Introducing: Bijoux Bazaar and the girl behind the brand.

One of the reasons I love having this blog is because I get to introduce other people to the things that I've fallen in love with. Having this tiny little space on the net means I can write about the people I adore, the projects I'm in awe of and, the brands I'm inspired by. 

Today, I'm going to introduce you to Bijoux Bazaar - a new online jewellery boutique launched by one of the most creative, stylish and fashion forward thinking girls that can call a friend. Can you guess who? Yup, it's the lovely Lucy Smith - ( I've chatted to hear before on my blog, remember?). Lucy is a fashion intern queen (think ASOS, GRAZIA and Company) who graduated with a First Class Honors in Fashion Promotion.

Lucy's new fashion venture is her beautiful new baby - Bijoux Bazaar. This wonderful online treasure chest of the most beautiful jewels you've ever seen, offers you on trend, staple items for very easy on the eye prices. If you like statement necklaces, bejewelled cuffs and gem speckled earrings then Bijoux Bazaar is going to be your favourite boutique ever. Believe me.

Obviously, in true By Mimi style, I couldn't resist chatting to Lucy herself to get a little insight into her new project.

Q&A with Lucy Smith - founder of Bijoux Bazaar 
Hi Lucy, first of all, huge congratulations on launching Bijoux Bazaar! I've already bought my first purchase and my wish list has been written! Last time we chatted you had just completed your time working as a Company Grad - when did you decide to launch your own jewellery bazaar?  
I've always been business minded, but never really considered it as a career option until I was in my final year of Uni. As a kid I would drag my Mum to car boot sales to sell my old toys and clothes.. I loved the whole buying and selling thing.. a right little Del Boy! ha!

We know of quite a few graduates who have decided to launch their own brands, why do you think it's becoming so popular?
I think with the job market the way it is at the moment, graduates are having to get creative when it comes to making a living. Especially with creative courses.. students are becoming wise to the fact that they have made all of the contacts they need whilst at Uni, whether it's through class mates or whilst interning.

What can we expect from Bijoux Bazaar? Tell us about your inspirations/styles and where did the name come from?
Well, our site is quite basic as the moment. I hope to expand with strong editorial content and a stronger, more interactive website. I pretty much just shop for the business as I would shop for myself! I take into consideration trends, commerciality and what all of my friends are wearing and loving. They are my target customer.. so it's pretty easy in that respect. The name was something I agonised over for such a long time. I really liked the word 'bijoux', which is French for jewellery. The word Bazaar just completely encompasses the brand as a whole. I wanted the website to be like a digital Aladdin's cave.. like the bazaars and souks in Eastern countries.

Does an item have to have a specific look to catch your eye?
I guess I look for the more 'statement' jewellery. I've never really been a dainty jewellery lover.. the first thing my boyfriend said he noticed about me was the ridiculous sized turquoise stones wrapped around my neck.. so I guess that says it all. It's not to everyone's taste, but I would't feel comfortable selling something I didn't love and feel proud to offer our customers. 

We know that you're a huge admirer of fashion ( just take one look at Lucy's blog and you'll see the amazing depth of knowledge and keen eye for on trend pieces), so why did you decide to go down the path of jewellery?
Well I'm a huge accessories girl. They're a total outfit game changer, with jewellery being my guilty pleasure. I felt there was room in the market for an online retail destination where customers could shop beautiful trend let statement jewellery at affordable prices.

We know this is just the beginning, but what plans do you have for BB? What are you hoping to come of this new venture? 
It is hugely early days, as we only launched on Wednesday.. but I would like to see the business grow. I would love to build up a strong customer base.. stock a larger variety of jewellery and maybe branch out into other accessory areas. The main thing for me is developing the website. I have big dreams that I would love to fulfil, but I'm constantly reminding myself to take one step at a time. We have had a fantastic response already from customers and the fashion media. Look out for us in some of your favourite fashion glossies soon!

By Mimi

Q&A with PAPERSELF lashes

 

So, as promised here is the Q&A with PAPERSELF. Find them   on Facebook and Twitter

Also, if you haven't already then make sure you check out yesterday's review. 

