Posted by Rebekah Roy on August 20th, 2009
There are so many interesting jobs in fashion and it’s hard to learn what people really do. I had the opportunity to ask Jessica Bumpus from VOGUE.COM a few questions about her job.
What does a Fashion Features Editor do?
JB - As fashion features editor at VOGUE.COM I write and break daily fashion news (with my colleague Lauren Milligan), interview designers, compile and edit the VOGUE.COM Loves page (looking for interesting new designers, products, places etc. to feature), edit and compile the Street Chic pages (whereupon I take to the streets of London – or go to places like Chelsea Flower Show and Royal Ascot - to find the capital’s most stylish people), as well as attend/cover events and the shows during Fashion Week – which I especially love. It’s busy, varied and exciting – again, all of which I love.
What is the best part about your job?
JB - The variety, and the fact it’s the job that I always wanted to do - being a fashion journalist - and I’m actually doing it. One day I could be out reporting on the shows during London Fashion Week, another I could be filming or politely chasing someone down the street to take their picture for Street Chic and on another I’ll be wading through hundreds of emails in the office.
Another great part of my job is the people I get to meet and work with; from new designers that you’re really excited about to established designers that you’ve admired for so long, and the rest of the VOGUE.COM fashion team.
Who is your favourite writer?
JB - That’s a really difficult question and depends on what exactly I’m reading, though I don’t think I have just one favourite - I just like to read as much as I can by a variety of people. It’s always good to get a different perspective on things.
What are you reading right now?
JB - The new issue of Vogue, J.B. Priestley’s The Good Companions and Carrie’s War – which I saw at the theatre at the weekend and just loved. I’m also getting excited about the new Philippa Gregory books that are coming out.
What advice do you have for someone wanting to get into the fashion industry?
JB - Work hard, be willing, keen and enthusiastic – but be realistic – and try and do as much work experience as you can. It’s the way in and it’s invaluable in terms of you learning about yourself and developing your own skills, as well as finding out about the way the industry works, which is something that can’t be taught in a classroom.
I’ve heard you never wear the same outfit twice. Is this true?
JB - Um, possibly! Though it’s not necessarily on purpose – I do just have a very vast wardrobe and pluck things out from years and years ago that people have never seen before, mixed with new purchases and old favourites. I like to think of it as collecting!
What is your favourite flavour of crisps?
JB - I’m not too keen on crisps but if I had to make a choice it would be Walkers Worcester Sauce or Flamin’ Hot Monster Munch, I think.
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Posted by Rebekah Roy on March 31st, 2009
I feel very lucky to be on Vogue Street Chic. I’m always checking out online street styles around the world. It just amazes me that all this information is just a few clicks away. I remember going to see trend presentations by Cotton Inc and we were looking at denim samples that they had sourced from all over the world. It was amazing to see all the samples they collected and listen to all their fashion stories.
Trend presentations are still important. It’s essential to touch the fabric and see how they move but it’s amazing that we can see all these different styles online including mine!
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Posted by Rebekah Roy on January 6th, 2009
I’ve always believed luck favours the prepared. The tricky thing about luck is that you have to be able to recongnize the opportunity and go for it - take a risk. Leisa went for it and ended up working for Vogue!
What got you interested in fashion?
LB - I had a pretty low-key upbringing in the North East of England, and I was the girl who got laughed at because I didn’t have "real" Adidas tracksuit bottoms for PE - I had the cheap ones off the market, with two stripes instead of three. I have always loved dressing up but it was really only when I went to university and a friend introduced me to Vogue - which I had always known about, but had never realised could be for people like me - that I started paying a lot more attention. I worked weekends at Wallis and pretty much all my wages went back into clothes. And shoes. Shoes are my weakness.
Where did you go to school?
LB - I went to a regular comprehensive in Stockon-on-Tees, where I grew up. I loved languages and always wanted to be a writer.
How did you start working at Vogue.com?
