“We’re not in Kansas anymore” 

My name is Ciara (hello!), and as well as writing for the wonderful website Studenty, I also work alongside the popular Uk Hosiery Company “Pretty Polly” as their Brand Ambassador. I wont get into the saga of how it all came about, thats a story for another time, or just a few clicks away to the related-article on my blog, WildChild Stories. ((cough-cough, plug-plug))
“Brand Ambassador” sounds like a pretty weird term right? Alot of hand-shaking and baby-kissing you say? Not quite. But  working along side a giant like Pretty Polly has certainly had its share of excitement.

However, when I was told I would be traveling over to London Fashion Week, to report on the eagerly awaited House of Holland Autumn/Winter ’12 show from the company’s celebrity designer-collaborator, Henry Holland, I guessed things were about to get a whole lot more exciting.

After an abysmal 4 a.m. bus journey to Dublin, and an even more tedious flight, train ride and a few carefully navigated tube stops, and I was in the big smoke. After meeting the Pretty Polly executives for a quick run-though of what exactly they wanted from my excursion, we decided that the best course of action would be to simply let me run amock with my Canon G12, documenting everything as best I could, including attempting a cheeky interview or two, if the opportunity arose. This was music to my ears, as I have made no secret of my desire to get involved in world of T.V broadcasting and presenting. An opportunity like this was surely one that many aspiring broadcasters would give their right arm for! It was also decided that a somewhat “guerrilla” style of shooting would work best, due in small part to the Pretty Polly fans wanting to get a real fly-on-the-wall experience, and due in large part to yours truly having absolutely no filming experience whatsoever!

The day it self was a whirlwind. From the moment they slapped that all-access pass on my hand I was in another world, surrounded by alein-esque model creatures, impeccably dressed stylists, makeup artists, hairdressers, and a nausea-inducing amount of hairspray. The celebrities wafted in and out of the backstage area as they pleasde, never questioned, always watched. Some arrived long before, as friends of Henry to show their support, and some just as the crowd of paparazzi have reached their peak, to ensure maximum attention, and therefore, exposure. Ah yes, how very clever these creatures are. How could a Kilcolgan-bred, turf-turning, Gaeilge-speaking cailín end up so far from home? There was no time to wonder, for with preparation well underway, and the show starting soon, I had a job to do.

The sheer amount of effort and perspiration that goes into a mere six-minute show is astounding to see, and thats even before the clothes themselves come into question. Lights, camera, action –  and in six minutes, the magic is all over. Then the press descend on celebrities once again, for seconds. Getting to witness this symbiotic relationship so closely was beyond fascinating. Having to be part of it however, was rather terrifying. We’re certainly not in Kansas anymore.

I will let the video do the rest of the talking, as I feel I have done enough already. I hope you enjoy it, and please forgive my shoddy camera work and editing! Having to produce, film and edit every part of it was definitely a challenge, although one I enjoyed. It may not be my best work, not by a long shot. But everyones gotta start somewhere, and being thrown in the deep end is probably the best way imaginable. I will finish by saying that the overall experience, as exhausting and frightening as it may have been, was utterly inspiring, and it has done nothing but fuel the embers of my ambition into a frightening blaze.
I could get used to this.

Thanks for watching,

C.
x

for more see:

Blog: http://wildchildstoriesblog.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/WildChild-Stories/194937627208707

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/WildChildCiara

** article first published on Studenty**

[author] [author_image timthumb='on']http://www.galway.com/Ciara.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Ciara O’ Doherty, 22, is a freelance journalist and budding T.V presenter, based in Galway city. Ciara also runs her own fashion blog, “WildChild Stories” which she updates regularly with her fashion musings and general goings-on. Also dabbling in modeling, Ciara has recently won the title of Brand Ambassador for the Uk-based hosiery giant, Pretty Polly. Visit her blog WildChild Stories to follow her journey[/author_info] [/author]