Education VS Industry!

Further study? or Get a full-time job? A question with two very different outcomes and no wrong answer but the final decision will undoubtably carve the pathway to your future.

I seem to have found myself stuck right in the middle of this very debate once again - EDUCATION or INDUSTRY? I want to achieve the very best in my career and apply my skills to industry gained from always being a good girl (well most the time) and working hard in school/university/internships but with so much to consider alongside the cost involved in either completing MA studies or unpaid work placements and internships, it seems somewhere near impossible to move forward in an industry that requires you to spend so much and earn so little. 

Securing a paid role within the fashion business is amongst one of the most challenging tasks for a young fashion professional post graduation - employees ALWAYS want experience - so again I question how valuable a 2:1 Bachelors degree with Honours and 3 years studying at university really is? 

I recently attended and blogged about a post-graduate event at The University of Birmingham - The Postgraduate Study and Funding Fair is open to ALL students and graduates considering postgraduate study, although not really that helpful for someone looking to progress onto a fashion focused MA the fair did help me explore postgraduate study during an unbiased lecture which helps students and graduates to fully asses if graduate study is right for them by asking...

- Will your post-graduate study give you an ADVANTAGE?

- What about the cost? Is their FUNDING available?

- Is your course REALLY essential to your industry?

- Is the course VALUED by potential future employers?

- Is the university HIGHLY-REGARDED?

For those of you that regularly check back with CHIC-BOX MEDIA you will know I recently touched upon these key points from the lecture - and well I still don't know the answer or even if their is a RIGHT answer to the questions proposed. 

STILL CONFUSED?

In contrast to the postgraduate study and funding fair I also attended the Manchester Fashion Networks Recruitment fair in association with the leading industry magazine Drapers. This was quite a small event which gave students and graduates the opportunity to have one to one conversations with recruiters including Selfridges, Matalan and Tesco and the Digital, Creative and Marketing Recruitment agency Orchard. 

Talking with industry professionals is undoubtably the BEST way to gain an insight into what recruiters are really looking for, with every employer wanting something different from their applicant.

Having done my research into postgraduate study and available recruitment roles alongside applying for numerous positions only to be rejected for the standard 'experience and qualifications not being as closely matched as other applicants' I've come to the conclusion that it's not necessarily about education over industry and vice versa but in fact a balance between the two that prepares you for employment - BUT while recruiters are still expecting more and giving less (in terms of wage) it still seems that it is only the wealthy who can afford to live in our capital at the centre of the fashion industry and work for free OR those that can complete MA studies without needing to consider the financial implications that will occur by taking on such a demanding role. 

Although their is support for individuals wanting to complete postgraduate study but are worried about funding the course costs in reference to the professional careers and development loan, this is still something that needs much consideration as it WILL need to be paid back. 

So while all of this is getting me a step closer to making my FINAL decision regarding postgraduate study I'm not quite there yet. However talking to existing MA Fashion Marketing and Communication students at Nottingham Trent University's postgraduate School of Art and Design open evening has given me the confidence to believe that if you REALLY want to do it it can be achieved.  

Please share your views regarding the on-going Education VS Industry debate -  and hopefully you can help me get one step closer towards my future pathway.

Words: Nathalie Dawe

Fashion and Music - A commercial and culture statement

The fine line between the fashion and the music industry has become increasingly blurred. With the music industry's most famous creating a catwalk show on the fashion pages of our weekly gossip magazines.

It became prominent in the 80's when fashion instigated the commercial and cultural statement in society. Madonna shocked her vast following, with the Chansonette Bra. Launched by laundry brand Maidenform's during the 1950's. The underwear as outerwear trend hit the fashion scene and Madonna was responsible. Through outlandish stage costumes, she influenced a popular fashion choice for a garment created decades before, inducing those of a stylish following.

Advertisement for the infamous Chansonette Maidenform bra.
Image: atticpaper.com

Her wardrobe sticks in my mind. Madonna appears to be an inspiration behind the commercial relationship music has created with fashion. She is also behind the fashion right now! With Lady Gaga taking obvious style inspiration.

Inspired - GAGA takes style inspiration from Madonna.
Image: sodahead.com

Madonnas mode has continued to influence the fashion in today's music industry. With the birth of her clothing line Material Girl, with daughter Lourdes. Her underwear as outerwear 80's style is being re-invented by the female of the moment, Rihanna. Whether or not in a conscious effort, to echo one of music's most iconic women – Rihanna is the one to watch (Recently launching her own clothing range for River Island).

Rihanna for River Island
Image: riverisland.com

So it's hardly surprising that the relationship between music and fashion is so strong. But why do our heavily styled pop stars, become the purveyor's of new fashion trends? The best way to answer this question is to cast your mind back to your child-hood years.

Personally I remember, trying to leave the house with my white school shirt tied in a knot purposely displaying my midriff, following a fixation with Britney Spears in the infamous Hit Me Baby One More time music video. This is where it began and the reality is we never grow out of wanting to be like the pop star of the moment, and the best way to achieve this is through fashion.