On By Mimi, we love to find out a little bit about those working in the fashion industry. It not only give yous you a little background into the brand or person that I've written about, but it also adds a little something extra to the blog. So, here's my 5 minute Q&A with PAPERSELF. 

 We know that you launched in 2009, but what did your first collection look like and how has it changed now?

PAPERSELF begun through a motivation to innovate the way people think about paper, turning it from a house hold item into an artistic piece of jewellery for the eyes. This passion created  “The world’s first and leading wearable paper-art eyelashes!” and we formed a new trend in the market. We have always focused on creating pieces of wearable art and have created (and continue to create) the first contemporary storytelling lashes.

Where do you get your inspiration from for your designs?

PAPERSELF eyelashes are filled with character inspired by the art of Chinese paper-cutting. Eyelashes blend an element of traditional culture with contemporary design. Each design has a symbolic meaning: Deer & Butterfly (Free, Beautiful and Sensitive), Peacock (Auspicious and lucky days), Birds (Happiness and Fulfilment). The lashes can be cut and combined in various ways for different occasions.

I remember seeing you at my very first fashion week in London, what did it feel like for you to be showcasing your lashes there?

As PAPERSELF are a London based brand, LFW is always the most premier high end place for us to showcase. We have also done a variety of other fashion weeks and shows across the world. However! LFW is a lot of Fun , a lot of press, and many vibrant and interesting people - very different to other fashion weeks we’ve showcased at.

What's been the most exciting thing for PAPERSELF?

The amazing growth the brand has had over the last few years has been very exciting. Winning the Nylon Beauty award 2012 and Being in Hollywood film the Hunger Games 2012 were also perks of our journey so far. 

What's next for you?

Many exciting things, This is the beginning of a Paper revolution- and we’ve only just begun!

There you go! Thanks again to PAPERSELF x

Make sure you visit the PAPERSELF website for more information, pictures and inspiration, and also how to purchase your own lashes! Send me a picture if you do!

By Mimi

Q&A with Company Editor, Victoria White

We are incredibly lucky to feature this wonderfully interesting Q&A with the Editor of Company Mag, Victoria White. This may sound a little clichéd but she really is a woman that needs no introduction.  She took time out of running the incredibly creative and equally unique Company Magazine to answer a few little questions for us.

Enjoy!

Let’s get down to basics:

Your role at Company and day to day roles: Editor. Every day is different. My favourite days are brainstorming with the team ideas for fashion shoots or features, but some days involve meeting advertisers, attending press launches or boring finance stuff!

How long have you been there? I’ve been Editor for 8 years and before that I was the Deputy Editor for 3.

How did you get there? I went to Sussex University and did work experience at a magazine called Inside Soap who offered me a job once I’d been there off and on for year (this doesn’t happen much anymore!). I worked there for four years and was then offered an Editorship in Australia for a TV Mag which I jumped at. From there, I moved to LA to be a Showbiz Correspondent and finally returned to the UK to become Deputy Editor on a woman’s mag called B. Then, I moved to Company.

What would be your main career tip? Make contacts with people and keep in touch.

Let’s talk Company Grad Takeover!

Can you tell us why Company decided to start this unique scheme?

We wanted to get more involved in Graduate Fashion Week as we’ve partnered with them for many years and had a presence at the event. This year, I wanted to take it a step further and let fashion grads have their say about Company.

How long has Company Magazine been running the project?

This is our first year but we had such a ball doing it that I’m sure we’ll do it again!

We’ve heard from Lucy about the application process, but what was it like at your end? What were you looking for from the applicants?

The applicants had to submit a mood board or a piece talking about A/W12 and what it meant to them. We received hundreds of applications but we chose the best 20 and invited those 20 to Graduate Fashion Week to take part in a workshop with myself, our Associate Editor and

our Web Editor. They then had to work in groups to do their dream Company Cover and we pulled each girl aside to discuss feature ideas with them and do a general interview. It was pretty tough really, which is why our final 8 were so amazing.

Bit of a cheeky little question, but on the very first day you met the graduates, who was the person who stood out the most and why?

