'A million girls would kill for this chance' - an ex-intern at Vogue US

[thefrancofille]

And this site is about people who TRULEY LOVE FASHION AND LIVE IT, vogue is like winning MVP for an athlete.

That about sums it up. If a person can't *get* why people would go through that, then maybe he or she doesn't really get the whole fashion thing The analogy is great: even athletes suffer but that feeling of winning is what it's all about. In the fashion world--especially in the fashion world--who you know and what you've done can open up doors for you. And Vogue is the penultimate as far as fashion mags go.

 

[L0VE]

That about sums it up. If a person can't *get* why people would go through that, then maybe he or she doesn't really get the whole fashion thing The analogy is great: even athletes suffer but that feeling of winning is what it's all about. In the fashion world--especially in the fashion world--who you know and what you've done can open up doors for you. And Vogue is the penultimate as far as fashion mags go.

I think I spelled truly wrong, lol. But yeah exactly on points you've just made, those baseball players are getting doors opened by winning mvp, Ryan Howard is like a celebrity, he was on David Letterman. So in the fashion word, Vogue on your resume will get you in a lot of places, because they know you have tough skin.

 

[L0VE]

Thanks mirra and L0VE for the karma, I really appreciate it and I'm glad everyone enjoyed reading it as much as I did!

I've also posted an article about 'the day in the life of a fashion reporter from The Daily' which I thought was really interesting too, it's one or two below this thread.

OH thanks, keep posting these stories =), I don't get to read any ny papers, except ones here in philadelphia and the fashion stories suck , most of the time. We only have good art, in the paper.

 

[notmanons]

Really interesting, its all exactly like Devil Wears Prada....
Really sad, because the industry can be really superficial...

 

[L0VE]

Really interesting, its all exactly like Devil Wears Prada....
Really sad, because the industry can be really superficial...

But that's no surprise, the "industry" is about fashion and what is fashion?
Well we have the models:
They get chosen to model, based on looks, good or bad, looks.
Then the designers:
They design clothing and clothing must look good. Designers get big off of people liking their work/collection, the appearance of the clothing.

If you're surprised that the industry is superficial, vain, or over the top, then you're just naive or ignorant. Looks and appearances. Think of why you buy clothing, because you like the way it looks. Think of why you like models, because you like a certain way they look (and maybe you like edgy ones, but you still like the way they look, good or bad.)
Fashion is expression and artistic and everything, but art is also about appearance of things and looks and that can be seen as superficial but to others it's just what is the norm.

If you don't like superficial people, then don't go into the fashion business, period. Not everyone is and I'm sure not, I don't judge others but you're going to run into people like that and that's just how it is, so you either deal with it or just find a new career. If you truly love fashion you'll see past those things.

 

[L0VE]

You also can't let every person in life get to you. Do what you love and think of your job and where YOU are going (but don't act like you are the only one trying to do something) and try to find people in the industry that are similar to you and weed out the ones who don't care for or just try to deal with them. Every job is quite similar in that matter.

AND REMEMBER:
The girl in the devil wears prada DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO GET INTO THE FASHION BUSINESS! She was trying to be a journalist that's why this was so crazy to her.

 

[wrngco]

I'd rather work for Juicy LOL

 

[Alejandro]

the only thing i find messed up is that you have to pay for your own meals, i mean, if they're not paying you to slave for them, the least they can do is buy your lunch.

then again, i can go through hours without eating.

 

[Ferdinanda]

the only thing i find messed up is that you have to pay for your own meals, i mean, if they're not paying you to slave for them, the least they can do is buy your lunch.

then again, i can go through hours without eating.

Oh gawd. This is good.

 

[LilyBird]

To be honest, most internships suck. Long hours, no pay, slim to no benefits.

You could work at the ACLU for 6 months and feel the same way...I guess Vogue is a bit more glamorous and has that allure of being crazy but none of this really shocks me.

 

[~Fashionista~]

To be honest, most internships suck. Long hours, no pay, slim to no benefits.

You could work at the ACLU for 6 months and feel the same way...I guess Vogue is a bit more glamorous and has that allure of being crazy but none of this really shocks me.

I agree. To be honest we have heard so many stories like that...it shouldnt surprise or shock us

 

[poetiquez]

what i got from the article was the meisel nor anna wintour were actually that bad, but the people around them were terrified because of the power they held. just my opinion...

 

[eidolon]

A little dignity

I'm not shocked at how they treat people, but I am shocked that people will let themselves be treated like that. Yes I am aware that Vogue is a HUGE thing to have on your resume, and that it can open many doors, but at what price? Personally, I could stick it out, and do a great job at it, but I wouldn't be treated like crap.

