'This screams intern doesn't it..."

So after being stuck in Florida for longer then expected, this week I found myself back in the Big Apple! During my time down south I discovered the show "Running in Heels." It is about interns at Marie Claire and it was rather amusing. Sometimes it seems like all these shows can get repetitive, but for someone who wants to learn aspects of the business, they can be quite insightful (minus the added TV drama). For instance, I found out Nina Garcia (the former Fashion Director, then Editor-at-Large for Elle & Project Runway judge) is now the Fashion Director for Marie Claire. And she is Latina! (whoop whoop) This show (though I watch many of them) I somewhat related to: the pressure of performing tasks, running around New York City, working a big event, etc. Sometimes I really wanted to smack the girls. One walked around barefoot at a party, the other threw articles of clothing worth hundreds in a bag like nothing, and the other could not even put together a complete story! Are you kidding me?! Get it together ladies. In part, watching them only mounted my confidence in myself. I think I have always had a strong work ethic, creative mind, and knack for attention to detail that was only heightened by my experiences in college. But hey, you can still learn from watching, but nothing beats doing the jobs yourself.

This week was HECTIC. I flew non-stop out of Ft. Lauderdale to New York. Tio picked me up; I ate my breakfast in the car, got dropped off in Harlem to catch the train, and went straight to work. That day, Henri Bendel had requested samples of Suwha coats, three filled completely. Two of us were sent to take them uptown but they were SOO heavy. Carrying one was tough, two was torture. So myself and another intern swapped. 'This screams intern doesn't it.' "We must look mad," she responded. Regardless that evening my arms were sore.

On Wednesday, Barney's (yes, the Barney's) had requested samples from Karen Walker Eyewear and Hansel from Basel socks. Then another magazine, which I can't remember for the life of me, also requested samples. So I was sent to pick up gift boxes at this adorable paper shop and bring them back to the office. There I had to help find a way to re-arrange the sunglasses so they could all fit in two boxes, w/o moving or touching each other and only using tissue paper. After watching my direct boss organize different ways I got an idea. I decided to weave the tissue paper over one pair and then under another and then over the next so it looked like shelves; that way they did not scratch each other or move much. "That looks really good; we'll do it that way." It may sound stupid, but I was proud of myself for coming up with a solution for the office. These are moments little interns need to keep them going. And I packed both boxes and was sent uptown to Barney's. Now, let us remember that my arms are already sore from the coats the day before and now I was to carry four full shopping bags to these locations. I knew it was going to be tough. Once I got off the train, walked out of the Rockefeller station, and got to street level, I realized I had dropped my printed out directions. I am sure the look on my face was priceless as I fanatically scurried down to station again with four big bags bouncing at my sides. And just my luck, they had fallen behind the turn-dial and there was no attendant. And there I stood contemplating whether I should leave the bags there, illegally jump the turn-dial, grab the directions laying on the floor and come back, or just wait. I paced a bit hoping this would not turn into a disater. Luckily two girls came in and I asked them to help me out. Once I had my directions I was back on my way. It was quite a little walk for someone with aching arms and the directions were a bit confusing. I had to stop in a pizza place to get my barings once and to be my bags down and just rest for a second. I finally reached the Barney's messanger center relieved and dropped off 3 of the 4 bags. Then I was off to Rockefeller Plaza to drop off the last. The building was literally a part of the famous plaza and I walked passed St. Patrick's, NBC Studios, and dozens of tourists snap-shooting away. This city is amazing because it is daily existence is what makes it famous and to be a part of it was a bit humbling. How many people get to say they did this?

Back at the office, I contacted men's shoe and clothing stores nationwide to get the name and email address of their buyer. I did not notice that another intern had been sent alone to get the coats we had dropped off the day before. When she returned with only one coat, we knew it was going to be trouble. Had I known they sent her alone and could not carry them all back, I would said something. But she did not think to call to inform them of her decision to now bring the coats back. The director said next time that happened to call and maybe take a cab, then be reimbursed, and that we would just send two people in the am to get the coats. But she was not so calm about it the next day...

