In the final of this interview series, the Simply You team reveal their first major fashion purchase, how they got their big break and career highlights.
Here, we sit down with Simply You editorial executive and writer Nathalie Owen.
When did you realise that you wanted a career in fashion?
I have been fascinated with fashion ever since I was a little girl. I always wondered how the industry worked and how the trends were formed each season. I remember when I was seven I would spend hours making little fashion magazines, but it was when I was in year nine at high school that I really made the decision – we had to write down our dream job and I wrote that I wanted to work at Vogue magazine. It was from then on that I knew that I was going to work in fashion publishing.
What did you study at university?
In my first year I studied Fashion Design at AUT and I absolutely loved it, particularity the theory papers. But I knew I never wanted to be a designer so I changed to Communications Studies and majored in journalism. Luckily I was able to continue with all my fashion research papers, which was one of my favourite parts of the course, so I still got that fashion fix.
How and when did you get your big break?
I’m still relatively new in the industry, but I would have to say my first break came when I started writing for the art and lifestyle blog Mac and Mae in 2011. I’ll never forget how nervous I was at NZ Fashion Week, knowing that I was going to write about the show. In hindsight I probably took it a little too seriously, but that was my first real “pinch me” moment and from then on I was hooked. After that I started interning at Apparel magazine, Woman’s Day and Viva and then I got offered the job at Simply You, which was such an incredible honor and my first big break in the fashion industry.
What was your first major fashion purchase?
I was in year six and I was obsessed with this green Paul Frank bomber jacket. I looked at it in Amazon for months and finally saved up all my money to buy it. It was around $200 and my parents thought I was crazy, but I didn’t care – all I wanted was that Paul Frank bomber. I still have it to this day! As far as my first major fashion purchase goes, it would have to be my first Marc Jacobs handbag I bought in San Francisco when I was 15. I worked all summer saving up for the trip and a Marc Jacobs handbag was first on my list – now I’m saving it for my daughter!
What is on your winter wish list?
I am obsessed with the black Gucci Princeton loafers, a must-have for winter! I really want this green bomber jacket from Topshop and I would be in heaven if I could own one of Harman Grubisa’s beautiful fur trimmed coats!
When did you start at Simply You?
I started at Simply You in January this year.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
I’m a huge royalist and in my second year of university my tutor Richard helped me get a media pass to cover the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s royal tour of New Zealand. Being at Government House with such an incredible calibre of journalists from all over the world, who I really admired, was amazing. To be there doing the social media posts, taking the photos and filing the copy – it was such a rush and an incredible experience. In my final year I got to cover Prince Harry’s tour and met Arthur Edwards who is a famous royal photographer which was another “pinch me” moment. To be able to work with such incredible and inspiring people who I admire so much and to be able to learn from them is such an incredible honor and an experience unlike any other.
What advice would you give to people trying to break into the industry?
Write as much as you can, start a blog and get on social media. Research the careers of the people you admire in the industry and see how they got their big break. Read the mastheads. Intern, intern, intern and work hard. Apply for as many internships as you can and if there isn’t anything available right now, email the editorial assistant and ask them to put your CV on file. There is always going to be a thousands nos before a yes – trust me I’ve been there – but if you work hard and persevere, you’ll be able to get your foot in the door.