Oh no! That’s like asking me to pick one of my children. What I would say is how impressed we were with the standard of all 8.

How did it feel giving full responsibility to the graduates? It must have been hard letting them loose on your magazine after you spend so much time making it as amazing as it is.

Actually, it was quite liberating and in some ways they didn’t really take it as far as I’d have liked. They were quite conservative with my flatplan really. Though we have gone back to normal for the next month I must confess.

Can you tell us how you feel the week went? What time of roles/jobs did the graduates undertake and how much power did they really have? How hands on were the graduates?

I hope they felt very hands on. They came to our initial planning meeting for the issue and then all had various jobs to do on the mag. Several of them got involved in styling and they all had a go at writing a feature of interviewing various people. One of them created all the mood boards for a special fashion piece across 8 pages. Oh and they all interviewed Fearne Cotton for the cover story!

It sounds amazing. Why is it important for you as an Editor and for Company as a magazine to give graduates this amazingly hands on experience?

It’s important for Company to listen to what young women have to say as this is a magazine for them. It’s also important to support up and coming fashion talent because they are the future of our industry. For me, I just love having fresh ideas all the time, it’s the most exciting bit of my job.

Allowing young graduates to completely take over a magazine is incredibly brave and daring, yet shows how much faith Company has in young journalists. What inspired Company to stand apart from the other high street magazines and start this unique competition?

I think because Company is unique, it’s not like any other women’s magazine and we do feature so many inspiring real women all the time.

This is taking it to the next level.

The October issue that the grads designed is out today, what can we expect?

Well as I mentioned a gorgeous fashion special designed and created by one of our Company Grads, an interview with Fearne Cotton done by the grads PLUS, it’s a new season so a bit of a beauty special.

As we’ve had a little chat with Lucy (Company Grad), we’d love to hear what you think of her!

I loved Lucy at the interview stages as she was so bright and sparky and produced a brilliant magazine as part of her course. Once she was here, what we loved was hearing about her model brother!!!  (Lucy’s brother Rory Smith is a young up and coming model)

For the aspiring young journalists who are thinking of applying next year, what advice would you give them?

GIVE IT A GO!! 

The October Issue of Company Magazine is out today.

http://www.company.co.uk/

Q&A with Lucy Smith

Lucy Smith is a name you should remember, for I personally think she has an exciting career ahead of her. Not only did she graduate with a First Class Honors in Fashion Promotion, but she also created an entire magazine, called Grandeur, as part of her course at Atrium. 

The first edition of this magazine featured an array of articles from contributing writers, eager to work with Lucy, as well as her own words. She not only features Q&As with some of the industries talented writers, she also interviewed the Art Director of Russian Vogue (yes, I said Vogue) Fiona Hayes.

Here, we ask Lucy some of the questions that guys wanted answers to.

Let’s get down to basics:

Name - Lucy Smith

University - Atrium, University of Glamorgan

Tell us about your previous internships: Asos, Daily Express, LynkU (FashionForLunch Fashion Blog), Assistant to Journalist Lynnette Peck Bateman at LFW, Backstage with ASHISH at LFW

What are your aspirations? Fashion Features Writer -> Accessories Editor -> Editor At Large at a high fashion glossy

Now let’s talk Company Grad Takeover!

Tell us how you heard about the Company Takeover comp and why you decided to apply?

YOU! Haha, you posted the link via Facebook. I was on the verge of graduation and in the midst of applying for any and every job I could find. It looked like such a great competition, and I'm such a huge fan of Company anyway, so I figured it would be pretty great to live out my dream job and guest-edit a whole issue. I never actually thought I'd be shortlisted though, let alone win!

Talk us through your own personal application experiences. What did you have to do?

Firstly I had to create an A/W '12 mood board. I have been obsessed with those shows since February, so jumped at the chance to pour over the collections again. I also wrote a trend report to add weighting to the image I had created. This resulted in being chosen to be in the final round at Graduate Fashion Week, where we were interviewed by the judges (including the Ed, Victoria White) and had to pitch our feature ideas for the October issue to the judges.

After all that hard work, how did you feel when you found out you'd been selected to guest edit the issue?

