Last Weekend: Departure

After ending our internships it was time to celebrate as a group; think about the experience we went through and “rush” as there were so many things left to do.

On Thursday night we all enjoyed our last class dinner. The weather, the place, its view and its atmosphere were amazing; enough to make us all already nostalgic. Thank you professors!

The last weekend was the last chance to do all the things we wanted to in London before the sad departure. No time for too much sleep; it could wait for Tuesday. Some of the many things left to do before the adventure ended were shopping and partying for me. I hadn’t bought anything and found myself surrounded by sales and temptations everywhere; “bad luck” as nothing I really wanted was left. Moreover it was time to get gifts; a task I feel I am getting good at living far from home in the amazing shopping “center” that is New York; always something great to bring back. I visited Bond Street and its surroundings, Knightsbridge, Notting Hill (Portobello market and Ledbury Road) and even more; heat didn’t miss the appointment.

The departure itself was made of lots of packing, nostalgic but also happiness: bitter sweet. I admit not being too sad to finally go “home” (only for two days before heading to the French Riviera Wednesday!) and above all to “real” “real” vacations; something that hasn’t happened to me for a year.

The trip ends; it was one of the most amazing experience of my life; I can’t wait to be back in New York to “write more fashion stories.”

Last Week at Tank

I can’t believe my internship at Tank is already over; the month went by so fast that we already had to say goodbye (surrounded by American cupcakes and Swiss chocolate, Tank will remember us for the “pounds” they saved). Projects had to end and be presented; returns had to keep being dropped off and the office to keep going; the atmosphere and pace were nevertheless quieter.
I would have loved stay a little longer (despite subways getting warmer and warmer) as I still have much to learn about professional/personal skills and of course the fashion industry. I will miss the team and will do my very best to keep in touch. I wish the best to all of them. Thank you Tank.

Philip Treacy

For our FIT class, we had to present a product/service available in the UK we wished was available in New York too and decide on how we would market it in the US. I hesitate for long since I had difficulties to find something available and enviable in London that we don’t have in New York; I sometimes feel one can find anything there. I finally decided on what I think couldn’t be more British: Philip Treacy the “master” of the so famous British hats that can traditionally be seen on the British royal family or at British weddings. I was lucky to discover the designer when picking up samples at his little amazing boutique. I decided not only to market what I would say is in the UK a luxurious well-marketed hat “brand” that amazed me, but the (so far “cultural”) concept of wearing hats during events of importance (weddings, funerals, public representations). Maybe I was somewhat influenced by the movie “Sex & the City,” but I found in it something “fabulous”; from the little boutique to the hats themselves Philip Treacy makes one dream of another more glamorous time. Discovered and supported by Isabella Blow at the time, the talented hat designer has designed for the greatest including Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel, Valentino, Gianni Versace and Alexander McQueen at Givenchy. With Philip Treacy “Glamour is the ultimate accessory.”

Celebration!

The fourth weekend was particularly exciting for me. What can be more exciting than not only going home, but going home for the WEDDING OF MY BROTHER (yes, my brother is 36 years old…). Although the weather wasn’t meeting June weddings’ expectations, I had an amazing time. My own cousin the local mayor married them, surrounded by a small crowd made up mainly of the closest family. I enjoyed hearing about my brother’s childhood and the meaning of wedding today. Hopefully my older sister (23) should marry before me; I definitely don’t feel ready.

Third Week

The third week went by so fast that I didn’t even realize it was gone. Basically I enjoyed spending time at my internship at Tank, saw Switzerland unexpectedly win over Spain at the World Cup and sadly attended my last class at the London College of Fashion. I can’t believe only one week is left.

Tank was active this third week. A big shooting ended over the weekend letting the excitement of the returns of the loaned clothing for the week. This is without counting on one new shootings coming up that need research and requests.
The last edition of Tank is out; it is an amazing feeling to see the magazine in the store and being knowledgeable of the behind the scene and having been a part of it. Yes, all the hard work of the team becomes not only real, but it becomes a true big fashion magazine.

The World Cup keeps going, everyone keeps being excited. Despite my low interest in it, I enjoyed watching the so theoretically bad Swiss players getting success.

Finally the class enjoyed and celebrated our last course at the London College of Fashion. After learning about the Royal family, culture differences and most importantly marketing communications differences notably great speakers coming in, I know I would have enjoyed more classes. It was great to have classes not only on communications, but also focusing on what is going on in the fashion industry. As I already said, I sometimes wish my major at FIT, Advertising and Marketing Communication, taught us more about the fashion world specifically.

Third Weekend

The third weekend was a sportive, artistic and “educative” one.

Although neither American, nor British, nor a Soccer fan, I enjoyed getting ready for and watching the USA/England match in an English pub surrounded by a group of Americans. The match itself was pretty boring (as my soccer-specialist father confirmed), but the atmosphere was fun. Switzerland plays today: another match to illustrate our obvious untalented soccer ways.

