So you want to work in fashion?

It's a new year with a whole new beginning. Amongst your New Year's Resolutions is surely to spruce the old the resume and get some fashion experience! I have talked extensively about pursuing an internships in New York City, (which if you have any interest in I highly suggest you go for it!) but what if you plan on staying in the true, north, strong and free land of Canada? Well lucky for you there are oodles and oodles of opportunities to dip your feet in the fashion pond! Read on my friend and feel inspired!

1) Volunteer!


The best way to gain some experience in the fashion industry is to volunteer and be prepared to work for free! Like or not, that is just the way it is. There are tons of fashion events and charities that occur in Toronto that are great way to get your hands wet, especially if you do not have a lot of fashion experience to begin with. Some places to try are the Toronto Fashion Incubator, who regularly look for volunteers, contacting LG Fashion Week and signing up for Magnet Creative's, a Toronto-based fashion marketing company's, intern newsletter.

2) Work in retail!


Many of you may already do this and if so I suggest you take full advantage of it. If you love the fashion industry, you would be surprised by how much you can learn working in retail. Use your part-time job as an opportunity to really get to the know the clothes by observing new trends, fit and quality. Ask your managers about events or new things happening with your company and grill your district managers whenever they make store visits.

3) Intern!

There are many fashion-based companies in Canada that offer fabulous internship programs with great, priceless opportunities that you will use for the rest of your fashion career! Places to contact are luxury department store, Holt Renfrew which offers corporate-based internships and Toronto-based fashion designers. If the magazine world is something you want to conquer, I highly suggest applying for an internship with FASHION, FLARE or ELLE Canada. These are each highly respected and highly fabulous magazines that would surely teach a lot to any editor-in-chief in training. And here's an insider tip if you want to intern at a magazine, apply EARLY, like yesterday. Magazine internships are highly competitive and fill up faster than you can say, Christian Louboutin.


4) Be Aggressive!


The fashion industry is competitive so if you really want to get your foot in the door you must be determined to never give up. If you want to learn more about a certain company and opportunities they have for you to partake in, I highly suggest calling or emailing them directly that way you will be able to hear right away what your options are and if the company is right for you. Also don't give up if you don't always get the response or the experience you were hoping for, remember when one door closes another doors opens!

5) Study!


Whoever said that fashion was for the absent minded was sadly mistakenly. Before applying for any job, it is important to know a thing or two about the company, that way you will know what you are getting into and you will be able expand your knowledge of the fashion world. It is also really important to keep up-to-date on what is happening in the fashion industry from trends to events to insider news as well. Fashion is constantly changing and it is important to keep up with it so you are not left in the dust. Some of my favourite sites to visit are, Style.com, Fashionista.com and Styleite.com. You can also sign up to some really great newsletters from, Flare.com, WhoWhatWear.com and the really fabu' Canadian job website, StyleNinetoFive.com. Or you can always visit www.AmandasFashionSpot.com! I am more than happy to fill you in on all the fashion information you need!

So now that you know how to conquer the Canadian fashion world (keep in mind these tips can be applied to wherever you live) get up and get out there! Time is not moving any slower! Good luck with your fashion endeavours and come back to let me know how everything goes in the comments, Facebook or Twitter!

Enjoy and happy new year!

Amanda
amandasfashionspot@gmail.com
https://twitter.com/AFSpot

Print is NOT Dead!

This past year, the world celebrated a new invention that was predicted to change the world of magazines and that was the IPAD!

Although no one can really deny the impact the IPad has had on how we live and breathe fashion one thing is for sure, the high-tech touchscreen has not affected the beloved print magazine as expected. You see, the IPad gave birth to the digital magazine something that glossies such as ELLE, Interview and Glamour all became a part of. However, according to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, end of year sales for digital magazines have plummeted since their initial debut. For example, GQ's November edition sold its lowest number since its first digital issue and Glamour's sales have dropped 20% since its first digital version in September.

I am all for reinvention and new forms of creativity expression but there is something about a print magazine that is just not captured in a digital magazine. As much as I love online versions of fashion information, when it comes to reading the full magazine, I must say that I favour the print edition and with these statistics it looks like the rest of the world does not disagree. With the way the world is changing the online presence of fashion only continues to evolve and it is nice to see that it can happily coexist with the traditional print magazine.

