Glam Gigs-Fashion, Retail & Beauty Career Advice

What it Takes to Get Hired According to LOreal's President

2011-08-18T22:17:00.003-04:00

“A job candidate has to have done something with strong results. It doesn’t have to be in the beauty business, but of course, I love when it is. It is also good to have people with other experiences. However, they do have to show a love of culture, of the arts, of travel, of fashion. A candidate has to have an innate sense of things that are beautiful in the world. I also look for people who are demanding of themselves and are good listeners. But most of all, I look for people who are happy. When somebody comes into an interview and they are miserable, who needs that? It is important to bring a positive energy to the business.”

-Carol Hamilton, President of LOreal’s Luxury Products Division

Get Free Business Cards from Minted.com

2011-08-18T20:38:00.003-04:00

Looking for a cute way to stay connected? Stationery company Minted.com is offering 25 free customized business and calling cards now through September 23rd.

“Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom looking to meet other moms on the playground, a budding photographer trying out wedding photography on the weekends, or a knitting doctor in your spare time, they’re perfect for anyone looking to make connections or jump start a small business,” Mariam Naficy, Minted’s CEO and founder told InStyle.com.

You can even make your cards extra-memorable by adding personal photos, specialized colors, and cool fonts. To get started, visit Minted.com/mommy-cards pick a card, personalize it, and select the “free” option before checking out. Happy networking!

I Want Your Job: Editorial & Celeb Makeup Artist

2011-08-16T10:37:00.004-04:00

Hello Glammies!

I came across this informative video featuring celebrity makeup artist Victoria Stiles dishing on how to become a makeup artist in editorial.

What advice can you give to a beginner artist who would like to work in editorial?

Visit agency websites, check out the photographers they represent, view their work and see who would be a good fit for your style. Offer your services on a trade for print basis, meaning you agree to work for portfolio pieces. A connection with a well established photographer is priceless.

Take a look at the clip for more of Victoria's secrets to success...

You're Invited: Intern Queen Party in NYC

2011-08-01T18:15:00.004-04:00

NYC interns unite!

Join your fellow interns at the first-ever Intern Queen Party hosted by the Intern Queen herself, Ms. Lauren Berger.

Get your photo taken on the red carpet, listen to DJ Frankenmack, and meet intern coordinators from US Weekly, Oscar de la Renta, CBS, Teen Vogue, Clear Channel McGraw-Hill and more!

Tuesday, August 2
7:30pm - 10:30pm
404 Restaurant
10th Avenue @ 33rd Street
New York, NY

Register here.

And not that I have to remind you, but I will anyway--Bring your business cards!

I Want Your Job: Fashion Designer Anthony Williams Dishes on Styling for Vh1's 'Single Ladies'

2011-07-29T22:17:00.008-04:00

Oh-EM-Gee!

I was SO excited today when I discovered a behind-the-scenes look into the life of Anthony Williams, stylist on the hit Vh1 show Single Ladies and national fashion director at Macy's. **squeal!**

If you don't watch Single Ladies, you are missing out on a fashion overdose, boo! I tune in just to see what the girls are wearing more so than to actually follow the show's storyline. The clothes are really THAT good partly because of Anthony's hard work.

Anthony got his start in fashion at a young age growing up in Birmingham, AL. "Where I grew up, it seemed there wasn’t a lot of beauty so I had to create it and that’s how I got my start," Anthony told Fashion Bomb Daily. His first job in fashion was as a sales associate at Neiman Marcus where he soaked up retail smarts and started paving his way. "I started at the bottom in accessories, then I moved to handbags, and then to the dress collections."

While continuing to pursue his fashion dreams, Anthony sprang into the limelight as a contestant on season 7 of Project Runway. He didn't win first place, but you know what they say: When God closes one door he opens another, and that's exactly what happened to Anthony. After the show, he was approached by the folks at Single Ladies to be in charge of stocking Stacey Dash's closet for the upcoming drama series.

His advice for those wanting a career as a celeb stylist? “Don’t always run to celebrities," Anthony advises. "Search instead for people who celebrate your craft and who you are. If they respect you, they will pay you.”

In addition to styling, Anthony is also a fashion director for the retail giant Macy's. "[My job at Macy's] allow me to travel the country and make people aware of what the current fashion trends are," Anthony explains in the clip below.

Get into this footage to learn more about Anthony and his glam gig. You can keep up with Anthony via his Facebook page and by following him on Twitter at @SewAnthony.

Get More: Single Ladies, Christina Carter, Keisha Greene, Valerie Stokes

tags: single ladies, val from single ladies, val's fashion from single ladies, val's stylist, valerie stokes, anthony williams, project runway

Get Hired: Kim Kardashian's Stylist Needs an Intern!

2011-07-28T00:15:00.004-04:00

If your dream is to become a stylist to the stars, then this opportunity is for you!

Monica Rose, stylist to the Kardashian Sisters and Keri Hilson is hiring a blogging intern in Los Angeles!

Monica tweeted about this glam gig and we're sure her inbox is filling up fast. Send your cover letter, resume, and writing samples to info@monicarose.com to apply.

Of course, me being me, I was curious to find out how Monica snabbed her gig as Kim K's go-to-glam-gal.

Here's what Monica shared with Fashion Indie about how she got her start as a celeb stylist:

I grew up in a small town in Northern California. After high school, I moved to LA and had no idea what I wanted to do. I had always worked in clothing stores, and fashion kind if fell into my lap. Where I’m from, people don’t really get into fashion. There were no reality shows about stylists when I was young, so I wasn’t even aware of what a “stylist” was. I had no idea I was going to be a stylist.

I worked in many boutiques in LA. I had a lot of clients in New York and other cities, so I would put together outfits for them and send them out on approval. I worked with a lot of stylists too that would come in to shop for their clients. I kind of studied them and asked a lot of questions. I was just so curious about what they did on a day to day basis. One day a photographer asked me if I would work with him on some test shoots, and that was it. It just came very natural to me and I knew that was what I wanted to do.

The best advice I can give any aspiring wardrobe stylist is to really understand the amount of work it takes to be a good wardrobe stylist, to believe in yourself no matter what others may say or think, and to never give up.

Tags: Kim Kardashian, Kim Kardashian's stylist, Khloe Kardashian's stylist, Kourtney Kardashian's sylist, Keri Hilson's stylist, Monica Rose interns, Monica Rose stylist, styling internships

Nicole's Notes: Optimizing Your StyleCareers.com Profile

2011-07-25T12:45:00.003-04:00

Job hunting in the fashion and beauty biz is already hard enough, but it gets even trickier when you consider the wide array of networking sites that ask you to create online profiles. Between those finicky resume-uploader-thingys and figuring out which keywords will make you stand out, it becomes a fine art to create a profile that works for you and not against you.

Stylecareers.com is one such website that allows you to create a custom profile. Chris Kidd, creator of the site, has offered a few tips to make your page shine!

COMPLETE THE RESUME SECTION - Make sure the Resume Section of your online profile is filled-out completely. Use the What Employers See link to view your profile as a recruiter would see it.

Note: If pasting your resume from a word processing application like MS Word, it is likely that any special formatting will be lost. Use keyboard characters to re-format your resume if this happens. For example, use ALL CAPS instead of bolding and a dash (-) or and asterisk (*) instead of bullets. The system is WYSIWYG, if your profile looks bad to you, it will look bad to recruiters.

TITLE FIELD - Make sure to fill-out the Title field of your online profile with your current OR most relevant title.

Note: This is the most popular search field used by recruiters; avoid abbreviations and spelling mistakes. If your current or most recent company uses non-standard position titles, include a standard title as well.

USE THE CHECK-BOXES - The check-boxes in the Email Notification of New Job Listings section are used as database markers by recruiters when searching the StyleCareers.com resume database. EVEN IF you elected not to get email notifications from StyleCareers.com, make sure to check the appropriate Categories, Job Functions and Regions so that recruiters have an easier time finding you.

KEYWORD BANK - Include a Keyword Bank in the Resume Section of your online profile. Recruiters use keyword searches to find candidates for their positions. They will often use words and and phrases from the job description of the position they are trying to fill.

Note: A Keyword Bank should contain words and phrases that ARE NOT on your resume BUT THAT WILL help recruiters find your profile. For example, a Technical Designer should include Technical Design, Technical Designer, Tech Design, Tech Designer, TD, Spec Tech, Speccing, Spec Sheets, and any other words/phrases that a recruiter might use to find a Technical Designer.

KEEP YOUR INFORMATION CURRENT - Make sure to update the Resume Section of your online profile as soon as your professional situation changes. Verify your email address, phone numbers and mailing address every time you update your profile.

Thanks for the great tips, Chris! Now head over to Stylecareers.com and get started on those awesome profiles!

Watch This: Steve Stout Dishes on Taking Risks and Following Your Gut

2011-07-15T23:01:00.009-04:00

EXCLUSIVE: Steve Stoute's "Dare.Dream.Do" Target Commercial! from the.LIFE Files on Vimeo.

This video really spoke to me. Steve Stoute is the founder of Translation, a hugely successful advertising and marketing firm. I haven't written a detailed post about my current career journey because I'm waiting for my experience to "peak" so-to-speak. For now, I will share with you that in January of this year when I quit my job I. Was. Terrified.

But six weeks later -- a mere SIX WEEKS later! -- a chance encounter in the train station -- the massive NEW YORK CITY subway! -- led to the job of my dreams. I still get chills when I think about how that happened. And hearing Steve's story in this video really keeps me encouraged.

You gotta take a risk. Feel the fear and do it anyway.

"I left a big job and put it all on the line to go become a partner at an advertising agency in an industry that I was very new to at 30 years old. But it felt right. It felt like I could, if I bet on myself, I could accelerate my growth within that industry."

"If your gut instinct tells you that it's right, then I don't associate that with risk. I think it's risk when you don't follow your guy instinct. There's something innately within you that says 'This makes sense.' For you not to follow that, you're actually betting against yourself."

"As long as I'm honest about my beliefs and I'm honest about what wakes me up in the morning and go 'Yeah I want to do this,'and I don't allow the fear of risk or fear itself interfere with my beliefs, then I'll be happy. That would be pursuing my dreams. I always wanted to do something I was passionate about and I believed in."

Fashion Resume: Floral Delight

2011-07-13T14:36:00.007-04:00

In this new weekly feature on Glam Gigs, I'm dishing up ways to incorporate this season's hottest trends into your wear-to-work wardrobe.

Today's look is all about florals. Since a crisp, white shirt works wonders with anything, I paired mine with this uber-chic pencil skirt by Paul Smith. And what better way to add a touch of spice than with a bright red peep-toe shoe? Totally glam and totally work appropriate.

Love this look? Click on any piece to shop!

Words to Live By...

2011-07-12T11:41:00.005-04:00

"WHEN YOU HARNESS YOUR CORE -- YOUR DRIVING PASSION --NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE."

-LARA CASEY of Making Brands Happen

Nicole's Notes: The Importance of a Professional Headshot

2011-07-11T23:22:00.005-04:00

As the networking landscape becomes more digitally driven, it's more important than ever that you have a professional headshot.

I get asked about my headshot quite often. When I quit my former job and began revving up my job search, I wanted a picture that made me stand out and said, "I'm professional, sharp, and chic! Hire me!" Because after all, your social media avatars send a major message about who you are and what you do.

A nice-looking, crisp photo of yourself is definitely worth the investment. The old saying is true: A picture is worth a thousand words. Here are a few tips to make your photo stand out from the rest:

Have some professional photos taken. While this is the obvious answer, it may not be the cheapest but there are ways to get around the cost. Groupon and Living Social offer deals from local photography studios quite often. And I'm sure a Glamour Shots is still up and running at a mall near you.

Find a friend with a nice camera. Chances are you know someone who's into photography and has a decent DSLR camera. Give them a ring and schedule a mock photo shoot. Any bare wall makes a nice background. My headshots were taken against the brick wall of middle school building. Totally random but it works.

Remember that your photo should reflect your personal brand. If you're a travel writer, there's no need for the uber-professional, pose-and-smile headshot. A clear, crisp photo of you at your favorite exotic destination would tell your story much better.

Keep it classic. Your clothing, hair, and makeup should be timeless. Before choosing your camera-ready look, ask yourself, "Will I be recognizable in this photo one year from now?" In case you don't get around to updating your photo for a while, you want it to be something you can use over and over again without it feeling dated.

Take inventory of your social media avatars. Are they in line with your personal brand and career goals?

tags: professional headshots, Facebook profile photo, Facebook profile picture, Linked-in profile photo, Linked-in profile photo

Must-Read: Cynthia Bailey from 'Real Housewives' Opens Fashion School

2011-07-11T22:42:00.007-04:00

Cynthia Bailey, the former model and fashionable star of Real Housewives of Atlanta, is opening a fashion school!

The Bailey Agency will offer students an intense 6-week course that covers all aspects of the fashion industry including modeling, photography, and production.

The upside of it all is that Cynthia will personally teach courses at the school to share knowledge she's gained via her experience in the modeling industry. Before she became a reality TV star, Cynthia was a model with the prestigious Wilhelmina Models and landed photo shoots in mags such as Essence, Glamour, Elle, and Vanity Fair to name a few.

Details on The Bailey Agency have been kept hush-hush, but I'm keeping my eye out for up-to-the-minute updates via the school's Twitter account (@TheBaileyAgency.) Hopefully more information will be posted soon!

Image source. Article source. tags: cynthia bailey, the bailey agency, the real housewives of atlanta, cynthia bailey fashion school

You're Invited: CEW hosts Cocktails & Connections:Career Insights

2011-07-10T10:25:00.007-04:00

Let the networking begin!

Cosmetics Executive Women (CEW) is hosting another networking happy hour as part of its Cocktails & Connections series:

Young Executive Cocktails & Connections: Career Insights
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Union Square Ballroom
27 Union Square West
New York, NY 10003

Enhance your career building skills by joining some of the industry’s top HR experts for tips on successful interviewing, improving your resume and cover letter, and learning how to make yourself a marketable candidate through social media.

HR Reps from the following companies will be present:

24Seven
Conde Nast
The Donegar Group
Edelman Public Relations
The Estee Lauder Companies, Inc.
L'Oreal USA

Sounds like a good time to me! Registration is $15 for CEW members or $25 for nonmembers. You can find out more info or register at the CEW website.

Resume Therapy: Beware of These Top 10 Overused Terms

2011-07-09T18:38:00.006-04:00

If it's time to update your resume, beware of using words that are on the list of top 10 overused terms according to the Wall Street Journal:

innovative
dynamic
motivated
extensive experience
results-oriented
proven track record
team player
fast-paced
problem solver
entrepreneurial

Although you may indeed embody one of the terms above, it's time to get creative when describing yourself on your resume. A simple search on Thesaurus.com will do the trick.

Take a look at your current resume and count how many of these terms are on it. I found two on mine! Womp! They will definitely be replaced immediately.

Source: Wall Street Journal

Brooke Mooreland, Creator of Fashism, Honored as Top Tech CEO

2011-07-08T20:06:00.006-04:00

Congrats are in order for Brooke Mooreland, CEO and creator of Fashism!

Brooke was honored by The Huffington Post as one of the Top Ten Female Tech CEO's to Watch. What I love most about Brooke is the story of how she started one of the hottest fashion sites on the web. Here's what HuffPo shared about her rise to the top:

Before launching Fashism, a web community that gives users real-time style advice, Moreland had to get her feet wet. While working full time as a reality TV editor, she worked on her brainchild at night before finally leaving her job to focus on Fashism, which launched in 2009. Fashism takes the idea that plenty of people online not only have the style smarts but the kind of objectivity you just can't get from a boyfriend and converts it into an easy to use website. It recently raised $1 million in funding from supporters including Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, Nina Garcia, a judge on Project Runway, and well-known VC Ron Conway, among others.

I love that! Here's someone who had and idea, got real-world experience in her area of interest, and made it happen. Yes, yes, yes!

Read about the other sizzling CEO's over at the Huffington Post. Congrats again Brooke!

You're Invited: StyleCareers.com Networking Happy Hour

2011-07-08T19:22:00.003-04:00

Break out those business cards!

StyleCareers.com is hosting a networking happy hour for fashion industry professionals working in the Outdoor and Athletic market segments.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Departure Restaurant + Lounge at the
Nines Hotel in downtown Portland, OR

This event is for experienced professionals in Apparel, Accessories, Footwear, Textiles and Corporate Retail only. Students, store-level and non-industry professionals will not be allowed to attend.

