Here is my story for Style Tribe’s Carnival of Couture
Prada Pumps Can’t Help You At Mecca: Or My Condé Nast Interview
Last September I began a frantic cold calling, emailing, and begging search to get myself into the hallowed halls of the glossies upon graduation. Ladies and gentleman, I was going to get hired at Condé Nast.
God knows why I was obsessed with getting my foot in the door at the supposed home of fashion. I figured, hey, I have a degree from the University of Chicago and a stellar resume why won’t they pick me?
In some miracle of universal equity I received a call back, landing myself an interview at the mothership. When I received the phone call I whooped for joy. I made it! I booked a flight to New York on my own dime, called my friends for places to crash, and prepared to break into the big leagues. Or so I had thought…..
With the impending doom of a Condé Nast interview looming I went into a complete panic over my lack of suitable designer wear for Mecca. I love fashion but God knows I can’t afford it, or at least what Condé Nast considers fashion. Thus, I decided that it was now or never to make the plunge into finding the perfect pair of shoes. Because shoes are the one area you should never fudge, I really didn’t want to make the ultimate faux pas in front of some cranky editrix. Thus I went in search of the most basic black pumps on the planet.
Originally I thought I should go for a towering pair of Manolo Blahnik’s in basic black so that I could strike a pose in a teeny tiny pencil skirt like a nouveau secretary dominatrix. But my practical side won out as I knew I needed a pair of shoes I would wear forever to justify the price tag.
I wandered for hours up and down Oak Street in Chicago, in and out of Barney’s and Saks, panicking over my sad lack of fashion cred. The Nasties would never take me seriously now. I was doomed to be a another nervous finger picking girl that would be thrown back on the streets, laughed at for daring an assault on the mountain.
“I can’t go in there without some kind of armor,� I thought to myself. I am already too short and too fat to be a real Nastie. I needed the right shoes and then I would be fine! How could they refuse to hire a smart girl in Prada, right?
Then the search became an obsession. I made more than one whimpering phone call to my mother. But then, just when I least expected it, I found them: The Holy Grail of Shoes on a back self gathering dust at Neiman Marcus: a pair of Prada pumps that fit all of my (somewhat hazy) criteria. They were black, with a silver buck, a sole that would hold up to years of pavement pounding, and heels just short enough to be everyday but still high enough to have a little oomph if I found that pencil skirt.
“Bless you Prada� I thought “no Nastie can tell a girl off for wearing Prada no matter how snotty she is. Prada is a sacred right (or possibly rite) for fashionistas everywhere. I had been saved! I can walk among the annointed now!�
I think I understand the Pope’s fascination with the brand a little better after the religious experience of finding a pair of shoes that offered some form of minimal protection against the chill of the Condé Nast stare. $300 seemed a small price to pay for peace of mind
A week later I suffered through a lackluster interview where I discovered that Condé Nast girls had family money, did I? (No). Condé Nast girls didn’t get paid much, did I mind? (Yes). And Condé Nast girls can never be hired until after they graduate so they hoped I didn’t need a job upon receiving my diploma. (I did!) As I left the premise, dejected and poorer, the only thing left to me was my Prada pumps.
Months later, after moving to New York, after actually experiencing a gig at Condé Nast, and then discovering I was probably better in my career without starting as the low man on the totem pole at Mecca, I still live and die by those pumps. I wear them almost everyday. I have replaced the heel tips twice but the shoes themselves look no worse for wear. They are now my Manhattan armor, perfect for every occasion, dressing up my uniform of jeans and American Apparel.
I owe them a lot. They got me into Condé Nast but they also got me out in one piece.
Who knew a pair of black leather pumps could do all that?
It’s good you let us in on this story.
Just to be clear on my philosophy regarding $300 shoes, I agree with you: in this case, $300 was a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Rebecca!
I know it isn’t salacious Condé Nast gossip but it is my own personal experience and well I thought someday it should see the light of day
Wonderful story, Julie. Good shoes are good shoes period…well worth the money. I’ve moved on from heels to Birkenstocks, but still….good shoes make you feel better (inside and out!)