Elated! Even though I have had internship experience, this was my chance to really live out my dream job and experience the environment I have worked so hard to be part of! Another step up the ladder!

As part of the final 8, you were asked to travel to London and work at the magazine for one week, compiling the October issue of the magazine. How did you feel arriving on your first day?

Slightly nervous as I wasn't too sure what to expect. There is a Pret right next-door to the Hearst building, which seemed to be the unofficial meeting point for us grads before we headed in. A green tea and excited exchange of predictions of the day later, it was nice to have the other girls in the same boat as me!

How about the rest of the week? What type of roles/jobs did you do? Can you talk us through one of your favourite days?

The first day was great as it was the big features/editorial meeting to discuss ideas for the issue and how they would be realised. My favourite day has to be when we shot the cover with Fearne Cotton. We spent all day in the most amazing studios in Hoxton, shooting looks for the editorial. We then got to interview her which was so great! She's really lovely and... I hate this word… but so COOL! Her answers were perfect, -she's obviously well practiced! I had to remind myself that it was not socially acceptable to stare at her constantly.

How did it feel knowing that the work you were doing during your time at Company would be read by thousands of readers within a few months? 

In a word: amazing. I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to write my own feature, that they decided to use! It will be my first published piece of work. I'm so excited to see it in print!! The team let us grads have such a hands on role. I couldn't believe it!  

Do you feel other magazines should put the same amount of faith in graduates as Company Magazine? And do you think Company were brave to put their trust in grads?

Even if they had hated everything I had done I would probably still be gushing about the experience! Haha. I think opportunities like this are important to graduates. After all, they are the next generation of writers, art directors, stylists etc. The opportunities we are given today will be the ones that mould us into the professionals we will hopefully be in the future, so why wouldn't you want to provide the strongest foundation possible? It's so hard to get into any industry these days, and fashion had been branded as notoriously competitive even before the budget cuts. There is also barely any government funding for fashion students... especially in Wales. For an industry that impacts so heavily on UK tourism and the image of the nation to the rest of the world I think it's pretty poor. I read the other day that the fashion industry's impact on the UK's GVA is £37.2 billion. Yeah.. definitely not worth investing in the future decision makers of that industry. (Pulls face, rolls eyes). Ok ok.. I'm going to stop now! Let's stick to the topic in hand or I will bore you to death with the politics of it all! ha!

We love your passion!

So talk us through your career path. How much of an impact do you think this week will have on your future career?

It looks pretty great on my CV. And as I said before, the experience was so hands on. I would say it's a step between interning and actual paid job. Pretty unique in that respect as people usually just have either or... If you know what I mean! It also meant that I got to meet the other lovely graduates! Whom I hope to be working alongside with one day! Refreshingly lovely, talented girls. 

We can see you’ve taken a lot from this unique experience. For those reading this who are budding writers like yourself, would you recommend the competition to them and what advice would you give to those thinking of applying?

Absolutely. I would say be as creative as you can. Remember you need to stand out against hundreds or thousands of entries so go that extra mile. Remember your target audience. 

You can read all about Lucy’s experience in her own wonderful words at her blog: http://stylebysmith.blogspot.co.uk/

And check out her magazine here: http://issuu.com/lucysmith_fashion/docs/grandeur

Interview with Emesha

So last season was my first London Fashion Week. It was exciting, unforgettable and well, crazy! When I was there, I took note of all the fashion designers that really interested me and Emesha was definitely one of them. Since last September, I have kept up to date which Emesha's career and I'm incredibly blessed to have an interview with the woman behind the designs, Emesha Nagy, here on Fashion by Mimi. Have a little read and fall in love, just like I did!

 Hi Emesha, How are you?

Very busy at the moment as we’re just getting ready for fashion week, but really excited at the same time!

Since graduating from the London College of Fashion in 2006, you have gone from strength to strength. You launched your own company in 2009 and have worked with designers such as Vivienne Westwood and Jasper Conran. After tackling London last year, you're now planning for Milan Fashion Week Tell us, how does it feel to be where you are right now?

