Month three. What an amazing 30 days its been. Only 21 of those being working days. I attended the GQ Men of the Year Awards, – can we just take a minute to let that sink in?! – a rooftop event with Marie Claire magazine, not one but two private screenings in the Mayfair Hotel, the launch of the first fragrance by Tiffany & Co. and many fun internal office events.
GQ Men of the Year Awards
I couldn’t not start with this one. The highlight of my life, my career, my placement year and most likely my future. I may have spent the night videoing and zooming up on every celebrity I could find but I was just basking in the glamour of it all, and still in amazement that I was actually there.
Coming from such a small town where the most famous thing to come out of it was a greyhound that was alive over 100 years ago, being surrounded by all of these famous people was like being in a dream. None of it felt real.
I don’t know if there’s anything that will top this during the remaining 10 months of my placement, I’d be surprised if it does. I am so, so lucky to have landed this placement and be invited to events such as these. I never take anything for granted and I’m very grateful for every opportunity I receive. These have been the most exciting three months of my life and God knows what is still to come!
For the full low-down on everything that happened at the GQ Men of the Year Awards, what was in the goody-bag and my entire minute-to-minute memoir of the evening, please click here.
Marie Claire #Verified Party
The evening after the GQ Awards, the team and I headed off to the Aviary rooftop bar to celebrate Marie Claire’s new partnership with 30 of the biggest influencers. We weren’t very bright-eyed in work that day due to the whiskey-based drinks from the night before but by 4pm we were on our way to the next event. Ah, the life of a girl in PR.
The view was great, the canapés were amazing and I was able to mingle and chat to other PR professionals and journalists. I had a few glasses of champagne – hair of the dog, as they say – and watched the sun set over the London skyline.
I also received my second goody-bag which even included a can of Diet Coke – as if I needed any more. A lovely evening to recover from the GQ Awards, but by the end of the party I was exhausted and was definitely ready for a good night’s sleep.
Social Media Week
Social Media Week took place from the 11th to the 15th of September and I was lucky to attend a talk on the very first day, held by Takumi. The subject was The Role of the Influencer.
There was a panel discussion with social media representatives from Shake Shack, Takumi and one of the influencers they work with, so that there were both sides to hear from.
A very engaging discussion from which I learnt quite a bit. It was also great to hear from an influencer’s point of view about what they like and dislike about PRs. I only wish I could have attended more of the talks, but a lot of them were recorded so I can watch them at a later point! Win win!
London Fashion Week
Another pinch-me moment. I attended the launch party for London Fashion Week held by The Evening Standard. The party was held at the Store Studios, next to Somerset House, where there were endless glasses of champagne and delicious canapés – the palenta cake was to die for! Again, I was able to meet other PRs and journalists and also spot some of the fashion on display and have a browse through the different designers and brands that were located in the gallery.
Never did I imagine I would be attending London Fashion Week! When we arrived at the venue there was a large protest going on at the front with people waving posters in the air, playing deafening music and dressed in rabbit costumes. We were shouted at as we walked in and shown videos of animal cruelty and fur campaigns.
At least there was no paint being thrown or I could have had my very own Carrie Bradshaw moment.
Then there was London Fashion Week Festival. Yep, I was able to go TWICE.
The amazing Irish presenter, Darren Kennedy, was hosting catwalks all week during London Fashion Week Festival and so invited the team and I along to watch one of the shows. We arrived and had a browse around the new designers and fashion that was on display – I had a look through Millie Mackintosh’s collection while Millie Mackintosh was stood two meters away from me – and had a look through the sale sections. Ooh a Prada handbag reduced from £600 to £550 what. a. bargain.
Darren then met us to bring us to the catwalk section of the building. We skipped the queues and were shown the best seats in the room. Front row. I can now say I was front row at London Fashion Week – Am I dreaming?? We were able to preview Galvan London’s newest range of clothing which was very neutral and very glamorous. If I could afford it, I would definitely be picking up a few pieces. #StudentProblems.