[...] We’re not sure if the author of the following post is really named Jen, but could she actually be the mythical Evelyn the Food Whore? [Craigslist] • Wearing Prada loafers for your Condé Nast job interview means nothing if your family isn’t sitting on piles of money. [Almost Girl] [...]
Ooo. fascinating story. which condenast company did you get into, how did you get in and what happened to make you leave?
Breaking Out the Armor For Conde Nast…
I’ve never applied for a big time publisher like Condè Nast, so I can just imagine what it would be like trying to figure out what to wear for an interview with them. Almost Girl shares an interesting and entertaining story for Carnival o…
When I went into New York for a job interview with the erstwhile GQ editor, Art Cooper, I discovered to my dismay that I hadn’t packed anything but white socks. Art had arranged for us to have lunch at the Four Seasons. I called up a friend/editor who I had worked for at Men’s Journal, and asked his advice.
“Well,” he said, “GQ is a fashion magazine. Why not buy some black socks from a street vendour?”
I got some black socks for $2, showed up at Art’s office at the CN Building, shook his hand, and noticed he was wearing shoes but no socks at all. I could have saved $2!
I guess breaking into the women’s magazine side of things is a more expensive proposition. BTW, I got hired, and worked happily for Art until his death a couple years ago, at which time the new editor, who evidently cares more about socks, got rid of me. Good luck with your next interview. My advice: go barefoot.
I just had an interview at Conde, and I bought black Christian Louboutin slingbacks because, well, I was terrified. Total cost of outfit (although not all bought for this interview): $600. Total wages for a summer internship: $0. And, as they say, peace of mind: priceless.
Ahem sister!!
Except I decided to say screw that internship. If I keep dressing like this it won’t matter if I get an EA job because that job doesn’t pay for it either!
Being on your own and not wasting money to appease the editrix? Also priceless!
that’s very interesting-they said that they only hired girls who’ve already graduated. how about girls who’ve already graduated, want to switch careers (therefore they’re “volunteering” as an intern just to see if it’s a potential new career path), yet they say they only take students in college for interns?
working for free is working for free; if you’re intelligent and work hard, why should it matter?
I’m glad everything is working out for you! I always enjoy reading this blog
um those shoes are prada sport – the tacky diffusion line for eurotrash and cheap brits……you kneed yo’self in your own groin there mon amie!
I know right? Why else they have been so cheap?
But I could actually walk in the damn things and they have held up!
Seems you only get somewhere with shoes you can’t walk in and don’t hold up.
We are all screwed!
As a current company bitch for Mecca, I commend and applaud you and wish I had the balls to leave….but I’m going to grad school in the fall so I’ll wait to drop the ball on ‘em soon. Keep hope alive!
just wanted you to know I think you’re way better than Prada sport!….and BS Conde Nast!….besides I own over 20 pairs of Prada shoes and the secs in the elevator always exclaim ‘oh wow those shoes are from Nine West aren’t they! I looked at those in the weekend are they comfortable?’….
and I just have to smile and say ‘yes’
Better is all relative my dear. If I could afford it I would do it. But hey since I have to live I do what I can. I am actually quite pleased with the little suckers too. They wear terrifically!
My basic black Manolos have taken me through more than one bad day in court or God forbid, the Hill. They’re they only thing I can count on. I think they’ve conformed to my feet at this point. When they finally die, we’ll have a funeral service.
So cheap? There’s no shame in ducking into Designer Shoe Warehouse or driving up to the Chelsea outlets (I recommend you spend the entire day at the Neiman Marcus clearance place), and you’ll likely find some Manolos or Jimmy Choos for under $200.
Yes, well I might find them in many odd colors with varying heel sizes and such (if I had a car to get me to such places) but then would they be the perfect pair of little black shoes that get the job done?
If I wanted an seasonal pair of random shoes in some bright color perhaps. But basics are not found in the bargain bin
A fantastic entry! And you’re quite right: I put up 1000 bucks for a new portfolio case and a pair of fantastic pumps. Worth every penny. I think I’ll be buried with those pumps on…
Or generic round toe flats from Strawberry. They do just as well. Believe me. I’ve seen it done.
