Local fashion grad wins Company mag comp
Lucy and her wardrobe of clothes
Fashion is a competitive industry to enter and much of the time it can seem to be about who you know and not what you know. That’s why when we heard about Lucy Smith, Fashion Promotion graduate from Cardiff, winning a competition to edit one of the nation’s most loved magazines, we couldn’t wait to find out more from her.
Back in May, Lucy entered a competition run by Company magazine to win a chance to edit the magazine’s October issue.. Her entry included a mood board set around autumn/winter 2012. Out of the thousands that applied, Lucy was chosen along with seven others to guest-edit the October issue of the magazine.
A Lucy Smith styled outfit from her fabulous wardrobe
Across her four-week experience in July this year, Lucy was thrown in the deep end and worked on the October issue, where she gained hands-on experience of working in her dream role as a Fashion Features Writer. From interviewing pop artist Connor Maynard to styling a shoot and interviewing Fearne Cotton and writing her own feature article on jeans, the experience was one Lucy won’t forget in a hurry. “Hands on experience beats everything” Lucy said.
Lucy recently graduated from the University of Glamorgan with a First Class Honours degree in Fashion Promotion. During her degree, Lucy took a year out from her studies where she moved to London to gain some valuable industry experience. She interned at national newspaper The Daily Express, ASOS and Fashion for Lunch, a blog set up by company Link You, where she was given the opportunity to report back from London Fashion Week and develop her reporting and writing skills.
Lucy made use of what she learned during her year in London by creating an online publication, which she then incorporated into her final year project.
Not only has Lucy developed her writing skills but she is also a talented stylist. She also of course enjoys fashion herself and often customises her own outfits with decorative jewels and embellishments sourced from around the globe and the odd bargain from Primark. “There’s no excuse not to look fashionable now. Our high street has a lot to offer. You can always dress a cheap black dress with a statement necklace.”
Lucy is proof that hard work pays off and that internships and experience are essential to getting ahead in the fashion industry.
“Intern at every opportunity. You are not too good to do anything.”
Lucy is now working towards her goal of becoming a Fashion Features Writer for a fashion magazine and making the big move to London. She also runs her own fashion and lifestyle blog Style by Smith.
“My heart lies in London. I won’t be satisfied until I am working there.”
We are sure that Lucy will end up in her dream job and will one day have her by-line between the pages of a glossy fashion magazine.
Lucy was interviewed by Abigail Phillips, Cardiff Fashion Intern, who also wrote the post and supplied all images.