It feels really great. However with only a few seasons under my belt I am still very much a start-up designer and although it has been a long journey, there’s still so much further to go. Fashion is not a quick fix; you have to be in it for the long haul. I started as an intern like most designers, and have been taking it step by step ever since. Since my first UK exhibition at London Fashion Week in February 2010 the label has developed considerably and now hopefully we are expending a bit further into Europe.

I have just recently won the Mishcon de Reya mentoring award offered by industry professionals which is an amazing opportunity and also fantastic recognition of my work. It has been a great experience and I feel I have matured a lot over the years both personally and professionally.

Tell us the inspirations behind your designs? Why did you become a designer?

I am very inspired by effortlessly dressed women with a masculine edge. I create boy-meets-girl looks, using old techniques making them into new, modern designs. The fashion industry has strong tendency to ‘update the past,’ looking back in time for inspiration.

As a 21^st century woman I feel there is a need for fresh and contemporary design. This combined with the passion to do the least harm to the environment has led to create my own label.

Why is sustainable fashion so important to you?

Clothes today have no value and 21^st century fashion is unbelievably fast. As a result the industry produces too many bad quality products that people throw away normally within just months of their purchase. This is a very big environmental issue, especially when you consider that most of these clothes are made of polyester and are non-biodegradable. Once at the end of their life-cycle these garments have a detrimental impact upon our environment.

Fashion is what I know, and it is through fashion - creating quality products and drawing attention to these problems - where I can make a difference.

Do you think it is harder to be ethical and fashionable at the same time?

It used to be a challenge but I think today more and more ethical/sustainable designers focus on design and quality resulting in fashion conscious and wearable collections, I think it’s worth having a little look around.

Tell us about your Spring Summer designs for 2012

I am totally in love with my SS12 collection. It is the first season we have worked included prints in my designs (in collaboration with Lisa Stannard) and I think they really compliment the sharp tailored features. The collection is based on experimenting with analogue and digital techniques to add an extra edge to the recurring block colours seen in previous collections. I also experimented quite a lot with different pleating techniques resulting in very exciting 3D textures.

What's planned for you for 2012

We have a few exciting projects coming up which I cannot talk about yet, but as you mentioned earlier Milan Fashion Week is on the cards. I will also be participating at London Fashion Weekend which is an amazing shopping event held at Somerset House just after London Fashion Week. We will share a boutique with a few other Estethica designers and will be offering the new SS12 collection 40% off just before the season, so be sure not to miss it! 

If you want to check out Emesha's other collections or find out a bit more about the designer, then visit http://www.emesha.com/

Miss Naomi Thompson

"Don't pick an era because you think it's fashionable"

Afternoon lovelies, I am writing this while watching my daily intake of trash tv. Today is The Real Housewives of New York City. I shamefully love this program and find it easier to work while watching some gentle, relaxing easy-watching tv.

So, today's post is a total contrast to all of that as it involves the forever glamorous Naomi Thompson!

The Fashion Society was very lucky to have the vintage vixen come all the way from Portsmouth to give us a talk on how she managed to get where she was today and of course all things vintage. Now, for those of you who may not have heard of Naomi (I'm sure you have ;) ), she is an absolute darling. As well as being part of the well known Vintage Mafia, she is also the self proclaimed first Vintage Personal Shopper that the UK has seen and has appeared on The One Show, Channel 4's I love the 1950s and featured in prestigious magazines such as British Vogue. 
After studying Law at Uni, Naomi found herself in one of the most creative and unique places on earth; London. The madness and creativity of this cultured city just encouraged Naomi to explore with vintage. However, nowadays, you can find her at her home in Portsmouth. 
Naomi was lucky enough to be brought up around vintage as her Grandmother worked on old sitcoms. This meant that the gorgeous lady was surrounded by amazing items and treasures and soon her bedroom became like a vintage walk-in wardrobe. 

"At one point, I had about 600 dresses in my house!"

As well as talking about her up and coming book: Style Me Vintage: Clothes: A Guide to Sourcing and Creating Retro Looks, Naomi also gave our girls some top vintage finding and sourcing tips. 