Your job interview was exactly like one I had with the same company many years ago, back in the 20th century. You can’t live on what we pay you and most of our staff have independent incomes. Do you suppose they put this dialogue on little cue cards hidden in the top desk drawer, or do they have it memorized by now?
[...] While I am a girl who loves the basics (we all know exactly how I feel about a certain mythical pair of shoes I have been troubled by a perplexing problem for the last month or so: summer footware. [...]
[...] One of the odder experiences I had at Gen Art Styles Competition last night was as I was doing my reporting duties for Fashion Wire Daily where Almost Girl is being made into a column. Diane Von Furstenberg was judging the finalists so being the enterprising columnist I am I walked up to her to get a quote on the competition on my teeny tiny video camara. As I ask her for a quote somehow she reaches in and starts grabbing at my outfit. I am wearing a green cashmere wrap from BCBG and a string of fractured gold colored beads I bought at Marshall Fields for maybe five dollars and somehow this passes muster! Which is pretty odd because this is exactly the name outfit I wore to my failed interviews at Conde Nast [...]
Prada always saves the day!
[...] I think the movie will move a legion of naive teenage girls to send in resumes to the empire and it will become that much harder to get a traditional start in the fashion industry. Which is a pity because it is hard enough as it is. That said, I imagine that a new generation of youngsters hungry to work in the trenches of the “glamour industrial complex” will find new and interesting ways in which to fulfill that dream. [...]
I work at Conde Nast in London and while it is a bonus to wear such designers, I’m happy to say that Vogue House is a lot less stuffy. They are far more relaxed in dress and strongly support individualism. You can get away with wearing anything. Today I wore jeans, flip flops and a t-shirt and yesterday i wore a cord mini-skirt. And I work in fashion editorial!!
I am soooo jealous of you all. I do not have the skills or background to even be interviewed for a Conde Nast position let alone be successful in getting it. Besides, even if by some amazing stroke of luck I got a job there my wardrobe is distintly GAP and Abercrombie.
Count yourselves lucky to even be interviewed and especially Sarah! You guys have no idea how the other half live!!!
I work at Conde Nast and I didn’t wear any label whore clothing or shoes to any of my interviews. You really don’t need Christian Louboutain to get a job there, it’s more about putting something together that looks professional and stylish at once. Plus I wear jeans to work…so I don’t know what all the hubub is really about. The problem may simply be trying too hard…? If you’re too concerned that your labels aren’t good enough maybe your confidence in your work/skills/past experience isn’t coming through enough. In any case, good luck!
I actually just got offered a wonderful summer internship with Conde Nast. I didn’t even have to shop for a new outfit since I got to interview over the phone! I wasn’t trying to get out of buying more clothes, I just literally didn’t have time to fly out to nyc with class. Good Luck to everyone =)
After reading all this I am terrified! I have an interview @ the Nast this week. I am contemplating dropping a pretty penny on some Prada, but my bank account is already on the low from the label whore I was in the past. What to do … what to do? Can I rock the Prada portfolio I already have even though it’s off white (why can’t it be June already)?
[...] Because of the revamped posting schedule on Coutorture I find it very difficult to keep up with Almost Girl. Friends have noted how the blog has taken a dive as our editorial team at Coutorture works their ass off to keep our posting schedule. But the efforts seems to be worth it as site traffic is skyrocketing. But I have titled this post the end of an era for another reason. Last weekend Phil’s little sister Anna came to visit. We did the tourist thing, took her around Williamsburg, shopping in Soho, and all that jazz. But the main event was my closest purge. She got everything from Cheap Monday jeans to Uniqlo sweaters to my first Little Black Dress. But the real treasure that made its way into Anna’s hands? My Prada pumps. [...]
The summer intern crew at the various Conde Nast publications is a very mixed group. Some interns come ready for the runway, but it really isn’t necessary. My daughter interned at Vogue, wore mostly Banana Republic and similar, and was told by an editor that she looked “very chic”. Its choice, fit, attitude, confidence, and of course ability. The early offers (March or so) are the people in whom they really have an interest, and they are paid internships. The later offers (May) are typically not paid. Hope that helps.
