I normally work in Long Tall Sally’s Chiltern Street store but I have spent the last two weeks on work experience in Head Office with the marketing department.
During my time here I’ve proof read, written copy for the website and done a fair few things in between. I must say that I most enjoyed looking through the Christmas collection, out of which my favourite item is the Kezia dress. It’s a navy blue mini dress with long sheer sleeves and lots of spangles- I’ve put my name down for one already!
After the first few days I noticed one big difference between working in the office and working in store- instead of complaining about achy feet, I was dying to stretch my legs! At the end of my first week, in a cruel twist of fate, I got to stretch my legs plenty as the lift was out of service. It’s a miracle that I’m writing this now because the stairs up to the fourth floor almost killed me!
The loft-like office is really trendy though, and there are so many more people working behind the scenes than I’d expected.It’s been interesting to learn how people from all different departments come together to achieve things like a finished catalogue. Everyone uses their own expertise to make sure that it looks good and contains all of the right information- it’s a real lesson in team work.
It’s now my last day and although it’s been a short two weeks, I’ve had a great time thanks to the lovely team.
Laura
Posted at 05:13PM Aug 20, 2010 by Long Tall Sally Admin in "Carol" Comments (0)
A day in the life of a designer
What to wear?
It's July and temperatures have finally risen. I think most people have only just come out of their winter wardrobe and are still dubious and only tentatively wearing sandals. As I write this tonight it has suddenly started to rain and the temperature has dropped 10 degrees and I have had to put a cardigan on. So, it pays to have a few reminders of what we should all be wearing!
The basic T and the basic vest are as big as ever this year. Kate Moss has really made the vest a must have item for summer for a while now! This year the printed tee has really come to the forefront and is obviously a trend you are all following as our Cuba t'shirt has been flying out the door.
The Trench is still a key item and has graced many a catwalk again this season – thank God, as there are still rain clouds overhead – and Wellingtons and denim shorts are a festival must have.
This summer jeans have moved on a little bit – skinny and slim fit jeans are still a must have and can be easily tucked into your wellies if you don’t have the legs for shorts and don’t want to soak up the puddles on a wet day. If you can buy them longer and turn them up, like Penelope Cruz does or a size or two bigger and wear them lower like Gwen Stefani to get a contemporary boyfriend look which looks great on longer legs and achieves that Capri style, without looking like your trousers are too short.
The flare and the bootleg are still holding their own and look just as contemporary as ever especially when worn in a dark wash, also sported by Kate Moss.
Yet again, the maxi dress is a must have style and this has definitely been the year of the jumpsuit ! (Is that why the queue seems to be longer than ever in the ladies toilet?)
Posted at 04:53PM Jul 14, 2010 by Long Tall Sally Admin in "Carol" Comments (0)
DATING DOWN
I was lucky enough to get some work experience at Long Tall Sally head office and fortunately for me it was the company conference yesterday. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the conference but ended up finding it fascinating, and got to listen to presentations from different departments within the business, as well as talks from Long Tall Sally style expert Lisa Butcher and the author of ‘The Tall Book’ Arianne Cohen.
One thing that really stuck with me and got me thinking was the talk from Arianne Cohen; who spoke about the findings from her book and thoughts of tall women. What made her speech so special was her personal experiences, which really hit home for a lot of people including myself. One of the points she mentioned was the problem of dating, mainly because tall women are reluctant to date people shorter than them and because taller men tend to date people of all sizes.
For example, Arianne, who is 6’2”, would only be left with 3% of the male population if she was to date someone taller than her, and as she said herself when she adds all her other requirements that figure becomes so small the chances of bumping into someone suitable seem impossible!
It’s like when you see a couple and one half is significantly better looking than the other, I can’t help but think: “Seriously, you need to find someone in your league’which is awful I know, but why do we think this and why should it matter if they get on and are happy together- it shouldn’t, right?”.
I am not someone who is particularly tall but I am often not comfortable in my own skin and feel like this is a much wider issue. I think that tall women should have the confidence to date men shorter than them, younger than them and not as physically attractive without receiving judgement from anyone.
After some careful research into this matter, I found a few inspiring celebrity examples. So next time you get chatted up ladies and think ‘Great another guy who is shorter than me,’ instead of saying ‘See ya’ why not give it a chance and take a lead from these wonderful women?
• Model, Penny Lancaster, 6’1”, whose husband is rocker Rod Stewart, 5’8”.
• Actress Katie Holmes, 5’9”, is married to actor, Tom Cruise who is 5’7”
• Newlyweds Sophie Dahl, a model who is 5’11”, and jazz singer, Jamie Cullum just 5’4”.
Written by Jenny Lippiatt
LTS work experience
Posted at 09:51AM Jun 18, 2010 by Long Tall Sally Admin in "Diary Entries" Comments (0)
A day in the life of a designer
The Tall Life
We have started selling Arianne Cohen’s book “The Tall Book’ on our website. If any of you haven’t yet read it I would highly recommend it. At first I thought “Yeah, so I’m tall but why would I want to read a book about it?! I’ve got a big nose too but I’ve got over it!” but, you know what? Arianne’s book is great – it’s really chatty, witty, and informative and made me realise that I am just not tall enough! I must admit though height has never been an issue for me, and I have always wanted to be over 6 foot I'm just gutted that my bad back and knee caused by wearing high heels now prevents me form wearing high heels all the time.
To me height has always meant power and presence. I was fascinated to realise that the Dutch are the tallest race (not Scandinavians as many people think) and that American's are actually getting shorter. Tall people actually earn more money, but they need to because they eat more. Adolf Hitler was only 5ft 8in and Lenin only 5ft 5in but American’s generally vote for tall presidents, anyway I won’t tell you any more read it for yourself.
