I was alone - only time will tell. As soon as we arrived we were givien a quick tour and shown were to collect the mail/samples every morning and evening. We were then taken to the fashion cupboard and immideatley put on a task of sorting out the booking in and booking out clothing, taught some new words like docklet etc. I've also taken up a beauty product to the studio for it to be shot . From there we were continuing to sort returns, then we were asked to do a tea run. We were then sent on half hour lunches. And here I am. On my lunch break I met a girl called Christina, I didn't want to risk going out for lunch and getting lost and being late so I stayed inside. Christina was really nice and said she really enjoyed work experiance where I am and that she got lots of opportunities with them. She also gave me advice fr the train tomorrow. I am feeling a little overwhelmed I feel as though I'm not old enough or knowledgable enough to be in a national magazine office - however I felt exactly the same when I started university. I think throwing myself in at the deep end can be a good thing - and it's only the first day - I need to believe in myself and give things a proper chance. I really want to push my own personal boundaries and pull as much out of this as I can for my own personal growth. I've also noticed that everyone talks REALLY fast, also, the office is quiet, I had this vision of seperate offices for the editor in chief and stuff but everyone's the same by the lols of it .. Not quite the scene films make it out to be! :)