Wondering How to Break Ground in Fashion?

1 - Get some experience I’m always asked how I got my job. During my career I’ve spent a mix of time working full-time on magazines and being a freelance stylist working for magazines and also with major advertising clients including Stella McCartney and Marks & Spencer. If you want to work on a magazine there is only one route in and that’s through work experience. Spending time doing fashion returns in what is known as the ‘fashion cupboard’ is the best grounding for working on a magazine. You will get to build up a brilliant contacts book and work first-hand with amazing clothes. 2 - Do your homework Fashion lives for the new – trends move faster than ever and the industry always champions the next big thing. But despite this quest for newness, it’s really important to know about the history of fashion – both that of the garments – and from a sociological point of view. So many designers reference past decades – both recent (such as Burberry’s aw2011 Sixties-inspired catwalk shows) and ancient (John Galliano’s fin de siècle obsession) so it’s important to understand the influences and technicalities if you want to have fashion authority. Fashion has a huge impact on our lifestyles and politics and you need to know why. 3 - Be inspired Inspiration comes from the most obscure sources so don’t be bound by convention when you’re coming up with ideas. Fashion trends are a great place to start, but look further. Music and fashion are particularly related (I love the clothes that Iron Maiden fans wore in the 1980s) but the reflections of street lights on rainy pavements, super-caves and gritty 1960s cinema are some of my other favourite starting points. Don’t be bound by what you consume – sticking within the boundaries of what is fashionable will limit your vision. Pick up a copy of National Geographic or read a comic instead of a fashion magazine. 4 - Visualise If you are considering a career in fashion the first thing that you should do is start to collate images that inspire you. I have folders full of tear sheets of shoots and images that I love. But as well as pages from magazines I also collect postcards and sheets of music – anything that will inspire a story. These visuals will be invaluable when you come to pitch fashion stories to future clients. Images will help to show exactly what you are planning on shooting, rather than words which can be rather subjective and lead to confusion. 5 - Be organised I see a lot of people wanting to get into the industry who think that creativity is enough to forge ahead in magazines. Obviously coming up with an unlimited stream of original concepts for shoots and innovative ideas for shopping pages is a requirement but you also need to be incredibly organised, resourceful and good with figures. I spend a lot of time working on budgets, keeping track of what is happening over several issues of Stylist and managing commercial concerns. There is a lot of admin and paperwork and if I was disorganised my job would be impossible!"

Russell Simmons - How to Meditate

If you want to have a fun, productive day, it’s important to begin with morning meditation. A lot of people ask me how to meditate, expecting it to be difficult, but it’s actually very simple. First, find a comfortable seat and set your alarm for 20 minutes. It’s very important that you are sitting comfortably. After a minute silently repeat (in your mind) the Mantra “Rum” over and over to yourself. You can do this at a fast or slow pace as you like, but repeat this mantra simply as a vibration (it has no meaning). Meditation only requires that you sit, be patient and “watch all your thoughts” as they come and go. But, you MUST be patient, patience is the key. Don’t expect anything. You will likely lose your mantra, it will slip away and a thought will take over your mind. That’s OKAY. Finish your thought and gently go back to the mantra. In a few minutes you might experience a real calmness and if you do, your mind will notice this and rebel. But you must continue to sit and let your mind go crazy. The mind is like a monkey in a cage: When it realizes the cage will not move, it will settle. It (the mind) WILL eventually slip deeper into meditation. Just sit, relax and repeat your mantra……. This is how you meditate. ~Russell Simmons

Detox Your Wardrobe

Okay ladies, its that time of the year when cut off shorts just won't cut it. Much like your body needs a good detox every once in a while, so does your closet. In case your not quite sure what to keep, stash away,or buy this season, I'm here to help! Here are a couple of things that should make the cut. Cropped sweaters don't just go go good with high-waisted jeans, try a pen skirt and a bold necklace for and fashion statement.

Leg Warmers go perfect with boots. Add high socks under your leg warmers for a warmer/layered look.

Wool Scarves and socks are a must in this year's low temperatures and it also helps that they are trending this fall/winter too!

Knit beanies aren't just for bad hair days! These trendy toppers can be worn with anythings from jeans to dresses. Try with cascading curls!

Fashion Forward Fall

As Fall comes into view, so does its new trends. In order to be fashion forward I have put together a couple of trendy looks for this season. Feel free to comment and make recommendations about what you think is trending this Fall.

Head to toe black is trending not only in Hollywood but on our streets. Its a great way to stay warm and slimming in cool weather. Plus, how can you go wrong with black?

Peep toe boots can give a sexy look to any ensemble. Especially in such conservatives weather.

Round skirts, especially leather ones, are also staying in trend this fall. Match it with textured tights, pony boots and a cropped sweater and your ready for a girls night out!

Box purses are not only trendy but a great way to stash your things such as scarves and your overly loaded makeup bag!

Heelless heeled shoes are also coming into view. These whimsical stilettos are great for adding a pop of art into any outfit.

Letterman Jackets with/without a hood (I like to call em the "J. Cole") are a perfect way to show school or team spirit.

These round toe stilt Timberland boots are a fun way to do his and her's. Pair them with skinny's and a Letterman jacket to stay warm and trendy.

Bleached Jeans are a perfect way to recycle old jeans. This DIY is simple: 

1 Use 1 part bleach for 3 parts water, or (at most) 1 part bleach for 1 part water.
2  Dampen the pair of jeans before you begin working - the bleach will process better this way.
3 You don't have to just pour the bleach onto the denim (though you can). Here are a few potential options you can mix and match:

• Use a sponge to dab the bleach on.
• Apply bleach to an old toothbrush, then pull your thumb back along the bristles to achieve a splattered effect.
• Find an old paintbrush
• Use an old eyedropper (that you never use on your eyes again)
• Find a cheap plastic spray bottle to spray bleach onto jeans

4 Do either the front or back first, let flip over to the other side.

• If you don't want bleach on the opposite side of your pants, stuff them with newspaper.

5 After you've let the bleach process, rinse the jeans in cold water.

6 Machine was jeans. You can throw in a few light-colored towels, if they need to be refreshed by a little bleach. Fill half the washing machine with water, for adequate dilution, before adding your jeans and towels. Place your jeans at the bottom of the washing machine with the towels on top.

7 Finished