After a couple of months spent job hunting for my dream job and then spending some time searching just for some more work experience, it seems I have settled for somewhere in between. I am now working part time in retail and began doing a part time internship in a fashion PR company alongside it.

Having had no previous retail experience, I was very fortunate to gain a sales associate position in a high end high street shop and had no idea of the long hours associated with retail - especially in the lead up to Christmas.

However in the last week I have had to take on more shifts at work, as Christmas is fast approaching, which has unfortunately forced me to finish my PR placement early.

Hopefully after Christmas I can take on some more work experience!

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Graduate unemployment set to double to 40,000 amid struggle to find work in recession

Graduate unemployment hits all time high.

These are just a few of the newspaper headlines regarding Graduate unemployment at the moment.

As a new Fashion Graduate I must admit I am finding it particularly hard to find a job. This is leaving me in a bit of a predicament as to whether to get some unpaid work experience for the next 6 to 12 months or to keep searching for a paid position.

It’s so hard when you’re starting out in the fashion industry. Most work is unpaid and I have been told that most people these days land a paid job from their internship. With this as an incentive I may just have do some more work experience.

After concentrating on looking for something that is full time and paid for the last couple of months, it now seems quite scary looking for an unpaid internship.

I have begun by applying for work experience at many fashion magazines as this is where I would ultimately love to work! Last week I had an interview for an internship at a fashion and events PR company and I also had another interview at a fashion magazine so fingers crossed that something comes of this! With a few other interviews in store this week, my confidence is starting to increase and I am finally feeling really positive about everything!

My advice for anyone in the same position as I am in at the moment is to not give up and do your best to stay motivated - I know it is easier said than done but I believe that something will eventually turn up!

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Fortunately this September I had the opportunity to assist Stylist Rebekah Roy again at London Fashion Week Spring Summer 2010! The shows I assisted at were The Ones to Watch, Jasper Garvida, Alice Palmer, Harriet’s Muse, Fashion Shenzhen and William Tempest.

Friday 18th September: The Ones to Watch showcasing 4 new designers Ada Zanditon, Dean Quinn, Hermione de Paula & Marko Mitanovski. The backstage area was quite chaotic as there were 4 different designers with about 12 looks each. I assisted closely with Marko Mitanovski’s collection, as there were lots of garments to each look and very theatrical hair and makeup to work with!

Saturday 19th September: Jasper Garvida presentation at the On/Off venue. The collection was very colourful with some multi coloured crochet pieces and a lot of detailed evening wear. Fittings ran smoothly but I left to go to the next show and set up, so I didn’t get to actually see the presentation but I heard it ran well!

Alice Palmer then showcased her new knitwear collection. The pieces were absolutely beautiful. Alice Palmer collaborated with jewellery designer’s Fannie Schiavoni S/S 10 collection (which I love!)

I got the opportunity to see a couple of fashion shows during the Friday and Saturday, which I really enjoy doing!

Sunday 20th September: Harriet’s Muse presentation took place. This year they were showcasing their Spring Summer ’10 collection on 13 black mannequins with 2 models. This was my first ever experience dressing mannequins which was interesting! I particularly liked the use of belts/corsets draped across the mannequin’s shoulders. Stuck around for the presentation, which seemed a great success!

I then saw the Alexandra Agrover Presentation, which featured a short film and lots and lots of black! Even black liquorice!

I also had the opportunity to see this years Merit Award designer David Koma’s show.

Monday 21st September: Fashion Shenzhen are 3 Chinese Fashion Designers Xiendier, Ground Show and Tangy and they have not shown in London before now. Two of the designers had 12 looks each and the other designer had 24 looks which made for 4 changes per model- being very organised helped fittings run efficiently! There was definitely a language barrier between the designer and us working and there were even translators but luckily this did not stop the show being effective.

Straight afterward was the call time for last years Merit Award designer, William Tempest showcasing his Spring Summer 2010 collection that was stunning in corals, charcoal and metallic. I particularly loved the addition of handbags! Everything was very organised and particularly calm back stage- which made for a wonderful end to a chaotic week!

Yet again I’d like to thank Rebekah Roy for giving me the opportunity to help out at London Fashion Week- the experience that I have gained during the past 2 seasons is so invaluable!

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After a couple of well earned months holidaying and relaxing, I am suddenly starting to feel the pressure of being a new fashion graduate looking for work in London.

As the economy is currently experiencing a recession the job market is extremely competitive, especially for new graduates. However I am determined to land my dream job!

Having already confirmed myself a styling assistance job at London Fashion Week 2009 I am continuing to send off CVs in search of further work experience.

Currently I am looking for fashion related placements and fingers crossed one of these may land into a full time position within the near future.

Despite really enjoying work experience placements and being really fortunate for all the invaluable opportunities I have had in the past year in fashion, I look forward to finding a full time paid job that showcases what I have learnt and allows me to develop my skills further.

For the meantime I am tweaking my CV and applying for a part time job in Selfridges and Harrods on the shop floor in the fashion department. Wish me luck…………..

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Three years have shot by and having endured one of the most hard working years of my life so far, I have finally finished my degree in Fashion Design at Nottingham Trent University! I am now looking forward to the next chapter of my fashion career in the big smoke.

After updating my CV with a BA (Hons) Degree in Fashion Design (!!!!) I began thinking about what exactly I wanted to do next. I feel that I need to gain much more work experience in different areas of fashion in order to find out.

After working with stylist Rebekah Roy at fashion shoots and fashion shows, and with an internship at Tank Magazine under my belt, I have learned that styling and fashion shows are one of my passions. However, I want to experience other fields too, such as buying and PR whilst continuing to gain work experience within styling and magazines.

So I began by following up my leads with Another Magazine from the beginning of last summer, at which I had an interview but my dates for work experience were not compatible with when the magazine went to print. I have kept in contact with the editor all year and am eagerly awaiting his response!

I was also contacted by Dazed and Confused Magazine last September after applying for an internship for the summer, but unfortunately it was when I was attending Paris Fashion Week with my university. So I have also emailed Dazed and Confused my updated CV.

I then emailed several other fashion magazines my CV with a covering letter and whilst awaiting replies I have been searching for some buying work experience. I understand that buying is still very much involved with fashion and trends, but I would love the experience to work with a buyer to find out more. I have a lot of searching yet to do!

Sana Zod BA

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