While we may think when out shopping our purchases are our own choices, this is not necessarily the case. The catwalk, the covers of high-fashion glossy magazines and, what we see on the big stage and in music videos all influence our style. 

Victoria Beckham's fashion forward attitude that transformed her from pop star to designer is the perfect example. Following her days as a Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham was never considered as

epitomising high fashion. Now subsequent to her success as a fashion designer, the critics have been forced to complement her latest collection on the catwalk. The Saturdays leap from pop star to fashion idol continues to define this statement with a range of party dresses for Rare fashion. The list goes on (as you can imagine with the majority of the infamous TOWIE catch all owning a boutique or launching a website)

Victoria Beckham - Autumn / Winter 2013
Image - handbag.com

The star is envied by the female population who want to be just like her. Then the high-street makes this happen. The fashion is

filtered down the fashion chain. To the ordinary girl in the high-street - YOU!

Remember the sequin bodice bra? That stormed the high-street selling out immediately in Topshop. Well Rihanna wore it first. And why did it sell out? Well because if Rihanna's wearing it, we want to wear it too! Although I stare in disbelief at anyone who insists they can wear it better than Rihanna.

Which brings us to question, is it the music industry controlling the fashion industry? Or is it simple in that our favourite pop stars love the latest fashion too?

The good girl gone bad image created by Rihanna would leave us to believe that it starts with the star. Rihanna spawned a revolution in the wardrobes of women on a global scale. 

In a society where image has become everything, we along with fashion columnists are constantly criticising the style of artists, and most favourably talent show contestants because it provides a talking point.

It doesn't stop here. A change in image might be the best way to get the public talking, but this doesn't mean they are talking about your music. Selling the most records is becoming not as

imperative, as it once was. A career in fashion is appealing to those in the music industry, craving that celeb style status.

Constant appearances in the weekly fashion pages, secure the style icon status, for those NOT technically in fashion. Lady Gaga's music has made her one of the most successful female solo artists. Yet it is her 'House of Gaga' branding that keeps the fashion world talking. The icon even expresses her relationship with fashion lyrically; with “walk, walk fashion baby” positioning her as one of the most controversial stars. Not just amongst the music industry but in the fashion industry also.

So what do you think? is being fashionable really an essential part of a long-established career in music or is it just about the VOICE?

Words: Nathalie Dawe

Rihanna launches collection for River Island

Fiery red hair, bold stripes, geometric prints, hot leather, high-waisted denim and the 90's crop top are just SOME of the key pieces that define our intentional superstars style.

Rihanna's look has long been imitated by the fashion chain and by each and everyone of us since she burst out those catchy 'oooh na na whats my name?' lyrics. The release of this video alongside THAT X Factor performance saw the star transform herself from being not just a great singer but the music industry's new leading lady of style.

Image: http://www.riverisland.com - Rihanna for River Island

We are all guilty of updating our wardrobes to try and achieve that same unique EDGE emitted by the stars 'savvy' style. So it's only natural that the 25 year old Barbados princess should make that sought after transition from pop-star to fashion designer (as do many others).

The fine line between music and fashion becomes increasingly blurred, the combination of the art's reminds me of an earlier article written as part of my Final Major Project during my studies at University - A discussion about the merging of the music and fashion industry, highlights some of what I believe to be the pinpointing events between the two industries. (This article will feature as part of my blog very shortly)

But for now I'd like to take a look at the stars latest collection and pick out my favourite pieces. So here they are...

Stripe shirt; £45.00 - Pendant Backpack; £60.00 - High-waisted shorts; £30.00
Image: http://www.riverisland.com/women/rihanna-for-river-island-collection

Each piece epitomizes Rihanna's love of monochrome, stripes, denim and bold colour adopting high-lighter pen yellow as the signature colour of the collection.

Dungaree crop top; £30.00 - Trucker boots; £95.00 - Yellow crop top; £20.00
Image: http://ww.riverisland.com/women/rihanna-for-river-island-collection

One of my favourite key-pieces from the collection is the dungaree style crop top - this piece can be worked into your day-to-night wardrobe for an edgey style update. Weather worn with a  high-waisted mid-length midi skirt or over a buttoned up shirt/dress this is a really versatile piece.

Turtle neck crop top; £35.00 - Sheer maxi dress; £60.00 - Thigh split maxi skirt; £40.00
Image: http://www.riverislan.com/women/rihanna-for-river-island-collection

Anybody who knows me will also know how much I adore maxi and midi lengths - I feel longer lengths when worn with heels help to elongate my 5'2" figure. The Rihanna collection has some great longer length key pieces. The use of sheer fabrics and thigh-high splits create an understated sexiness creating the perfect balance between edgy style and class. 
  
The collection has already started to sell out online, so log on quickly the snap up your own key piece for achieving the ultimate 'Rihanna' style. 

Shop the collection at:
http://www.riverisland.com/women/rihanna-for-river-island-collection

Words: Nathalie Dawe
Image Composition: Nathalie Dawe