I in advance warn you that this is somewhat of a rant.
I have worked on an intern basis for a large American luxury "lifestyle" company for just over a year; the name of which will remain explicitly anonymous as I still maintain a large respect for the horseback mounted sport inspired company.
The company is due to open an "exciting" new brand store in Central London this autumn. The brand is completely new to the UK and Europe. Hence the "excitement". Without giving too much away the brand follows the trend for vaguely aristocratic, East Coast American, public school style which seems to dominate British teenagers wardrobes. (which brings up another point; what's happened to youth style? Since when did it consist entirely of branded hoodies?).
After being suggested to do so by a colleague I applied for a retail position. Which I was then invited to interview for. First a face to face interview, followed by a group assessment.
The first interview was more or less your bog standard Q&A carried out by the newly appointed store manager who was clearly equally new to *anonymous* as a brand; trying to pull off that signature ivy coast look with a violent two coloured (practically fluorescent pink and yellow) high street shirt and black polyester bow tie ensemble. Now that I'm done with picking him apart I shall digress. Before the interview was concluded with the obligatory shaking of hands, Mr X asked to take my picture so that the team could "put names to faces". Yeah alright. Regardless I sheepishly agreed, went on my way and thought nothing more of it. Obviously being fully aware of the actual purpose of his stint as Mario Testino.
The second interview came and I arrived in the required loafers-no-socks type garb along with the other 20 or so applicants. The interview consisted of three parts; an AA style personal introduction followed by group effort riddle solving with such christmas cracker classics as "what does a butcher weigh" and ultimately a styling activity. It was well organised and interesting I give them that. However, the interview was again wrapped up with a portrait photograph.
We all know how stores such as Abercrombie and the like operate so this was of no surprise to me. Although this, for me, did not represent the sensibilities of the *anonymous* I knew.
Of course I was rejected. Needless to say on the grounds of my not quite Mens health cover physique and general non chiseled-ness. It didn't and still doesn't bother me. I happen to have the ability to distinguish my arse from my elbow which gives me a certain satisfaction in not getting the job over the chiseled types.
Today, whilst sitting in the *anonymous* buying office, behind the team from the new store I overheard/ earwigged them bitching like old tarts in a Yates' over the prospective staff and remarking how stupid we all are for agreeing to have our photo's taken and how cunning HE was for his "name to face" justification. I certainly am not that daft and naive. At least not enough to believe people bought into that twaddle.
I later found out that the team had been grabbing those who they considered ascetically suitable off the street. I'm not bitter about not being chosen. I just think its sad that brands feel the need to move in this direction.
I will finish by adding that today a member of that buying team was wearing a scrunchy. Enough said. Rant over.
No comments:
Post a Comment