Company Magazine Graduate Takeover

It's 8:30 am. I'd do anything to be back in bed. Swathed in the goose feather yumminess that is my quilt and listening to the rain beat on my window sill. Instead, I'm stuck on a freezing bus in nose to tail traffic somewhere on the M4. Sat next to a middle aged man with absolutely no spacial or social awareness eating the vilest smelling sandwiches I have ever encountered. There is also a girl sitting three seats back throwing up into an empty crisp packet. I'd got up at 6am so secure prime position on the front of the top deck. All ruined by putrid sandwiches and vomit. Glamour. Glamour. Glamour.

View from the top deck

I glanced at my watch. Time is literally standing still. With that, the familiar buzz of an email dropping into my inbox cuts short my (slightly over dramatic) despair. It was from Victoria White.. Ya know, the Editor of Company Magazine. Yes. Apparently I get emails from Victoria White... The Editor of Company Magazine!! 

You see, this wasn't just any trip to London. I was on my way to take part in a competition to guest edit the October issue of Company (my birthday month issue no less) for the 'Graduate Takeover'. I was in the final twelve, and couldn't be more excited! 

I finally arrived at Earls Court 2 at midday ready for the next stage of the competition. Amongst the neatly prepared stands and competing mannequins I managed to find the other finalists. After the judges (Company's Victoria White, Oonagh Brennan and Theresa Caney) arrived we were quickly set our tasks, which mainly consisted of creating a new cover, and coming up with feature ideas for the October issue. 

Brainstorming away in the Drapers lounge. Image // Victoria White


One of my ideas was to include a fashion feature surrounding the fashion weeks of the world. Yes, there's not just New York, London, Milan and Paris. There's Africa, India, Australia, Hong Kong, Copenhagen, Ukrainian Fashion Week to name a few. They just don't get enough coverage over here, and I think it would be so interesting to see what the wider international collective have to offer!

It would be great to include an editorial 'shoot full of cultural references with a look inspired by each country. 

It was to lovely to speak to the Victoria, who loved Grandeur! ..and even took a copy to read. 

I was so consumed by what was happening throughout the day I barely took any photos! It was rounded off by me getting a great seat for the Nottingham Trent Show. It pays to have a brother as a model who ensures I have access to these kind of events! 

Rory walking in the Nottingham Trent show. Such amazing design talent on display.

         Graduate fashion Week Q&A with Editor of Glamour Magazine Jo Elvin, Kate Walsh of the Sunday Times and Gemma Cairney of Radio One. The tiered display of mannequins at the Nottingham Trent stand welcomed visitors at the entrance.

Opulent Embellishment at Colchester.

Childrens wear by Simon Wong. I love the laser cut edge! (I'm pretty sure this was at the Ravensbourne stand).


All in all it was a great day.
...Topped off with an email announcing that I HAD BEEN SELECTED!!
I'll be off to London in July to help guest edit the October issue. Watch this space for more info!

Lucy
xx