How to date Vintage:

- Look at the fastening- post 50s will have a zip down the side and many plastic zips are late 50s. 

- Shoulder pads came on in the 30s so don't assume it's from the powerful 80s! Early shoulder pads were smaller and stitched into the garment. 

- Pre 1940s- Generally no zips although they were used during the 40s. 

- Pre 50s- Bra Strap holder was stitched into garments to stop those embarrassing slips!

- Stitching- older garments have a zigzag seams. 

- Post 50s- had labels with washing guild lines. 

              "Good clothing of any era is worth collecting"

Buying Vintage:

- Dress under £50

- hold everything up to the light to see faults

- shop with your hands! If it feels good, then it is good. 

- don't buy in bulk- buy quality

- check armpits for wear and tear

- check labels

Labels:

- don't take the size as it says. Just like with different shops, different eras had different sizing guides. 

- Usually, per decade, you drop a dress size.

http://www.vintagesecret.com/


You can pre order Naomi's book here: CLICK FOR BOOK

My interview on Stolenthunderboutique.com

A little gem for you guys. I was recently interviewed by StolenThunderboutique.com and it is up today! 
I love doing these little interviews and I've actually got a few more coming up!
Enjoy :)
http://www.stolenthunderboutique.com/blog/ 

Day 5- Interview with Charlotte de Carle

For those of you who have been watching E4's amazing new show Dirty Sexy Things, then you  will recognise this gorgeous lady. After watching the first few shows, I instantly fell in love with the lovingly sarcastic Charlotte. Not only is she one of the most friendliest and "real" models I've ever seen, she is also incredibly talented as a model and will leave you in awe at her pictures. As a huge fan myself, I am very excited to be talking to her! So, as the series comes to an end, we catch up with the lovely Charlotte to see what's next on her busy agenda!

Follow her on @charldecarle or check out some of her outstanding pictures here http://www.nevsmodels.co.uk/model.php?mname=Charlotte-de-Carle&tname=women&tsection=main


Hello darling, We all know you from dirty sexy things, but what was life like before?
Life before was exactly the same now as it was then, just that more people know who I am. I spend most days casting for jobs with 50 other girls for the same job, it's very competitive. I shot a bit less but still made a good living as a regular model.

Did you always want to be a model? if not, what was your plan?
I never wanted to be a model. I was very shy as a child and hated cameras and attention, but both my sisters went down the modelling routes so when I was asked to do it my mum and sister talked me into it. It's thanks to them that I am still doing it today. I love my family so much and they are definitely my rock.


How did you get into modelling?
 My sister sent in some pics to london agencies. I was in one and they asked me to come in for a meeting. So I went in, got signed and the rest is history!

What was your first ever shoot like and how do you think you've changed since then?

On my first shoot, I had absolutely no idea on what to do so I just stood there with a confused look on my face. I couldn't relax and found it hard to look down the lens. Luckily, I had a fab photographer who talked me through it and from then on each shoot gave me more confidence till the point I am at now where it seems second nature to me

Whats the best advice anyone in the industry has given you, or whats the best advice 

you can give some who wants to be a model?

My advice would be follow your dreams, be persistant and always show personality. Not only do you have to look good as a model but you need to be easy to work with, and work hard. At the end of the day it's a job and you need re-bookings but only do it if it pays the bills at the end of the day. 

What was your fav shoot on Dirty Sexy Things? 

I loved the Iceland shoot, the scenery, the company of BB, Jesse, Perou, Hamilton and Clara but I felt the underwater shoot was the best! Probably because it was the most difficult and challenging and I was petrified to do it! Then I got the final shot and that made me feel amazing. It was just the fact that i worked so hard and it paid off 

What's next for you?

Next, I am going to carry on with my modelling, I am also appearing in my friend's TV show called Professor Green After Dark and auditioning for TV presenting jobs. I am definitely not disappearing from TV, I loved every moment of it!

Ultimate ambition?

Ultimate ambition is to be on the Burberry campaign as its the ultimate British brand and I am a patriotic brit myself! Also would love Fearne Cotton's life as she does some awesome presenting jobs and still models. 



Charlotte xx