Retail Brand Licensing Mentoring Programme - Begins With A Seminar..

Hi Lilys,

So after about a month of working at Sainsburys Coventry Support Centre I was put onto a ‘Retail Brand Licensing Mentoring Programme’ by Advanstar. Some of you might be wondering what an earth that is! Basically, it is a programme designed for retailer’s employees, mainly buyers who are new to the company or new to licensing and might benefit from the participating in the programme through seminars, networking events, visiting licensors and shadowing to learn more about it.

Four of us in total were nominated to participate in the programme by ou Buyer, all from Childrenswear because our department deals the most with Licensing. When I first found out about the programme I wasn’t sure what to expect but I am so pleased I have been put onto the mentoring programme as I will learn so much and I will feel more prepared when liaising with licensees and licensing agents.  I have been invited to meetings with companies such as Hasbro and I didn’t really know what to expect or what is expected of me, the type of questions I should ask and even the most basic things such as terminology.  But it will also be useful as my manager (the Buyer on Toddler Boys) has already suggested that once I am more comfortable and familiar with my Buyers Admin Assistant role then I can start to buy ‘Character’, e.g. Gruffalo, Thomas The Tank Engine, George Pig and Monsters Inc, etc.

Yesterday, on a sunny London day at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Buckingham Gate, I attended the first event of the programme, LIMA Licensing Essentials Course. This was a seminar where people who have a lot of experience within the licensing industry gave a presentation to share their knowledge.  Speakers includes licensors (ITV), Licensee (Fashion UK), Legal and Finance, a speaker from The Science Museum (who surprisingly do deal with a lot of licensing for events within the museum). The end of the seminar included a questions and answers section and a cheeky glass of Prosecco :)

I must say it was a brilliant day and I definitely learnt a lot (even did a little bit of sightseeing in out lunch break. 

Now I am just looking forward to the next part of the programme where we get to shadow and spend the day at our chosen licensor e.g. ITV, Warner Brothers or even Disney. I'll keep you posted - can't wait!!

  

Love LilyLish x

Good News!!! :D

Hey Lilys,

Hope you are happy and well. I have had the busiest few weeks which is why it has taken me so long to write a new post.  First of all, I must tell you the good news about the Manchester Fashion Week intern situation.  I received some good news and I had email to say I have been chosen to intern for the week. 

Secondly, after applying for a million jobs and an inbox full of reject emails.  I found an email from Sainsbury’s offering me an interview for the Buyers Admin Assistant role on Childrenswear I had applied for in the Coventry Support Centre.  I was so happy and I could not believe my luck!

I made sure I was well prepared for my interview and did lots of research including going to store to look at the product.  I was so nervous for the interview but I felt well prepared.  When I came out of the interview I was so pleased with how it went and thought to myself, well if they do choose someone else then at least I know I did my best and gave a really good interview.

The next day I found out the best news ever and I had been offered the job.  It felt absolutely amazing!!  Wow wow wow :)

 

I prepared myself for the big move down to Coventry which worked out great because I have family in the area and they kindly offered to let me stay.

It was my first day on Monday and it went great.  There is a lot for me to learn as my background is with Costume Jewellery and also it has been such a long time since my last role in buying.  But I have been there one week now and everyday I feel as though I am learning something new and I feel as though I will have a lot of responsibility once I am settled in a bit more.

There is a really good energy in the work place. Already there has been super hero conga and lots of fundraising events taking place.

Red Nose Day fundraising conga :)

Now that I have a full time job this means that unfortunately I won’t be able to participate for Manchester Fashion Week, however I emailed them to see if they were going to do anything at the weekend if there were any events I could help with.  They emailed me back to say that there is going to be a wedding show that I could work which I was just the news I wanted to hear.

Things are actually going well for me and I feel like I am on the right path now.  There were times when I felt a bit negative but it is so important to not give up and stay positive.

Love LilyLish x

 

Manchester Fashion Week Need Interns!

Happy Friday Lilys,

So tomorrow is a big day, Manchester Fashion Week (MCRFW) is only round the corner and interns are needed to help out. The roles vary from Reception Staff and Front of House to Dressers and Runners.  I think I would prefer to be Front of House or perhaps on Reception as this was my most recent role with Mercedes F1 Team so I know how it works and I think I could do a good job as I have the experience.