Grown-up beverages and fancy finger foods will be provided. Door prizes from Oakley, Columbia Sportswear, Mountain Hardwear, Jantzen, Nike Swim and REI will be given away.

There is no cost to attend but registration is required so register on StyleCareers.com today!

Glam Entrepreneur: Andrea Fairweather of Fairweather Faces, Inc.

2011-06-28T13:18:00.008-04:00

Andrea Fairweather is the owner of Fairweather Faces, Inc. a beauty company that specializes traveling beauty services. Most of her clients are busy, on-the-go professionals and it's Andrea's job to keep them looking beautiful from coast to coast.

Andrea recently spoke to ESSENCE.com about her new business venture. She created a line of make-up brushes to take the guesswork out of choosing the perfect tools for the perfect face.

"A lot of my clients would say 'I don’t know how to apply my makeup the way you do. I don't know how to use my brushes. I'm confused by them.' I couldn’t understand why they were having these questions when there are so many cosmetics lines out there. I automatically thought the answers were already there. Apparently not."

When Andrea started doing makeup professionally, she owned a whopping 250 makeup brushes! She realized that there were so many options for makeup artists but the expense and hassle of so many to use was a big waste of time and money. Reflecting on her experience helped her to create a dream set of brushes to not only help artists pare down their kits, but also to earn additional income for her business.

I love Andrea's story because she saw a void in her own business and took action to create a solution. A lot of businesses get started this way. Take a look at your own career. Is there something that would make your job easier or save your company money? Could a solution to that problem be your next business venture? Food for thought!

video platform video management video solutions video player

Video by ESSENCE.com

Job Hunting Mistakes: Are You Guilty of these Blunders?

2011-06-27T17:51:00.006-04:00

When it comes to job hunting, you would think that people would strive to go above-and-beyond to put their best foot forward. WRONG! Even in today's competitive job market, simple things like having a decent cover letter and sending a thank you note after an interview are still overlooked.

Clutch Magazine Online posted a wonderful article that sums up some of the most irking mistakes they find in job seekers:

Pulling the "homegirl" card: If you received your interview via a personal connection, do not exploit your contact during the interview. Always be professional in your talk and actions just as you would if you were speaking to someone you've met for the first time.

Sending your resume solo: Do I really have to say that sending a cover letter is a MUST 100% of the time? Never submit a resume without a cover letter. Your resume should be three short -- I repeat SHORT -- paragraphs that introduce you and explain why you're a perfect fit for the job. It should NOT sum up your resume.

Ending the interview too soon: The interview does not end when you walk out of that office. It ends when you complete the proper follow-up. Always send a handwritten or electronic acknowledgment to thank your interviewer for his or time. It makes all the difference and just might be the extra push you need to snag a second interview.

Check out this list to see if you're guilty of any more interview no-no's. If you are, it's time to clean up your act, chile!

Make Your Passion work for YOU!

2011-02-18T14:17:00.005-05:00

Watch this and be inspired!

U-ology 101 Promo Clip from U-ology 101 on Vimeo.

Business Lessons from Fashion Designer Tory Burch

2011-02-13T23:15:00.007-05:00

It's been nearly a week since I attended the Lucky FABB Conference, and I'm still on a high from the entire experience. Perhaps my favorite part of the day was hearing from fashion designer Tory Burch (and of course snabbing a photo opp with the super friendly designer too). In true Glam Gigs form, I grabbed a seat right in the front row during Tory's interview and asked a question during the Q&A segment about how she differentiated her brand when she was first starting out. Here's what Tory had to say...

You can watch the entire interview with Tory from the Lucky FABB Conference here.

Tags: Lucky FABB, Lucky magazine, Tory Burch, Social Media Week, SMW

Lucky FABB Conference Recap: "Big Brands & You"

2011-02-12T11:40:00.009-05:00

This week, I attended the FABB (Fashion & Beauty Blog) Conference hosted by Lucky magazine What an AMAZING experience! The panelists shared straight-talk advice about what it really takes to build a successful business as a blogger and create partnerships with fashion and beauty companies.

The first panel of the day was entitled “Big Brands and You.” This session was moderated by Brandon Holley, Editor in Chief of Lucky
and featured the following panelists:

Kerry Diamond, VP, Public Relations and Communications, Lancôme
Mallory Andrews, SVP, Sales Promotion, Marketing and Public Relations, Bergdorf Goodman
David Duplantis, SVP, Global Web and Digital Media, Coach

Here’s a recap of what the panelists shared about branding and blogging:

Kerry Diamond: "As a blogger, you have to have a unique point of view. There are so many blogs out there today, and if you’re just rewriting press releases, you’re not doing yourself any service. Blogs are businesses too. You need to be businesspeople and understand what your worth is. When you write a post about a company, send a link to someone at that company. Don’t ever think you’re a bother if you just send a link to the PR contact at certain company. I would appreciate that a lot.

Another important thing to remember is that working with beauty companies is a two way street. We would love to hear ideas from you. You can call us with ideas. You can email us. I would be thrilled to hear about a special project that you would like to do. We really don’t hear a lot from bloggers in terms of going above and beyond product and information requests. This is going to be the year of more blog partnerships. You may not get an answer or response right away. Don’t give up! Use a creative subject line that will help your email stand out.”

Brandon Holley: “When pitching ideas to our magazine or to a company, really read the magazine and really know the product. If you know Coach and you understand that company, don’t send the same idea to Burberry. Think about the company you’re writing to and know about what they are already doing. As a magazine editor and brand manager, we need your ideas. It’s important to have your own point of view, because there are a lot of blogs out there. It’s getting to maximum capacity in the blog world, so you have to think about breaking your blog and your voice out of the pack. “

Mallory Andrews: “As you develop relationships , start reaching out to companies with creative ideas. Our social media manager has relationships with a lot of bloggers and when they get together, a lot of ideas evolve. Iit’s a natural progression of what they are doing on their blog and what we are interested in . We recently collaborated with Felicia from the blog ThisThatBeauty , and that just came out of a conversation . Building relationships and working together is how these ideas and these partnerships come about.”

David Duplantis: “The really exciting thing for you as bloggers is that you are building their your own brand. You are the steward of that brand and you should be really true and authentic to that. Really focus your efforts on who you want to be. When choosing a blogger to work with, I look at relevance and great personal style and I think about how that integrates with our brand. There are blogs out there that I read and that I think are fantastic, but they just aren’t right for Coach.

When we create our media plan at Coach, we integrate bloggers into that plan. Each month we choose a guest blogger to be an editorial contributor on our site. We really treat bloggers like magazine editors. We invite them in to see product before anyone else, and we give them an insider’s view. Coach has a million people online at our website every month, and our guest bloggers draft off of that traffic. We have 1.6 million fans on Facebook and 300,000 followers on Twitter. Our work with bloggers is completely integrated and we spread the word through all of those channels and the bloggers really benefit as a result of that.”

You can watch the entire conversation with Brandon, Kerry, Mallory & David here!

Watch live streaming video from smw_newyork2 at livestream.com

tags: Social Media Week, Lucky magazine, Lucky FABB, SMW, Lancome, Coach, Bergdorf Goodman

Stock up on resume resources with $10 worth of FREE books at Barnes & Noble

2011-02-05T16:18:00.005-05:00

Today on Groupon there is an awesome offer I just have to share! For $10, you get $20 worth of books, educational games and toys, movies, and gifts at Barnes & Noble

Why is that such a great deal? Because it offers you the chance to save big on two of my FAVORITE career resources of all time. Gallery of Best Resumes by professional resume writer David F. Noble is sure to inspire you as you are seeking to create the PERRR-FECT resume and cover letter for all your style career interviews. The best part is that there are examples of resumes for professionals in buying, fashion journalism, and fashion PR and event planning, just to name a few, which are more difficult to find in other resume guides that I have looked through.

I also highly recommend Gallery of Best Cover Letters also by Noble. You can read my previous post about this fab find here , which includes a few tips for getting your cover letter in tip-top shape.

Visit Groupon today to sign up for your Barnes & Noble deal of the day. This deal is only valid for two days, so don't delay.

Inspired by Nadja Swarovski, VP of International Communication at Swarovski Crystal Co.

2011-02-04T09:15:00.014-05:00

Happy Friday!

I have an insane habit of collecting magazine articles featuring career profiles that inspire me. This interview of Najda Swarovski really appealed to me because I admire how Najda has taken an active role in her great-great-grandfather's infamous crystal company, and has really brought a new life to the company through creative branding and marketing. Najda is Vice President of International Communications for the firm, and under her direction, the Swarovski empire has reached $3.4 billion in sales in recent years. Read on for more about Najda...

(Click to enlarge)

Article by Sarah Medford

Photographs by John Huba

Get Hired: Rodale Inc. Needs Fashion & Beauty Interns

2011-02-03T22:37:00.002-05:00

The cool folks over at Rodale Inc. are looking for fashion and beauty interns to start IMMEDIATELY in their New York City office. Rodale is the publisher of several health and wellness mags, including Women's Health, Prevention and Runners World. This internship was just posted 2 days ago, so I advise you to hurry and get ball rolling on your application. It's sure to go fast.

Here are the details:

Rodale is currently accepting resumes for the 2011 Spring Internship Program. Internships are open to students eligible for academic credit from an accredited college or university. The ideal candidate will have a strong academic record, previous intern experience and an interest in the chosen area of the business. Internships are based in the Company's New York City location.

The Fashion and Beauty interns will work for our magazine division. The intern may attend market appointments, conduct research for stories and digital initiatives, assist with photo shoots, return clothing to brands, and support general administrative duties. This person may also play a key role in organizing the beauty closet as well as participate in the day-to-day operation of the beauty department. There may also be the opportunity to write.

A great attention to detail, ability to multitask and work independently is required, as well as an interest in the fashion/beauty and publishing industries. Preferred majors for this opportunity include Fashion, Communications, English, and Journalism. Good written and verbal communication, ability to multi-task, resourcefulness, organization and attention to detail are also required.

APPLY HERE

You're Invited: NYC Studio Event Series presented by The Powder Group

2011-01-27T12:14:00.006-05:00

If you are a makeup artist, hair stylist, wardrobe stylist, or other industry professional, please mark your calendar for The Powder Group's NYC Studio Event Series, a group of seminars on building your brand in the beauty industry. I learned so much and met tons of talented artists at one of The Powder Group's events that I attended last year (read about it here), so I can say with complete confidence that you will definitely have a great learning & networking experience.

This upcoming Saturday, January 29th, one of the guest presenters will be Victoria Stiles , an amazing makeup artist I met at The Makeup Show last year. She will be presenting on "Strengthening Your Online Presence." Here is some of the insider information Victoria will be sharing:

- Starting, building, and maintaining a portfolio website with a unique domain.
- Search engine optimization (SEO) basics including how to obtain certain keywords (ie: ny makeup artist), meta tags, and site descriptions and where to place this vital information within your website.
- Fundamentals of link exchange and linking to your other social media profiles.
- How to use Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blogging to build your business, online presence, and ultimately connect with cosmetic brands and potential clients.
- Exclusive information on how to develop your own professional websiode series of makeup tutorials.

You can register for Victoria's seminar by visiting The Powder Group .

Be sure to check out the entire line-up of seminars which is listed below.
James Vincent
Kit Focus 01/29/2011 11am-1pm

Victoria Stiles
Strengthening Your On-line Presence 01/29/2011 4pm-5:30pm

James Vincent
Red Carpet Beauty 02/05/2011 12pm-2pm

Orlando Santiago
New York Fashion Week Wrap-Up 02/19/2011 12pm-2pm

James Vincent
Mastering Color Theory 03/05/2011 11am-1pm

Orlando Santiago
Makeup for Multiple Ethnicities 03/19/2011 12pm-2pm

Victoria Stiles
Beauty and The Blog 03/19/2011 3pm-5pm

Michael DeVellis
Marketing Your Career Now 04/09/2011 11:30am-2:00pm

Michael DeVellis
Getting Next 04/09/2011 3:00pm-5:30am

To sign up or for more information please visit The Powder Group .

You're Invited: Cocktails & Connections hosted by Cosmetic Executive Women

2011-01-27T09:21:00.003-05:00

CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women) presents, Cocktails & Connections: Career Advice
Get your career off to a great start, and keep moving forward with strategic advice from industry experts!

The panel of speakers will include:
Sumita Banerjee, Vice President, Talent Recruitment- L’Oreal USA
Virginia Bonofiglio, Associate Chair, Cosmetics & Fragrance Marketing Department, FIT
Janice Calitri Mehos, Executive Director, Human Resources, Advertising, Conde Nast

Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Upstairs at The Kimberly Hotel (map)
145 East 50th St.
New York, NY 10022
6:30 - 8:30PM
Members: $15.00
Nonmembers: $25.00
REGISTER HERE

I am already registered and confirmed to attend this event, so if you stop by, be sure to look for me. I'd love to connect!

P.S. Be sure to bring your business cards!

Excerpt: "Amy Astley, Editor in Chief, Teen VOGUE"

2011-01-26T18:13:00.008-05:00

I found an amazing profile of Amy Astley, Editor in Chief of Teen VOGUE on one of my favorite blogs, INTO THE GLOSS. Here's an excerpt:

photo by Emily Weiss

"I always liked the whole picture, and I always liked the business of a magazine too. And when you’re a beauty editor you’re much more involved in business than any of the other editors, other than the Editor in Chief. Because you interface with the advertisers all the time—that’s a big part of being a beauty editor. You sit with people like Leonard Lauder; I can’t tell you how many lunches I had with these incredible people who ran businesses—all kinds of businesses—because it’s a very social industry with lots of lunches and dinners and you’re expected to go. It’s very different from fashion. They want to talk about business—their business, your business—oh, I learned a lot. A lot. And a lot of people would hate that. I mean, I think a lot of people in fashion would say, ‘I don’t want to do that.’ But I was always really fascinated. And it’s helped me tremendously because my job now is not just a creative job, or a visual job, it’s a business job. Managing budgets, and looking for new opportunities. Internet, iPad…TV shows obviously, and we did a NY Times best selling book about careers in fashion."

And my ultimate AHA moment was reading this:
"VOGUE was like journalism university to me. I definitely did not need a Masters from Columbia or NYU; still to this day young people say, ‘Should I get my masters?’ And I say, ‘Eh…if you want to.’ But get in there and work and learn from people who know what they’re doing."

Read the entire article for yourself on INTO THE GLOSS.

Check out these videos featuring Amy Astley discuss her career in fashion magazines.

Career Profile: Meet Annemiek, PR and Communications Manager, L’Oréal Paris

2011-01-25T17:08:00.004-05:00

I LOVE reading career profiles of people in the beauty biz, and I found this great bio today on the L'Oreal USA careers website L'Oreal USA careers website . Here's a profile of Annemiek, PR & Communications Manager, L'Oreal Paris:

How she got started in her field:
I started work for L’Oréal’s Consumer Products Division with a great deal of enthusiasm in April 2005, as a PR and Communication manager. Before taking on this challenge, I did a degree in Communication Management in Utrecht. After working in communications for the Garnier and Maybelline New York brands for two fantastic years, I recently became responsible for communications for the L’Oréal Paris brand.

Day-to-Day work:
Every day I speak to cosmetics journalists about the latest developments of products, write press releases, organise press events and brainstorm with media relations to start up qualitative alliances. Where possible, I arrange interviews with the faces of L’Oréal Paris products.

The Film Festival in Cannes, for which L’Oréal Paris is the main sponsor, is the best time in the year to bring journalists into contact with the faces of L’Oréal. In short, this is a varied job that never becomes boring!

Why PR & Communications?:
L’Oréal stands for technology and innovation. Each day, more than 3,000 people in our Research and Development unit are working on the latest ingredients and formulas. Inspired by Paris, a leading city in the fashion world, L’Oréal Paris is trend leader and translates this into innovative products. L’Oréal Paris is also inseparably linked with the most beautiful women in the world: its products are represented worldwide by the most beautiful actresses, singers and models, representing different cultures and continents. Valuable features that blend together in the slogan ‘Because we’re worth it!’ It’s fantastic to be able to work for this brand!

How GLAM is that gig!? Find more inspiration from the folks at L'Oreal here.

