JW Anderson Topshop Launch with FLARE

Being the Marketing & Events intern gets me personal invites to our events, both the ones I help plan and set up or just to take it all in! A couple weeks ago, Flare hosted an event with Topshop Eatons Center for the pre-launch of JW Anderson’s line for an exclusive pre-shop with one of our Fashion Editor’s Truc Nguyen. Invitees were given the chance to shop the new Topshop line before it became available to the public and get the inside scoop from Truc from Milan Fashion Week, where she had a chance to see JW Anderson’s line on the runway.

If I were to describe Topshop’s style, I would say a lot of their pieces can be a bit riskee, daring and unique. JW Anderson’s line definitely fits right in, topping the list of unique lines. He took casual men’s clothing and altered the cuts only slightly to bring us a grungy women’s line with a school-girl feel. The line includes jean dresses, boxy men’s button up shirts, an argyle knit skirt and top “suit”, a thick jean kilt-like skirt and not to forget the high flatforms. If you’re in Toronto, you can shop the line at the Eatons Center because it is only available at this location or for everyone online! Check it out here.

Jude and I

It was a great night filled with cupcakes, lemonade and shopping! Check out all the photos from the event on FLARE.com here.

First Day Jitters

What’s one of the worst ways to start your first day? Show up late. Yup, I did it. I arrived 10 minutes late on my first day. On top of my first day jitter nerves, sitting in traffic not having any control of the situation only added to my anxiousness. I of course sent my manager a quick email apologizing and to let her know I was just out front and would be there shortly!! She couldn’t have been sweeter! She told me not to worry at all, that it’s hard to gauge traffic and timing for the first little bit.

When I arrived, I walked through the Flare doors and was filled with excitement all over again. I met the team and we immediately hit it off, chatting about my winter boots and how they managed to be cute and stylish, while at the same time actually standing up to the dreadful Toronto winter we are having this year (on and off it seems, as today must have hit a record of the warmest day in January history). I was given the grand tour of our floor (which included the fashion samples closet!!), the 11th floor where Sales works because I may have to go up there from time to time and also the building facilities such as the cafeteria and the fitness center. Then I had to get my picture taken for my pass card, which I need if I want to get anywhere on our floor, let alone the whole building. Did I mention I love pictures but hate getting my picture taken when it’s for some sort of ID card. They just never turn out well and I happened to just get bangs last week because I was bored with my hair but I already want to grow them out, so I am now stuck with bangs in my picture 😦

Next stop, back to my desk to get some admin stuff out of the way. I spent the rest of the afternoon helping out the team with some upcoming events and plans, beautifying, wrapping and pricing a gift basket for a Gala Flare is sponsoring and assembling some mannequins. I ended off the day listening in on a conference call with Old Navy/Gap/Banana Republic and Lou Lou Magazine on an upcoming maternity collab. Stay tuned!

It was a great first day and I look forward to crazy busy days when I’m running around (hating myself for insisting on wearing heels) feeling like there’s not enough hours in the day. Careful what you wish for!

New Year, New Beginnings

I’m Kirsten McNeill, 23 years old and chasing after my dreams. If you know me, you know that I work my butt off and have a passion for fashion. With a new year comes new beginnings and this year I definitely have a great opportunity for one. Tonight is filled with nerves, excitement, joy and visions of my dreams coming true. When I graduated from university, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in marketing but didn’t think I would be lucky enough to combine my passion outside of work into my work. Never would I have imagined that tomorrow I would be starting my journey as a Flare marketing intern.

It still doesn’t quite feel real as I think about what my first day will be like and meeting the team. It’s a little past midnight and it’s just starting to hit me that this is tomorrow!! I mean of course I have been thinking about my perfect first day outfit and as I lay out my options on my bed I can’t help but feel like it’s the first day of a new school year. Except it’s my new beginning. Join me on my journey as a Flare magazine intern, as I take a leap of faith and chase after my dreams.