Blick Studios launched a three hour discussion in its space on Malone Road here in Belfast on Saturday December 3 bringing guest speakers from the Fashion industry here in Northern Ireland and London with the simple aim, 'how do you get into fashion and how do you sustain a career once you are in it?'.
Kicking things off at the 2pm slot were Mary Rose McGrath, House Of Fraser's In-Store Designer, and Jo Appleton, a fashion consultant for New Look and the Arcadia group (pictured above) bringing along some industry boards providing a behind-the-scenes-look from a design perspective of two of the biggest fashion houses in the world. Mary-Rose commented on the more realistic side of working in fashion, 'Its not all about glamor. You need to be confident, you need to do the relevant research all the time and you are on the go all the time as well. Its not easy."
She also advised "get any experience that you can in the industry, but you need qualifications and must be able to do absolutely everything as its tough to get into. Torment and hound these people for opportunities. You have to go grab it."
Someone who knows all about grabbing opportunities is Gráinne Maher, Belfast born designer and director of pop-up boutique Proof situated off the Ormeu Road, Belfast. Gráinne won this year's Westcoast Cooler Citra Showcase for her stunning Pegasus necklace, presented Lady Gaga with a custom made headpiece. and gave Selena Gomez a glitter wolf pendant worn at this years Belfast hosted EMAs.
An entrepreneur in every sense of the word, Gráinne stated that when it comes to showcasing your work and talent, "Good high quality images are essential. Set yourself targets, use social media, Facebook, Twitter etc. Never stop looking for projects to work on. Be cute. Be clever. Be a pest."
Following a quick break in proceedings, it was stylist and Editor of NeuHQ magazine Brit Cormack's turn to take the stand. Who basically has done a little bit of everything here and there when it comes to the fashion industry. One area in particular Brit believed had a real gap in the market was the costume industry and the fashion element contained within the film industry. She also claimed "You need to know your designers. You need to be passionate, always researching, offer your services to anyone and intern at every opportunity."
Next up was another editor, Katrina Doran of Northern Ireland's Sugahfix.com aimed at the fashion conscious females from ages 16-45 which launched in 2008 in conjunction with Belfast Fashion Week. Doran stated "you are only as good as your product, and if you want to make a successful and paid career for yourself in fashion, in journalism in particular, you need the required qualifications to do so."
The Fashion Forum closed with Ashley Mauritzen, London editor of Let Them Eat Cake and sister site cakeit.net who came on board in 2010 as the features editor and offered the advice that "a double life is important. Work for free. Be adaptable. Fashion is broader than simply looking at clothes. Don't be afraid to think outside the box." She also stated that online publications should be used as tool for debate to encourage discussion and thoughtful editorials.
The Fashion Forum ended around 5pm, with each speaker taking the floor for approximately 30minutes. The event was organised and chaired by film maker and Blick Studios own Carol Murphy. Check out all these amazing women on their Facebook and Twitter accounts. For more information on Blick Studios and any upcoming events take a look at the website http://www.blickstudios.org/events
Kicking things off at the 2pm slot were Mary Rose McGrath, House Of Fraser's In-Store Designer, and Jo Appleton, a fashion consultant for New Look and the Arcadia group (pictured above) bringing along some industry boards providing a behind-the-scenes-look from a design perspective of two of the biggest fashion houses in the world. Mary-Rose commented on the more realistic side of working in fashion, 'Its not all about glamor. You need to be confident, you need to do the relevant research all the time and you are on the go all the time as well. Its not easy."
She also advised "get any experience that you can in the industry, but you need qualifications and must be able to do absolutely everything as its tough to get into. Torment and hound these people for opportunities. You have to go grab it."
Someone who knows all about grabbing opportunities is Gráinne Maher, Belfast born designer and director of pop-up boutique Proof situated off the Ormeu Road, Belfast. Gráinne won this year's Westcoast Cooler Citra Showcase for her stunning Pegasus necklace, presented Lady Gaga with a custom made headpiece. and gave Selena Gomez a glitter wolf pendant worn at this years Belfast hosted EMAs.
An entrepreneur in every sense of the word, Gráinne stated that when it comes to showcasing your work and talent, "Good high quality images are essential. Set yourself targets, use social media, Facebook, Twitter etc. Never stop looking for projects to work on. Be cute. Be clever. Be a pest."
Following a quick break in proceedings, it was stylist and Editor of NeuHQ magazine Brit Cormack's turn to take the stand. Who basically has done a little bit of everything here and there when it comes to the fashion industry. One area in particular Brit believed had a real gap in the market was the costume industry and the fashion element contained within the film industry. She also claimed "You need to know your designers. You need to be passionate, always researching, offer your services to anyone and intern at every opportunity."
Next up was another editor, Katrina Doran of Northern Ireland's Sugahfix.com aimed at the fashion conscious females from ages 16-45 which launched in 2008 in conjunction with Belfast Fashion Week. Doran stated "you are only as good as your product, and if you want to make a successful and paid career for yourself in fashion, in journalism in particular, you need the required qualifications to do so."
The Fashion Forum closed with Ashley Mauritzen, London editor of Let Them Eat Cake and sister site cakeit.net who came on board in 2010 as the features editor and offered the advice that "a double life is important. Work for free. Be adaptable. Fashion is broader than simply looking at clothes. Don't be afraid to think outside the box." She also stated that online publications should be used as tool for debate to encourage discussion and thoughtful editorials.
The Fashion Forum ended around 5pm, with each speaker taking the floor for approximately 30minutes. The event was organised and chaired by film maker and Blick Studios own Carol Murphy. Check out all these amazing women on their Facebook and Twitter accounts. For more information on Blick Studios and any upcoming events take a look at the website http://www.blickstudios.org/events
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