I'm back!

Hello Lovelies!

God, it feels so good to say that again!

I missed this! I've been so out of it for so long and it's seriously starting to make me feel bad, not writing down how I feel, I definitely needed a huge kick up the ass.

I realised how much I enjoy writing and I hope none of you have moved on to greener pastures and have waited eagerly by your laptops, praying for my return.

A lot has gone on since I went MIA, both in the fashion world and my personal life and I will be telling you all about it in time, just let me get back up to speed!

On a serious note, I am eternally grateful to the people who read this blog, who actually have decided my writing was worth it. I still have my doubts as to whether I can write or not and if anyone even takes anything away from this blog then I couldn't be happier. I've had some lovely surprises and made some decisions about my life lately and I hope you guys want to follow me on my journey.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Cya soon,



Jx

My Interview with Crosby Noricks;

Hello Lovelies!

As a budding Public Relations student hoping to score my dream job in the fashion industry, my work aspiration was no question. Crosby Noricks, founder of ‘Fashion PR’s #1 haute spot’ prcouture.com, is an innovative fashion strategist whose website is a bible to the hopeful fashion PR students of the world, including me! Not to mention that she has her own book Ready to Launch: The PR Couture Guide for breaking into Fashion PR.

I recently caught up with the woman who can do it all and between my girlish screams of ‘Crosby Noricks spoke to me!’ and running around my flat, I got to ask her some burning questions I’d been wanting answered.

What made you want to work in Fashion PR?

 I didn't truly discover public relations until graduate school, but was instantly excited about the opportunity to work in a field that combined business strategy with writing and creative campaign ideas. I'd always been interested in fashion and was especially interested in how I could use PR skills to help designers experience more success.

Why did you start PRcouture.com?

 While completing my Master's Thesis in fashion PR, I found that there wasn't very much about it online (or offline in my PR textbooks or academic/trade journals, but that's another issue entirely!) and I found that frustrating as someone who was exploring this avenue as a potential career. I started the site mainly as a way to share what I knew from my research, what I was experiencing working in-house for a jewellery company, and to connect with other publicists and like-minded people with similar interests.

Where in the world do you think the most jobs are in fashion PR? Considering the fashion capitals of the world (Paris, Milan etc.,) are in Europe?

 Hmm - that's a bit of a hard one as I haven't spent nearly enough time connecting with fashion publicists in Europe. In the United States it is definitely New York and Los Angeles, with London, Paris and Milan definitely up there in Europe.

Do you think there's many differences in Fashion PR in the USA and Fashion PR in the UK?

Fashion PR is much better known in the UK (my first introduction to it was actually as a study abroad student at the London College of Fashion during my undergrad). Here we never refer to someone as "a Fashion PR." I think that the history and legacy of luxury fashion in Europe has created more of a defined role within Fashion Communications - it's a bit more ‘Wild West’ over here.

5.) Any advice for students who want to work in Fashion PR?

 I'm encouraged by all the ways that digital communication tools - from social media to blogs - allow us to communicate and connect. My biggest piece of advice is to begin to define the direction you want your career to take by intentionally building a personal brand online and connecting with the right people through authentic, shared interests and curiosity. And of course, follow PR Couture!

Well there you have it, some great advice and knowledge from one of the best brains in fashion PR! Her book is a complete bible as well on how to achieve your goals in the fashion industry! I’ve got mine, have you got yours?

By Joanna Xiourouppa

Edge Hill University, 1^st Year

I hope you all enjoyed that little interview! I'm attempting to get some more as this year continues.

Thanks for reading!

Jx

Follow Crosby @ www.prcouture.com

Follow me @ www.diaryofa-prgirl.blogspot.co.uk

PR Stereotypes; Fact or Fiction?

Hello Lovelies!

First, I have some wonderful news, student PR magazine 'Behind the spin' have chosen my blog as one of the #bestPRblogs of this week! I'm the only one from Edge Hill on the list and I honestly could not contain my excitement and I am very grateful to my tutor Paula and the editor of BTS Richard Bailey for putting me in, hopefully it won't be the last time you see me in there either!

Today I thought I'd address the stereotypes that this world have deemed acceptable to be used when referring to the occupation of a PR.

People in my university are studying subjects that they deem are 'harder' than my course. I disagree that my course is not challenging because it is! Multiple deadlines, terminology and vocational skills are present, and I think people think I do nothing at all towards my degree. I work hard at my course in order to get the best possible grade I can and I am sure the people studying subjects like Criminology and Psychology also study like I do in order to achieve. Regardless of what course we do, we all got into university and deserve our places.

Okay, rant over. Over to the stereotypes of PR.

PR people just throw parties...
False. PR is about creating a positive public image for a client or company. You need to have many more skills than just being able to throw together a party such as damage control, reporting and liaising with journalists.

PR people drink copious amounts of coffee...
False..ish. I myself have a beautiful relationship with a Starbucks soy mocha latte that no one, not even me, understands. But not all the PR pros are addicted to caffeine.

PR is a female profession...
Nope. This is based on the fact that most of the PR practitioners are female. It's definitely not a girl's profession just as being a soldier or a firefighter is not just a male profession. Men are welcomed into this profession with open arms!

PR people are liars...
False or True...you'll never know. Some people believe that PR people are definite liars and use their 'spin doctor' ways to promote mass corporations. Personally, this has never really occurred to me that they are liars, just there to do a job.

Working in PR is just like Samantha Jones in 'Sex and the city'...
False. I absolutely adored Samantha in SATC and if I'm completely honest, her influence is what made me research public relations in more depth. It wasn't because of the parties, it was more about the control she possessed over any situations during an event and social skills wonderfully portrayed by Kim Catrall that really made me wonder about the wonderful, wonderful career choice. So no, it's not just like Samantha, it's 100% better.

There's a few stereotypes I think really made me raise my eyebrow. I hope this helped any students who are still unsure about this career. My advice is to do lots of research on the career and be 100% sure on what you want to do. This career is hard work but also has some amazing perks!

Thank you for reading, I'll see you soon!

Jx

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