Log Twenty Six- Almost At The End

I am here adding the finishing touches to everything. I am so excited to how everything has come together. I am relieved yet a little sad it is all coming to an end so soon, it only feels like yesterday I had signed up on this adventure in my career and education.

I won't reflect to much in this blog entry as I am saving that for the Critical Reflection, but I will say this; the course has taught me so much more than I had imagined it would. It has opened my eyes on my path into my career and even made me realise there is so much more to my industry.

This course has really inspired me to research more into the field of fashion from  different aspects. I am seeing fashion in a more academia light and have begun researching and reading on current and future trends, various materials used or will be more widely used, the different terms and extensively the history a fashion which has sparked my interest more than  anything else.

Reading on fashion history has been very interesting in itself. It is fascinating how fashion has changed or even shaped our society and our past. I have even started to share my findings with people on Facebook and my SIG group. In particular I discovered about the origin of the trench coat...

"Did you know... Burberry which was founded in 1856 by 21 year old Thomas Burberry who introduced gabardine in 1880 to his line (a water resistant yet breathable fabric where the yarn is waterproofed before weaving), was commissioned by the War Office in London, England in 1914 to make coats which could adapt to the harsh conditions faced by the soldiers in World War One? Hence their name the "trench" coat. That day the iconic coat was born and after World War One went from a staple to every soldier's life in the trenches to a staple in every fashionista's closet."

Another post I did via my Facebook that I hoped you spawn some interest in not only my current fashion colleagues and friends, but also to those not in the fashion industry was about the first Haute Couture designer...

"Did you know... Charles Frederick Worth is considered, "The Father of Couture"? Born in Bourne, Lincolnshire, England, he not only redefined women's fashionable shape but also the views from that dressmaking was a low class business to a elite and luxurious art form. He displayed model dresses at fashion shows four times a year, he was the first designer credited to putting his labels into his clothes and he was the first of the couturiers (a business or person who makes original garments to order for private clientele). 

It all began in 1846 when Worth made a few simplistic dresses for his wife who was the model at the Parisian drapers' shop, Gagelin and Opigez, that he worked for. Soon enough customers began requesting copies of their own.
When his partners refused to join him into the dressmaking business, Worth ventured on his own with the help of wealthy Swede, Otto Bobergh and together established Worth and Bobergh in 1858. Quickly the aristocratic, royals and celebrities of the time came pouring in, so much that Worth began to turn away customers which added to his demand and allure. After a hiatus during the Franco-Prussian War, Worth reopened his business without Bobergh in 1871 as the "House of Worth".
Worth died in 1895. After the establishment had been passed down from a long line of kin, relatives and descendants it finally closed its doors in 1956. But the House of Worth brand saw a resurgence in 1999 where it has been thriving ever since. Still focusing on the Edwardian corsets that made Worth the fashion success that it was in the 1800's, while giving them a modern twist. But will this brand fair any better in a day that the constricted corset could be overlooked with the 1920's revitalized "flapper dress" trend fast approaching in the horizon ("The Great Gatsby" movie anyone)? I for one would love to see a rebirth of these lavish and decadent designs despite my love for the 1920's, and maybe not so much the terrifyingly tiny waistlines produced by those clinching corsets."

I am so thrilled to see how my research and studies has encouraged to go beyond the rim of learning, has made me so inquisitive about my career and that I will constantly be learning and discovering far beyond this course.

Log Twenty- My In Campus Experience

Now that I am finally back in Canada, well rested, jetlagg averted and with a free day I can finally blog! For those of you who did not know, I attended the in campus session on the 31st of October with my five day trip back to the UK (as you can see I have attached a few photos from my trip including a photo of myself wearing my new Middlesex Uni hoodie). It was a really terrible morning at first, I was violently ill for some reason. Not sure if it was the jetlagg, if I had a twenty four hour flu or I had simply ate something that didn't agree with me. Whatever the reason it was a NOT pleasant trip from Cambridge up to Hampsted Central. But I made it in time to catch the last part of the morning class and have a chance to talk to Paula before the afternoon session. By lunch time I was much better so I could enjoy and partake in the discussions.