You're Invited: BRAG Annual Meeting

2011-01-25T16:24:00.006-05:00

BRAG (Black Retail Action Group) is a professional organization that provides resources and development to empower African Americans and all people of color to reach their highest professional potential in retail and related industries. I am a HUGE fan of BRAG, and as a former BRAG intern, I was offered my first job as an assistant buyer back in 2006. If you'd like to learn more about BRAG and also reap the rewards of the great networking opportunities it provides, here's your chance.

BRAG Annual Membership Meeting

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

6:00pm until 8:45pm
The Laboratory Institute of Merchandising ( LIM College )
12 East 53rd Street
New York , NY 10022

At this annual meeting, the 2010 BRAG year will be reviewed as well as the 2011 strategy for the BRAG organization. Please mark your calendar and plan on attending this important membership meeting.

This meeting is for BRAG members only. However, persons who are not current members will have the opportunity to join before the start of the meeting and allowed access.

Please RSVP your attendance to rsvp@bragusa.orgor call 212-234-3050.

Live your dream and wear your passion...

2011-01-25T15:45:00.003-05:00

After reading the Holstee Manifesto for the first time last November, I literally had chills run through my body. It was a very powerful read for me. As someone who recently quit my 9-5 job to go to graduate school full time, I feel like I am on the verge of having that larger-than-life moment where I am living my dreams and fulfilling my purpose.

I added two more lines to the manifesto: "Ain't nothing to it but to do it" and "Be here now." I needed those two extra quotes because I am a self-diagnosed chronophobe. It's easy for me to get stuck thinking about my plans and whisking up tons of fantastic ideas, when I should actually be DOING them- laying the groundwork, executing my vision, and making things happen.

How are you living your dream and wearing your passion? If you're not quite at that point yet, what personal flaws prevent you from doing your dream? What lines would you add to your own manifesto? Once you identify internal or external forces that may be holding you back, it becomes easier to work through them and open yourself up to abundance in your personal and professional life. You CAN do it!

Top fashion & retail career resources to follow on Twitter

2011-01-22T09:28:00.005-05:00

If you are looking for a job or internship in fashion, beauty, or retail, it's imperative to exhaust all of your resources. Twitter is becoming a popular go-to destination for jobseekers looking for up-to-the-minute job listings. By following the timelines listed below, you are sure to stay on top of the rapidly changing job market.

Style Careers @StyleCareers -The official twitterfeed of StyleCareers.com, the site markets itself as "the largest, fashion-only job listing site on the Internet." This is my top pick for the all around best job search tool in the fashion industry, particularly for buyer & merchandiser roles.

Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising @FIDM_Careers -This is the twitter page for FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Career Center, a top notch fashion college in California. In addition to posting jobs, this feed also posts valuable job search tools such as interviewing tips and resume advice.

NY Fashion Jobs @nyfashionjobs -This is a site that lists only New York jobs. Lists fashion & retail jobs for professionals in marketing, advertising, sales, events, media, buying and PR.

ED 2010 @Ed2010News -A MUST follow if your goal is to become the next Anna Wintour. This timeline has tons of great listings for getting your foot in the door at various fashion mags.

NYC Retail Jobs @nyc_pur_jobs -Hosted by Yahoo! Hotjobs, this is a great timeline for retail jobs, mostly for sales associates, store managers, and other store level positions. There's also @atl_pur_jobs and @lax_pur_jobs (I still haven't figured out what pur stands for...)

Get Fashion Jobs @GetFashionJobs -A good source for fashion & retail jobs. I was able to find a few non-fashion jobs sprinkled in, so make sure you are specific when you start a search.

Happy tweeting!

Here's your chance to meet some really amazing beauty editors

2011-01-21T14:56:00.005-05:00

Now through January 30th, Bergdorf Goodman will be hosting its BE Beautiful event. My absolute favorite part of this event is that my good pal and beauty expert, Felicia Walker Benson, will be appearing to talk about all the products she tested for the BG blog, 5th/58th . As an Honorary Bergdorf Beauty Girl, Felicia recently sat down with the beauty buyers at Bergdorf Goodman, and perused the new high tech beauty goods. Felicia has her own AMAZING blog, ThisThatBeauty, and as a result of her diligent efforts to brand herself via her blog and beauty news, she's now the go-to girl for companies such as Bergdorf Goodman. How HOT is that??? I definitely suggest you come out and hear her share hot new skin and beauty tips and, of course, get your networking on.

There’s no set schedule or formal presentation so you can come and go as you please. Also as part of the BE BEAUTIFUL event, receive Bergdorf Goodman’s exclusive FEED 5 Kenya Cosmetic Pouch filled with deluxe-sized must-haves of the season, yours with any beauty purchase of $200 or more.

Samples include:
· Darphin Azahar Cleansing Water, 0.4 oz.· Clarins Hand & Nail Cream, 0.28 oz.· Guerlain Orchidee Imperiale Eye Cream, 0.06 oz.· Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate, 0.14 oz.· Supersmile Quikee, 0.21 oz.· ReVive Intensite Moisture Serum Extreme, 0.20 oz.· Trish McEvoy Deluxe Travel-Size Lash Enhancer, 0.34 oz.· Laura Mercier Full Blown Volume Mascara, 020 oz.· Jo Malone Grapefruit Body Cream, 0.5 oz.· Amore Pacific Time Response Skin Renewal Cream, 0.27 oz.

See you there!

Get Hired: This week's Fashion Gigs

2011-01-21T13:09:00.002-05:00

FASHION COPYWRITER
Company: Saks Fifth Ave
Industry: Copy, Internet/Online/New Media
Salary: Competitive
Benefits: 401K/403B, Dental, Health
Job Duration: Full Time
Job Location: New York, NY USA
Experience: Level 3 years
Job Requirements: BA in English, Advertising or Communications preferred
APPLY HERE

Direct mail catalog or website product copy experience a must
Knowledge of fashion terms preferred
2-3 years experience writing product copy
Knowledge of Access and Excel

About Our Company: We are an icon of the New York City landscape that remains equally present in the hearts and minds of people all over the world. We love to help people look good and feel great! Our purpose reaches way back to the very essence of our brand: to set the standard for the most exceptional and fulfilling retail experience.

ASSISTANT FASHION & BEAUTY EDITOR

Company: Bridal Guide magazine
Industry: Magazine Publishing
Benefits: 401K/403B, Dental, Health
Job Duration: Full Time
Job Location: New York, NY USA
Job Requirements: Candidate must have excellent writing skills and be extremely organized and detail-oriented, creative, energetic, resourceful and have a keen interest in the fashion and beauty industries.
APPLY HERE

Responsibilites include: assisting the Fashion/Beauty Editor in overall day-to-day management of the department, pitching story ideas, producing and writing several stories, assisting with photo shoot production (calling in product, booking models and hair and makeup stylists), scheduling bridal market appointments and covering the bridal accessory and beauty markets. Related internship experience at a fashion or beauty consumer publication is a plus.

About Our Company: Bridal Guide is a national bi-monthly publication for engaged couples featuring wedding-related information on fashion, beauty, planning, relationships and honeymoon travel.

job postings source:Media Bistro

Quote This

2010-08-24T13:48:00.004-04:00

"It's really easy to get yourself some career differentiation by running your own business."

-Justin Beck, software entrepreneur

and CEO/co-founder of PerBlue

People who innovate set themselves apart...

Read more about career differentiation from the Poynter Institute

Becomed.com: Free Online Job Search Assistant

2010-08-19T17:14:00.004-04:00

Today I discovered a really nifty website that will help you sort through the sometimes tedious process of job hunting. Becomed is a user-friendly web application that records your applications, resumes and cover letter templates, and tracks which job applications you sent, how far have they have advanced, and what are your next steps. Becomed is pretty reasonable to join, with a Pro membership costing a mere $2.99 a month. The site has recently added features that will monitor which version of your resume has landed the most in-person interviews. (Because you do have different versions of your resume, right?! I hope so.) Another huge bonus are the mobile, iPhone and smartphone versions of the site so you never leave home without a detailed track record of your job hunt. How cool is that!?

10 Words for a Stronger Career, with Michael DeVellis

2010-05-21T09:39:00.010-04:00

This weekend at The Makeup Show , I had the pleasure of meeting Michael DeVellis (that's us pictured above), founder and owner of The Powder Group and On Makeup Magazine. He hosted a seminar called "10 Words for a Stronger Career" that was hugely inspirational and informative. No matter what industry you work in, by following Michael's guidelines, you are sure to come out with a clearer vision of how to take your career to the next level.

1. RETHINK: Map out your career, starting with where you are right now. Write out a career plan. If you don't know where you're going, you can't get anywhere. Also, rethink what's important about your current role and what you would like to change.

2. REWORK: After step 1, you may need to make a few revisions to your plan. It's OK to rewrite your career going forward, as long as you have a clear plan of action.

3. REMOVE: What elements of your current job are taking up too much time & effort without providing tangible rewards? Could it be your draining, hour-long commute? An expensive project that is leaving you in the red? Or a new staff member who isn't cooperating with the team? REMOVE also applies to emotional attachments. If it's irrelevant, let it GO!

4. REINVENT: Make yourself present. Times are-a-changin, and if you don't reinvent your business model and how you market yourself, you will be outdated. Keep up with the latest business trends and technology by reinventing yourself and your brand periodically. Warning: It can be dangerous to reinvent yourself too much, so be sure that any strategies you put into place are still always in line with Brand YOU.

5. RESTRUCTURE: Here is where you make fundamental changes that will move your plan forward. You may have to restructure how you spend your time or how you spend your resources. Once you start to change one aspect of your career, there will be a domino effect. You will have to constantly be aware of these changes, and work toward managing them into your career and your plan.

6. REORGANIZE: Clear the clutter!! Clean up your computer's hard drive. Get rid of those old files from 1827 that you DO NOT need anymore. Take a trip to Ikea & The Container Store and invest in new storage solutions. An organized you is ALWAYS a better you.

7. RELEARN: Stop doing the same things over and over and over. You are not smart enough already. There are always new developments happening in your industry, and in order to keep up, you may have to relearn what you're currently doing in a new way.

8. REDIRECT: Change your direction or focus. If something comes along that is less than desirable, don't lose focus. We all have life events that throw us off course at times, but if you map out a plan and redirect, you can always find another way to reach your ultimate goal.

9. RECONNECT: Reestablish contact with valuable people in your network. This doesn't mean send emails to everyone in your virtual Rolodex begging for a hook-up. But it's OK to reach out to an old mentor or colleague who you once were close with. Life has a way of keeping us distant at times, but reconnecting every few months is always good for your career growth.

10. RESTART: What are you waiting for?! After going through the previous 9 steps, you should be ready to get going with revamping or refreshing your career. As long as you keep your vision clear, map out and work your plan, and believe in yourself you will be well on your way to a stronger career!

Want more of Michael DeVellis? Be sure to check The Powder Group's website regularly for a list of upcoming seminars, workshops, and events.

Here are a few more snapshots of The Makeup Show-what a FUN event!

The Makeup Show NYC -Beauty biz networking at its BEST

2010-05-03T13:39:00.003-04:00

If you are interested in becoming the next big thing in beauty, then you MUST attend The Makeup Show NYC! There will be tons of pros on site, all of them ready and willing to share their prized secrets for how to break into the beauty biz. These beauty authorities and brands include: Charlie Green, Joanna Schlip, Eugenia Weston, Eve Pearl, Tegan Taylor (Avatar), Louie Zakarian (Saturday Night Live), and a rare appearance by MAKE UP FOR EVER creator Dany Sanz.

The Makeup Show NYC also features more than 60 pro-makeup industry companies including: MAKE UP FOR EVER, Inglot, Temptu Pro, Crown Brush, Alcone, Smashbox, Becca Cosmetics, Dermalogica, Embryolisse, Eve Pearl Cosmetics, Face Atelier, Graftobian, Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, Korres Natural Products, L’Oreal, M.A.C Cosmetics, Mai Couture, Mario Badescu Skin Care, Naked Cosmetics, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Senna Cosmetics, Shu Uemura, Three Custom Color, Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics, and more.

The Makeup Show NYC will be two days of inspiration, education and community building within the beauty biz. This show a must-attend event for anyone involved in the makeup industry! You can read the list of seminars and workshops planned for both days by clicking here.

When: May 16 & May 17, 2010

Time: 9am-6pm daily
Where: Metropolitan Pavilion125 West 18th Street, NYC

Cost: $45 for one day/ $75 for two days

(Student discount available)
REGISTER TODAY!

www.themakeupshow.com

You're Invited! Black is the New Green book signing and BRAG event

2010-04-28T13:39:00.003-04:00

Meet Len Burnett and Andrea Hoffman, the authors of the groundbreaking book, Black is the New Green , as they tell us how to follow in the footsteps laid down by brands such as Gucci, HSBC, Sony Electronics, and Aston Martin to become successful in the luxury market. Come hear the authors share their knowledge of the "Affluent African American" (AAA) consumers which boast current buying power of $87.3 billion.

The authors will offer up buying power estimates for the future and tell us how to skillfully tap into this growing consumer base. We will hear how to attract the "AAA" audience and learn how to create brand loyalty and product bonding in an affordable and measurable way. You cannot afford to overlook this market segment if growth is your business objective. Purchase additional copies of Black is the New Green at 30% off the national retail price.

Date: Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Location: Macy's, 151 W. 34th Street, 16th Floor
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Price: BRAG members FREE / Non-members - $25

AE & Benetton USA host Retail Networking Breakfast

2010-04-21T16:08:00.004-04:00

American Eagle Outfitters along with Benetton USA will be hosting a Retail Networking Breakfast in New York City. This event is a great opportunity to meet or reconnect with Retail Professionals within the NY market for continued networking and building cross-functional relationships. Come see your current business partners and meet new ones. Please remember to bring your business cards for exchange, and feel free to bring along any business partners you feel would benefit from attending this great event!

Date: Thursday June 17, 2010

09:00AM- 11:00AM

Location:American Eagle Outfitters

40 West 34th Street - 4th floor, New York, NY 10001

Intended For: District Manager, Regional Director, Regional Manager, Store Manager, General Manager, Retail Recruiter, Field Recruiter, Retail HR

Website: http://www.linkedin.com/in/marissamorris

For more information, contact:

Marissa Morris - Manager, Field Recruiting at American Eagle Outfitters - morrism@ae.com

Adriana Henao - HR Coordinator at Benetton USA - adriana.henao@benettonusa.com

Rebecca Blanchette - Field Recruiter at American Eagle Outfitters - ruppertr@ae.com

Network with Bobbi Brown and her beauty team

2010-04-14T09:58:00.008-04:00

Beauty junkies listen up! Your chance to meet Bobbi Brown is here! The infamous beauty businesswoman will be sharing makeup tips tomorrow at Bloomingdale's in NYC

Where: Bloomingdale’s 59th Street

1000 Third Avenue -Main Floor, Cosmetics
When: April 15th 10am-1pm

Meet Bobbi Brown after your makeup application then have your picture taken by a professional photographer in the Beauty Studio. Book an appointment to update your look for the season with one of Bobbi's senior artists. Beauty Team Artists will be available to assist afternoon appointments until 5pm. Call 212.705.2055 to book your appointment.

While this is your chance to learn about spring beauty trends, it can be a great networking opportunity too. If you're interested in a career in beauty, you'll get an inside view on the what it takes to start a career as one of Bobbi's Beauty Team Artists. There's absolutely nothing wrong with exchanging contact info with a beauty rep while getting your bronzer applied! Besides, after snooping around online, I found this blurb on Bobbi Brown's corporate website:

All roads within our company start with Makeup Artistry. Whether you work as one of our Business Managers, Sales Artists, Account Executives or Education Executives, servicing your client with extraordinary artistry skills and keen product knowledge is the foundation of your success. Being a Makeup Artist with Bobbi Brown is more about helping a woman discover her own beauty while teaching her how to best enhance it- naturally. Our brand is simple, clean and modern and our Artistry Teams exemplify this feeling. You'll receive the training in both artistry and product that will take you on a career path that leads to a promising future.

Take the first step. Check out the Bobbi Brown beauty event, mix & mingle with the beauty team, and take advantage of the opportunity to expand your network. You've gotta start somewhere!

Meet the Editor-in-Chief of Cosmo TONIGHT

2010-04-13T13:56:00.003-04:00

Tonight, New York Women In Communications is hosting an intimate discussion with 2003 Matrix Award winner Kate White, Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan magazine and New York Times best-selling author. She will share The "5 Best Things I Learned at Cosmo." At the same time you can enjoy a special shopping experience inside the Diane von Furstenberg Shop.

