New year is the time of the year that we do a huge list, full of resolutions, and for the whole first week we follow every single rule, then we just give up!

If one of your resolutions is “getting into the fashion industry in Ireland”, what I must say is really tough, it still time for thinking about adding up on your x-mas list L.A Make-up Academy new Styling Course.

Tutored by Siobhan McHugh the college promises the most realistic, practical and technical training for working in this exciting and fast paced industry that is fashion. 

But what impressed me most about the course was the competition where the Student of the Year will have win a 1-day internship, styling a photo shoot in London. 

I did my styling course at DID and they never did anything like a internship, which nowadays is crucial when choosing any course. Another point is the FETAC accreditation, it will add professionalism on your CV and can guarantee the course a high standard.

I am a new fish in a small lake full of other hungry fishes, I know this.  After one year living in Dublin, still I can’t actually understand the fashion scene in here.

As a stylist, make-up artist and cool hunter I think I might have seen enough to realize that the Fashion Shows in here are just boring.

So many good designers are graduating every year at NCAD and Grifith College and the only thing we see crossing  catwalks are retailers, I understand if it is the own shop fashion show, but at colleges and DFF, I can’t get it at all.

I know that the economic crises might be the reason why people don’t want to risk to much and turned their minds into 100% business. But after talking to some good friends I understood that a good fashion show, where designers can actually show their work and establish their names, is not a bad business idea at all! Why would they do it all over the world if it was?

People want to see inspiring things. They are all tired of small fashion shows where the biggest issue is making people buy from well known retailers.

I cant stand opening Irish magazines and do not see images of Irish/Ireland-Based designers anywhere. I am done listening from people: “If you want to grow in fashion, go to london!”. And if I don’t wanna leave Ireland and I want to work in the fashion world?

I am exhausted of people saying “You have to do build portfolio”. I have tons and I’ve seen people that have amazing portfolios working for free, while I know there is people out there working as stylists, personal shoppers etc and they do not even have a qualification.

I must say I’m not only talking for myself when I say that Ireland is missing a slice of the cake not supporting the growth of the fashion industry.

After closing Jean Paul Gaultier’s Haute Couture Bridal Show wearing a see-trough gown, now is time to Andrej Pejic to team up with the Dutch retailer Hema on their new lingerie campaign.

The “revolutionary Ad” promise to maximize your cup in 2 sizes. Well if it does work on the 20-year-old, flat-chested androgynous model, I have no doubts about it anymore!

Some cups sizes closer to his Victoria Secrets’ Angel dream, on the “Mega Push-Up Bra” Ad he poses in dresses showing up some of his clevage.
I wonder if we will see him just on the bra in some point. It would be even more groundbreaking.

“I’ve never known a man to do a womens’ lingerie campaign before”  Joseph Tenni

Right after the Ad was released the buzzes on the social medias started: ‘Super BIG UP to Dutch department store HEMA for doing a push up bra campagne [sic] with Adrej Pejic!’

The only question in my mind now is: Will Dutch people (that don’t know Pejic) realize that the stunning woman on the Ad is actualy a man?

It can be a preconception but everytime I see a boy using a hoodie and acting odd, I start walking faster, saving my phone on the pocket and holding my handbag closer.

But how are this facts connected to fashion in anyway?

In North West Leeds, England, police officers are creating a “Fashion Profile” featuring the favorite styles and labels of suspected criminals.
This database will not contain profile photos. Police officers hope to identify the ofender by comparing the victim and witness statements with the data on the “Fashion Profile”.

“Photographing the clothing that known and suspected offenders wear while out and about in our burglary and robbery hot spots gives us a valuable dimension to our intelligence picture” Acting Deputy Inspector Jonny Blackwell

I just wonder, would I be posting “what is fashionable among the offenders?” in a while?

If you belong to the fashion industry you must know how tough internships can be! We can’t deny, being a intern still is the best way to know people and to introduce yourself to the market, but is also really hard work, crazy hours and most of the time not payed. So is it fair that just people that can afford to work for free have the chance to get into this competitive market? 

Thinking about this whole “The Devil Wears Prada” situation, The British Government warned 102 Fashion Houses, participants of the London Fashion Week, to do not exploit interns. They can’t do anything about the late hours and the sort of tasks that are given to the slaves, ops, interns! But the fight is now all about the interns getting at least the minimum wage for their hard work.

“If they are not playing by the rules, now is the time to put things right. Non-payment of the national minimum wage is not an option. Our message is clear: don’t wait for us to come knocking on your door; put things right now and avoid a penalty and possible prosecution.”

HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, akin to the IRS)

The situation in Ireland is not much different, I recently read a post about Make-up Artists working for free  even after having a degree and portfolio. It does happen all the time with any fashion related professional. People want us for fashion shows, photoshoots etc, it sounds so glamurous but is not when you hear that they never want to pay. It is always in pro of the exposition you will have. Why having so much exposition if it just leads you to another “free” jobs?

I guess some people just don’t get that, for us, it is a serious job, not a hobbie. I wish Dublin had Fashion Houses… because a tough paid internship is better than non!

The most powerful women can be influential, visionary, stylish or everything together.

Forbes released the list of 100 most powerful women in the world and guess what? In addition to politicians and bankers, on the V.I.P list we have models, fashionistas and singers!

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