Lisa-Marie Kiss

Monday 29 August 2016

How to dip your toes into the fashion industry

I have wanted to work in fashion since I was little and it seems like there are endless opportunities. The one fear I had was putting my energy and thoughts into one aspect of the industry and then when I'm old enough try it, not like it at all. Turns out there are lots of opportunities to get a taste or dip your toes if you will into the fashion industry. Here are the 5 opportunities best worth your time:

1. Volunteer for a Fashion Week near you

I have not volunteered for fashion week but, I plan on volunteering for Toronto Men's Fashion Week soon, as Toronto Fashion Week is no longer happening. Which is sad because I was going to volunteer for TFW in September. Volunteering for any fashion week or show gives you a ton of experience working directly in the chaos and rush of the industry. You can work directly with the clothes, the models, the event set-up or the guests. Moreover, you could potentially meet some very influentially people whilst volunteering. Overall, a great place to network, learn and gain experience.

2. Find an Internship

Websites like Intern Queen allow you to search for any kind of internship close to where you live. I would recommend you look there first. However, if you have a company in mind that you want to intern with I would say, shoot them an email and say you're interested. Most companies love interns because they don't have to pay you. However, some companies these days will only take interns that are in school and need credit (a better substitute for paying you; you're gaining hands-on experience). Internships are great because while you're trying to figure out what you want to do and don't like your internship, it's okay because you will still have time to find something else that speaks to you. I would say try to do a different internship every year or summer if your course load isn't too heavy. This will help you get as much exposure to the industry as possible to make sure it's the right fit for you.

3. Take a Fashion course (that could potentially turn into a certificate, diploma etc.)

If you are in high school I would recommend trying out the Parsons x Teen Vogue Certificate in Fashion Industry Essentials. It is an inexpensive program for Parsons and you will learn about all areas of fashion. You can take this course no matter your age but, if you are already in school for something else it may be too much to handle. I would recommend if you are in university for a completely different subject but, you have always loved fashion try out the program in the summer. You can enrol in the #ParsonsxTeenVogue program here. Moreover, see if any school near you offers fashion classes or make you electives in university fashion courses. Also, check out my review post on online fashion courses from other schools here.

4. Freelance a creative skill that you have

If you have a camera and love photography, offer to take fashion photos for local bloggers or your friends Instagram accounts. Also, if you are talented at styling stock photos create packages at a reasonable price to sell to bloggers and businesses. If you have Adobe / graphic design skills make a social media presence for your brand and offer services to people who work in the fashion industry. For instance, you could design labels, brand packaging etc. Last, if you make things like accessories or clothes sell your designs on Etsy.

5. Test out your fashion influence on social media and blogging platforms

Lastly, to dip your toes into the fashion world start your own blog and share what you know and love or start a fashion Instagram account. If you connect and engage with followers and they love your work it can open up lots of opportunities for you to work with fashion brands.

xoxo,

Lisa-Marie

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Why you should consider taking a course online

When I graduated high school I did something very untraditional; but, it's good to do something different right? Instead of going straight to university, college, work or back to do grade 13, I did this amazing thing called online or distance learning. This allowed me to get degree credits without leaving my house and have a job that I actually liked. I did three different programs online with three different schools. I also completed free online fashion courses with two amazing learning platforms. After one year I now have this on my resume:

1. Certificate, Retail Management

Ryerson University

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Pros: After three semesters I gained an official certificate. All credits I have received can be transferred to the degree program I start in September; Bachelor of Commerce - Retail Management.

Cons: You do have to travel to Ryerson's Campus for some course exams. I went to campus for three classes to take mid and final exams. The program does not have a lot of visual learning material (with the exception of RMG200 - there were previously recorded lectures available to watch about retail math.)

*Because you cannot ask your professor any questions face to face and the lecture is just note taking (there are no videos) I recommend purchasing the textbook for the class if there is one. I found it very beneficial to have; especially if I was unsure about course content.

2. Certificate, Teen Vogue: Fashion Industry Essentials

Parsons - School of Design

New York, NY

Pros: Everything is done online. It is a very visual program; you learn entirely through videos and the Teen Vogue Handbook. It took me only four months to complete; the program can be completed at your own pace. Moreover, all assignments are practical and fun to complete if you are obsessed with anything related to fashion.

*The certificate I took is considered to be a non-credit certificate (You don't have to have a degree to be in the program). Parsons offers two other certificates that can be done entirely online that are credit certificates; Fashion Design and Fashion Business. However, these two certificates will take longer to complete.

You can enrol in the #ParsonsxTeenVogue program here http://ssqt.co/KmBm

3. Short Course, Visual Merchandising and Display

London College of Fashion

London, England

Pros: It is "Face-to-Face" learning with the professor. For every online short course at UAL there is a designated time that you have to be on their online learning system to "Skype."

Cons: There is a specific time you have to be available.

*It is in the UK time so for me, they are five hours ahead. The course was scheduled for 6-8pm UK time (1-3pm for me.) Having an evening class is beneficial if you work or have school during the day.

4. Fashion Innovation & Fashion Sustainability Courses
University of Leeds & Creative Skill set
Through Future Learn

Future Learn is different than the above-mentioned schools. Future Learn in itself is not an actual school but, is a learning platform that allows you to take courses from their partner universities. This is what their website says, "We’re a private company wholly owned by The Open University, with the benefit of over 40 years of their experience in distance learning and online education. We have 94 partners from around the world. These include many of the best UK and international universities."

Pros: To take a course it is completely free. However, to get proof that you completed the course it costs around $70 Canadian dollars to purchase a certificate. It is not mandatory to purchase a certificate but, it is great to have for proof. Based on the cost of the other courses and certificates I have done $70 is still very inexpensive for a school to charge.