 

[thefrancofille]

To be honest, most internships suck. Long hours, no pay, slim to no benefits.

This is true. I did an internship abroad this summer in something unrelated to fashion and I was bored as heck! But the great thing you can get out of an internship is a better understanding of the company and the industry. Because of my internship, I no longer have a glamorized view of international affairs (I was at a UN agency) and don't wish to go into that field. But it's much better for me to learn that as a student rather than after signing a contract, moving abroad, and going to work wanting to stab my eyeballs out every day.

 

[marc jacobs addict]

I will say this about fashion internships. I currently work in the press department of a very well known deisgner. And leading up to his show at Bryant Park, I was there from 8am until at least 1am 7 days until the day of. Doing everything from doublechecking seating charts, sending out foreign editor gift bags, to running over last season's samples to Tinsley Mortimer so she could wear them at our show. It's intense, but it's worth it in my honest opinion. I am there fulltime so I am head intern, and thus dont really have to do all the coffee runs or 3 hour treks around to every Kate's Paperie because the President of our company wants a very specific type of stationary. But I have so much experience, and I have met contacts who have assured me that if I am ever looking for a job, I need only call.

It pays off. If you love fashion and are willing to work 12hr days in the beginning, it's worth it. Oh, and the designer I work for, who is about to start designing for another presitigious fashion house as well as his own namesake label, is a sweetheart. He baked a pie on the first day for all the new interns. Not everything is true about the powerful people being b*tches.

 

[pinksatin]

Auww, that's so cute about the pie. Thanks for shaing. it's nice to hear something more encouraging too since we already will expect the worst. It just sounds like you're working really hard but you're getting something out of it (experience and contacts). Which is the whole point really. I think the only time it wouldn't be worth it to have a nightmare internship is if you don't get anything bak of value (not money but feet-in-the-doors type of value).

 

[smartarse]

...and Conde Nast's cafeteria food is expensive for the interns. I heard the complaints. But what do you expect for a cafeteria that has its very own 5 star chefs cooking your food!

To be honest, most internships suck. Long hours, no pay, slim to no benefits.

 

[smartarse]

off the record, there have been (approx) 5 interns working at XYZ magazine. One got screamed at alot, the other was let go after 3 days. And all but one was left in the 2 weeks of internship. No pay, long hours from 9am to 10 pm, but was paid with samples of Chanel, magazines, Prada, lingerie and last but not least an iPhone which by the way was ecstatic , coupled that with having to see models undress right there in full view while assigned to a photoshoot. AND for being a good sport and not to mention an exceptional intern introduced to a very reputatable "xyz" person and got a job with a very good starting salary.

So yes , folks and kiddies, it is a tough world out there but it does have its rewards. B)

I'm not shocked at how they treat people, but I am shocked that people will let themselves be treated like that. Yes I am aware that Vogue is a HUGE thing to have on your resume, and that it can open many doors, but at what price? Personally, I could stick it out, and do a great job at it, but I wouldn't be treated like crap.

 

[prosperk]

Having Vogue on one's resumé has a flip side in that if you subsequently engage in freelance work - be it fashion writing, copywriting, consultancy or any of the income-generating things people without trust funds have to do to pay the rent, so to speak - it can actually discourage potential clients from proposing work to you. Experience indicates that they tend to presume that you are too upmarket or expensive for them. It's a "calling card" to be used judiciously, in my opinion. This affects writers and stylists alike. Of course a resumé containing the V-word will impress...but hopefully not to the point where potential clients write you off as "over-qualified" to improve their catalogues, ads, press packs and general communications media. Also, avoid rising too fast too young at a magazine like Vogue because, there being nowhere much else to go afterwards unless you get a gig with a major broadsheet or launch your own title, you're going to have to defend your job for years - think about All About Eve - and very few people have the stamina to achieve this without becoming bitter and twisted. Crash and burn too young and you had better have a Plan B lined up if you don't want to end up as a bitter old faghag living alone with psychotic lapdogs and warped memories...or as one of said faghag's comedy sidekicks.

PK

 

[DriversHigh]

I've always wanted to work at Vogue but I just can't tolerate bullsh*t that Lauren and Amy apparently can. I'd probably take it for two weeks and then let it all out, and I would probably never be employed again. So maybe I need to look elsewhere ...

you and i both...i have little tolerance for bs even if the person its coming from is my boss. on the last straw i would probably drop everything, throw my hands up and yell "get over yourselves.this american vogue!" and then i would storm out.

now harper's bazzar on the other hand...