Interview: fashion editor at 17

Have you ever wondered how it is to be a fashion editor at only 17? I did,but now I’m 19 so my time has gone:)
Amy Claire is the fashion editor of an online publication that started as Inside Out Magazine and now has reborn from ashes as Lipstick Royalty Magazine.

1.How did you started to work in fashion?And at Lipstick Royalty Magazine?

This is an odd story… and as I’m only seventeen years old, I guess that it’s unique, too! Basically, I’ve always had a passion for writing, and I used to self-publish my stuff on Bebo, where I saw an advert for writers for the magazine. I got in touch, and said I’d be interested, but not in the fashion side of it… Back then, it was called Inside Out Magazine, and I was editor’s assistant. But in April 2008 I was made fashion editor… which was a shock and a half at first. I’d never had any particular interest in fashion before, but once I got stuck in, and once I started reading decent fashion journalism, I got hooked!

At our last staff meeting, it was decided that Rachel, my editor, and I literally live, eat, sleep and breathe Lipstick Royalty now. It’s fantastic to work with such good friends, too.

2.Tell us more about Lipstick Royalty Magazine.

Like I said, Lipstick Royalty Magazine started out in December 2007 as Inside Out Magazine. Rachel, who established it, was only fourteen when it began, and we’ll all openly admit that out first issue wasn’t so good… But as new staff came and went, we evolved and grew, and by the time we relaunched as Lipstick Royalty in December of last year, I think that all of the staff can say that we’re proud of what we do. Obviously, being so young, we’re always full of new ideas, and the magazine is bound to evolve – we’re on haitus until August 1st for a redesign! – but I think we’ve found our niche, and we’ve grown to love it, now.

If I had to describe LR to anyone (which I never do, because all my friends and family know it as well as I do)(I never shut up! Seriously…) I’d tell them that it’s a vibrant, exciting and alternative take on a traditional fashion magazine – we’re out to break the mould; we’re different, but whatever we do, we do it well.
3.What’s the best thing about being a fashion editor?

God, this is going to make me sound so shallow, but I’d have to say the free stuff! I love my job, I really do – because it allows me to do what I love most in the world, which is writing – but the best bit has to be the free stuff! We’ve had free perfume to review (yummy!), and free tickets to Clothes Show London (classy!), and I’ve just written a piece about a couture cake boutique in the UK – and they say that next time I’m nearby, I can have free tasters… Mmm, cake…

4.What do you love most about fashion?

The fact that it allows people to express themselves. We’re all unique, and our clothing allows us to express this to people, easily. “Only the beige wear beige”, as Hadley Freeman (my icon, and a minor deity)(I’m sure) once said…
5.If you can choose a designer for a collaboration, whom it will be?

Oooh. Tough one. Like everyone at Lipstick Royalty, I adore New York Couture, and I guess that I’d love to see them work with someone more mainstream (like TopShop, who seem to collaborate with everyone), to make them more well known, and easier to access!

Then again, it would mean that the secret was spilled, and that the rest of the world would know about them… Argh… this one is too hard!
6.Do you have a style icon?

Not as such, no. I know, I know, it’s bad of me… but like I said, I think that everyone is unique, and that copying their clothing is like trying to copy their personality. There are a hundred thousand people whose style I admire, but I wouldn’t say that any of them is my style icon.

The one person that I do look up to massively in this industry is the aforementioned Hadley Freeman, deputy fashion editor of The Guardian, and a contributor to British Vogue. I suppose that this is because she reminds me of me; she has an opinion on everything, and will always express it. Besides, she has a first from Oxford!

But… I have never seen what she wears. Who knows? She may be my style icon after all!

7.Any advice?

Yes. People told me that I was stupid when I started out at the magazine; that I was a daydreamer, and that I could never do that kind of thing. They told me that I was stupid to want to be a writer, and that I would never get anywhere. I think that I can safely say I have proven them wrong. So, my adive to anyone, about anything would be never to give up on your dreams, and always to keep trying. It will pay off in the end.

Lipstick Royalty Magazine www.lipstickroyalty.com
Amy’s blog www.confessionsofafashioneditor.onsugar.com