How do you feel about how the internet has affected print magazines? Let me know in the comments, Facebook and Twitter!

Enjoy!

Amanda
amandasfashionspot@gmail.com
https://twitter.com/AFSpot

Fall Inspirations: Flare Magazine + HM = Happy Shopping!

Don't you love all the fun shopping events going on lately? If so, you are in luck because here comes another one!

Exactly one week from today at 6pm, Flare Magazine will be hosting a special fashion event at Bloor street's H&M location. You will be able to sip on sparkling beverages, dine on delicious hors d'oeuvres and shop! (which I highly suggest because you will receive a 20% discount!)

This event will also include a special fashion presentation and a free gift item with purchase, for the first two hundred fashionable shoppers. Does it get much better than this?

To attend, you must RSVP here. 

Happy shopping!

Amanda

Flare's Editor-in-Chief Lisa Tant enters the Blogosphere

Ever wondered what the fashion world was like from the eyes of a successful and powerful fashionista? 

Well, now you have that opportunity. Flare Magazine editor-in-chief Lisa Tant has entered the world of bloggers with her weekly posts of Canadian and worldly fashion on Inside with Flare with Lisa Tant.

The new fashion blog has interesting and helpful posts for aspiring fashionista's who would like to make it into the world of magazines such as, how Flare magazine picks their covers and how to break into the fashion industry. 

This is the probably the best insider scoop you can get because you will be able read all the behind-the-scenes info on Canada's Fashion Authority from the leader herself. Check it out and you can also follow Ms. Tant on her Twitter account. 

To read all of Lisa's fashion posts visit, http://blog.flare.com/category/lisatant/.

Amanda

Strike a Pose: Ford Models Super of the World Model Canada Contest

Have you gone through life always wanting to be a model? Have walked down the street and had people tell you that you would fit right in on the runway? Well here is your chance to see what it takes to get there, Canadian style!

Ford Models is hosting its Super of the World Model Canada Contest in search of the next 2009 Supermodel. This contest has crowned former Canada's Next Top Model host, Tricia Helfer in 1992 and Leanne Spencer in 1996.

The casting calls are over and the call backs have been made but fear not, you will be able to watch the twelve model finalists every Saturday at 8pm on CityTV starting September 5th. The winner will receive a $250,000 (US) modeling contract with Ford Models and the runner-ups will receive either $150,000 (US) or $100, 000 (US). 

Tune in for the premiere episode this Saturday and see who triumphs the modelling world!

Amanda

Canada's Walk of Fame Honours the Fashionably Elite

                     This September 13th, 2009 Canada's Walk of Fame in partnership with CanWest, inducts Canadian twin fashion duo, Dean and Dan Caten of DSquared and Sex and the City sexpot Kim Cattrall.

Canada's Walk of Fame is a non-profit organization that strives to celebrate Canada's home grown talent, inspire new generations of Canadian talent and basically, as they like to say, "knock people's socks off". Previous inductees include, Flare Magazine cover girl Daria Werbowy, the fashionable chameleon and exotic beauty, Linda Evangelista and Keifer Sutherland. 

Tune to Global Television on September 13th, 2009 to watch the lovable fashion designer guys of DSquared and scantily-clad, Kim Cattrall get inducted. 

Amanda

Photo(s) of the Day: The September Issue

Having being inspired by the highly anticipated film, The September Issue I thought it was fitting that I include the September issue covers of Fashion Magazine and Flare! The September issue of any magazine is always very exciting. If you pick up any of these you will give a little and get a lot for each of these are priced at under $5. Score!

Amanda

Photo of the Day

Don't you just love when a new issue of magazine comes out? Isn't is so exciting? I love the cover of the new issue of Flare Magazine. Katy Perry looks radiant, fresh and beautiful wearing Emilio Pucci and necklaces by Gemma Redux.

Amanda

Bayview Village Sidewalk Sale!

Mark your calendars and get thee to Bayview Village between July 15th and July 19th to enjoy their exciting, From the Catwalk to the Sidewalk Sale!

Capezio, Geox, Belle de Provence and Mendocino will all have their merchandise on sale and if you spend $100 or more at any of the participating retailers you will receive a free 3-month subscription to Flare Magazine!

How cool is that?!

Amanda