One step forward...

I’ve finally made my first foray into the dreaded exercise of freelance cold-calling – or, in this case, cold-emailing. It’s not far removed from sitting on the footpath with a sign reading: “Can use a semi-colon, will interview new cast member of Home and Away if necessary.”

Fortunately it seemed to work, although it was my background in fashion that was the clincher. As well as spending three years as a chiffon technician in New York, I worked for seven years with a prominent label in Sydney and still follow the collections online. So, I bluffed my way through a chat about my favourite men’s magazines (GQ? Arena Homme Plus? Details?) and now have to come up with 15 or so story ideas by the end of the week.

The downside? I had to fork out $40 on ‘current issue!’ air-freight magazines to find out what’s new and exciting in the heady realm of menswear.
Are skinny ties out? Is the boot-cut pant really making a comeback? Do loafers belong on anyone other than over-tanned Italian magnates? Such are the burning issues I have to contend with.

The problem of working inside the fashion industry is that it tends to make one a tad cynical about it all. It’s been years since I seriously questioned the wisdom of a shawl collar (they’re back, in case you were wondering). But I have an opportunity to work for a decent word-rate, so I must ditch the snark (damn) and delve back into a world in which topics such as ‘French cuffs: affectation or sophistication?’ are debated without irony.

I’m kind of excited I have to admit. Pity I won’t see any money for months.