Naughty me. I’ve been too consumed with my own stuff to actually try to figure out why everyone was so stoked about The TeenVogue Handbook, a title that’s been on everyone’s lips for the past few weeks. I initially thought it was yet another unnecessary coffee table book I’ll buy and absently gush about it’s creative views when guests come over.
This is where I apologize, to TeenVogue, Amy Astley, and all my friends who work at the magazine.
From what I can gather via this video, The TeenVogue Handbook is my salvation and will be that of thousands of other girls looking to get their foot in the fashion industry door.
I’ve had, and am having, some amazing experiences working in Fashion Public Relations, and having had such experiences I know the good doesn’t come without a lot of hard work. That is one reason, the rosy picture so-called reality shows like The Hills and The City have put on the fashion industry annoys me to no end.
Young girls watch the episodes and may think to themselves that fashion is this glamorous industry where you play with clothes, go to parties, and take 4 hour lunches, when in reality, the extent of playing done, in Public Relations at least, is imagining if a celeb or model would look awesome in the garment you actually dream of wearing. As an intern, parties are generally attended only if you’re working them, and you’re lucky if you’re able to pop out for a quick bite before getting back to work— sack lunches all around!
I’m not saying there aren’t glamorous aspects of the job, like when the samples are out of season you get to take a piece or two home, but no job is all fun and games, even in the fashion industry. I hope, when I pick of my copy of The TeenVogue Handbook on October 5th, I find that they present the industry as it truly is, full of hard work, long hours, and majestic pieces of wearable art.