On the heels of the release of her sexy psychological thriller, Hush (and first stand-alone mystery), Kate will share the lessons learned as a successful magazine executive leading the best-selling young woman's magazine in the world, how she finally found the time to fulfill her fantasy to write mystery novels while having a day job, and a few other tidbits about what it takes to be a fun, fearless female today.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010
6 p.m-8 p.m
location:DVF 874 Washington Street (at W 14th street)
Cost: Members: $26

($1 goes to the New York Women in Communications Foundation)
Non Members: $41
Student Members:$16
Click HERE to register.

Diane von Furstenberg will donate 10% of all sales to the New York Women in Communications Foundation

StyleCareers.com FashionCareerFair in NYC

2010-04-13T13:23:00.003-04:00

I love career fairs. Although they sometimes get a bad rap because of the lines and less intimate environment, it is still a GREAT way to meet recruiters and network. The key to successful networking at a career fair is FOLLOW-UP. Send a thank you/nice meeting you email right away (read:the same day) so that your name and face stick in the minds of recruiters. If there isn't a job opening available right away, don't fret. The contact you made is still a valuable resource. Expanding your network at career fairs is never a waste of time or energy.

That being said, registration is going on now for the StyleCareers.com FashionCareerFair in New York City! If you plan to attend the event, make sure to pre-register. Why? Pre-registering will get you into the event MUCH faster than on-site registrants. The lines will be long. Getting into the event early ensures that you will have time to speak with your targeted companies. Go to the Style Careers website to get started.

There is a great line-up of exhibitors and some very exciting brands for the career fair. Please visit the Fashion Careers website to see a complete list of exhibiting companies.

Nicole, where have you been?!?!

2010-04-13T12:53:00.003-04:00

Hi everyone...I know it has been waaaaaay too long since my last post. You are probably thinking that I abandoned you and fell off the face of the earth. NOT TRUE!

As of late, I have been dedicating the bulk of my free time to prepping for my first, Olympic-distance triathlon. Yes, you heard that right, I am going to be swimming 1 mile, biking 25 miles, and running 6 miles as a triathlete with Team in Training . The race is in July and this past month of training has been extremely grueling, to say the least. I attend group training sessions three times each week, and I do three solo workouts on my own. So needless to say, a sista is TIRED! It has taken my body a while to get accustomed to the workouts. After several hard workouts, I started to feel like there was no fuel left in my tank. I have sore spots all over my body from working muscles I didn't even know existed. But, this challenge is something that I am greatly looking forward to and very excited about. I always preach about time management, and now my own time management skills are being put to the test! My body and mind have adjusted to my strict training schedule and I'm confident that I can get back on track with my weekly blog updates-I pinky promise!

I'll be posting updates about my progress on my Team in Training website. Feel free to check it out, donate, or drop a note of encouragement-I will definitely need it! Thanks for the love and support, fam!

TTYL,
Nicole

You're Invited: Women in Business Lecture Series with Carla Harris

2010-02-26T12:12:00.005-05:00

One of the most powerful moments that I've had thus far in 2010 was when I met business mogul Carla Harris. Carla was the keynote speaker at the New Jersey Statewide Founders Day for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, of which she and I are both members. After hearing her speak, all I can say is WOW, WOW...and WOW again! She is truly amazing. During her keynote, she shared the story of how she has risen to the top of her field as Managing Director in Global Capital Markets for Morgan Stanley. At the event, I also snagged a copy of her book Expect to Win:Proven Strategies for Success from a Wall Street Vet, which is a phenomenal read. Meeting Carla and hearing her pearls of wisdom have definitely inspired me to be more proactive towards my career growth. Now here's your opportunity to hear "Carla's Pearls" for yourself!

On March 17, 2010, Carla Harris will speak at the Women’s History Month program, Walker’s Legacy: A Women in Business Lecture Series. This event will be held in Washington, DC and is hosted by NMC Consulting Group. I'm happy to support my sorority sister and mentor, Natalie M. Cofield, owner of NMC Consulting Group (yes, those are her initials) and moderator of the event. If Natalie is there, I know for sure there will be a lot of power players in the room. It doesn't matter if you have a career in fashion or if you are a bus driver-this is definitely a program you do not want to miss!

"Pearls for Success in Business"

featuring Carla Harris

March 17, 2010
12:00 -2:00 pm
The Historic Sumner Museum
The Great Hall
1201 Seventeenth St. NW, Washington, DC 20036-3008
$60 - Per Program $30 - MBA Discount (must show valid ID)
Click Here to Register Online

NMC Consulting Group will continue this dynamic lecture series throughout 2010. You've heard me say it before, but I will say it again: NETWORKING will be the number one key to your success. Please plan on attending at least one session during this series. I can assure you that you WILL meet someone who could offer you a hook-up one day (and we ALL need hook-ups from time to time!) You can find out about the Women in Business Lecture Series here.

You're Invited: Black Retail Action Group hosts Black History Month event

2010-02-17T23:13:00.004-05:00

Come out and meet authors and photographers Deborah Willis and Emily Bernard as BRAG celebrates Black History Month! Willis and Bernard are the authors of Michelle Obama: The First Lady in Photographs.

DATE: Thursday, February 18, 2010

LOCATION:Lord & Taylor, 424 5th Avenue @ 38th Street. 11th Floor, NYC

TIME:6:00pm - 8:00pm

RSVP:Call (212) 234-3050 to rsvp your attendance.

COST: $35 for Members – Members can only purchase tickets by calling the office at (212) 234-3050. $45 for Non-Members

Call (212) 234-3050 to purchase tickets or purchase tickets online by clicking here.

Tickets include copy of book, wine and hors d’oeuvres. Author will give an overview of her work, and autograph the books at the end of the evening.There has never been a First Lady like her before. While there have been a slew of Obama celebrity books, none contain the message of Deborah Willis and Emily Bernard's eye-opening book, Michelle Obama: The First Lady in Photographs. Click here for complete information. Additional copies of the book can be purchased for $20 (Suggested retail $26.95). We will also have available Dr. Willis' book "Posing Beauty In African American Culture" for purchase for $35 (Suggested retail $49.95).

About the authors:

Deborah Willis, a MacArthur, Guggenheim, and Fletcher Fellow, is the author of Reflections in Black, Posing Beauty, Michelle Obama: The First Lady in Photographs, and the New York Times bestseller Obama: The Historic Campaign in Photographs. She is chair of the photography department and a University Professor at New York University.

Emily Bernard is the author of Remember Me to Harlem: The Letters of Langston Hughes and Carl Van Vechten, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. She teaches at the University of Vermont in Burlington.

Quote This...

2010-02-13T23:38:00.001-05:00

"The difference between dreams and goals is clarity and a timeline. The next year will go by whether or not you take small steps toward your goal, so hold yourself accountable every inch of the way to create the results you deserve."
-Dr. Phil

The Makeup Show LA- Career building for makeup artists

2010-02-13T07:38:00.005-05:00

The Powder Group is one of my favorite resources for the business of makeup and beauty. I was introduced to The Powder Group by one of my mentors, Felicia Walker-Benson, who is the editor of ThisThatBeauty and contributes to On Makeup Magazine (follow Felicia on Twitter and connect with her!)

This month, The Powder Group is hosting The Makeup Show in Los Angeles. It's sure to be a great event for anyone wanting to break into the makeup biz or take their cosmetics career to a new level. Here's the event announcement from The Powder Group:

The Makeup Show LA
February 28 - March 1, 2010

On February 28th and March 1st 2010 the makeup industry will come together to celebrate the craft of the professional makeup artist for the second time ever - at the global epicenter of entertainment and glamour - Los Angeles.

Like The Makeup Show NYC and Miami, The Makeup Show LA will be a pro-artist event for everyone in every area of the makeup industry. We'll deliver the same pro-driven, artistically inspired, celebratory energy of The Makeup Show to the west coast, and bring together your top brands and inspirational artists and educators for two amazing days of community, career, and craft building.

It's the west coast must-attend event for anyone in the business of makeup and beauty.

Visit The Makeup Show on its website to register. Not on the west coast? Don't fret. The Makeup Show NYC is happening May 16-17, 2010.

Job Alert -Director of PR (Fashion/Style/Design Department)

2010-02-12T22:52:00.007-05:00

Company: Creative Exchange Agency
Industry: Advertising Agency, Entertainment, Fashion, Graphic Design/Art Direction, Internet/Online/New Media, Marketing, Photography, Public Relations, Sales/Advertising Sales
Salary: Negotiable
Benefits: Bonuses, Health
Job Duration: Full Time
Job Location: New York, NY USA
Job Requirements: Artist Management Director (Fashion/Style/Design Department) + Director of Public Relations.
Contact: Mr. Steven Pranica
Apply here: mediabistro

Responsibilities include:
- Development and implementation of strategic public relations, marketing and media programs. - Liaison between Fashion Consultants + Creative Directors and Media + Brands.
- Identify, cultivate and engage new business and revenue opportunities in the fashion, luxury and editorial arenas.
- Media outreach for Artist and Brand collaborations.
- Develop and oversee Artist/Brand consultancy opportunities worldwide.
- Proactively pursue sponsorship opportunities for artist and brand initiatives.
- Create, negotiate and administer marketing and communications budget and performance measurements.
- Advise on new artist acquisitions.

Requirements:
- Minimum of 3 years experience in public relations, branding and/or artist management.
- Ability to think creatively and strategically in a high paced environment.

Information on artists, clients and the company can be found at the Creative Exchange Agency website.

About the Company:
Creative Exchange Agency (CXA) is a premiere artist management, production and branding firm specializing in the representation of Artists (photographers and film directors), Fashion Consultants and Creative Directors marketed to the editorial, advertising, fine art, film, and emerging media arenas.

With offices in New York, Paris, Tokyo and Shanghai, Creative Exchange Agency aligns artists and fashion/luxury brands and develops, implements and produces iconic advertising and marketing campaigns.

I want your job! Senior Chemist at L'Oreal USA

2010-02-12T21:55:00.009-05:00

I'm so excited to share with you an interview with one of my best buds, Barbara Mitchell. Barbara is a senior chemist at L'Oreal USA, where she does research and development for brands such as Kiehl's , Garnier , Skinceuticals , Redken , and Maybelline . Not only is Barbara a talented chemist, but she's such a sweet gal pal too (who let's me raid her beauty cabinet for gratis products every time I visit). She's so good at what she does, that she's been chosen for an exchange program at L'Oreal Paris, which will send her to Paris, France to work for six months starting this March. Isn't that fabulous!? I'm so proud of Barbara and very happy to share her story with you.

NM: What is your position at L'Oreal and when did you start there?

BM: I was recently promoted to senior chemist. I have been at the company almost 5 years.

NM:What is your role as a senior chemist?

BM: Everyday is different for me. I formulate skin care products and I do everything on a product from the time that marketing conceives the product until the product is on the shelf. My job is to make sure that the products that are launched are safe and stable, so if you leave it in your car overnight in the cold, it won't freeze, or if you leave it in the sun it won't melt, or wont change color over time or anything like that.

NM:How did you become interested in making beauty products and working at L'Oreal?

BM:I have been in love with cosmetics ever since I can remember. When I was in college one of my professors recommended this field to me. I didn't even know this field existed until someone told me about it. I got really lucky when I got this job. I just applied online through the L'Oreal website. It seems as though I applied to a million jobs online, but this was the only one that called me back, so I feel like it was really meant for me to be here.

NM:What would you recommend to someone who is interested in doing what you do?

BM:In college, you definitely have to be a science major to be in research and development. Any science major will do- we have engineering majors, biology majors, all science majors. If you want to be in this particular industry, or any field that I guess is not "traditional," you have to think outside the box and look for something that you like. After studying science in college, everyone told me I had to a doctor or a dentist. I didn't want to follow those career paths. Start talking to people about what the things you like and are interested in and someone may have a suggestion for you.

NM:Students always ask me about salaries in the fashion and beauty industries. Can you share how much you made starting out as an associate chemist?

BM: When I first started here, I made $50,000. That's the average for an entry-level chemist position.

NM: Why do you feel as though you've had such success in your role as a chemist? It's almost unheard of for someone as young as you are to already have become a senior chemist.

BM: If you want to get promoted, you have to motivate yourself to do the job you want to have. Someone is not going to promote you just by assuming you may be able to do the job. You have to show them in advance that you can absolutely do the job. Start to take on more work. Take on more projects. Mentor. I mentor and train new chemists in my office. You really have to take the initiative to go above and beyond your current job responsibilities are.

NM: What's the craziest thing that has happened to you at your job?

BM:I almost set the lab on fire! My first year there, not too long after I started, I put a plastic clipboard on my hot plate by accident. I was so embarrassed, like "Oh my God, how could I do this!" The whole lab was smoky. You know how plastic smells when it burns? The whole lab smelled like burned plastic. It was horrible. Everyone was going around asking," Who's burning something?" But at my job, everyone has an experience like that. It's like a rite of passage.

NM: What is the best part about your career?

BM:Can I say the free products?! Seriously, the free products are definitely a plus. Aside from that my favorite part of this job is to know that I had a hand in making people feel beautiful and feel their best. I feel really good when I see things in the store that I've worked on and helped created. When I see our products in Allure magazine, I'll say, "hey, I did that!" It feels good to know that I'm helping make a difference in people's lives.

NM: How were you chosen for the exchange program in Paris?

BM:I put international travel in my yearly goals, and when an opportunity came up, they picked me to go. It's an exchange program so someone from L'Oreal Paris will come to L'Oreal USA to work on my projects. In Paris, I will be doing the same kind of work that I do here.

NM: Are you nervous about the language?

BM:Yes, definitely, because my French is a little shabby. I am currently taking French lessons and I have a private tutor from now until I leave. Hopefully that will give me the basics that I need for day-to-day. In the office, they will speak English for the most part.

NM: What is the one piece of career advice that is most essential in your industry?
BM: Networking is very, very important. It's very real when people say," it's not what you know, but who you know." I didn't realize the importance of networking until I started this job. Talk to coworkers. Talk to upper management. I'm not afraid to talk to the AVP (assistant vice president) or people who are in higher positions than I am. You never know how someone can help you.

NM: Any last words you'd like to share with someone who is trying to chose a career in beauty?

BM: You have to do something you love. Money isn't everything. Money alone will not make you happy.I couldn't imagine getting up everyday and going somewhere where I didn't have fun or I didn't like. It is possible to make a career out of something you love. I used to love to play in my mother's lipstick. And now I love making it!

If you're interested in a career like Barbara's, shoot her an email at barbarajoimitchell@gmail.com and she'll be happy to connect with you. Make sure to mention you read about her on Glam Gigs too! We'll also be asking Barbara to review the resumes of 3 readers interested in cosmetic science. Stay tuned!

Glam Gigs Icon: John Demsey, Group President, The Estee Lauder Companies & Chairman, MAC AIDS Fund

2010-01-16T06:22:00.006-05:00

As I mentioned on my last post, I have tons and tons of magazine clippings featuring people who work in fashion and beauty. I'm always looking for articles, books, pamphlets-whatever!- to find people doing big things in this industry. On a recent Delta airlines flight, I found a cool profile of John Demsey, Group President at Estee Lauder, in Sky magazine. I am particularly fond of John because of his commitment to the MAC AIDS Fund, which has donated millions to combat AIDS globally. Kudos to Mr. Demsey! Giving back is always GLAM!

Source: Sky magazine, December 2009

Glam Gigs Icon: Diane von Furstenberg

2010-01-13T01:42:00.004-05:00

About three years ago, I began collecting magazine clippings of bios of people who inspired me. I literally have hundreds of bios in my binder, so I thought it would be great if I shared some of them with you.

The article below is about Diane von Furstenburg and her mission to empower women. Since I, too, share the same passion, this article really meant a lot to me. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Source: Marie Claire Magazine, March 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2010-01-04T21:14:00.008-05:00

It's a new year! Can you believe it? I'm usually not one for any new year's resolutions, however, when it comes to blogging, I've resolved to make a few major changes. It's time to take Glam Gigs to a whole new level.

When I created this blog exactly one year ago, I had myself in mind. Growing up in the inner city of Detroit, I realized that I had a love of fashion and beauty at a young age. (That cute little fashionista pictured above? That's me at the age of five). The only thing that brought me joy was dressing up my dolls or playing in mama's makeup. It turned into an obsession when my mother bought me a sewing machine for my 16th birthday. I was hooked. I spent all my free time watching the Style network and cutting up sheets to have fabric to practice sewing. Fashion magazines began to pile up in my bedroom so high, that my mother purchased new shelving units for my room to house them all.