I am glad I was able to attend one of the in campus sessions before the course is over, it gave me a greater understanding of my Critical Review and a better idea what I am trying to research. Paula asked me for my question what I was trying to find out and I responded with, "What it takes for one to be successful in the fashion industry?" Paula pointed out that success can mean multiple things to multiple people and that I need to narrow down the term "success" more. I now know that I want to find out how you can be FINANCIALLY successful in the fashion industry. The reason I am going to look into the financial side is because that is one of the hardest things to achieve in the field of fashion. It's not the amount of magazines/commercials you have/your work has appeared in, it's the size of your pay cheque. Success equals financial stability.

Another one of the main points I brought back from the session is to remember when doing your research, do not be one sided. It's important to get another perspective into your research so there is more information to give. They way it was described in the session to get a better understanding of why it is important was see it as a mountain. If you just stare at the mountain on one side you may never find out the mountain has a river on the other side or forest. You need a lot of views to learn more and have a greater understanding for your inquiry.

This affects my research and inquiry because now it has made me think that people in the GTA (Toronto and surrounding areas of Ontario, Canada) may find connections and networking is the best path to success and financial stability but out West in Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, etc), they may see it as what degree/talent you have earned.

I thoroughly enjoyed the session and it was so interesting listening to everyone else's research plans, what they were trying to achieve from their inquiries, future or current career plans and just getting to know those in general face to face (finally) in my group. I loved seeing the Middlesex campus itself and getting my own Middlesex hoodie (thanks Paula), but most importantly getting a better idea of what direction I want to take my critical reflection into. I just wish my stay had been longer.

More blogs to come! Sorry for the delayed blog but I have been so jetlagged since I have been back and my job was taking up so much of my time and energy. I am now part time at my job so that will make such a difference!

Log Nineteen- Welcome back everybody, back to work!

What a summer it has been! I don't even know where to begin. My summer has been pretty eventful going from one new job to another in a matter of month.

I began working at a consignment store as a ways to gain more experience working with high end luxury clothes. I was also hoping to delve more into the social media prospect of the job as part of their marketing team. Unfortunately I learned more on how NOT to run a business especially in the fashion industry.

Run by a former "celebrity stylist" (although I have yet to find out exactly who she has styled for), the store gave me sporadic and last minute shifts, staff had friends come and hang out in the store for three hours, never been cleaned at least until I think until I had set foot in there and they misplaced clients' clothes who had consigned there including mine.

I ended up obtaining a new job at an upscale boutique called MARLOWE. Not only are the items they sell in perfect quality and handcrafted from Italy but it is more to do with wardrobe consulting rather than retail. It is definitely a huge stepping stone in my career as a stylist or a possible permanent career.

On top of getting this prestigious position within two weeks of working with MARLOWE and after hearing about my education with Middlesex, they asked me to help with the social networking with another MARLOWE employee at the Chicago location. That means myself and this other girl are in control of the Facebook, Tweets and Instagram for them.

Luckily with the BAPP program and everything I have learned from it so far, I have been able to make the social networking aspects of MARLOWE a success despite how new it is. I haven't even finished my program and I already have my foot in the door in the career that I want and have been working so hard for.

The modeling is still going well but I am no longer pursuing jobs. I will have people contact me from jobs I have previously worked with but I am slowly moving out of that part of the industry to do more production and behind the scenes.

I hope everyone had a fantastic summer. I will soon be getting hard at work with my survey and I am hoping to make it to the in-campus session at the end of October especially to meet some of you. All the best!

Log Eighteen: Finally getting down to business

These last few months have been a roller coaster, not only with the Professional Inquiry Plan but also various events like FAT week here in Toronto (Fashion Art Toronto week). I was on the Dragon's Den and Breakfast Television also here in Toronto. I had shoots which both appeared in Elle Canada and the Vogue Italia website. Examples below.

I've also been trying to gain a more hands on approach to the fashion industry like any normal Fashion Communications student would be doing. I have begun my jewellery classes at George Brown College and find that it comes very naturally to me. A lot of shop work, kneeling, piercing and soldering were involved but I found I highly enjoyed and, if I do say so myself, was exceptionally good at it. Here is some examples of the work I did and documented for the first two weeks of the course using Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Speaking of Web 2.0, this week I learned a better way of honing my Web 2.0 skills especially with a way that is more sufficient for my industry. That is Instagram. I recently have been hired on at a prestigious consignment store owned by world renowned stylist, Janet Han who recommended to me Instagram. It is purely through pictures that you reach other people on this social network, but fashion is a image orientated business. Also through Instagram you can reach to a lot more people than through Twitter or Facebook alone.