During the weekend I made a stop at the Martin Margiela Exhibit at the Somerset House. Although I heard of the exhibition at work, I have known and followed the designer for a while, my best friend being Martin Margiela’s biggest fan. The exhibition reflected well the designer and his work: anonymous, mysterious and challenging. The Belgian designer who is “one of the six” who made Antwerp fashion school famous in the eighties has never shown his face (being rarely interviewed and never photographed). His clothes are minimalistic and emphasize the artistic side of fashion. The “artist” promotes his designs as a team work. His designs challenged his time. Martin Margiela is for me a marketing genius whose clothing, although expensive, deserve not only the look but also desire.

Finally I worked on a project for work this weekend: a marketing plan. Who could have imagined our school learning blurred so fast and is so “difficult” to apply on real matters. Anyway I did my best and hope I have come up with some maybe unrealizable but fresh logical ideas.

Run ! Run ! Run !

Second week at Tank was more synonym to fast pace than anything else: I have literally been running, walking, carrying and sometimes loosing myself everywhere. From Old Street to Bond Street stopping by Tower Bridge or Kensal Green, London, or rather subway lines, buses, maps and walks nearly don’t have any secrets for me.

I know it is helpful; I’ll keep running enthusiastically and happily as much as necessary.

Second Weekend

The second weekend was synonym to celebrations, relaxation, and “calmness”. We happily celebrated birthdays on Friday including the one of Victoria, my lovely roommate with 21 candles. Many students then left for Amsterdam but a great funny group of FIT students stayed in London. The weekend was my first and necessary occasion to sleep, relax, enjoy the weather and… study. I admit having also enjoyed London’s stores: so many wonderful temptations everywhere, the shopalcholic I am couldn’t have resisted any longer.

Visit London with the London College of Fashion

The second Friday at the London College of Fashion was the most pleasant sunny day I could imagine. It was luckily dedicated to on the field London visit; a great opportunity to visit fascinating places related to our studies and interests. We first went to the heart of Noting Hill and walk around Portobello Market, an attracting place for Saturday visits. We then visit the Museum of Brands and its Packaging Exhibition; we could notably see how society’s evolution is reflected by marketing/packaging/advertising, etc. We then headed ourselves to the Design Museum and on our way could admire the Tower Bridge and its surroundings. The Design Museum is an interesting museum celebrating contemporary designs and their role in our society. The museum currently counts three exhibits: Designs of the Year, Urban Africa and Sustainable Futures. Each exhibit reminds of the beauty and importance of new designs, the diversity of them including in cities, and the way of making our lives more future oriented and more durable thanks to them. We besides help prepared the opening of the night doing research and writing reports; it was most helpful to explore the museum.

First Days at Tank

The first days at Tank were amazing intense and stressful. Having not even crossed the door, Zadrian (the second FIT student interning at Tank) and I found ourselves running errands under the London rain. I admit having lost myself a little at the beginning but it is a great feeling to find your way and discover London from a different angle. Working with the full “cupboard” due to an upcoming shooting, researching and reporting about UK fashion and sitting closely to the great young fashion team: I feel I have already learned so much in a week about fashion magazines, London fashion, and London itself; I can’t wait to start a second week. The pace of work asks for fast learning and adaptation. Zairian is an amazing intern; it is wonderful and motivating to work with him: I really want to be at my best and keep the comparison.

First Weekend

We, the FIT Group, have been lucky to have a bank holiday during our first London weekend: it was a great opportunity to visit and rest to be at our best at our internship. Nevertheless, I didn’t spend my first weekend in London. I was lucky to go to the French Riviera and meet with my family there. Considering that I have not seen my parents even a month this year (separate weeks added up; I don’t complain as I chose and enjoy studying in New York. I right now don’t see myself doing anything else in life.) Even more than the South of France and sun, I was most excited to see my parents. Despite the fact that it was my third and fourth flights of the week, we spent time together, relaxed: I had the best time ever.

First Days

I have to say that the first days in London have been exciting and amazing as well as “exhausting”. Between finals, moving out and packing up in New York, flying to Geneva, my hometown for a kiss to my family, and starting the London adventure, I remember life to be fast and intensive; we are young and have only one life. I was amazed to see the great united group we have, the big Clifton Gardens flats only 10 to 15 minutes away from Oxford Circus (FIT students have a “professional” need to be close to Top Shop; no?), get to know the London College of Fashion, the program, the British press… waouh! My roommates Lisa, Komali, Victoria and Rebecca are great and the flat atmosphere is cozy and fun. Also, as mentioned in a previous posting, “London and Me,” I lived in London for three months three years ago. Rediscovering London is amazing. I can’t believe my memories are so blurred… moreover I am not the only one who changed: ever changing nightlife, museums and context makes it a brand new experience. (Beside I can say my English improved so much compared to three years ago.)

To see the facebook page of my flat: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=120698364636203&ref=ts