Looking back on my childhood, I realize that there was one thing missing: someone to show me all of the vast career opportunities that the fashion world has to offer. Luckily, I turned out to be quite ambitious, scoring a full-ride to get my degree in fashion merchandising. Opportunities to study in London, England, and intern in New York City were also blessings along my journey. During my early days in fashion, I was also fortunate to pick up a handful of awesome mentors, all of whom I am still very close to today.

Since starting my career in fashion, I have vowed to set an example for students interested in this industry. Oftentimes when I meet a young fashion follower, he or she will say to me, "I would like to have a career in fashion, but I just don't know where to start." It really breaks my heart, but at the same time, it gives me the fuel I need to to keep mentoring and keep setting a positive example. Outside of New York and LA, there really aren't a lot of resources for young people interested in fashion, beauty, and retail. If I were to win the lottery tomorrow, the first thing I'd do is install a fashion education office in every high school in America. (I really would!) But since I don't play the lotto, I've decided that I need to pour my heart into this blog. Perhaps some young girl somewhere will read about someone that will inspire her to dream big. Perhaps a high school student will learn about a scholarship that will help pay for a semester abroad in Milan or Paris. Perhaps someone who was just laid off will find the courage to follow her heart and pursue a new career in beauty. Perhaps someone will take what they love and make it their LIFE!.....

That's my goal :-)

Love,

Nicole Marie

2009-11-30T20:21:00.002-05:00

Italian fashion house Gucci has made a number of changes to its staff, reports Women's Wear Daily. I LOVE reading news like this because it always intrigues me to learn about new positions that are available in the fashion and retail industry. Have you ever met someone who is a director of worldwide entertainment industry relations? I haven't, but that sounds like an AWESOME gig!

Here are some of the recent changes that were made at Gucci:

Previously the Senior Executive Director of Special Events and Corporate Partnerships, Susan Chokachi has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Gucci America, a new post.

Lila Staab, previously at Giorgio Armani, is Gucci's new director of worldwide entertainment industry relations.

Alice Bon, another former Giorgio Armani-employee, is now the new director of worldwide product editorial, archive and public relations at Gucci.

At Gucci Japan, Mina Nemichi has been picked as director of marketing and communications.

In Italy, J.J. Martin has been appointed director of worldwide public relations, special events and promotions, to be starting on Monday.

Jenny Galimberti is the new director of communications for the U.K. and for global brand partnerships

Annalisa Dimonte has been chosen for the new role of worldwide relational marketing director.

Source:Stylesight

Vera Wang's president of licensing and marketing resigns

2009-11-30T20:16:00.002-05:00

Laura Lee Miller, the President of Licensing and Marketing at Vera Wang Group, has resigned, reports Women's Wear Daily.

Miller will continue to advise the company as a private consultant and has started her own consulting firm, BrandSolutions. She is the third senior executive to leave the company since Mario Grauso became its new president in October.

“Laura Lee has been a strategic partner for me over the last 10 years and [has] brought great branding and marketing acumen to the business....I am pleased we will continue to tap into her experience on a client basis,” Vera Wang told WWD.

Source: Stylesight

Zac's gotta new Gig: Posen to be the next limited-edition designer for Target

2009-11-30T20:08:00.003-05:00

Fashion designer Zac Posen is next in line to do a limited edition collection for Target's Go International series, reports Women's Wear Daily.

Go International focuses on young or emerging designers and has previously featured collections by, amongst others, Erin Fetherston, Jonathan Saunders, Thakoon and Rogan, and next month the chainstore introduces a line by Rodarte. Previous Go collections have been priced in the $14.99 to $149.99 range, but the company would not disclose any prices for Posen's collections.

In spring Posen will also be launching his own lower-priced line, Z Spoke, which will retail exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue and be priced from $78 to $675.

Source:Stylesight

Glam Gig Monitor: Beauty Writer for Sephora, San Fran, CA

2009-11-04T13:03:00.004-05:00

Job Title : Beauty Writer
Company: Sephora
Industry: Internet/Online/New Media
Job Duration: Full Time
Job Location :San Francisco, CA USA

Job Requirements
Wanted: A clever and creative writer who lives and breathes beauty. You can convince anyone that they need the newest mascara innovation (no questions asked) and can create impactful, enticing copy for less-than-glamorous products (like acne treatments). Sephora is looking for a beauty writer in our San Francisco office. The ideal candidate has 1-3+ years experience writing about beauty, health and/or fashion online and in print, the ability to think on your feet and write with wit, strategy, and speed. Experience with social media and non-traditional marketing is a big plus.

Your day-to-day will include thinking up sharp, compelling copy for:
E-mail marketing campaigns
Sephoras Beauty & the Blog (blog.sephora.com)
Sephoras Facebook Fanpage (facebook.com/sephora)
Sephoras Twitter (@sephora)
Printed pieces
Sephora stores

Address your resume and CVL to Ms. Mari Tzikas. Apply here
Source: mediabistro.com

A New Gig For Stephanie Winston Wolkoff: director of Lincoln Center's fashion week

2009-11-04T12:41:00.003-05:00

The former planner of the fashion industry's biggest fête--the Met's Costume Institute Gala--has a new project on her hands. Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, who turned her duties over to Sylvana Soto-Ward when she left her position as Vogue's director of special events in June, has landed what one might argue is an even bigger gig: fashion week. Wolkoff has been named Lincoln Center's director of fashion week, with responsibilities including consulting on internal and external coordination between Lincoln Center and the fashion industry--IMG Fashion, CFDA, retailers and the design community. Wolkoff will report to Reynold Levy, president of Lincoln Center.

"Welcoming Fashion Week to Lincoln Center is an important part of our commitment to making the campus more open and accessible, particularly since design has played an integral role in the artistic life of our 12 resident organizations for many decades," said Levy in a statement. "Stephanie's understanding of the specific needs of the fashion industry in tandem with her experience in organizing high profile, logistically complex events, will be invaluable as a resource in ensuring that Fashion Week's presence at Lincoln Center will be very special--exciting, convenient and efficient." Lincoln Center's first fashion week will take place in September 2010.

Source: Fashion Week Daily

Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images North America

My new obsession with bridal everything

2009-10-26T21:38:00.008-04:00

Photo by Elton Anderson

I have a confession. I have become obsessed with bridal stuff. Modern Bride and Martha Stewart Weddings. "Say Yes to the Dress." Wedding expos. The fine jewelry department at Macy's..... It's crazy. I have NOOOO intentions on saying the big "I Do" anytime soon, but I have been seriously thinking about expanding my network to the bridal industry. You all know I currently work full-time as a jewelry merchandiser-and I love it. I think bridal jewelry and accessories consulting could be a nice side hustle. Don't you agree?! I love LOVE, and I think working with a beaming bride-to-be could be a lot of fun. I know you're thinking, "Nicole is doing too much," and it's true, but oh well...I can sleep when I'm dead.

Today during my bridal related web surfing, I came across ModelBride.com, a neat site that offers local courses in bridal makeup and hair styling. How cool!

Take a look at the bridal beauty course lineup for fall-winter 2009/2010:

Creative Updos and Styling is a one or two day workshop for artists pursuing work in the fashion or bridal industry. Stylist will learn fabulous updos as well as fashion forward styles using hair falls and extensions. Classes are currently scheduled in Philadelphia, Fairfield, NJ and New York City with more locations coming soon. Learn More Now.

Introduction to Bridal Hair is a one day class designed to introduce students to the world of bridal, as well as master updos and bridal hair styles. Classes are currently scheduled for Fairfield, NJ with more locations coming soon. Learn More Now.

Introduction to Bridal Makeup is a one day class designed to introduce students to the world of bridal, and to master beautiful, long lasting makeup looks for the bride. Classes are currently scheduled for Fairfield, NJ with more locations coming soon. Learn More Now.
Registration

Classes are limited to 12 students so everyone receives individual attention throughout the day. Pre-registration is required so contact Model Bride today to reserve your seat at 973-635-1756.

I need new business cards....

2009-10-07T13:51:00.005-04:00

It's that time of year when it seems as though my desire to focus on my career and network kicks into overdrive. The summer months are gone forcing me indoors where I create more time to be still, cozy up on the couch, and reflect on my life and career. There are lots of conferences coming up that I will be attending, thus, I've been researching business cards. The one's I have now I printed at home on my inkjet, and although they have served me well, I think it's time for an upgrade. Per the recommendation of my friend, Elton (http://www.eltonandersonblog.com/) , I came across a GREAT business card site, It Even Has a Watermark . I will admit, I'm not a fan of over-the-top business cards (especially those are odd shaped and don't fit inside my business card holder.) But this site may change my mind...... I need something GLAM as I rebrand myself as a fashion career expert/ career blogger/up-and-coming photographer /professional life lover.... I wonder if the Watermark whiz can fit all that in an 2"x3.5" space. We shall see....

Work with the Editors of Essence Magazine-Chicago, IL volunteer opp

2009-10-06T22:07:00.003-04:00

ESSENCE magazine is hosting its inaugural Essence Empowerment Conference: A Day of Transformation in Chicago, IL on Friday, October 30, 2009. The Empowerment Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency from 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM. The ESSENCE Empowerment Conference will bring together renowned experts and change agents to address the challenges facing African American women impacted by our current economic climate.

We are looking to recruit 30-35 volunteers to assist in various roles on Thursday, October 29, and Friday, October 30, 2009. The volunteer schedule is as follows: On Thursday, October 29, we hold an orientation, walk through and a conference preparation meeting from 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM; on Friday, October 30 for the entire event, from 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM and we will provide lunch. It is requested that volunteers commit to ALL HOURS.

If you are in (or can get yourself) to the Chicago area on the above days, please forward your information including your phone numbers (home and cell) and email addresses to gechar04@aol.com. The ESSENCE Empowerment Conference will give volunteers an opportunity to work with one of this country’s premiere African American publications and provide insight into the wonderful world of event production.

"The Sky's the Limit" -Glam Gig Icon, Felicia Walker-Benson

2009-10-03T11:01:00.013-04:00

Looking back over my career in fashion, I can honestly say that each career move I made was a result of networking. Last year, I was fortunate to meet Felicia Walker-Benson while networking at the New York Women In Communications conference in NYC. I immediately knew Felicia was someone that I'd want to build a professional relationship with. We exchanged business cards and I emailed her the next day.

Since our first exchange of emails, Felicia has become one of my dearest mentors. I've learned that she is not only a great mentor, but she is a budding beauty entrepreneur too! Felicia is the founder of ThisThatBeauty and also teaches on makeup and all things beauty. She will be speaking at The Artist Summit Miami Oct 3-5th, and The Artist Summit Chicago Oct 10-12th. For more information and to purchase tickets for The Artist Summit please visit their website. Felicia will be leading a panel discussion on "Beauty and the Blog" during the Miami and Chicago conference.

I found this interview with Felicia The Powder Group's blog . Thanks for such a great interview of such a great person!

How have you kept your career growing in a challenging economy?

I’ve managed to stay busy by leveraging my networks and optimizing opportunities. I also focus on being useful to others. If you are useful, others will see your value and seek your services. I am always asking, “How can I be useful”, “How can this person/brand use me”. If others have a reason to “use” you...your career will flourish. Focus on what you can offer others…as opposed to what others can offer you!

Is there a project you have worked on that you are especially proud of?

I recently had the opportunity to work as Creative Director of Makeup/Lead Artist for a Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week show (the Vessel by Lois Samuels). This was a great honor and a dream come true. As Creative Director of Makeup, it was my responsibility to design the runway makeup look, partner with the makeup sponsor to select colors, and lead a talented team of artists. Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics was the makeup sponsor…they’re truly an amazing partner! (sidebar: I am a HUGE fan of the Youngblood Mineral Foundation! Felicia shared some with me and I'm hooked!)

What are you working on today?

I just recently covered NYFW and was Creative Director of Makeup for a show. I’m looking forward to speaking at the upcoming Artist Summit in Miami and Chicago. I’m excited to talk about one of my great passions - beauty blogging!

How did you get started in makeup?

My beauty obsession dates back to my childhood. Most kids bought candy with their weekly allowance. Not little Felicia! I bought Jean Nate, V05 hot oil treatments, Lee Press On Nails, mud packs, etc. If the local beauty supply store sold it, I bought it! As a young adult, my friends, family and coworkers always came to me as the go to fashion/beauty girI…so a career in makeup, fashion and beauty feels as natural as breathing.

What does “community” mean to you?

I love the concept of “community”. My very existence as a writer and artist is living proof of the power of “community.” It truly takes a village and I am the product a very close knit and supportive village/community. Constant nourishment of the community is key. Find ways to include others. Share resources and information. Help one another. Share your blessings and be a blessing to others!

Can you tell us about a change you have made in your career?

Prior to fully committing myself to fashion and beauty, I spent over 10 years in Human Resources. While still in corporate HR, I worked freelance as a makeup artist and started a beauty blog. ThisThatBeauty was born in April of 2008. Within six months of writing ThisThatBeauty, I got my first press mention as a “top rated” beauty blog. From there ThisThatBeauty continued to flourish and open doors for my makeup artistry. In April of 2009 I launched a line of makeup brushes under the ThisThatBeauty brand. My resume continues to grow at a pace that even I can’t believe! Makeup Artist… Fashion/Beauty Writer….Product line….Celebrity Makeup Artist…Wardrobe Stylist…Bus Dev Consultant…NYFW Lead Artist! The sky’s the limit!

For more info on other beauty entrepreneurs from the Powder Group, check out For The Love of Makeup blog by clicking here. Also be sure to support Felicia by visiting her ThisThatBeauty blog.

You're Invited: Reinventing A Brand, hosted by BRAG

2009-09-20T13:13:00.003-04:00

You know I'm CRAZY in love with the Black Retail Action Group. I was a BRAG intern in 2005, and many of my industry contacts are people I met at BRAG events. Now's your time to join in on all the networking fun!

Reinventing A Brand: Facing new challenges. Exploring new opportunities.

Presented by the Black Retail Action Group

DATE: Wednesday, September 23, 2009

TIME: 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

LOCATION: Saks12 E. 49th Street, 3rd Floor

As we continue to navigate through this challenging economic climate, Brag is excited topresent a forum that will focus on the steps, pitfalls and barriers that exist as you facechallenges within your current position or explore new industry opportunities.

Please join us for this spirited discussion as we seek guidance from a diverse, yet talented group of professionals.

CONFIRMED PANELISTS:
Sheri Wilson-Gray Former Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Sak’s Fifth Avenue Enterprises. Ms.Gray has an outstanding record of conceptualizing and implementing successful marketing initiatives for world-class brands and services.

John StarksFormer New York Knicks basketball star, alumnus and fan development official for the New York Knicks, entrepreneur, pre-and-post-game analyst on MSG Network and author.

Derrick D’Nice JonesMusician, photographer, web-developer-and a successful entrepreneur.

Danielle DouglasPresident of Inspire Enterprise, Inc, engaging speaker, teacher and winner of numerous sales awards

FEE

Members - Free

Non-Members - $25

Click here to purchase tickets.

To join BRAG online click here

Members RSVP at rsvp@bragusa.org

Glam Gig Monitor: Beauty & Fashion Writer, People en Espanol

2009-09-20T13:07:00.005-04:00

Job Title:Beauty & Fashion Writer- People en Espanol
Division:Time Inc.
Industry: Publishing
Location: United States - New York - New York
Requisition #: 114626BR
Type: Temporary

Posting Job Description:
The fashion & beauty writer at People en Español:
-Is a fully bilingual, bicultural individual.
-Reports and researches tasks in order to produce the editorial content of an average of 15 pages every month plus assists with online coverage of fashion events/themes
-Contacts and works with national and international fashion and beauty customers and public relation firms in order to collect all the clothing samples and beauty products required for each issue.
-Assists the Fashion Director in fashion/ beauty shoots such as makeovers and glam up sessions. -Assists the Fashion Director in acquiring and returning products and clothing samples used for the production of each issue.
-Keeps track of all the products and clothing received at the Fashion Department and organizes them in the fashion closet.
-Files and updates press releases and customer data base.-Is highly resourceful and willing to learn, and has a demonstrated ability to handle high-volume work under deadlines.