[...] I was starting to feel pretty darn good. But the line was long for check out so I decided to pick around the shoe rack again. Pair after pair of ugly platform pumps in off putting colors like fuschia and orange and about 15 pairs of hot pink kitten heels did not really appeal. But then another girl put back a pair of perfect black Prada pumps. Three inch heels and silk black. These were the grown up equivalent to my worshiped original pair of Prada sport pumps from so many years ago. And miraculously these cost a pretty penny less than my original pair. I guess editors really do get all the perks don’t they? [...]
I don’t understand why so many women go crazy for Manolos.
I really don’t think you need Prada or designer outfits to get a job. I had an job interview at Conde Nast, in London and it was friendly. The interviewer wore jeans, she was very nice and we had a good chat.
I also don’t think every Conde Nast girl has family money. But then again, the topic never came up. No one asked me about family money nor did I ask her. It’s a bit inappropriate.
I think it’s all about work experience and your ability to be confident and passionate about the role. Most of the people working there really love what they do.
Prada is a great choice for job interviews.
i found this blog by googling “conde nast blacklist interns” after about an hour obsession that i’ve been blacklisted at conde nast for turning down an unpaid 20 hour a week [while a full-time ivy league student] in teen vogue’s online department. reading this made me feel a bit better! thanks for sharing.
Well I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed reading this blog, as well as all of your comments. It seems that everyone has come from all walks of life and yet we can still relate to good pair of heels!
I am currently applying for a internship at Conde Naste for the this summer. I have experience, decent grades, and the motivation, yet I know this is very crucial and I would love to land the internship. Any ideas? Recommendations? Advice? This is something I have wanted for awhile although I have this little voice telling me that you really cannot get your foot in the door without knowing the right people. Is a good resume good enough anymore?
Well I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed reading this blog, as well as all of your comments. It seems that everyone has come from all walks of life and yet we can still relate to good pair of heels!
I am currently applying for a internship at Conde Naste for this summer. I have experience, decent grades, and the motivation, yet I know this is very crucial and I would love to land the internship. Any ideas? Recommendations? Advice? This is something I have wanted for awhile although I have this little voice telling me that you really cannot get your foot in the door without knowing the right people. Is a good resume good enough anymore?
Hi all, I work as an intern at Condé Nast and I’m actually from Hyde Park in Chicago (where U of C is located), and there are two things to remember:
1. dress for the job you want–never under-dress.
2. no flip-flops! ever! unless you are in an outdoor photo shoot with water!
3. Never make ANY enemies at Condé Nast.
And yes, most of the Condé Nast ladies already have family money and almost always marry rich, but if you network, do lots of internships, and work hard, you will go places there!
I found this thoroughly helpful. I’m planning on applying for an internship at Conde Naste for the summer of 2009. It’s honestly my dream job. And I’m not an aspiring fashionista. I’m in love with the New Yorker. But seriously, all these comments that really tell it like it is are so helpful and have really lent me insight into the NYC mentality that I honestly know nothing about, being from the lovely midwest. Thanks!
I am planning on interviewing at Conde Nast this winter. So, i have been thinking, even if i show up in the perfect outfit, if i don’t much experience in the industry and have had fun jobs every past summer…..do I have a shot? I have good grades and am hardworking, but I can’t help but think….would they hire me? anyone with a similar experience?
My daughter has had a few interviews and has a big contact at C.N. S.I.’s grandson who went to school at Pingry with some of her friends. (She hasn’t pulled that card and won’t even ask for his help)..and..yes she has some funds on grandparents side. She is lovely , bright and dresses well….has top grades and graduated from a top eastern school…BUT…hasn’t gotten hired yet and has moved on.. she wants to make her own $ and not depend on family ..so she found a great job outside the C.N.walls..she also heard that there is a hiring freeze and C.N. will be letting more people go in 2009…Good luck..I wish you all well…and a great pair of shoes and bag are helpful where ever you go..