Prague

At the beginning of August both my sisters and I visited Prague because we wanted to see for ourselves if it really was as beautiful as people (that I've asked) say. And yes, it really is quite an amazing city. You will see lots and lots of buildings that you won't see anywhere here in Germany. The people are also very friendly and the food is just soooooo good. I fell in love with their local dish called svickova that the lady from the hostel that we were staying in recommended to us. It's basically dumplings with meat and a special kinda sweet cream sauce. Love it! The beer there is also very famous so we tried a few...every day...but! The good thing about the beer is that the taste isn't as strong and bitter as it usually is, which led to us not having such a hard time drinking it. I think that the dark beer was slightly tastier. But that's just me.

Prague has a lot of museums to offer and I would highly recommend the Kafka museum even if you are not a "fan". I am not either but you get quite some insight into his life and his inspirations to writing his books. 

We stayed for three days I believe and in my opinion three days are enough to see most of the tourist stuff in Prague. All in all I really enjoyed the trip but if you have to choose between a train and a plane be wise  and choose to fly! Even if it's more expensive!

EAST END THRIFT STORE

As the title reveals I visited a thrift store that I recently searched up on the internet. It is located near Whitechapel station in the Assembly Passage which is basically just a narrow road which makes the place even more special in my opinion. You wouldn't expect a store there.

So as I stepped in the typical smell you get when you enter a vintage store shot into my nose. But it didnt't look like those fancy shops that you encounter in Brick Lane (for example) at all. there were piles of clothes everywhere and they were sorted in a particular system: jackets, sweaters, denim shirts, knits... well you get what I mean, I suppose. There was also one corner where the clothings were marked depending on the price which ranged from 1£ to 5£. There were not a lot of people which made the atmosphere really nice because you could look through all the garments without having this crowded feel that you get at Topshop (or other shops on Oxford Street). I also appreciated that the East End Thrift Store isn't trying to be like those really modern and most of the time expensive vintage stores but only focuses on the clothes they sell. The quality is really good and I especially got stuck in the knitwear area. I picked up a white heavy men's knitted jumper which I really love and I also saw a cropped one which had a really stiff texture but it was sheep wool from Ireland! Actually I really regret not getting that one but I bought two other things which is why I decided not to purchase it. The people were also really nice and revealed that they also do alterations which is pretty good considering that you won't always get the perfect fit.

The owner was very talkative asking me if it was my first time visiting and where I come from etc. He also told me about the Thriftstock which takes place from 2nd February and is going on until.. I don't know a few days. The idea is that you get a bag for either 10£ or 20£ and stuff it until it's full. It's quite a good deal.

I definitely won't miss this chance. 

It can only get better

So, the past week I didn't really write anything because I was simply too tired to do so. It has slowed down since the beginning of my internship and I am really happy about that. 

Last week I was kind of depressed because I would always get the not so creative task and then I went on to think to myself that I'm just too bad at everything I do. I would always compare myself to the other two full-time interns but basically I can't really do the things they do because I only arrived 2 weeks ago. Actually I really wanted to just cry and thought how happy I would be when I get back home in three months. It is really hard without family or friends and it's even worse if you don't feel comfortable at work either. It was then when I realized that I'm really just a kid and that my mum's worries aren't for nothing. I could also sympathize with my dad who is in Switzerland at the moment.

 Thankfully this gloomy stage lies in the past now and I have to say that this week started off really well. I am still not doing the creative tasks but at least I feel like I am doing something for Stevens collection. I have been doing a lot of Photoshop and also calling people a lot to settle different things. Today was a day where I had to use the computer again but this only means that he trusts me with that. At least that's how I interpret it. (Wow, within one week I turned into a very positive thinker! )

I really think that I am learning a lot about the business in general. Before I always thought that he would work all alone but he does hire a lot of people and spends a lot of money to make the most of his ideas. There are also friends and family and of course interns who give a lot of input and inspiration. Well, that's my opinion though. What I mean is that it is very interesting to see how all this works. Keeping in contact with people and always be up to date with everything, being patient, answering questions, going to meetings... all of this seem to be part of being a new designer. I am very lucky that Steven is quite approachable and seems to be "normal". He isn't the least arrogant and always explains his plans carefully so that we can understand. 

Last Friday we had to stay until 11pm and although he treated us to yummy Korean food the only thing I wanted was to just go home and have a good long sleep. Hopefully, he will let us go earlier tomorrow. I need sleep. But it can only get better. Unfortunately, work next Saturday. Buhuuuuuu T_T

As a bonus a picture of where I live haha!

London - the first days

It's been 4 days since I have arrived in London for my internship and it has been crazy busy. I am interning at Steven Tai, a new London based designer who really does amazing garments. These past days I have been exploring quite a few haberdashery (clothhouse, Kleins) and fabric stores (MacCulloch and Wallis) in London. Many of them are located in Oxford Street which is quite good because you can reach them really well while shopping, for instance. Another thing which took me a great amount of time to find is woolcrest. It looks like a very old factory where there are rolls of fabric all over the hall. Doesn't sound very welcoming and to be honest it really isn't and you can't expect the people there to help you with anything but it is a good place to buy cheap fabric for toiles. Speaking of toiles, I had to sew one for a piece that's going to be used in Steven's F/W 2013 collection. I was so scared to do anything wrong (and I actually did) but fortunately Steven is very understanding and encourages you a lot which made me really feel comfortable. Despite all these task I also had to deliver a few garments of his, buy things of course and order through the internet. I really feel like I've learned nothing in fashion school and that I am starting from scratch. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing because that's what I am here for but what was I doing these two years? 

Everyday when I come home I am really exhausted and I barely have any meals. I live by junk food which is why my family is like urging me to eat something "real". Although it may seem like an excuse but I REALLY don't have the time to eat properly. There's so much to do! Believe it or not!

Anyways his work is really inspiring. He really thinks a lot about what to put into his collection and uses all kinds of materials. I was really impressed and look forward to the days that are awating me.

Next time. Pictures.