Cons: A personal con for me is they have a lot of science and math courses which don't appeal to me and only a few creative / fashion related course.

*The courses I completed were, Fashion Innovation through the University of Leeds and Fashion Sustainability through Creative Skill Set. Those are the only two fashion courses on the site. If more appear I will definitely be doing them.

5. From Blog to Business: Content, Community and Working with Brands.
Blogging Courses
Skillshare http://skl.sh/29b1Nyb

I discovered Skillshare through an email I received from Bloglovin' saying that they created a course about blogging for brands called "From Blog to Business: Content, Community, and Working with Brands." I completed this class that was run by their VP of Community and Support, Morgan Kaye. I absolutely loved the class, it was very beneficial for me to take, especially being a new blogger. I think any blogger new or experienced would find it very helpful. It allowed me to connect with Morgan. I emailed her with a question and she replied right away. It is amazing that she wants to help the bloggers who are on Bloglovin' succeed. I highly recommend you take the class. Here is the link.

Pros: A regular membership allows you to access free courses. Moreover, all learning is very visual and is done through short video clips. The majority of courses offered are for creative types or creative business', which appeal to me the most.

Cons: There are only two cons I have to talk about regarding Skillshare. Number one: certain classes are only accessible if you have a premium membership. It is not expensive and they sometimes have a special running, however, free is always better. Number two: the classes are short. Most of the classes I completed are under 30 minutes. It can be a good thing to learn about something so quickly but, I find myself wanting to know more.

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I think online learning will be the future. Think about how much we already do online? What about all the different ways the internet has allowed us to communicate? Online learning will be a positive outcome of our very online world. Overall, online learning can open doors for a lot of individuals. People can go back to school, attend well-known schools overseas and learn in a flexible environment that fits their life/work schedule.

It allowed me to do eight degree credits without having to travel an hour to get to school. It allowed me to attend Parsons and London College of Fashion; two schools that I have wanted to go to for a long time. Through online learning I was able to "go there" and it was much less expensive. Bonus: you still have the schools wonderful and helpful faculty to teach you. If you've wanted to try online I say do it now. There is no time greater than the present! Remember to:

Let me know in the comments if you have ever taken a course online and what your experience was like!!

xoxo,

Lisa-Marie

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3 ways to have a productive morning

I don't know about you but, I am not a morning person. I have never been and I don't think I ever will be. The only thing that gets me out of bed in the morning is if I have something to do or somewhere to go such as work or school. If I have no plans, I set no alarm and sleep in because I can. However, the days when I must rise early and go out into the world, I follow these steps to make my morning experience productive and in general more positive.

Step #1 to a productive morning starts the night before.

Shower the night before

I always shower before I go to bed, never in the morning. I think it takes too much time and you could be spending your time doing other things (I personally take some extra time to sleep in).

Step #2 to productive morning also happens at night.

Prep your essentials the night before

I pick my outfits and accessories and lay them out so I don't rush or stress in the morning. That way you know what you're wearing when you wake up and you don't say to yourself "I have nothing to wear." I also lay out my makeup and skincare so I don't have to shuffle through drawers to find things.

Step #3 actually happens in the morning. (Some individuals do this first thing in the morning and others do it last. However, the most important thing is to give yourself the energy to start the day.

Hydrate Yourself and Eat Breakfast

Before you can be productive your mind needs to be prepared and ready. Making sure you drink water and eat a healthy breakfast can give you the energy to be more productive in the morning.

How do you have a productive morning? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo,

Lisa-Marie

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Travel Diary | Quebec

When my family and I were travelling back from Prince Edward Island we made a pit stop in Quebec, Quebec on the way back home. I just did a fashion post here, showing what I wore. The pictures featured in this post are of the St. Lawrence River and Promenade Samuel-De Champlain. It was absolutely beautiful. If you haven't been to Quebec you need to go.

xoxo,

Lisa-Marie

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Outfit | Same Shirt, Different Day

I did a post last week featuring this off the shoulder top but, I took these photos while on vacation and had to share them. The St. Lawrence River was so beautiful, it made the perfect fashion photo background.

Location:
Promenade Samuel-De Champlain
St. Lawrence River
Quebec, Quebec

Top: Highline Collective, Hudson's Bay

Pants: Garage

Sunglasses: Forever 21

Necklace: Local shop in PEI

Shoes: Local shop in GTA

xoxo,

Lisa-Marie

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Travel Diary | Prince Edward Island

My family and I went on vacation to Prince Edward Island back in July but, instead of flying straight to our destination, we decided to take a road trip. We stayed at the Rodd Brudenell River Resort in Georgetown on the east side of the island.

The beaches are so beautiful and different then any others I've been to because of the red sand.

We stopped in Charlottetown, the capital city to see the history of Prince Edward Island and all the cute little shops.

I saw this little pizza place, called Piatto Pizzeria and I had to go in for lunch. I know that on the east coast they are known for fish and seafood because well the ocean is right beside them. However, I'm not much of a seafood person and I did have Atlantic salmon for dinner the first night there so, I covered myself. Anyway, the pizza is the best pizza I have eaten in my life.

xoxo,

Lisa-Marie

Let's stay in touch!

Instagram // @lisamariekiss.blog
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Bloglovin' // lisa-marie kiss

Travel Diary | New Brunswick

My family and I went on vacation to Prince Edward Island back in July but, instead of flying straight to our destination, we decided to take a road trip. We stopped in New Brunswick and went to some tourist destinations as well as, taking in the beautiful scenery while driving.