AD5404
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING IN ART AND DESIGN ELLIE PRESTON
fashion internship v i s u a l r e f l e c t i o nN
introduction For my experiential learning module, I
creative person, so when It came to apply-
managed to get myself a fashion placement
ing to universities it felt natural to com-
at one of my dream organisations, Dazed
bine what I’m most passionate about.
and Confused magazine. When entering the application process for I’ve always had a strong interest in
our placements, I decided to aim for my
magazines and fashion in general since
dream ideal companies first. This included
I was a little girl. I used to spend my
the likes of Wonderland magazine, LOVE and
days drawing clothes and dressing up my
of course Dazed. None of which I thought I
dolls as well as begging my mum to buy me
would be picked for and after a month of
a magazine pretty much everytime we went
no replies, so my next plan was to start
to the supermarket.
applying for smaller organisations. The day after speaking to my tutor about how
However, it wasn’t until I went to col-
stressed I was and what my next steps for
lege and studied graphics and photography
finding a placement are, I received an email
that I even thought about working for a
from Dazed inviting me down to London for
magazine as my job, I’ve always been a
an interview.
about dazed Dazed and Confused is an alternative fashion and lifestyle publication, founded by famous photographer, Rankin and Jefferson Hack in 1991. It started off as just a print publication, later moving on to be published by their organisation, Dazed Media as well as starting 2 more sister publications, AnOther and AnOther Man. Dazed as a reputation of being an empowering publication for the youth and since its beginning has fought for causes such as LQBTQ+ and AIDS. They often try to feature up and coming designers, models and photographers. I’ve always loved and bought Dazed, for many reasons, but mainly because I feel like its a publication that fits in with my personal style and overall personality. As well as the editorials, which I think are so much more interesting and art based than the likes of Vogue or Elle, yet are still high fashion but in a way that can appeal to young people.
previous skills Before starting as a fashion intern at Dazed, I obviously had some skills from my job and education that I felt like I could bring along with me and adapt in some way to my role. This includes having really strong digital skills on the likes of Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator. I also have some experience in styling and photography on a much smaller scale, that I’ve gained through my university work, so I thought that the fact I have some experience would help me in assisting on photoshoots as I wouldn’t have absolutely no idea what I was doing. Other more personality based skills I feel like I could bring along with me to Dazed was communication, working great both independently and as part of a team as well as having a lot of experience in having to liaise with customers and clients. However with these skills, my main aim was to build on them and become more confident in myself and in a corporate workplace.
my role After my interview, I was told that my role would be more on the styling side of the magazine than anything else, working mainly in the fashion cupboard to help prepare for photoshoots. This was something relatively new to me, I’d always liked the idea of styling but never really had been given the opportunity to try it properly and I was so excited to try something new and hopefully find a new passion and skills. After starting at Dazed, I came to realise that everything works almost like a cycle for the interns and depending on what was coming up that week our daily tasks would change so I’ve provided a quick break down of different typical day-to-day tasks.
pre-shoot
• Helping fashion assistants to source new brands, working from the brief and moodboards • Contacting brands and companies • Attending appointments for fashion assistants and stylists • Picking up samples from around London • Checking in samples (taking images and uploading to drive) • Sorting out rails and fashion cupboard for stylists • Packing suitcases with chosen items to bring to shoot
shoot days • Meet at offices to bring suitcases and anything need to the shoot location • Setting up at location • Steaming clothing • Keeping fashion area tidy all day • Assist with dressing models if needed • Run any errands that need doing on day for stylist • Packing up and returning back to office
post-shoot
• Sorting clothing back into brand order and packing correctly • Checking back to the drive to ensure everything is properly returned • Getting all items ready for multi-drop pick-ups, working to tight deadlines • Hand returning samples around London
quiet days
• Researching fashion week shows • Researching up and coming designers • Going to shops with petty cash to buy any items assistants, stylists or anyone else needs • Helping AnOther or AnOther Man with their tasks • Tidying fashion cupboard and the Dazed fashion kit
experience & growth Overall, I think my time at Dazed was a
nights and weekends), making minimum wage
really eye-opening and amazing experience
and having to sacrifice so many different
for my growth in the fashion industry.
elements of your life for your job. You
I definitely feel like I have grown more
really need to be passionate and commit-
confident in working at a workplace with
ted about your role to succeed and get
so many people that you have to get along
noticed, and be willing to put in all of
with and work beside. Previously, I have
the hard work for the stylist, who will
only really working for small companies
then ultimately take credit for it on is-
or been in smaller classes of people so
sue publication day.
when working for somewhere like Dazed,
I’ve noticed how much more confident and
you really need to be confident in estab-
decisive person I’ve become, and I know
lishing yourself and making yourself fit
now that I’m able to confidently lead a
in and be known. It’s definitely taught
small team and put myself forward for
me how to work alongside and communicate
tasks that may initially scare, me but at
with other departments of the fashion in-
the end of the day, will help me to grow
dustry such as PR’s, photographers, hair
and flourish personally and professional-
and makeup stylists as well as independ-
ly. I’ve also learned that to be success-
ent company owners.
ful in this side of the industry you need
Another thing that Dazed has taught me
to have extremely tough skin and be a
is that the fashion industry isn’t as
quick learner and problem solver because
glamorous as it first appears when you
at the end of the day if you’re not will-
look at the glossy cover of a magazine.
ing to do it to the best of your ability
Unless you’re right at the top of your
there’s always someone who will try 10
game, as a fashion assistant you’ll be
times harder and replace you just like
working all of the hours god sends (late
that.
I definitely feel that my experience at Dazed has helped me to focus and think more about my pathway in the industry. After seeing the behind the scenes and inner workings of a big, successful magazine, I know now that I would like to gain experience working in the other areas of a publication such as graphic design, social media or journalism. I would also like to intern for a smaller organisation, in which I could possibly take on more responsibility and hopefully learn more, as well as being able to show more of my skills and gain more skills, of which I don’t feel like I was able to at Dazed. Another possibility would be for me to gain more experience working in different sides of the fashion industry, such as for an e-tail company such as ASOS or at a new up and coming fashion brand. But overall, Dazed was a really positive and great experience for me, even if at times it felt extremely tough and like I couldn’t catch a break. I’ve met some really interesting people that I’ll keep in touch with for as long as I can, and I also have been given the opportunity to return whenever I want, which is definitely a possibility i’ll consider for next year.