Alexander McQueen Sample Sale.

As part of my time at Alexander McQueen, I was able to work at the A/W Sample Sale. As I work in the Archives, I have been working towards the build up of the sale with my boss - sorting out the McQ pieces which have to be checked to see whats going into the sale, etc. I also worked at the venue with the Sample Sale with the wonderful Alex and Daniel sorting out the beautiful ballgowns for the sale.

The actual sale itself was mayhem - as I have said in my previous post being an intern is tough and I feel working at a Sample Sale can either make or break you. Obviously, the team who run the sale are there to make sure everything runs smoothly, so tempers can run high. I was working with the wonderful Andrea on accessories and jewellery - I found myself very overwhelmed throughout my first morning, as people were like magpies for the jewellery, and there were some very rude people - but it needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. I was responsible for restocking the jewellery and accessories, and making sure people didn't walk off with it. Obviously rings/necklaces/etc are small and can be easily swiped so I had to be extra vigilant when people were trying stuff on. What amazed me was how easily people were spending money, and after I'd gained some confidence I asked a few people how they had known about the sale (as its invite only) and if they had been before. A lot of people were students from CSM, and surrounding Unis, obviously with student loans, some very, very VERY rich people who could afford to splash out, and my favourite people - the ladies/gents who had saved up money over the months to buy only one or two pieces.
 

The days can be long on everyone, working 9am-9pm isn't nice but you just have to grin and suck it up, as its a great experience, and you get to see some beautiful clothes!

Actually going to sale is brilliant, as you can get some real bargins from them, even if you have a limited budget, its nice to treat yourself!
I'm not going to lie and say it was easy, there was points where I wanted to cry because of rude customers and the overcrowded atmosphere, but overall it was mental, in a good way. Especailly the daily Starbucks run!

The Sale rounded off my first 3 months at McQueen, and I am now back in Leicester for the Christmas season, for a much needed 'rest' - however I have found that I cannot rest and have been throwing myself into new tasks, I'm determined to learn a new language in the New Year, and I'm focusing on my Vintage Clothing Business on my days off (Jazzy Jeff's Junk can be found on Facebook). I'm itching to get back to London and the beautiful big city, but even more excited about getting back to the Archive with my wonderful boss and the gorgeous clothing.
And a massive congratulations to Sarah Burton, who received her OBE today!

Life of an Alexander McQueen Intern - SO FAR!

Well, i'd definatly be lying if I said interning is a walk in the park. I'm currently working in the Archives of Alexander McQueen, which yes, is a personal dream come true - but it's not easy!

I've done about 2 and a half months so far, and I finish next week after the Sample Sale for Christmas.

When I started, I can honestly say I was terrified - for me, McQueen was not just a fashion designer, he was THE fashion designer, and its a true honour that I got the internship there!

 

Working in the Archives has been tiring, hard work but still its so much fun! Obviously, the archives contain all the collections, including the Fashion Shows, Pre and Comm collections, including Mens and McQ lines. Its a huge space, and It's incredible just looking through the collections, seeing both Lee and Sarah Burton's work. Occassionally, Studio need outfits for inspiration/reference so my duties include sourcing outfits from the vast collections, or from the Vintage clothing section (which is a personal favourite of mine, there are some real treasures in there!) which me or the other interns run over to the main HQ.

Occassionally us interns do have to do the errands, but it's not just making tea for everyone (which I'm sure is said a lot!), its incredible seeing all of this fashion history in one place, including all of the incredible shoes and accessories - I have tried the infamous Armadillo Shoes on, and they are incredibly comfortable, suprisingly!

 

Pulling outfits out for celebrities is a regular occurance, such as the glorious Naomi Campbell, however I am yet to meet the one and only Kate Moss - although if that ever did happen I'm sure I would collapse in starstruck awe and cry into the couture.

Next week, is the Sample Sale - something I'm incredibly excited about, but also scared stiff about! I can't wait to work in such a busy environment, and I'm honoured that its with McQueen.

 

I must admit, the commute from Leicester to London two days a week is hard work - getting up at 4am and sometimes not getting home till very late at night is exhausting and sometimes upsets me as I spend the rest of the week tired and not really up for anything, and the cost of travel is eating away at my very small savings, but you know what, I adore every second. I finish after the sale for Christmas, and then I'm going back in the New Year to gather some more experience!

 

If anyone was to ask about my interning - I would say think about it long and hard, because you might have to give a little more up to do so, but the outcome will be so worth it. It's a great experience and with a boss like mine, it can be hilarious!

 

Long Live McQueen.