LB - An insanely lucky break. I lived in Japan teaching English for two years after I graduated (with a BA Hons in English from the University of York), and when I came back to the UK in 2005 I moved to London, where I took an admin job to pay the rent. Every year I’d thought about entering the Vogue Talent Contest, the annual competition the magazine runs to promote young writers, but never quite done it. That year I was at a bit of a loose end and just went for it. I remain shocked that I won. That got me a month’s work experience on the magazine, who have always been amazingly supportive of me, and I did a little freelance work around the company following that until the opening at VOGUE.COM came up.
Is fashion as cut throat as everyone says it is?
LB - I can only speak from my own experience, which has been an incredibly privileged one. I don’t know about cut throat, but just like any competitive industry, it can be tough. It might look easy and glamorous, but it’s intense; everybody works very, very hard. But the upside to that is that everyone really wants to be doing it, so they’re willing to put in the hours and the effort, and that’s an inspirational environment to work in.
What is the best thing about your job?
LB - Feeling that you are literally at the cutting edge of everything that’s happening in the industry. When something major happens, we can get a story live on the website in less than 20 minutes. It is such a thrill to be the first to break news then see it picked up by all manner of other sources. Of course, that extends to supporting young designers, too; it’s great to be able to write about someone relatively new then watch their business grow season on season. I get to go to some pretty nice parties, too - but that’s a bonus, and I always remember that it’s work.
What is the biggest challenge you have at work?
LB - Time. I always need more of it. Because we turn things around so quickly, there’s no time to sit back and reflect on your achievements - before I’ve finished one thing, I’ve already got to be halfway through the next. It’s madness when show season is thrown into the mix. But a thrilling, delirious kind of madness.
What has been your best fashion moment?
LB - There have been a million. Most recently, it was meeting Stefano Pilati when he came to London for his Sunday Times Style lecture with Colin McDowell. I am a huge fan of his work at YSL and to hear him speak in public, then catch up with him over drinks afterwards – in the Connaught Bar, no less - was pretty much my dream evening. I had an "I need to pinch myself" moment in the cab on the way home.
What advice do you have for someone wanting to get into the fashion industry?
LB - That’s a really tricky question for me to answer as I went down such an unconventional route. The one thing I regretted not having when I started out was enough technical or historical knowledge, so a fashion course would be the obvious place to start. But above all, I’d say it’s like anything; know your stuff, put in the time, learn who is who, and be willing to start at the very bottom and work your way up. I came to VOGUE.COM first as a show coordinator, requesting catwalk tickets, then moved on to coordinating the video content across all of the CondeNet UK websites before my current job – the one I wanted – came up. If you can get your foot in the door, it’s all good, so be prepared to readjust your short term expectations for long term benefit.
Who is your fashion icon and why?
LB - I’m not sure I really have one - though somewhat predictably, I went through a phase of being obsessed with Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast At Tiffany’s when I was younger, so I guess I err towards the chic and neurotic.
Leisa’s photo was taken by Michael Gray.
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Posted by Rebekah Roy on June 11th, 2008
How cool is this! I thought being asked to speak at the Barbican was a great privilege and honour. And now to be on Vogue.co.uk is so so cool!
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Posted by Rebekah Roy on January 11th, 2008
All day I was looking forward to the fashion debate at the Design Museum, it’s part of the “Matthew Williamson 10 Years In Fashion” exhibition. The panel featured Alexandra Shulman, editor of British Vogue and Joseph Velosa, CEO of Matthew Williamson, and there was an additional guest Anna Garner, head of fashion at Selfridges.
This wasn’t really a fashion debate but more of a question-and-answer forum. Two fashion students had the opportunity to ask the questions. This was a good lecture for design students, as much of the focus was the business of fashion: the importance of a business plan, understanding your buyers and your relationship with the media.
The lecture was worth it just to listen to Alexandra Shulman speak about Vogue, advertising, designers and London Fashion Week. Years ago I did work experience at Vogue and I told Lucinda Chambers that I was amazed how friendly and helpful everyone was (I think I was expecting a Devil Wears Prada type of atmosphere), Lucinda said it was all because of Alexandra, that she sets the tone.
This is what I love about London: for £10 I can go and listen to one of the most influential women in British fashion and see the work of one of London’s top designers!
The exhibition is on until January 31st.
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