HOW TO CONTACT YOUR HERO

It may seem impossible to reach your heroes at first but once you succeed it becomes addictive. Think how incredible it would be to talk to your biggest fashion hero! The most important thing to remember is that they are human beings. Before contacting them you MUST know what they have been up to recently and enough about their past to be able to have a conversation with them about it.

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TIP NO. 1

A phone call goes a long way. If you are debating whether to call or email your hero then always try and build the confidence to call them. Even if you only get through the their office or assistant then thats most likely more far than you would have got with an email. Emails get lost and forgotten about all the time in the fashion industry. If your hero is somebody fairly low key then the chances are an email will work but a call is a lot more personal.

TIP NO. 2

If you're going to call then its always a great idea to practice first. Don't over think everything to the extent that you're creating a script but at least write down the questions you would like to ask. Tone of voice matters more than you think. If you want to make a good first impression then make sure you talk confidently and with passion. If you get a chance to discuss your heroes work with them then don't be a bore! Ask them more and respond to their answers. If their passion about their work shines through then match it.

TIP NO. 3

Social media is a fantastic tool for getting yourself out there. Create a professional page on a social networking site such as Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr or Twitter and use it to contact your hero. Do NOT name your page after your nickname or screenname as this page should remain strictly professional. The page should contain a showcase of your best work to ensure your hero that you are talented and therefore not a time waster.

TIP NO. 4

Make yourself memorable. I'm not saying go out of your way to dress up in a ridiculous costume and stand outside their window waving but definitely do something unique. If you can't think of anything different you could do then try sending them a quirky gift. Make it personal. For example, if I were to try and contact my icon who is a known chocoholic then I would send them a personalised bar of chocolate with my details on it. It would be like an edible business card! Personalised gifts show that you truly care about them and that you value their time.

TIP NO. 5

Before you write anything try to imagine yourself in their shoes. Think about the type of person they are or appear to be. If you decide to contact somebody through letter or email then make sure you spell check and get somebody else to proof read it. The most important factor of an email or letter to your hero is the content. The subject is everything. Make sure the words in the subject box of your email are engaging. Write something like 'exclusive interview' or 'opportunity'. You need to be straight to the point otherwise the email or letter will most likely be binned. Obviously say something about their work that you admire but don't ramble on about the past 20 years of their lives.

TIP NO. 6

Seize opportunities. If you're in the area of an event or place that you know your hero will be then try and meet them there. I'm not saying to go full stalker mode and follow their every move but if you know they're going to be somewhere near you then try and find them. I never thought that any of my heroes would speak to me but they did! It isn't as hard as you might think. Just through blagging my way into shows I've met Nick Knight, Maddie Huggins, Touker Suleyman, Alesha Dixon, Michael Moon and even Anna Wintour! Let this photograph be evidence that fear cannot over power determination.