A day in the life of a fashion Intern
Many people are curious and want to get into this Glamorous world of working in a fashion magazine. One similar thing about working for a reputed magazine, a brand, working for a designer or anywhere, has a focused and dedicated environment. All the departments are communicative and collaborative with one another to make sure they stay together in achieving a targeted goal as planned. We all must have read somewhere in magazines or online or must have heard from people already working in a fashion related jobs saying, “I am living a fashionista’s dream” or “ I am always surrounded by luxury shoes, jewellery, handbags”, “ I love my job because I get to select the best of stuffs, pulling sample of clothes and accessories from variety of brands” etc…well who doesn’t want to be in their shoe, who doesn’t want to see one’s own work and researches coming alive in magazines. One thing I have learned working as an intern myself and coming across people especially working in a fashion magazine sharing their piece of “work truths” is that there is so much more to publishing than editorials. It takes weeks and months after negotiating and then getting approved for a single advertisement to get published, now we can imagine the amount of time required in curating and putting articles and editorials together and compiling. Having said that, this got me thinking why not hear it out from a friend who is already up and about working for a magazine called JUICE, by Jabong. Meet Chahat Setia, a young intern at JUICE armed with tricks and ideas up her sleeves, she is also the mind behind assisting head stylist for some of the cover shoots, and individually tracking design and style ideas and coming up with looks for editorials and advertising in the magazine and I hope readers learn something new from this interview and what she has to share working for a fashion magazine.
Did you always wanted to work for a fashion Magazine? How did you landed up in JUICE?
Well to be honest I never really thought I could be in the fashion industry in the first place. I was a total tomboy growing up and an antisocial person who did nothing but read. Ever since I started writing about fashion, I knew where I had to be and have to do something related to fashion. Juice is my first full time internship, I have free-lanced a lot before this so it kinda helped me with the selection process.
Tell us a bit on what is a day like in the life of a fashion intern working for a fashion Magazine and your job responsibility?
Working in a fashion magazine is the best and the worst thing. There is always something going on. There is a constant adrenaline rush. My work profile includes researching, working on the magazine blog and assisting on shoots.
What is the overall office mood/ambience like on a daily basis?
It’s a really fun work space. With creative people around you, everyday there is something new to learn.
What do you like most about your job?
The fact that my opinions are taken into consideration helps me grow everyday. The workspace helps a lot in boosting my creativity. Unlike most places, it actually lets you take part in the creative process and it just makes it worth.
Any Internship tip for those who are starting and looking forward to working for a fashion magazine?
Its not glamorous! Most girls think is all glitz and glam like it’s on the glossy pages of the magazine. It’s a lot of hardwork put in by everyone working behind the camera. One tip would be to observe. It’s the most important part of the learning experience. Understanding why a certain blouse is paired with a skirt is a part of the learning process not just doing what you are asked to do. And just to keep it real, it can get really boring and frustrating sometimes, but hold on to it, it gets better. It takes a while to make it in the industry. I am still trying to find the path.
Since you have been working for a while at JUICE, is there any valuable things you have learned working there?
I find myself lucky to have a mentor like Surbhi, everyday is such a learning experience. Her sense of style has always inspired me and having worked with her on set has gotten a sense of calmness in me. There is a sense of ease in the way styles has and makes something stand out without really trying too hard and that is something I am going to take back with me.
Are you a ‘dressed to the nines’ person? Tell us about your style, which styles dominates your wardrobe?
I don’t really take efforts to dress up. I am more of a, ‘I am gonna wear what I see first in the morning’ person. A little tint lip cheek tint and some mascara and I am good to go. My personal style is really organic, I love cottons and anti-fits. Natural fabrics and breathable clothes are what you’ll find in my wardrobe. To add that little bit of me in everything I wear, I love adding an Indian element to it. Be it a tribal silver necklace or colourful juttis. I am a big hoarder for antique jewellery and over the years I have collected vintage pieces from across the country. I believe in sustainable fashion and I try to do my bit by using local fabrics and jewellery.
