Search Results for “conde nast college”

Conde Nast College: A school only for the rich, or everyone?

by on 11th May 2013 0 comments

Aristotle once said, “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet”, and that’s the kind of heavy philosophical note we’re starting on. Drummed into us from a tender age is the idea that an education is the way to a better, easier, richer, and somewhat happier life. An educational tale filled with impressive qualifications and peppered with shining references is probably the ideal meal ticket for many, but the current educational climate has left many a student’s pocket in permanent drought, and their minds in permanent frustration. So, when we came across a Q&A with Susie Forbes, head of the controversial and recently opened CondéNastCollege of Fashion & Design, we couldn’t help but ponder over some of the claims made, not to mention the extortion that is the course fees. Earlier when we reported of its inception, CondéNastCollege of Fashion & Design was just a dream in development. Glossy magazines and annual subscriptions are the story of every aspiring fashion personality, but getting educated by Vogue is on another level, maybe of epic, tick-your-bucket-list proportions. In the Q&A, Forbes revealed the initial course offering, Vogue Fashion Certificate, is fully subscribed, and with the October intake for the Vogue Fashion Foundation Diploma set to further bump up figures. But it’s not the implementation of the chic college, or the collective of stellar staff and speakers that’s left us dumbstruck, but the cost of obtaining these non-standard qualifications. Both courses on offer at CondéNastCollege of Fashion & Design are not ‘recognised’ qualifications and seek to give students only a glimpse into a world they may one day want to inhabit. But at a cost of £6,600.00, excluding VAT and £19,560.00, excluding VAT respectively, this could prove a very costly insight. Although scholarships are available (three a year, to be precise), […]

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5 Positive things that could result from Condé Nast scrapping its internship programme

by on 28th January 2021 0 comments

We’ve all experienced a Devil Wears Prada-esque ‘cerulean’ moment, hailed the unpaid victors of fashion cupboards when they’ve come out a lawsuit, ‘salary’ in tow, and agonised over the dark and ugly side of being overworked, often for zero pay. But not even a year’s worth of fashion returns could prove as soul-shattering for the next generation of fashion industry wannabreakers, as this: Fed up with getting sued by ex-interns, Condé Nast is scrapping its hugely popular but oversubscribed internship programme. It’s OK, we shed a tear too. For those of us who’ve paid our dues on the fashion front-line (not to be confused with the front row), often working until well past close of play (that term is pretty meaningless in the fashion industry); we understand the damning effect getting rid of such a sought after internship programme – which, although unfortunately unpaid in most instances, is still vital for getting that all important foot in the door – will have. But, there is hope. Instead of wallowing in the loss of your (future) intern title, why not check out our five plus points to CN seeing off its famous internships below? They might just put a smile back on your face: Break the ‘glossy monopoly’ Sweating it because you haven’t got any of the major glossies on your CV? We think, that by removing the permanently oversubscribed system of taking on interns mainly during academic holidays, it’ll help to break down the stereotype of ‘If you haven’t Vogue’d/Tatler’d/GQ’d, you haven’t lived’, not to mention take the pressure off students and young fashion enthusiasts to flock to London, often with very little money, to live the dream, one painstaking summer at a time. Give independents a chance With a flurry of fabulous regional and London/NY-based independent magazines rising up […]

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Victoria Beckham’s treadmill tweet: ridiculous, or right on point?