Private Movie Screenings
This month I was able to attend not one, but TWO movie premieres. I was able to see The Limehouse Golem and The Glass Castle a week before they were released to the public. Both showings also ended with a Q&A with one of the actors.
The two screenings were premiered at the Mayfair Hotel (so fancy!) where my manager, a few interns and I attended. Met with a free bottle of water and healthy crisps on our seats, we were excited to get to see a new movie for free and before the rest of the UK could see it!
I really enjoyed The Limehouse Golem as I love movies about old London and a good murder mystery. There was a great twist, with a brilliant performance from Douglas Booth. The Q&A session afterwards featured Daniel Mays who told us that Alan Rickman had been originally cast to play the detective which would have been amazing as I could really see him in that role. But unfortunately the great actor passed away at the beginning of this year.
On Thursday just passed, I went to the premiere of The Glass Castle which is released in cinemas Friday 6th of October. A really great and touching movie with amazing performances from Woody Harrelson and Brie Larson. The movie is based on a true story which really hit home when images and videos were played during the credits to show the family that the actors represented.
The Q&A was held with Woody Harrelson. Yes, I was in the same room as Woody Harrelson. Hollywood legend, WOODY HARRELSON!! A great guy, although not the best at interviews, it was amazing to be in his presence.
I really hope I’m able to go to a lot more premieres during the rest of this year! They’re definitely one of the highlights.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
On Wednesday we were at the Tiffany & Co. store on Old Bond Street to launch the first ever fragrance from Tiffany. We invited press and influencers to be the first to see the campaign and smell the fragrance. Breakfast was served – how many people can say they had Breakfast at Tiffany’s?! – and we were even able to try on some of the jewellery! I had a £133,000 engagement ring on my finger. I kid you not. When my future husband pops the question, he’s going to have some very high standards to live up to.
The Tiffany fragrance launched exclusively to Debenhams on Friday and the campaign features the song All You Need is Love by the Beatles but performed by St. Vincent. The perfume is very luxury, smelling like clean cut diamonds. I’m kidding. But it does smell very fancy, just like that £133,000 diamond I had on my finger.
At the beginning of the month, one of my team attended the New York launch of the Tiffany fragrance where she had breakfast at the Tiffany store and saw St. Vincent perform the song in person!
Other launches
Marc Jacobs Eau so Decadent launched along with BOSS BOTTLED during the month of September. Keep an eye out for our new Man of Today, Chris Hemsworth as he will surely be gracing your screens and magazines! Also check him out on the cover of this month’s Men’s Health magazine, where you can also get Thor sized arms too.
Chloé celebrated 10 years of an icon this month and two of my team made the trip to Paris to celebrate with the rest of the Chloé gang! They were also introduced to Hayley Bennett, the new face of Chloé. She definitely fits the bill of a Chloé girl!
Month three summary
September was most definitely the most hectic month so far with so many events and launches, but I loved every minute of it. In PR, attending events is a huge part of the job and I get overly excited by each one that I’m invited too. I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of evening events and I want to go to as many as I can during the year!
I even fitted in a quick weekend visit to Dublin during the month for the All-Ireland final – if you’re interested, you can read all about it here.
Now that we’re into October, with Halloween and Christmas just around the corner, the weather will be getting colder and the nights a lot darker. This year is going in so fast and it will almost be time for Coty to start seeking out interns for next year, which doesn’t seem real at all. A year ago I was scouring Indeed.com for placements and now there are second years doing the exact same thing! It feels like only a few months ago that I was terrified I wouldn’t get a placement or not know where I should go.
Whoever lands my job next year is going to be one very lucky student! However, they’re going to have a lot of trouble making me leave.
Marcel says
Great read, so, so happy for you. Stay real and keep having a ball. Love you loads. xxx
Pauline says
What a month you have had indeed. All these memories you are making and another 10 months to make a lot more. Love you xxx
Anna Croft says
So so proud of you ??
orlaghclaire says
love youuuuu xx