If you are interested here is the link: http://www.mcrfashionweek.com/manchester-fashion-week-intern-opening-day.html 

If you can't make it this time I am sure there will be the same opportunity for the next Fashion Week.

 I just need to remember to take my CV, a photo of moi and obviously myself (extremely well dressed) and we are good-to-go! 

I am so excited! It is an amazing opportunity! There will be so many different brands showcasing their new collections at MCRFW. Also it will be a great chance to network.

 Now I just need to decide what to wear. As it is an interview, smart and fashionable is the way forward.  I think my Chanel-like blazer from Mango will do just the trick.

Blazer - Mango

Now I need to figure out what else to wear with it... Wish me luck!!!

Love LilyLish x

Lovely Lovely Shoes :)

Hey lovely Lilys,

So yesterday I went shopping with my mum and grandma. We went to The Trafford Centre. I like go shopping in the TC because it has all the shops you could ever need under one roof, it is good to be indoors when the weather is poor and its free parking!!

I wasn’t actually in the mood for shopping as I feel like if I take any time off from applying for jobs I might just miss something amazing. With that said, I am also happy to have some time off.  With it being a miserable rainy Monday it was fairly quiet. Bonus!

The shopping trip wasn’t really about me but the only thing I was kinda looking out for, were some nice shoes for any potential interviews. It actually dawned on me last week that I didn’t have any nice shoes to wear to an interview. I had an interview with a recruitment agency last week and I felt quite embarrassed about my shoes because I’ve worn them so many times and were starting to look a bit scuffed. Hopefully, the interviewer didn’t realise! *fingers crossed*

(I found out today that I didn’t get chosen for the two roles the agency had put me forward for and in all honesty it felt rubbish. I must keep positive though).

I found this quote that made me feel better.

Looking for shoes is pretty much a nightmare for me. I am a tiny, tiny size 3 (36) and to make it worse the heel of my foot is quite slim. This means that whenever I try on heeled court shoes (without any straps or fastening) the shoe just slips off.  Is there anyone out there who has the same problem? PLEASE tell me if you do because then I will know I am not the only one.  I must have tried almost every shoe out there and not one fits me well.  Although, I still do try now and again living in the hope that one day they won’t slip off.

Anyway on a positive note, I found a lovely pair of shoe boots from Miss Selfridge.  They really fit in well with the lace trend for SS13.  They are pretty high but classy and on trend so will be great for interviews (providing I can walk in them) or for when I want to go out for dinner/drinks with my friends.

Miss Selfridge £46

I’m also feeling rather guilty because I bought another pair of shoes…just because I liked them and wanted them! I found them in the sale section of Dune and thought 'YES I HAVE FOUND A BARGAIN'. Once I realised that I LOVED them I found out that they were actually FULL PRICE!! £110. *sad face*

I had gone way too far and it was too late..there was no going back and also my mum is a bad influence on me, she kept saying how lovely they are and how they are real leather and how I will get my wear out of them. Once I justified them to myself I bought them…eeek! 

Dune £110

I really love them and (at risk of sounding like my mum) they are extremely comfortable!

Love LilyLish x

NTAs 2013 - Who Dressed The Best?

Who saw the National Television Awards last night? 

I onlyreally watch these kind of awards because I love to see what everyone is wearing. Whosurprised me..good and bad, who got it sooo right and who got it sooo wrong!! This year I felt like there were only a handful of great outfits from the awards.

My fave dress of the whole night has definitely got to be LauraWhitmore who wore a dress by Rachel Gilbert. A vibrant colour for the SS13collection and drapes so beautifully. Such an elegant piece and worn wellby the 'I'm a Celebrity...Now' presenter. Her hair and make-up are perfect, however the only criticismI have are with her accessories - I don’t think the clutch and her bracelet arethe right colour. Perhaps white would have been a better colour.

Laura Whitmore

The Hollyoaks actress Claire Cooper is another lovely ladywho managed to get-it-right! She looked like a movie star in this floor-lengthnude dress.

Claire Cooper

More images of the ladies who I think dressed the best below (because I'm not mean enough to put the worst dressed) :

Melanie Sykes

Holly Willoughby

 

 

 

This dress is a lovely shape - the neckline is flattering and the dress hugs her curvy figure in all the right places.

Brooke Vincent

Ashley Roberts in Rachel Gilbert

I love the halter neckline!

Which are your favorite outfits?

Love LilyLish x