Janet Han has been great to work for and I am already learning so much about designer wear that I never knew before and consignment. This job is definitely a vital part to my education and eventual career in fashion.

I was so pleased my rationale for my award  title was agreed on as BA Honours Professional Practice in 'Fashion Communication'. I've begun planning out another survey to better understand success in the fashion, the business of fashion, ethics, etc. I also want to expand my SIG blog which has been such a success. Unfortunately I have also ignored it as much as I have this blog due to my busy schedule but I intend to change that. If any of you have not seen the SIG blog yet you can find it here at communicatedfashion.blogspot.ca.

I feel very excited I am coming so close to the end of my educational journey. It has been tough but I have learned so much. I already feel confidant to go out there now and pursue and long lasting and successful career in the fashion industry.

Another important aspect of Fashion Communication ethics...

Journalism.

A lot of what involves Fashion Communication, meaning "mass commuincation" is the journalism side. I have been doing much of this with my SIG blog and with it's every growing popularity I must follow the code of ethics for journalism. I researched this aspect through Wikipedia and found a long list:

"The primary themes common to most codes of journalistic standards and ethics are the following.

[edit]Accuracy and standards for factual reporting

• Reporters are expected to be as accurate as possible given the time allotted to story preparation and the space available, and to seek reliable sources.
• Events with a single eyewitness are reported with attribution. Events with two or more independent eyewitnesses may be reported as fact. Controversial facts are reported with attribution.
• Independent fact-checking by another employee of the publisher is desirable
• Corrections are published when errors are discovered
• Defendants at trial are treated only as having "allegedly" committed crimes, until conviction, when their crimes are generally reported as fact (unless, that is, there is serious controversy about wrongful conviction).
• Opinion surveys and statistical information deserve special treatment to communicate in precise terms any conclusions, to contextualize the results, and to specify accuracy, including estimated error and methodological criticism or flaws.

[edit]Slander and libel considerations

• Reporting the truth is almost never libel [3], which makes accuracy very important.
• Private persons have privacy rights that must be balanced against the public interest in reporting information about them. Public figures have fewer privacy rights in U.S. law, where reporters are immune from a civil case if they have reported without malice. In Canada, there is no such immunity; reports on public figures must be backed by facts.
• Publishers vigorously defend libel lawsuits filed against their reporters, usually covered by libel insurance.

[edit]Harm limitation principle

During the normal course of an assignment a reporter might go about—gathering facts and details, conducting interviews, doing research, background checks, taking photos, videotaping, recording sound—harm limitation deals with the questions of whether everything learned should be reported and, if so, how. This principle of limitation means that some weight needs to be given to the negative consequences of full disclosure, creating a practical and ethical dilemma. The Society of Professional Journalists' code of ethics offers the following advice, which is representative of the practical ideals of most professional journalists. Quoting directly:^[17]

• Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects.
• Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.
• Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance.
• Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone's privacy.
• Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.
• Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects or victims of sex crimes.
• Be judicious about naming criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges.
• Balance a criminal suspect's fair trial rights with the public's right to be informed.

[edit]Presentation

Main article: News style

Ethical standards should not be confused with common standards of quality of presentation, including:

• Correctly spoken or written language (often in a widely spoken and formal dialect, such as Standard English)
• Clarity
• Brevity (or depth, depending on the niche of the publisher)"

[edit]

Taken from Journalism ethics and standards Wikipedia

Truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, fairness and public accountability and limitation of harm are the main ethics highlighted here. Other important ethics involving fashion communication is advertising. After reading Advertising Ethics: Emerging Methods and Trends the most important points and the ones that were vital to fashion communication were use of deception, racial and sexual stereotyping. Although I do believe use of deception is very prominent in the fashion industry with peoples' appearances being widely altered and screwing our perception of beauty. Companies like Dove are trying to prevent the use of deception but there is still a long way to go.

Critical Reflection and Summary: Digital Portfolio

 

Fashion Communication is mostly obtained from Ryerson University situated in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Fashion communication is described as one of the fields of “mass communication”. It is a mode of mass communication to promote fashion with such methods as social media, exactly what we have been learning through the BAPP course. Other methods used are video, advertisement, films, etc. Ryerson University describes Fashion Communication as, “Business-related courses in areas such as marketing, business, communication, fashion in international markets, fashion and society are combined with professional studies in communication design, illustration, typography, curation and exhibition, photography, video production and fashion journalism to produce a graduate who can work in all areas of fashion communication.” (Ryerson Faculty of Communication and Design website, http://www.ryerson.ca/calendar/2010-2011/PDF/Comm_Design-FT-1011.pdf.)

