Darling, sweetie, Tesco Books bloguettes,
As the author of Confessions of a Fashionista, let me introduce you to the beautiful and bizarre world of fashion. I appeared in my first advertising campaign at the age of two and walked my first catwalk at four, holding Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell’s hands…oh who am I kidding…
That’s no more than wishful thinking for all the times I’ve been caught in the teeth-whitened-glare of a frightfully posh, terribly well connected fashionista and wished I could say something a little more embroidered about where I’m from. Truth is, I was born in Watford, I went to a local state comprehensive and I did not have a walk-in wardrobe. I’m just an ordinary girl who ended up working in the extraordinary world of fashion.
At 5’4″, a size ten with an over exuberant number of freckles, mousey hair and glasses, I doubt anyone would have predicted I’d end up in the industry. I certainly didn’t.
I didn’t study design. I wasn’t obsessed by Vogue from the age of three. My first and only clear memory of clothes is of a wine purple velvet party dress with a white lace collar. I hated it. It itched.
So, how did I end up working in fashion? Well, a number of things happened. I was dumped and heartbroken. I had a self-confidence crisis: I drank a lot of wine and cried all over friends, family, strangers on the bus. I landed a job on the Harrods Graduate Scheme, which may or may not have been down to my hair being accidentally bleached to look like Barbie. I experienced my first photo shoot, and I handled my first designer clothes and BOOM! My eyes were opened to fashion land. With a hop, skip and a trip-over-my-heels, I bagged myself a job at a creative agency working on magazine shoots, advertising campaigns and catwalk shows. Did I mention I shared a taxi with Alexander McQueen? Oh well, that’s another story.
I wrote the online Confessions of a Fashionista column to show people you can work in fashion and be funny. I was delighted with the positive response, who knew people were so fascinated about the inner workings of an industry populated by supermodels, label lunatics and designer dogs?!
The column came to an end in December 2012, which was perfect timing for me to come out all handbags blazing and reveal my identity for the book. Confessions of a Fashionista is all about how I got into fashion, got into trouble, and got back out again. If you fancy finding out what it’s like working with famous teen actresses who make themselves sick, models who talk dirty to their boyfriend in front of you, and what fashionistas really eat then check it out. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed living it (minus the sore feet from the heels).
The lovely Tesco Books Blog have invited me back next month to write about the latest looks for Spring/Summer and launch a very exciting competition. Brace yourself. Do you fancy winning a Lulu Guinness bag? I’ll save you a seat on the front row. Until then, stay stylish.
Air kisses,
Angela xxx