Apply now by clicking here

Bergdorf Goodman's men's fashion director Fazio quits to take President post at Spurr

2009-09-18T08:34:00.001-04:00

Tommy Fazio, Men's Fashion Director of Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, has resigned from his job after just over two years in the role, reported Women's Wear Daily, without citing its sources. The executive has accepted a new post at the upscale men's label Spurr where he will serve as President.

Fazio joined Neiman Marcus in January 2006, succeeding Michael Bastian, who left to launch his own men's wear collection. At Bergdorf, Fazio was in charge of all of men's fashion direction, visual and merchandising. He reported to Margaret Spaniolo, Senior Vice President and GMM of the men's division, and Linda Fargo, Vice President of Visual Presentation and Imaging.

source-Stylesight

Gucci Group sponsors new Ph.D. scholarship

2009-09-02T12:58:00.001-04:00

With an eye to future experimental textile technologies, the Gucci Group said it will sponsor a new Ph.D. scholarship devoted to innovations in sustainable fashion and textiles in cooperation with two London schools: Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and the University of the Arts London, reports Women's Wear Daily.

The three-year £30,000 scholarship underscores Gucci Group’s contention that sustainable technology is key for luxury brands as concerns mount about the environment and climate change.The first scholarship is to commence in September 2010, with applications due around January.

Source: Stylesight

Gotta new Gig! André Warren named as VP & Chief Merchandising Officer for Advanstar Fashion Group

2009-09-01T11:51:00.005-04:00

Advanstar Communications Inc. has tapped André Warren as Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer for its Fashion Group, according to Women's Wear Daily.In the new role, Warren will head up merchandising strategy for the company’s MAGIC, Project, WWDMagic and Pool trade shows.Warren has over two decades of apparel and retail experience, including stints as a men’s wear buyer at Fred Segal Fun and Ron Herman.

Advanstar Communications Inc. is a leading worldwide media company providing integrated marketing solutions for the Fashion, Life Sciences and Powersports industries. Advanstar serves business professionals and consumers in these industries with its portfolio of 147 events, 68 publications and directories, 267 electronic products and Web sites, as well as educational and direct marketing products and services. Market leading brands and a commitment to delivering innovative, quality products and services enables Advanstar to “Connect Our Customers With Theirs.” Advanstar has approximately 1,000 employees and currently operates from multiple offices in North America and Europe.

Source: Stylesight

Gotta new Gig! Maria Sharapova's latest volley is in the world of fashion!

2009-09-01T11:41:00.003-04:00

NEW YORK, /PRNewswire- Just days before taking the court for the US Open Championships, twenty-two year old tennis star Maria Sharapova unveiled her Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan collection of handbags and footwear - at Rockefeller Center in New York City.

"Everyone loves Maria. It's great to be working with her and adding a new dimension to Cole Haan's history," states Jim Seuss, Chief Executive Officer.

Sharapova's collaboration with Cole Haan began with sketches, mood boards, and inspirations from the tennis star. Maria's on-the-go, international lifestyle inspired this chic collection. Maria infused aspects of her playful personality into every detail of the line from the polished buckles of the shoes, to the leather wrapped chain straps of the handbags.

"It's my hope that other young women will embrace the spirit of the collection; it's fun, chic, fashionable and most importantly, able to take you from day to night," says Sharapova.

The Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan footwear collection, featuring Nike Air technology, includes a ballet flat, an ankle-wrapped stiletto, a flat over-the-knee boot, an ankle bootie and a strappy platform sandal. With prices ranging from $138 - $328, the collection offers luxe options at an attainable level.

Highlights of the handbag offering include a small frame clutch, a lambskin hobo, and Maria's signature chain-link satchel in a range of eye-catching colors. Each silhouette is characterized by an oversized pleating detail, creating a luxe, yet casual feel. Prices range from $248 for a convertible clutch to $428 for a lambskin hobo.

SOURCE Cole Haan

How healthy is your network?

2009-09-01T11:27:00.004-04:00

I am a networking fanatic and I found this GREAT article on networking today. Since I couldn't have said it any better myself, I figured I'd share this post with you in it's original form. Thanks to Margaret Steen, from Yahoo! HotJobs for a great piece!

If you needed to find a new job, how many people could you turn to for help? If the answer is "not many," you may need to upgrade your professional network.

"Maintaining a network should be a routine part of your career development strategy, not just something you turn toward in a career crisis," said Janet Civitelli, associate director of University Career Services at the University of Houston, who works with both students and alumni.

Civitelli and other experts offer these questions for assessing the health of your network:

1. How many former co-workers' contact information do you have?
Focus particularly on your peers and people above you in the organization.
The more people you're in touch with, the better. If you need to beef up the number of people in your network, a tool like LinkedIn can help, both with searching and with keeping up with former colleagues' job moves.

2. Does your network include a handful of people who could serve as references?
These people need to be willing to recommend you -- and they need to know your work well. "References can't be vaguely positive," Civitelli said.
If you can't think of four to six good reference candidates, you need to step up your networking to make sure people you work with know about your achievements.

3. How many of your contacts have you communicated with in the past six months?
This is a measure of your active network.
"You don't need to talk to everyone in your network every three minutes," said Richard Phillips, owner of Advantage Career Solutions. But you should check in regularly, even if you just send a brief email saying you hope all is well. That way, when you do need to ask for job-hunting help, it will be "emotionally much easier" to make the contact.

4. Have you had lunch or coffee with someone from your network in the past month?
Make a point of meeting in person with a former colleague or another professional connection every few weeks.

5. Have you attended a professional event recently?
Attending professional conferences will help you expand your network beyond former colleagues. Becoming active in a professional association will also boost your resume.

6. Have you added any professional contacts in the past month?
Your network needs to grow in order to stay vital. Try to add new contacts -- either by getting back in touch with former colleagues or by meeting new people -- frequently.

7. Are you networking "outside the box" -- that is, making connections beyond your former colleagues and friends?
Job opportunities can arise from unexpected sources. Marianne Adoradio, a career counselor in Silicon Valley, recommends expanding your network to include some people outside your industry and at different stages of their careers, who can tell you about trends and opportunities you might not otherwise hear about.

8. When your professional contacts get in touch with you, do you answer?
"People just kind of steer away from you if you're not responding," Adoradio said.
What if a contact is asking for job leads and you don't have any? "You do have the ability to offer something of great value," Phillips said: encouragement. This will also increase the chances that that person will help you sometime in the future.

You're Inivited! "Nailing Your Business"

2009-08-11T13:33:00.004-04:00

M2M damorejon and Bluffa Jo Cosmetics Present:
Nailing Your Business

Nailing Your Business is a 3-day workshop for nail technicians who want to get into the fashion industry. Nailing Your Business provides training to manicurists for on set production, Fashion Week, gifting suites, and beauty lounge bookings.

Participants in the training will be provided the opportunity to potentially go behind the scenes at Fashion Week. The training covers:

Professional Behavior 101 - Customer Service [dealing customers, clients, vendors, producers, agents, etc]
Product Awareness -Professional Products vs over the counter products and their uses
Ingredients - Proper product usage
Marketing/Promotions/ Private Labeling

Classes will be held:

September 7 through September 9, 2009 from 9:30am to 3:30pm
September 10 through September 17, 2009, then Fashion Week Internship begins

The workshop fee is $650.00 per person

Registration Fee is $50.00 per person August 1- August 20, 2009

Late Registration Fee is $75.00 per person August 20, Sept 4, 2009

For further information: Please contact 313-516-0335

www.m2mdamorejon.com

Special thanks to Felicia at ThisThatBeauty for forwarding!

Prepping for Market Week!

2009-07-31T07:54:00.002-04:00

Hey fam,

Sorry I've been away all week. It's been ultra crazy at my job. We are getting ready for Market Week and preparing our new items for the line. See my desk? That's what I've been tackling for the past two weeks. I'm very excited about Market Week and still super in love with my new job!

TTYL,
Nicole

Fashion in Detroit to debut in October

2009-07-18T09:18:00.003-04:00

Detroit, Michigan, otherwise known as my hometown, will be transformed on October 1-2 into Fashion City. Fashion In Detroit, a two-day fashion show, will debut in a tented, high-end setting at the Detroit Zoo, in Royal Oak, Michigan.

Created by Project Runway's Joe Faris, Fashion In Detroit is being organized by several industry experts, including Leslie Ann Pilling, designer and president of Presence II Productions and Leslie Ann Pilling Design; Rino, owner of FIGO salon; Karen Buscemi, editor of StyleLine magazine; Lians, international fashion photographer and co-owner of LM Studios; and K'Kio Hardin, international designer/art director.

"My purpose for spearheading this event is to put a fashion spotlight on Detroit and create a venue that fills the needs of many locally-based designers and the Detroit fashion community," said Faris, who will showcase two of his lines.

The two-day event will include a total of 12 fashion shows by top designers, a VIP private reception, and an Afterglow bash with a top-name rock concert and "Made In Michigan" product displays. Daily admission includes six fashion shows, gift bags, a souvenir guidebook/lookbook and other surprises.

For the full press release click here . You can also visit Fashion in Detroit for updates and news.

Source: Stylesight

Gotta New Gig! Jane Lauder joins Estée Lauder board

2009-07-18T09:08:00.003-04:00

Senior vice president and general manager of Origins Jane Lauder has been elected to Estée Lauder Companies Inc.'s board of directors, the company said.

Lauder, the granddaughter of the beauty brand's founder, replaces Ronald S. Lauder, who has served the board since 1968.

The 36-year-old was previously responsible as vice president global marketing for strategic marketing and positioning at Clinique and prior to that served as vice president of marketing for BeautyBank, the company's entrepreneurial thinktank. Congrats Jane!

For full press release click here.
Source:Stylesight

Johnica Reed & the Priority Pie Chart

2009-07-13T23:46:00.012-04:00

There are some people in life who leave a lasting impression on you. Johnica Reed is one of them. After hearing Johnica speak tonight on the Raise the Bar Young Savvy Power Call, I was immediately prompted to re-evaluate some of my life priorities. During the call, Johnica spoke (quite humbly) about just how fantastic she is. She recently quit her full-time, high-profile gig in DC to pursue her love of travel writing. In just three short months, Johnica has covered a gazillion topics while traveling the globe. (The folks at Canon love her so much, that they agreed to sponsor her, loaning her camera equipment to document her travels. ****staring at my Sony CyberShot in disgust****)

My original thoughts were to post a nice, neat recap of the interview just to show you how GLAM Johnica's freelance gig is. But something that she said really inspired me to instead take some time to make a pie chart of how I visualize the next quarter of 2009. (When Johnica was in the 7th grade, she made a chart, so I figured I'd try it too.) Here's how it panned out:

1. As you probably assumed, I have to dedicate the majority of my time to work. I just started a new job that I am TOTALLY in love with. I am truly blessed to be able to pursue my passion for jewelry and fashion accessories.

2. The next largest slice of the pie goes to Delta and Raise the Bar Young Savvy. I have been very fortunate to be elected to the executive board of my DST chapter for the next two years. It's going to be a TON of work, but Delta is so good to me, it's a joy to serve my sorority. RTBYS is also like my child. I'm the membership director and I work with a PHENOMENAL group of women. And there are no words to describe our founder, Coach Dee Marshall. She's A-Maz-Ing. I need to devote more time to really get the org off the ground. I'm looking forward to seeing us grow far and large by the end of the year.

3. Fifteen percent of my time will go towards Glam Gigs. Listening to Johnica talk about her journaling adventures made me want to SCREAM. I miss the writer's life- free media passes, interviewing interesting people, hopping around to new and exciting places. Johnica also spoke about the importance of being an example and teaching our youth about all the different opportunities available to them. I get so many emails, tweets, and Facebook messages from young girls and my peers wanting to know "how can I break into the fashion industry?" GlamGigs.com will be my outlet to reach back and pull forward. In the future, I also want to start a program called My Fashion Future, which helps young girls explore careers in fashion, beauty, and retail. I have alot of ideas and programs brewing in my mind for my site. I REALLY need to find a blog designer too!

4. Ten percent of my life will go to my friends, family, and boo. It sounds kind of strange that I would devote a smaller percentage to this area of my life, but my family is in Detroit so I don't see them that much anyway. Also, my friends are busy grinding too, so that takes care of them. Let's just say about 7 out of this 10% will go to the boo. This percentage may increase for the next quarter if he plays his cards right :-)

5. The last little 10 percent is split between "Nicole time" and GMAT prep. Really, I consider all of the above "Nicole time" because I enjoy doing them so much, it doesn't feel like work. But I do LOVE working out, and recently I've been taking boxing lessons, so I will not skimp out there (especially since I paid good money for them.) Boxing makes me feel powerful and strong. Also, I want to go to business school, but I really won't start digging into that section until September when my GMAT class starts. So for now, I'll just keep researching grad schools, looking at programs, etc. Nothing too intense.

I think that sums it up. Thank you Johnica for a great call tonight! In the words of the great Ms. Reed "When you think you've done enough, do more." It's time for me to do it big!

Learn more about Johnica by following her on twitter. www.twitter.com/JohnicaReed. Also check out her articles on Uptown Social and Clutch mag online.

Glam Gigs Icon: Katherine Fleming

2009-07-09T08:25:00.004-04:00

As I was flipping though Elle mag on the train this morning, I saw a super cool Canon ad featuring one of my favorite handbag designers, Katherine Fleming. (Congrats Katherine on your Canon endorsement!) I've been following Katherine for about a year now, ever since I started becoming obsessed with working in jewelry and accessories myself. I found a great interview with Katherine on NYmag.com written by Amy Odell. I absolutely love Katherine's story and I love that she passionate about her work.

Until now Katherine Fleming has been best known for launching Tory Burch's accessories — and we all know what a hit those were. But the 29-year-old Miami native recently left the label to launch her own namesake bag collection, hitting Barneys and Opening Ceremony later this fall. Though she's starting small, she plans to branch out into more styles, shoes, and jewelry. We had to ask the rising star how she met Tory and what she can't live without. (Hint: It's not a bag.)

How did you get started in design?

I’ve wanted to be a designer as long as I can remember. I used to make clothing for all my dolls. When I was 14, I saw Unzipped, the Isaac Mizrahi documentary. He talks about Parsons in it, and I decided that was where I needed to go!

How did you wind up at Tory Burch?

My friends [Proenza Schouler designers] Jack [McCollough] and Lazaro [Hernandez] recommended me to Tory to design her handbags and small leather goods.

What can we expect from your own line?

My debut collection is very tight: four styles in four colors, plus python. I put a lot of thought into the core designs because they’re the foundation of my brand. The collection is inspired by the past but is also slightly futuristic. I am interested in developing new techniques for making hardware and mixing different textures. The end result is a timeless chic that’s slightly sinister.

Do you ever plan to design clothing?

I am focusing on accessories — that’s my passion.

How would you describe your style?

Sometimes it's very casual; other times it's more polished. I wear a mixture of designer and vintage. I always have a lot of accessories, jewelry.

What’s the one item in your wardrobe you can’t live without?My grandmother’s Geoffrey Beene dress that I shortened. Whenever I don’t know what to wear, I throw it on and it saves the day! I also am obsessed with my M. Graves porcelain-doll-head necklace.
What designers do you love?Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Proenza Schouler, Marc Jacobs, Balenciaga — the list goes on.

Visit http://www.katherinefleming.com/ to learn more about her handbag line.

Kanye West interns with Gap

2009-07-07T12:26:00.003-04:00

Following supermodel Chanel Iman's stint at Teen Vogue, songwriter-artist Kanye West is the latest celebrity to intern at a fashion company, reports Vogue.com, citing various reports that West has been working at the Gap's head office. A company spokesperson later confirmed the rumors for Vogue.com and said that West is working closely with Gap creative director Patrick Robinson to further his knowledge of the industry. "He works all the time, and one Friday night recently, he stayed until 12 am," one source told US Weekly magazine. "He's learning the fashion business from the inside and trying to do it quietly."

...I'm very impressed by Kanye's willingness to get in the trenches and learn the business from behind the scenes. Interns, take note: if Kanye can stay late at his internship, you should too! Reminds me of my days at WWD-I'd be there until 10pm some nights!

Gotta new Gig! Neiman Marcus names Wanda Gierhart as new CMO

2009-07-07T12:22:00.002-04:00

Neiman Marcus has named Wanda Gierhart as chief marketing officer. Gierhart, who joins from her current role as CEO of TravelSmith, starts August 10 and will be responsible for marketing, market research, advertising, sales promotion and customer insight activities for Neiman Marcus Stores, Neiman Marcus Direct and Bergdorf Goodman, Womens Wear Daily reports. Congrats Wanda!