Thursday-it turned out Barney's was sending a separate buyer to look at some of the other lines we carry, including Suwha coats, which were still at Henri Bendel. The director was not happy about this at all. After forgetting that it was not a big deal the day before, today people got scolded. Why didn't she just call? I call for everything that requires decision making! lol So we were sent to retrieve the jackets uptown. Later that day, we were sent to retrieve the samples at Barney's while dropping off others. This time because we were picking up, we got to go upstairs. This was a bit exciting. We got to wait in the lobby for a bit, watching employees walk in and out. The sunglasses were ready but the socks were not, so we waited for about 45minutes. During that time, I chatted with my fellow free laborer a bit. An editor had come into the office last week and chatted with the PR coordinator about her assistant not working out and needing help for a shoot. Lucky for her, my fellow intern was in the right place in the right time and got recommended to help. I need a break like that! Also while sitting there, I recognized an older, shorter, and very stylish man walk through the lobby. I recognized him immediately but could not figure it out! I tried not to smile. I turned to the other intern and she recognized him as well. Upon online research, I discovered why. He was the creative director for Barney's, Simon Doonan, and was featured on several television shows including America's Next Top Model!

Other then that it was work as usual with mailings, phone calls, faxing, and showroom assistance. Next week all the editors are coming in to meet with PR coordinator and I am REALLY looking forward to that! In the meantime I am looking for a job in Miami. I have decided that I need to get things in order financially and with my family before I make a big move (unless I get a huge career break here). Times are tough!

Missing in Action

So I have been BUSY these last two weeks!

Right now I am stuck in Tallahassee because a snow storm in the northeast and Atlanta caused a bunch of flight cancellations. So I will be here staying with a friend until they drive down to Miami for break. My apartment is vacant and powerless, so I figured I would use my friend's computer to catch up. 

These last few weeks like I mentioned have been crazy. At work, I started doing "fit modeling" to help out. The sales aspect of the office has been extremely busy and buyers who came in liked to see the clothes on actual people. So when they wanted to see something, I would try it on. It was actually kind of cool. Some of the clothes is so nice, the type of stuff I would only dream of wearing. Many times you could feel the quality when you put it on. When I was just working in the office, they asked that we wear a piece from one of the brands until buyers came, so they could see signature pieces right off. I enjoyed it and fell in love with some pieces. 

My brother and his best friend (who had never been to New York) came up to visit for a few days also. We went EVERYWHERE in a matter of two days; the Statue of Liberty, Time Square, The Empire State Building, etc. All the main spots we hit, and by the 48hrs end I was exhausted. It was fun to explore the city that way though. Even after all the years of traveling to New York and now "living there", I never really hit all the tourist spots like that. It reminded me of how lucky I was to have the chance to live in such an amazing place. 

After they left, I scheduled to work the Coterie Trade Show in exchange for the days off needed to go to Tallahassee and move out of my apartment. I had to be there at 8:30 a.m (OUCH!). Luckily on the first morning my Uncle drove me since I was so tired and running late (from the Bronx to Pier 94 where the show was at was about an hour plus trip). Once I got there and got moving I woke up a bit. 

So for those who do not know what a trade show is, here is a quick explanation. Usually after designers debut their seasonal collections during fashion week, trade shows (with Coterie being the biggest) occur. The brands who showed their collections each have a little section. Store buyers come and browse all the brands and can make purchases for their stores or see the collections first hand. We represented Karen Walker and Suwha, but there was dozens of recognizable brands there: Betsy Johnson, Diesel, BCBG, DVF, etc.  It was like candy land for the shop-a-holic, even though technically no one could make personal purchases. I spent two days helping out the different stands, from 8:30am-7pm.  

And then I was off to Tallahassee...