The reason I have chosen Fashion Communication as a suitable title is because the description of what exactly it is ties into a lot of what I do. Not only am I involved in the modeling process of the fashion industry but I have been involved in the production, design, marketing, business and communication side as well. Social media such as my Facebook fan page, Twitter and my SIG blog which has become more popular than I expected are great examples of my work in communication. These outlets have also helped in the business and marketing side of my career, helping to promote the business which is myself.

I have been observing those around me in the fashion industry and  I ask questions that have been transformed into my inquiry questions. I have also begun to take steps in approving my design skills such as signing up for jewelry design courses at a nearby college called George Brown. I have also been observing and learning from my friend, mentor and employer Andy Jones on aspects of sewing and clothing design. Andy Jones is a designer fresh out of college who has already started to make a name for himself. He is one person who has definitely helped me in different ways in the fashion industry.

Answering the question in Reader 4, “What knowledge and skills do you think you will need for the future?” I have already lightly touched that. Fashion Communication involves not only the knowledge of communication, marketing and business but aspects of design, illustration and basically the general production side of the fashion industry. Fashion communication is the back bone of the fashion industry and one must have a broad knowledge and extensive amount of talent in order to be successful. As I said before, I am taking these steps by attending classes, observing my peers, being involved in the production of shoot and shows behind the scenes as well as in front. There will be skills though that I know for sure I will need, for example, photography and graphic design. Once I have mastered the clothing/jewelry design and illustration part I will begin to look into these fields as well.

One important aspect of my Critical Reflection that I would like to bring up is my work in jewelry design. The jewelry design was all part of observation, trial and error and asking questions from peers. My jewelry would not be at the level it is at now if it wasn’t for trial and error especially. After much experimenting and help from Andy Jones, my designs now have a very definite look and skill added to them. Taking Andy’s advice and reading from such books as “Drawing Jewels for Fashion” by Carol Woolton, I am currently creating jewelry that has a “story”, a certain look and have used my knowledge and own life experiences to make jewelry that identifies me as a designer. Before I would just create anything that popped into my head that I thought would be aesthetically pleasing without a plan or a background story to it. Reading about the successful and international jewellery designers in “Drawing Jewels for Fashion” I learned they all were inspired by something, whether it was nature, an ancient civilisation or even their own life story. That’s how I’ve come to the conclusion to incorporate my dance training and my love for the ballet into my jewels. I am also very particular about material that I use now. For example, lately I created my “Swan Lake” earrings and matching necklace and took particular close attention to what materials I was using and if they were appropriate to the theme. I used very light and feminine materials, or at least what I consider light and feminine, such as white gold, fresh water pearls which were the colour of baby pink, Swarovski jewels which were either black or white to represent the two swans and black glass beads cut to look like feathers representing the black swan (which you can see examples of in the above pictures). My design is still through trial and error but I definitely think it has improved the last couple of months.
I think if I keep persueing the different skills needed for Fashion Communication my inquiry can be a success especially if I continue to ask the right questions from the right people and continue observations.

As for ethics I will review what I have posted here and there through my blogs in the past altogether in this summary. What I have learned about the ethics of the fashion industry is to make a brand for yourself, whether it is design or marketing. Whatever you are doing must not be an idea concocted from thin air, there must be an explanation and/or a story behind. Research and paying close attention to detail is extremely important. Many people coming into the fashion industry think this business is just about making something or someone look pretty. There is so much time, research and thought put into the work that if you're not willing to do all three then you will not be successful. Most importantly it is who you know. Networking and connections are what get you by in this industry so paying close attention to asking the right questions to the right people is vital. Sometimes though this has no effect and someone could simply not like you for whatever reason. This business is very finicky and you could tread on someone's toes without even realising what you said or had done. It is very hard to know what the ethics are in the fashion industry but from a survey I did in my SIG blog I learned at the end of the day it is who you know.

Another interview for my inquiry plan

I have already posted this in my SIG and I am reposting it here. Tracy was kind of enough to spend some time answering a few quesitons I had for her about this industry.