10 Boilerplate Phrases That Kill Resumes

2009-07-06T15:21:00.002-04:00

I read this article on Yahoo! today and I couldn't resist reposting it. Thank you Liz for the GREAT advice! Readers, take note!

The 2009 job market is very different from job markets of the past. If you haven't job-hunted in a while, the changes in the landscape can throw you for a loop.

One of the biggest changes is the shift in what constitutes a strong resume. Years ago, we could dig into the Resume Boilerplate grab-bag and pull out a phrase to fill out a sentence or bullet point on our resume. Everybody used the same boilerplate phrases, so we knew we couldn't go wrong choosing one of them -- or many -- to throw into your resume.

Things have changed. Stodgy boilerplate phrases in your resume today mark you as uncreative and "vocabulary challenged." You can make your resume more compelling and human-sounding by rooting out and replacing the boring corporate-speak phrases that litter it, and replacing them with human language -- things that people like you or me would actually say.

Here are the worst 10 boilerplate phrases -- the ones to seek out and destroy in your resume as soon as possible:
Results-oriented professional
Cross-functional teams
More than [x] years of progressively responsible experience
Superior (or excellent) communication skills
Strong work ethic
Met or exceeded expectations
Proven track record of success
Works well with all levels of staff
Team player
Bottom-line orientation

You can do better. What about adding a human voice to your resume? Here's an example:

"I'm a Marketing Researcher who's driven by curiosity about why people buy what they do. At XYZ Industries, I used consumer surveys and online-forum analysis to uncover the reasons why consumers chose our competitors over us; our sales grew twenty percent over the next six months as a result. I'm equally at home on sales calls or analyzing data in seclusion, and up to speed on traditional and new-millennium research tools and approaches. I'm fanatical about understanding our marketplace better every day, week and month -- and have helped my employers' brands grow dramatically as a result."

You don't have to write resumes that sound like robots wrote them. A human-voiced resume is the new black -- try it!

Liz Ryan is a 25-year HR veteran, former Fortune 500 VP and an internationally recognized expert on careers and the new millennium workplace. Contact Liz at liz@asklizryan.com or join the Ask Liz Ryan online community at www.asklizryan/group.The opinions expressed in this column are solely the author's. Source: Yahoo Hot Jobs

Retail News:Kmart to offer discounts to unemployed Michigan residents

2009-07-06T09:30:00.003-04:00

I was born and raised in Detroit, so this news story really hit my heart. Times are hard back home and my hats go off to the folks at Kmart for making this happen....

Retailers are pulling out all the stops in an attempt to drum up business. Discount retailer Kmart has launched a discount program for unemployed people in the state of Michigan, which has the highest unemployment rate of any U.S. state – 14.1% in May, compared with a national average of 9.4%. The Detroit metropolitan area has the highest unemployment rate of any U.S. city, at 14.9%.Kmart says it will issue people who are registered as unemployed in the state a “Smart Assist Savings” card, valid for six months, entitling them to 20% reductions on Kmart’s private label goods, including toilet paper, baby products, cleaners and some basic groceries.Kmart has indicated it will continue to issue cards to customers until January.

For the full press release, click here.

Source:Stylesight

One Night. Ten Career Coaches. Priceless Advice--Tomorrow!

2009-06-29T13:49:00.006-04:00

New York Women in Communications presents
Night of the Coaches
Tuesday, June 30th , 6:00-9:00pm

Location: NYU's The Kimmel Center60 Washington Square South (at West 4th Street) Price: Members: $26*Nonmembers: $41*Student Members: $16*

*$1 goes directly to the New York Women in Communications Foundation

Tomorrow in NYC there will be a series of roundtable discussions with some of the New York Women in Communications career coaches!

Tap into these coaches' wisdom and experience in this evening of small group discussions, where you can enhance skills and learn new networking strategies. Learn tips for managing your career and workplace in a difficult economy, finding new networking opportunities, navigating the world of digital media and more. Although the event is hosted by a communications org, the advice is sure to be applicable to ALL professions, including fashion, retail, and beauty. I plan on being there and I am very excited!

Each attendee will participate in two small-group, roundtable format discussions led by industry leaders. Our topics and speakers are as follows:

Developing a Winning Resume Whether you are just starting out or are a seasoned professional, learn how to create a resume that gets you noticed by recruiters and employers. Facilitated by Charna Flanzer (Career and Job Search Strategist, Office of Career Management, New York University)

Crafting a Rock Star Pitch for Cover Letters and Interviews Customize a concise and compelling pitch to help make a great first impression. Facilitated by Laura Allen (Co-Founder, 15 Second Pitch)

How to Reinvent Yourself in Challenging Times Do you want to change the direction of your work? Learn what to do if you "want things to be different." Facilitated by Ann Fry, MSW, PCC (Workplace Culture Expert and Executive Coach)

Business Networking that Gets Results Gain new skills that will enhance your confidence in networking. Facilitated by Belinda Plutz (Partner, Career Mentors, Inc.)

Entrepreneurship & Starting Your Own Business Are you dreaming of starting your own business and don't know where to begin? Take steps toward clarifying your goals and bringing your dream to fruition. Facilitated by Terry Yoffe, CPCC, ACC (Managing Director, TRYCoaching LLC)

Expanding your Freelance Career Are you already in your own business? Learn how to uncover freelance opportunities in a wide range of communication fields. Facilitated by Jane Pollak (Certified Professional Co-Active Coach)

Negotiating in a Tough Economy Whether for a salary, freelance job or contract, how do you negotiate during an economic downturn? Facilitated by Alexandra Duran (Principal and Founder, Career TransitioningSM )

Developing your Personal Brand Learn how to market your most important asset: Yourself. Facilitated by Suzanne Levy (Executive and Business Coach)

Beyond Facebook: Surviving & Thriving in the new Digital Era The Internet has become an important part of modern networking. Learn how to navigate career sites such as LinkedIn, as well as when and how to post your resume on line. Facilitated by Esmee (Interactive Content Producer- http://www.linkedin.com/in/esmee)

Stepping up for Yourself Nicely with Words & Actions Empower yourself in your communications at work in this discussion of how to speak up at meetings, address problems with co-workers and set boundaries. Facilitated by Daylle Deanna Schwartz (President, Project Self-Empowerment)

Lisa Finkelstein...my new Glam Gigs Icon

2009-06-27T00:42:00.005-04:00

Throughout my career, whenever I've wanted to accomplish a goal, I would always start by finding someone who has already achieved a similar mission. Then, I'd just follow in their footsteps. I consider this practice the art of emulation...

I've been working in the jewelry biz for all of three weeks and I've targeted my next Glam Gigs Icon: Lisa Finkelstein. She works as the the head of product and design for J.Crew jewelry. If you haven't been into J.Crew lately to check out their marvelous collection of baubles and bangles, then please RUN and do so ASAP. They have some seriously glorious jewelry! I have a few pieces in my personal collection. Lisa is also admirable because she attended the famed Central St. Martins in London, and I also went to fashion school in London. I feel like she and I have a connection-I really do. She truly inspires me.

I Googled Lisa and I came across this scan of her profile that was featured in Marie Claire. (And since I'm a fashion mag junkie myself, of course I was able to find the actual mag in my archives-YESSS!!) There is another profile of Lisa and her two sisters in this month's issue of Real Simple.

If anyone knows anyone who knows someone who has a contact that may know someone who knows someone that knows Lisa, I would LOVE to meet her. You know how I feel about networking...

Introducing....GLAM GIGS!

2009-06-27T00:28:00.004-04:00

RIP Style Career Connect....

I celebrated my birthday this week and I am undergoing a transformation. I've committed to getting more rest, spending more time with family and friends, and immersing myself into my new career. I've also decided to revamp my blog. The name change was soooo necessary. There are a few major reasons why. I love and greatly admire www.StyleCareers.com and "Style Career Connect" was too similar of a title. Also, it's just much too much of a mouthful. I wanted something short and sweet with a touch of pizazz....Something GLAM..... With that said, I introduce you to www.GlamGigs.com. (Oh yea, I bought a domain name too.) Doesn't it have a fresh ring to it?! I hope you like it as much as I do :-)

A world of inexpensive possibilities!

2009-06-12T14:00:00.002-04:00

Ok, this may have little to nothing to do with having a career in fashion, but it is just too good to keep to myself. I'm sitting at the Secretary of State office reading the July issue of O magazine. On page 115 there is the most delightful and practical list on how to pinch a few pennies on everything from cosmetics to Cosi sandwiches. So a huge group hug goes out to the editors of O! Please pick up this issue...it's truly great cover to cover.

You're Invited! Pink Slip Proof Mixer: Career Options and Opportunities Seminar

2009-06-11T09:41:00.004-04:00

Mark your calendars! On Wednesday, June 24, 2009 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM my favorite career coach, Dee Marshall, is hosting the Pink Slip Mixer, a networking event and career seminar.

Click the image below for details! The event is FREE but you must register online here.

L'Oreal plans philanthropy efforts

2009-06-10T17:33:00.002-04:00

You know I'm REALLY big on giving back to the community, so this article made my heart smile today :-) Way to go L'Oreal!

(Stylesight) L'Oreal chief executive Jean-Paul Agon has expressed new optimism in the cosmetics market. Reuters is reporting that at a press conference in Paris organized to celebrate the company's 100th year in business, Agon told reporters that the market had bottomed out and that things would improve over the next few quarters. Agon said growth in the beauty market should be zero or slightly positive this year. He added that the world's largest cosmetic company continues to gain market share and plans to expand further in Central Asia, India and the Middle East, while forging ahead in research and development. Research spending is expected to exceed sales growth.

Agon also revealed several new projects marking the company's 100-year anniversary, including 100 citizen projects based on the three central axes of L'Oreal's corporate philanthropy: education, encouragement of self-esteem and the promotion of scientific research. Examples include a scientific discovery program in 10 underprivileged junior high schools in Indonesia and a project to help 100 visually-impaired people in Indonesia cultivate personal beauty habits and techniques.

Wal-Mart promotes career advancement

2009-06-09T16:06:00.002-04:00

(Stylesight) Under pressure by labor-backed critics to maintain fair labor practices, Wal-Mart Stores Vice Chairman Eduardo Castro-Wright promised shareholders at its annual meeting that it would press for greater diversity in the workforce and create more career opportunities for advancement, reported the Associated Press.

"In the year ahead, we will take bold steps. We will not confuse efforts with results," Castro-Wright said, adding that the company would do more to help associates, including hourly associates, advance in the workforce and get competitive pay. He also stated that 40% of regional general managers are "of color," while 20% of that group are women.

The announcement follows recent efforts to improve the company image and business practices by cutting waste from operations and reducing health care costs through store clinics. So far, Wal-Mart has greatly benefited as a result of shoppers switching to cheaper options in a recession and of re-emphasizing low prices and a right mix of merchandise and marketing.

The AP suggests that Wal-Mart's challenge is to maintain new shoppers when the economy improves. Already, the company is said to be remodeling 500 of its 3,600 stores in the US this year, adding better displays of electronics and lower shelves, and earlier this week debuted a new fashion line with teen star Miley Cyrus and BCBG Max Azria for the back-to-school season.

Network with the editors of Vogue

2009-06-09T13:15:00.004-04:00

PARIS (AFP) - International editions of Vogue magazine are planning a simultaneous "fashion celebration night" in 13 cities in September to fight off global economic blues, its publisher Conde Nast said Monday.

From London to New York to Milan and Mumbai, the magazine will invite its readers from different countries as well as others in the Conde Nast group -- GQ, Vogue Hommes, Glamour, AD -- to join the September 10 event "to celebrate the fashion industry."

"It seems important to mobilise to celebrate fashion, and show that despite the difficult times we more than ever need the enchantment and pleasure fashion brings," said Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld in a statement.

In cities involved in the event, luxury stores will remain open to shoppers till late with Vogue writers, models and designers offering lessons in style.

Xavier Romatet, who heads Publications Conde Nast, said the idea was "to revive consumers' taste for fashion and shopping."

Week 2: My new job is coming along...

2009-06-09T07:29:00.001-04:00

Here's a pic of my desk at the start of week number two. I've been working on a few new styles for holiday 09. You can tell I'm anal by all the post-it notes, right? I just hate forgetting things and there's sooooo much for me to learn. Exciting! Let's see if it's still this neat next week...

Style career advice by the minute via Twitter

2009-06-08T22:52:00.004-04:00

Now you can follow me on Twitter! (I have no idea how Twitter works, to be honest, but I'm sure I'll figure it out....)

http://twitter.com/OhSoNicoleMarie

Ask the Experts...Career Advice from Myra Cardona, Director of HR at New York & Company

2009-06-08T21:40:00.006-04:00

I was able to hear Myra Cardona speak on tonight’s Young Savvy Power call and she was A-MAZ-ING! Myra Cardona is the Director of Human Resources for New York & Company and she shared her top tips for making yourself an invaluable asset to your company. Just as a bit of background info, Myra is responsible for various aspects of human resource management including leadership development, team building, succession planning, and talent management. Myra also oversees ethics and compliance initiatives for New York & Company.

Here’s Myra advice for staying competitive in the fashion and retail industry...

Realize your stakeholders: “Identify in your company who are the key stakeholders. These are the people who have a little bit of your best interest at heart. It can be your boss, your boss’s boss, or the people you want to make sure that you become visible to and hold a conversation with. Stakeholders don’t have to be the people with the big titles. These are just people who make things happen. Knowing these people will help you understand what’s the best way to manage your career.”

Move around: “Collaborating with a lot of other people in other departments will help you get ahead. Always be willing to step outside of your particular work area and learn how to handle partnerships outside of your department. This will help you create more stakeholders who can speak about your talent and your ability. Really think about what’s happening in your department that may impact other areas of the company. Take on an outside assignment. These are all important things because they are going to help you gain visibility with your higher-ups so that they notice you. You may even acquire a new skill or a new stakeholder that will help you gain value to your organization.”

Go the extra mile: “Don’t just execute your job. You want to take it above and beyond. This is a philosophy I always talk about and coach about. When you are collaborating with other team members, it’s about taking what you know, doing it, and stretching it by approaching every single task from a problem solving perspective. Be solution oriented. Always be solution driven, especially in these economic times. All companies are operating lean and mean. You want to be able to take advantage of that so you are viewed as the resourceful person who can make it happen. At the end of the day this will attract the attention of senior leaders.”

If you screw up, own up: “If you are working on something and it didn’t go right, I know it’s not easy, but I recommend going to your boss and saying ‘I think I need to bring something to your attention.’ If you bring it to the table upfront and are accountable for it, you are earning respect from your peers as someone who is accountable for their actions. It is of the utmost importance to have accountability. We are all human. It’s okay to own up to your mistakes. But if you mention to your boss that you missed a detail, you should also have a solution.”

Coach Dee Marshall and Myra also shared a few great books to learn more about soft-skills and raising the bar in our careers. Stay tuned-I'm getting in touch with my team and will post them tomorrow. Thank you so much Myra for the great advice!