I was however gratified that it is perfectly normal for tall girls to feel angry when they see a tall man with a short woman. I thought that was just me!. I have got a boyfriend and he is taller than me so it’s nothing personal. I ‘m afraid I just don’t think its right. I was rankled last week reading Look magazine - “Heroes” actress Hayden Panettiere (Pictured) who is 5ft 1in with her boyfriend Wladimir Klitschko who is 6ft 6in – ooh! That’s so annoying!
Posted at 10:52AM May 14, 2010 by Long Tall Sally Admin in "Carol" Comments (0)
A day in the life of a designer
Fashion Blogging
Bryanboy has had a handbag named after him and Tavi had front row seats at the Marc Jacobs show- I would have killed for front row seats at that age and most fashion conscious adults still would.
That’s the power of the Internet. I was heartened to hear however that Jane Aldridge finds keeping her blog up to date a full-time job. That’s the thing, there is so much information available at the end of one's finger tips today that you just need the time to be able to digest it all. She spends so much time doing her blog that she can only finish high school by correspondence course.
I have to say that that is a shame, you only have one chance to be an ordinary kid and mix with other kids that age and do all that stupid stuff you love and can’t possibly do late, there’s plenty of time to grow up and obsess about designer clothes. I’m sure some of the best times are had wearing a pair of converse jeans and a t'shirt out with your mates and not living a virtual life with virtual friends in a little glass box. Throw something on, go out and have fun!
Posted at 10:03AM Mar 17, 2010 by Long Tall Sally Admin in "Carol" Comments (0)
Martha Stewart
Last Thursday the 18th February LTS had the opportunity to appear on top, American talk show: The Martha Stewart Show.
Lisa and journalist Arianne Cohen (Our US ambassador and writer of The Tall Book) were on hand to offer tall advice and reap the benefits of Long Tall Sally. With Lisa styling four Olympic models who all took part in a LTS fashion show in our new Summer collection.
This was an exciting opportunity for LTS and even Martha loved the range!
Watch the clips here and let us know what you think:
http://www.marthastewart.com/show/the-martha-stewart-show/the-tall-show
http://www.marthastewart.com/article/fashion-for-tall-women?video_id=0
Posted at 12:17PM Feb 25, 2010 by Long Tall Sally Admin in "Sam" Comments (4)
Heightism in Hollywood
Successful Hollywood actress Sigourney Weaver has said recently that her height has actually stopped her from getting a number of acting roles over her career.
The 60-year-old actress is 5ft 11in and has hinted that she often misses out on roles because of her height. She said: “I've lost a lot of roles because of my height. I'm 6ft 3in in heels. Producers are short and I was never their sexual fantasy.”
It’s sad to hear that even one of Hollywood’s most recognized actresses considers her height a disadvantage even though she has a full and glittering career. She goes on to say: 'As for actors, if I enter a room and an actor stands up then immediately gets self-conscious and sits back down, I hear myself saying: 'This job isn't for me.'
I can appreciate some insecurity about height whether you are tall or small but I’d expect it to be more a moment of being uncomfortable- I mean its Sigourney Weaver after all!
Although in contrast to her previous comments it was Sigourney's height that landed her the "Avatar" role. Director James Cameron goes onto explain: I knew she was a tall girl, I was thinking about her shoes - if she's wearing tall heels she's going to be this domineering personality and I'm going to be in for a rough ride. And if she's wearing flats, she's self-conscious about her height. She was actually wearing like a middle heel and I thought, 'OK, this is going to work fine. She's going to be strong, she's going to be bold, but she's not going to be completely out of control.
It seems that your height will only be an issue if you make it one. Stand tall and stand proud, tall is beautiful after all!
IMAGE SOURCE: AP
Posted at 04:39PM Jan 18, 2010 by Long Tall Sally Admin in "Sam" Comments (0)
A day in the life of a designer
December
Well December started with another development trip this time not so far flung to see the factories in Leicester. The samples have started to roll in from our trips to Hong Kong and Turkey so we are now starting to buy the range for Autumn/Winter 2010. I know it seems early but we have to do it now or you won’t get your catalogues on time!
So far we have bought Trans, Autumn and Winter. Plus, casual wear and knitwear but we still have formal to buy. Its hard work but I have to say that this year we are all pretty pleased with the range and how it looks,
And then my Christmas shopping, it’s nearly all done and all wrapped-What a relief! Now starts the mammoth task of transporting the presents to everyone, unfortunately neither Santa nor Rudolph can help me.
Last week was a great week; I went to the “Chap party” on Saturday in my tweed revolutionary outfit. Tweed skirt with a bustle back –with the chance to say “does my bum look big in this?” and then feel ok when everyone says ‘yes’. I bumped into Claudia there, one of the models from our Winter catalogue; it’s always nice to see a familiar face.
Then I went to see the Montezuma exhibition at the British Museum- Very inspiring, I can feel feathers and turquoise being very influential next year again.
Dinner at the Paramount club on Thursday with a stunning 32nd floor view over London and then this weekend two birthday parties. I am getting lots of wear out of my long sleeve black lycra t shirt, my Eisel strapless shift dress, and my Sophy feather shrug.
I’ll let you know what I wear this week as we have the works Christmas party, my Spanish class Christmas party and a night out at the Albert Hall with the girls from the Canadian buying team.
Have a fabulous Christmas everyone!
Posted at 02:46PM Dec 22, 2009 by Long Tall Sally Admin in "Carol" Comments (1)