Hello everyone!

I am so sorry for not posting recently, this week has become so overwhelming and I am currently in the process of working on my Professional Inquiry for school which has been HELL to say the least! I also had a bridal shoot out in the beautiful setting of King City which was a lot of fun but took all day! I really enjoyed it though and had worked with both photographers before, Cyrus Mir and Anda Pleniceanu.  Looking forward to seeing the results!

I have had a the pleasure of interviewing Tracy Clifford, a reputable stylist who has been assistant to Oscar De La Renta. After graduating from Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts degree, Tracy dedicated her studies to fashion while attending the Instituto Lorenzo de Medici in Florence, Italy and went to have a successful career as a major style consultant. I asked her to share some tips, ethics of working in the fashion industry and things everyone should know generally about this industry.

1.      What inspired you to become a style consultant?

The simple answer is that I have loved fashion ever since I can remember.  I have always felt a connection to finding beauty in the world, and particularly so with clothing.  From my point of view, fashion gives us the ability to express ourselves artistically. Wearing beautiful clothing elevates our experience and has the ability to make us feel more self-actualized.  There are very few things in life that provide the opportunity for such a profound experience on a daily basis. 

I feel a special connection to fashion in particular.  I have always been able to choose amazing pieces that are unique, beautiful, and most importantly, compliment the body.  Fashion cannot exist in a bubble.  I think many consultants (and designers) loose sight of the fact that the primary goal is to use clothing to compliment a woman’s body and make her feel beautiful.  This is a particular skill of mine.  Plus, fashion is fun! 

2.      Has anyone inspired you in particular?

Though there are many designers that I admire, my true inspiration from fashion came from two very important women: my mother and Marissa Hartington. 

My mother has fabulous taste.  She always looked perfect and put together.  Growing up, she took me shopping and exposed me to beautiful clothing.  Most importantly though, she allowed me to express myself with clothing.  My family spent a lot of the winter every year in Naples, FL.  My favorite part of Naples (besides getting away from the Chicago snow!) was going with my mother to the Big Pink Building which housed Marissa Collections, an amazing fashion boutique.  It was at Marissa Collections with my mother that I first fell in love with fashion. 

My dad always said if you want to be in an industry, look at the most successful person you know in the industry and determine if that is who you want to be.  Marissa Hartington, the founder and owner of Marissa Collections, was (and is) the most successful person I know in fashion.  When I thought about if I wanted to be like her, the answer was a resounding yes.  Marissa is, in a word, amazing.  She is able to see fashion and spot trends like no one else in the industry.  I am constantly amazed by her taste, dedication, and tenacity.  I am so fortunate that Marissa took me under her wing, taught me about the industry, and allowed me to practice what I learned when she hired me to be a buyer for Marissa Collections.    

3.      Did you always want to be a style consultant or did you have other aspirations and training when you left high school?

I tried following in my father’s footsteps and working for his law firm and then for a judge.  I think I spent most of my time analyzing the lawyers’ clothes, instead of the law!  I also dabbled in the magazine business for a bit.  However, when I got hired at Niemen Marcus, there was no turning back. 

- What was it like assisting Oscar de la Renta?

It was amazing.  I started at the bottom of the totem pole but I kept my eyes open and observed everything around me.  I really learned a lot about fashion from the designer’s viewpoint, which was a new experience for me because I had always thought of fashion solely from the consumer’s point of view.  The experience allowed me to see the real guts of the fashion world.  Being around all of those beautiful clothes wasn’t too bad either!

4.      What do you think attributes to his success?

The simple answer is beautiful clothing.  Oscar’s natural talent, creativity, and understanding of a woman’s body is unparalleled.  His clothes are unique, in the moment and still remain timeless and wearable.   

5.      What has attributed to your success?

My success is driven by my clients.  Making them feel comfortable and beautiful is my number one goal and my clients appreciate it.  I am always thinking about them as I spot trends and browse the newest fashion.  For instance, I am in Spain as I am writing this, and I saw an amazing dress that would be perfect for one of my clients.  I took a picture of it and sent it to her so she can take a look.  The other thing that attributes to my success is making fashion fun for my client!  I want them to have fun picking out their own style (with my guidance) and to remove the stress and pretension from picking clothes.  I want my clients to feel the same joy from picking clothes as I do.  Fashion is such a fun thing and I want my clients to experience that too!