Fashion Gig Monitor

2009-06-03T05:59:00.007-04:00

Fashion Design/Production Asst. Luxury Handbag Co.
posted 6/2/09
Company: Luxury Fashion Handbag Company
Industry: Fashion
Benefits: Bonuses
Job Duration: Full Time
Job Location: New York, NY USA
Job Requirements
WORK EXPERIENCE: AT LEAST 3 years working in design and production for a reputable fashion company(s).** Please note this position is for fashion designers, not graphic designers **
SKILLS & EXPERIENCES: Communicating with factories & suppliers (domestic & international)Negotiating with factories & suppliers (domestic & international)
Schedule management and planning
ConsumptionSourcing (fabric, skins & hardware)
Costing/Pricing/Profit calculations
Flat sketching
Pattern making
Sewing
Strong knowledge of handbag construction
Hands on work with exotic skins
Adobe creative suite
Communicating with factories and suppliers
Well organized & Meticulous business conduct
Work on multiple projects simultaneously
You have a positive and encouraging attitude. You are hungry to succeed. You communicate at a high level both in written and verbal form. You posses strong organizational skills and are detail-oriented to the very last point.
COMPUTER SKILLS: Mac, Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite.
EDUCATION: College Graduate.
LANGUAGE: Fluent written and spoken English. Spoken Italian is a plus.
About Our Company: Fast-growing, SoHo-based luxury handbag company. Specializing in exotic skins.
Apply Here

Account Executive - Fashion PR
posted 6/2/09
Company: Factory PR
Industry: Public Relations
Salary: Very Competitive
Benefits: 401K/403B, Bonuses, Health
Job Duration: Full Time
Job Location: New York, NY USA
Job Requirements
Public Relations - Account Executive / Senior Account ExecutiveFactory PR is on an aggressive hiring path for the Fashion Division. Ideal candidate should have at least 3 years experience in Fashion Public Relations - agency or brand. Must possess strong relationships with Fashion Editors, National TV Producers, On-line and Stylist Contacts.Superior communication skills - both verbal and written. Candidate will also provide creative input and must be able to lead as well as work within a team environment. Candidate reports to the Account Director and is part of a larger team.
Responsibilities include: daily interaction with media, oversee editorial product placement, develop client strategy and time lines, pitch media, special events, generate reports and client relations.
About Our Company
Factory PR is a mid-sized, boutique New York Public Relations firm that specializes in high-end Fashion, Accessories, Celebrity and Lifestyle.
Apply Here.

compliments of mediabistro.com

My New Job!!

2009-06-02T21:18:00.026-04:00

Guess what?...

I GOT A NEW JOB!

Now let me rewind a bit...

I launched Style Career Connect in January of this year midway through my own personal and quite grueling job search. I was on the brink of a layoff due to my company's restructuring, but with God's grace, I remained gainfully employed. Even with a new position within my company, I was still itching for a new challenge. So after scouring through resume book after resume book, making lunch and coffee dates with everyone in my address book, and staying up until 3AM applying for jobs online, I figured my blog would be a good way to share everything I was learning while generating some positive karma of my own... "Give and it shall be given unto you..."

As I searched high and low for a new opportunity and read tons of job postings, I began to realize the kinds of positions that appealed to me the most. Creative? Check. Located in NYC? Check. Small, close knit company. Check. And the biggest requirement of them all? I wanted to return to jewelry and accessories. (I worked as an assistant buyer in jewelry and accessories for about a year at the old gig). With that part of my job search narrowed down I began to DIG. I mean reeeeaaaalllly DIG. And then came along Karen...

Karen was my former sales rep at a company called Orion Fashions. Orion makes and manufactures fashion jewelry and my old company bought and developed jewelry through Orion. Karen and I stayed in touch after I moved from that department and would occasionally send an email to check-in on one another. Long story short, I sent her my resume in March, she forwarded it to her boss, I went in for two interviews in April and May and my first day at work was yesterday! I joined the Orion team as a merchandiser, which means I am responsible for designing, developing, sourcing, and merchandising our various jewelry and accessories collections to show buyers who shop our line. I am beyond thrilled to have this new role!

I have to tell you how OBSESSED with jewelry I am. Actually, I'll just show you. Here are a few snapshots of my personal collection.

There's a three drawer storage bin on top of my dresser for necklaces...and a big zebra-print box on top of that full of more jewelry-and a box of jewelry that arrived today in the mail from Canada that I ordered on E-bay (And that's mama in the back)

This drawer is just a mish-mash of stuff earrings mostly...one box for pearls..and some sunglasses + headbands

These are shoe boxes full of jewelry on the floor that i keep hidden under the dresser...one is for big statement earrings, the center box is for colored shell necklaces, and the right one is for wood

All the colored bangles have their own drawer...

And all the gold bangles have their own drawer...

My earrings are sorted in little cubby drawers labeled by color... And I guarantee there is a pair of earrings (or two) in the trunk of my car, or a few bangles on the bathroom counter and the nightstand...

Needless to say, I think I've found my calling. It's only day number two at the new gig and I feel very comfortable in my new position. It's very creative and I work with a great group of people. I LOVE my new commute-I'm only three train stops and four blocks away. Everything just feels absolutely delightful!! I'm sure I'll have tons of exciting stories to share once I really get in the thick of things. But in the meantime, I'm going to devote a lot of time writing on Style Career Connect about networking and finding your passion. Without those two elements, you WILL NOT find or keep a job in this economic climate. Many of you have asked me about resume advice too, so I'll feed more into that subject as well. (Click here to read about my all-time FAVE ressy read.)

I can't sign off without a few shout-outs. I am beginning a new chapter in my life and career and I could not have done it alone...to Mommy, Daddy, Venus, Karen, Gary, Shaun, Sue, Leigh, Cristina, Janice, Renau, Janet, Cheney, Andrea, Courtney, Nubia, Alesha, Ezinne, Barbara Joi, Lauren, Ronni, Fastidious 48, Lakia, B. Kristina, Bakari, Wandra, Lois, Chanelle, Ashley, Rasha, Saburah, Kaia, Coach Dee Marshall at Raise the Bar, Michael Brown at Lord & Taylor, Nicole Cokley at Bloomingdale's, Robin Givhan at The Washington Post, Agnes Cammock & Charreah Jackson at Essence mag, Felicia Walker-Benson of ThisThatBeauty, Nichole Kirtley at L'Oreal, NJAC & Delta Zeta DST, BRAG, and my Young Savvy sisters...thank you all for being listening ears, resume and cover letter proofreaders, late-night cheerleaders, prayer warriors, advice givers, career counselors, lunch-date makers, contact connectors and the best group of friends, colleagues, sorors and mentors a girl could ever have! I love you all!

You're Invited! Fashion Group International Networking Event

2009-05-21T11:27:00.002-04:00

I'm a huuuuuuge proponent of NETWORKING. Please let me be cliche' for a moment and say it's not what you know, it's who you know, especially when it comes to finding employment opportunities in the fashion biz. Out of the past six fashion and beauty jobs I have had-including my two current jobs-I was referred by one of my connections who knew somebody who knew somebody who knew somebody...get my drift?

THE POWER OF PERSONAL NETWORKING

A networking event presented by the FGI Membership Committee featuring.....

*Caroline Pieper-Vogt, Sr. Vice President of Marketing, Clarins USA, Inc.
*Tanya Pushkine, Vice President of Public Relations, Clarins Groupe USA

May 26, 2009
6:00pm
Location: Fashion Group Headquarters

8 West 40th Street

7th Floor

New York, NY 10018

It looks like this will be a great opp for all my beauty mavens judging from the lineup of guest speakers. I hope to see you there! Visit the FGI website to learn more the org and this event.

I found my job on Twitter

2009-05-20T14:53:00.001-04:00

Forget the classifieds, these days unemployed workers are finding more job opportunities through social networking sites. (I am a prime example...just recently, I landed two interviews after being contacted on LinkedIn. This is a GREAT article.)

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- In today's tough job market, it's critical to stand out. So how to make sure your application gets noticed: A flawless cover letter? Killer résumé? Glowing reference from the CEO? Not even. In the worst job market in 25 years, building an online presence is crucial to getting a job. Who you connect to, "follow" and "friend" can be just as important as conventional tools like résumés.

"Not only are employers looking for better candidates, but ones that are well versed in social media and seeking out opportunities," said social media expert and president of Affect Strategies Sandra Fathi. "These mediums are here to stay and also a great way to differentiate yourself."

Not only are valuable connections forged with potential employers and colleagues on sites like Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and LinkedIn, but openings are also posted there, sometimes in lieu of job boards.

Read the entire article here.

Quote This....

2009-05-20T11:08:00.000-04:00

"Autonomy, complexity, and a connection between effort and reward are, most people agree, the three qualities that work has to have if it is to be satisfying."

-Malcolm Gladwell

......I am totally captivated with this Mr. Gladwell. (Read one of my prior posts about him here.) On my way to Detroit this past week, I picked up a copy of his latest book, Outliers:The Story of Success, at the airport terminal. The book tells several tales about people who have made it big, all while challenging the concept of the "self-made" success story. (I read the book in one weekend-I simply couldn't put it down.) The quote above was listed in the text and it really made me think about my own passions. Of course, passion numero uno is fashion...enough said. But now, I am digging deeper. I've narrowed down exactly what category in the fashion realm takes me to the top-and it's jewelry and accessories. So now I am working to take the next steps to pull me closer to being able to connect that aspect with my everyday career. You'll hear tons about my journey in the coming weeks, and in the month of June especially, I am going to talk A LOT about finding and fulfilling your passion. So stay tuned...

I highly encourage you to check out more Outlier book reviews by clicking here. And be sure to pick up a copy of your own!

Love ya much!

Nicole Marie

Fabulous Life Makeover with Coach Dee Marshall

2009-05-19T09:19:00.000-04:00

You all know that I LOVE my Coach Dee....So I highly recommend that you tune in TONIGHT for the Fabulous Life Makeover Webinar. In case you haven't heard of her before, Coach Dee Marshall is the CEO of Raise The Bar, LLC and founder of Raise The Bar Young Savvy. She specializes in working with women who are transitioning in their career and life. Tonight's webinar is detailed below.....and the BEST part is, registration is only $18...Can you say "recession-friendly?"

Click here to register.

I want your job! -Business Development Analyst at Tiffany & Co.

2009-05-07T11:19:00.001-04:00

When it comes to fashion smarts, my good friend Ashley Harrington has it covered. She's so driven, passionate and smart-and a ton of fun too! Ashley gave me the scoop about her fabulous style career at Tiffany & Co. (I had to make this post Tiffany Blue just for you, Ashley!) Enjoy!

NM: When did you fall in love with fashion/retail?
AH: I fell in love with Fashion at a very early age in life, probably when I was in middle school. From there I began to read magazines and focus in on the trends. I knew I wanted to work in the luxury goods industry when I was working at Booz & Co., and I was staffed on a project at a oil company.

NM:What college did you attend? What was your major?
AH: I attended the University of Pennsylvania, and majored in economics.

NM: How many internships did you have in college? Where?
AH: I interned with you Silly! No, I interned at Money magazine the summer of my junior year. I interned at Essence magazine the summer of senior year.

NM: How did you land a job with Tiffany & Co.?
AH: I applied on-line and got it!

NM: Tell us about your very first day there?
AH: My first day was very mundane, so I really don’t remember my first day much.
NM: What is a typical day like for you?
AH: A typical day consists of dealing with Strategic and Operational work. For instance, I have to handle price inquires that the markets may have regarding the merchandise. For the most part, I execute and manage the pricing. Second, I work on strategic projects, such as new channels we should operate in, for example E-commerce, airport terminals, et cetera.

NM: What does your office and desk look like?
AH: My office is basic. Definitely nothing to write home to Mom about. My desk is a cubicle, how sexy right?

NM: What do you love most about your job?
AH: I love that fact that I am exposed to various parts of the retail business. I enjoy learning about marketing, finance, merchandising, and a little bit of everything The role I have is dynamic and has a lot to offers a lot of exposure to other areas of the business.

NM: What’s your work wardrobe like?
AH: I wear business casual clothes. Since I am more finance related, I don’t really get dressed to the nines for work.

NM: What is the craziest experience you’ve had at work?
AH: Oh gosh, that will go untold. But lets just say there are tons of personalities at this place.

NM: What has been an obstacle that you faced in your career? How did you tackle it?
AH: Understanding politics and understanding how people interact. It is very important to understand the environment of a company and how you fit it, to be successful.

NM: If you weren’t working as a retail analyst, what would you be doing?
AH: I would be work in Corporate America in some facet, maybe at a media company.

NM: What is your number one piece of advice for someone who wants to have your job one day?
AH: I would say you have to love two facets of your job: the industry you work in and the work that you do. I think it is very easy to get wrapped up in the Hype behind “Luxury goods” that we loose sight that the luxury goods industry is just like any other… it’s a business.

Thank you so much Ashley for sharing your story with Style Career Connect!! If you have any questions for her, feel free to reply to this post and we'll get Ash to chime back in for a little Q&A.

April showers bring May flowers...

2009-05-06T08:58:00.000-04:00

....And if that's really the case, then I am in FULL BLOOM! I had to take a brief hiatus during the past few weeks. You know sometimes life happens....But it has been irking me that I have been so negligent of this space so I am officially back in action ladies and gentlemen. (Hopefully there will be some good and great news I can share with you soon regarding my disappearing act...) But in the meantime, see below to learn about a great scholarship opportunity being offered by Fashion Group International:

The Fashion Group International of Washington, D.C. is accepting applications from students majoring in fashion or a fashion related field, such as fashion merchandising, fashion photography, fashion journalism, fashion illustration, and related fields for grants up to $5,500 towards furthering their education. Students who wish to apply must meet the following requirements:

§ Applicants must reside in the greater Washington, D.C. area or its surrounding communities
§ Display high scholastic achievement
§ Display exceptional abilities in the fashion field§ Must be a June 2009 graduate
§ Must be accepted by an accredited college or currently enrolled in college as an undergraduate or graduate student in the fashion field

All applicants’ requests should be directed towards Henry Edwards II and Myss Stephens, Scholarship Co-Chairs. Deadline for submission is May 30, 2009. For more information please feel free to e-mail Henry Edwards II at hedwardsii@aol.com or Myss Stephens at missmyss@msn.com.

The Careerist: the cool girl's employee handbook

2009-03-17T23:40:00.000-04:00

I want to give a huge bear-hug to the editors of Marie Claire. I LOVE their new column, The Careerist. I started to write a long post about it and share with you all the handy advice, but I decided to let you see for yourself. Here's a snapshot from the April 09 issue. Enjoy!

(Click images to enlarge)

TOP 5 Pet Peeves of Fashion Industry Recruiters

2009-03-11T12:58:00.001-04:00

This is from Chris Kidd from StyleCareers.com. Thanks Chris!

Just over 100 recruiters responded to our survey about their top pet peeves and while most of the respondents work directly for the hiring companies, agency recruiters are represented as well. We hope this information is helpful in your job search. We also collected the Top 5 things that IMPRESS fashion industry recruiters. Please join the StyleCareers group on LinkedIn.com to see those results.

The Fashion Industry Recruiter's Top 5 Pet Peeves with Job Seekers:
1) Applying to positions for which they are not qualified.
2) Unprepared for the interview (i.e.: not researching company, generic questions, etc...).
3) Poorly written resume and/or generic cover letter (or no cover letter at all).
4) Embellishing and/or falsifying their resume.
5) Aggressive job-seekers (i.e.: applying more than once, calling/emailing excessively, defensive attitude).

Honorable mentions include:
· Not following application instructions
· Arriving early/late to an interview
· Personal presentation (i.e. poorly dressed, too much perfume, etc.)
· Unenthusiastic about position, just wanting a job

The bottom line is that job seekers should be thoughtful in every step of the job search process. Remember, at the end of the day, it is people dealing with people.

A Little Cover Letter Therapy

2009-03-10T00:59:00.000-04:00

(Click image to enlarge)

A while back, I told you about my all-time-FAVE resume book, Gallery of Best Resumes. I guess now would be the time to tell you about my all-time-FAVE cover letter book. And you guessed it- it's called the Gallery of Best Cover Letters and it's also by Dr. David F. Noble.

At a time when there is a huge demand in the job market, one way to set yourself apart is to have a creative cover letter. I've discovered over the years that the cover letter is oftentimes thought of as second-rate compared to the resume. In a way, the cover letter can be more important because it is usually the first document the prospective employer sees. Also, us creative folks tend to think we can "get away" with having a so-so CVL. If you've ever neglected your cover letter writing skills, here's a few tips from Noble to get you in gear.

1. Your resume and cover letter should work together in presenting you effectively. The cover letter should draw attention to the most important information in the resume, the information you want the reader to be certain to see.

2. The main purpose of the cover letter is to express that you want to do the work required, while the resume shows that you can do the work required.

3. You should allow plenty of time to write and revise...and revise...and revise....a cover letter to get it just right for a particular reader. You really want the cover letter to completely error-free and fully reflect your extreme desire to land the job.

The cover letter above is by far one of my favorites in Noble's book. It's geared toward the retail industry, which I LOVE. In my findings, a lot of books out there don't have good examples of fashion and retail positions. This letter also has a very creative format that links the job seeker's qualifications to company requirements line by line. Bullets in both columns help the reader see matching items from column to column.

Another perk of Noble's book is its list of formatting, content, grammar and punctuation tips. There are also a few great resume samples in the back of the book. If you're ready to revamp your cover letter, I highly suggest grabbing a copy of Noble's book. I'm sure you'll love it as much as I do!