by on 13th March 2014 0 comments

Victoria Beckham is an unmatchable force in the fashion world. Crediting her as an ‘all-rounder’ feels like we’re cutting corners, but this woman is bent on making everything seem possible to attain, all of the time; and that’s not always a bad thing. However, when news fell upon our ears that earlier this week, VB attended the hallowed halls of the notoriously expensive Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design to participate in a Q&A session, we were excited to hear the pearls of wisdom she’d share. After all, she is part of a duo with the financial prowess to earn upwards of £100,000 a day. Pitching talks with industry insiders and top influencers is a USP Condé Nast College prides itself on, so Mrs. Beckham’s attendance was petty much a given. But it was the fashion in which she took to working whilst at the College, before several eager students, that raised brows – both in awe and, erm, shock. Looking intensely lost in what was potentially a flurry of important emails, VB took to a work station with an integrated treadmill during her appearance. Perfectly poised in heels and a full-length coat, this was fashion’s ultimate cliché and VB doing what she does best, all rolled into one. And don’t we just love her for it. However, the ‘work out when working out’ attitude does raise some bigger questions – particularly in the landscape of fashion. Her obsession with a slim physique is known to the world, but could VB’s superwoman display have a negative effect on the students witnessing it? Given she even tweeted a picture whilst on the treadmill, captioned ‘Thank u @SusieCollege. Every office should have one of these, work out and work at the same time!! Genius!! X vb’; how would her younger social media following […]

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Education vs. Experience: What is more important in fashion?

by on 28th January 2021 0 comments

Much like the nature vs. nurture conundrum, fashion harbours its own double-sided issues. In an industry such as this, there isn’t necessarily a clear-cut path to career success, and those battling it out to carve their fate often have to employ unconventional methods, backed with tons of tenacious nature. So, when Business of Fashion recently reported on the rise of fashion education, we were left wondering whether a few costly semesters in fashion school were really necessary, or if firsthand experience was the secret to success? We’re all too well versed in the nightmare of unpaid internships that drag on for months. But, on the flip side, an internship is notably the most effective if not quickest way to enter an industry which recruits hopeful in their thousands each year – and we’re not talking in the literal sense! Indeed, a career in fashion design, specifically, warrants the expertise and knowledge that can only be attained from enrolling on a relevant course. In the UK, universities such as Central Saint Martins and London College of Fashion are top choices, whilst Parsons and FIT are the appointed institutions across the pond, the former counting Marc Jacobs and Tom Ford in its glittering alumni line-up. But, is a pricey education crucial to getting that all important foot in the door? Would you pick experience over being schooled in your chosen subject? Currently, several notable educational institutions offer short courses for those interested in embarking on a career in, say, marketing or buying, and distance learning is an option, too – often a cost effective one. But, the real experience and knowledge – particularly in a non-design related fashion discipline – that prospective employers crave often comes from spending time on the shop floor, as a buyer’s assistant or in a showroom. Note: […]

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Monday Musings: The things rattling our fashion brains on the hardest day of the week

by on 20th February 2012 0 comments

This early fashion week morning at My Fashion Life HQ, Starbucks and fashion week invite holder in tow – before we dash out to today’s shows – we’re mulling over…. Doing it Lana style – Mulberry’s ‘Del Rey’ Bag A handbag named in your honour is today’s trademark of ultimate fame. You’ve bagged it (pardon the pun) if Emma Hill wants to name one of her world famous creations after you, and Lana, you’re just that. Needless to say, Alexa may be feeling a slight budge off her Mulberry throne, as the ‘Del Rey’ is the first celeb-dedicated bag post-Alexa Satchel. The ever loyal Lana sat front row at the brand’s autumn winter 2012 show, namesake bag in tow. Let’s see where this Mulberry collaboration takes Ms. Del Rey…. Brits Style The Brits are being held tomorrow and are even more exciting because it is during Fashion Week! Rihanna’s impromptu appearance at Stella McCartney’s autumn winter show gave us a taste of things to come, and we hope it isn’t just the outfit choices that surprise us at this year’s Brits. Tipped to win big is mega-voiced, bouffant-wielding, Adele and scruffy singing sensation Ed Sheeran. But being fashion people, it’s the outfits we’re really concerned with, and we can’t wait to see what Jessie J puts together this time! Remainder of London Fashion Week We can’t believe day 4 of London Fashion Week is upon us, and feel as though today all the MAJOR shows are happening all at once! The designers at the forefront ofLondon’s unique fashion aesthetic – Erdem, Christopher Kane, Peter Pilotto and Michael Van Der Ham – are taking centre stage today, and, although we’re still spellbound from their spring summer 2012 shows, we can’t wait for next season! A concoction ofLondon’s eclectic talent all in […]

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