                                                                                            

6.      What is the demographic of your customers? Is there a demographic you market to?

I don’t think of my work in terms of demographics or marketing (much to my business manager’s chagrin).  Honestly, I work with women who want to look beautiful and have fun picking amazing clothing. 

7.      What is your favorite part about your work?

The clothes and my clients!!!  I love spotting the latest trends and taking pieces from the runway and making them wearable for my clients.  It is so gratifying when I see my clients beaming after they tell me how beautiful they felt at an even or that they felt so good when someone complimented their outfit.  I had a client call me last week almost giddy because she got stopped by a woman on the street who wanted to tell her how great her outfit looked.  These are the kinds of things I live for!

8.      Have you ever had to deal with ballet dancers or work in the dancing world?

Many of my clients are dancers.  I love working with them because they understand beauty in movement.  It is a lot of fun to pair fabrics and designs that take advantage of dancers’ natural grace. 

9.      Do you think fashion is important to the dance/performing arts world, not just costuming?

Of course!  Fashion is crucial to performers.  Needless to say, performers do not only practice their art on stage - it is a way of life.  I love to help performers express their vision when they’re out of costume.  As the Bard said, “all the world’s a stage.”  

Thank you so much to Tracy Clifford! You can find out more about her and her services at her website Tracy Clifford Style.

Log Three- Reader Two: The Reflective Practioner

So I'm not exactly sure where to begin with this entry. As usual I've had a lot of different jobs during these last couple of weeks, which explains the delay in this entry.
One thing that has just come and gone was Toronto Fashion Week. It was something I've lately been longing to be a part of. Unfortunately this year they have strictly said ONLY agency models can be a part of the shows which made things extremely difficult for me obviously being a freelance model. It made me realise despite the fact I have done very well for myself there are still many closed doors for me. For some reason being with an agency gives you more entitlement and credentials rather than years of experience. I am also vulnerable still to people scamming me out of more money that I deserved from jobs. At the same time, the issues with signing onto an agency is they could be scam artists themselves, they may not be getting in enough castings, they may just put you into one category of modeling when I want to do it all and also the fact they cannot actually get you the jobs, they can only get you the castings. I have started agency shopping but it has not been easy. I've sent emails to agencies with either no response or saying they were not interested. I've also gone to see agencies, two of which were interested but I've had some bad reviews on them. I also had one agency tell they weren't interested and leave within five seconds of myself arriving at their office. There have been positives though from these last couple of weeks. I've had confirmation from the photographer from the hair shoot that he is submitting still the pictures to hair magazines. The shoot Tara Wright, Stephen Loban, Linda Pazic, Lisa Jackson and myself has gained interest from W25 Magazine, asking for all the hi-res from the shoot. I also participated in a photo shoot yesterday for designer Arnaldo Santos with his dresses and a new online magazine for Fabulous PR. I also modeled for friend and fabulous knitwear designer Dylan which you can see on his website www.dylaniumknits.com. Here is just a few of my favourites from his site...

So even though I've had some pretty negative moments especially with the agencies. From this experience and others in my past I've learned to not give up so easily. Whether it is the fashion industry or performing arts industry, I find both can be equally brutal and pretty self esteem destroying. But you need to keep going if you really want to be successful in what you do, because even if everything seems hopeless things will work out in the end. I've also seen in my many years of doing the modeling and the performing, people giving up the minute things don't go right I guess expecting things to come easily and always be smooth sailing, especially when you have made a pretty strong resume for yourself. But it will always be tough and you must persevere no matter how bad it gets.

The bad experiences have also made me even more determined to crack this industry. I've just signed up for a competition where I could win a front cover shoot with Wowza Magazine which is this fantastic high fashion but alternative magazine. My model friend, Dalia has been lucky enough to appear in their pages already. In order for me to win my photo, on their Facebook page that I uploaded, it needs to have the most "likes" by December 1st. It's been pretty competitive so far but I have been really determined and asking for as much help as I can. People have been  really fantastic so far and this has helped me reach out to more networks and connections. I've also really got my face out there to others. If any of you would like to help out here is the link to the photo Victoria's front cover photo on Facebook, just simply click "like" on the photo and share with others. I really hope I can win, it would be such an amazing opportunity and another job I can add to my ever growing resume. Like I said, I am even more determined now than ever and will not allow the bad experiences to effect me.