Guest Lecture: Alexandra Shulman (part 2)
- Hannah Allport
- Apr 29, 2017
- 3 min read
In this part of the blog post learn what is next for Alexandra Shulman, all about the documentary, David Bowie, and how she stays motivated to lead a busy lifestyle.
When Shulman was asked about the documentary that aired about the 100th year of Vogue UK she said she thought it was a great form of publicity for the magazine and that particular issue. She also felt that it helped introduce a new audience to the magazine within the UK and internationally. Overall she felt it was a wonderful experience for her and all the workers at the magazine to go through. She made the decision to make the documentary because she felt it was a nice way to mark 100 years. She had been asked many times before to make one but never felt it was right. She expressed that it hadn't turned out quite as they thought it would however, she was still pleased with the outcome.
11th January 2016, a sad day for many across the globe as people awoke to the news that David Bowie had passed. When Shulman was asked on her thoughts and feelings about the tragic loss she expressed utter shock that she felt when she woke up that day. She was "utterly unprepared" to hear the news. She also expressed how the may edition of the magazine was one of her "all time favourites" tributing Bowie with Kate Moss gracing the cover. Her admiration for Bowie came from his gender fluidity in his style and appearance. She described the man as "beautiful". Her genuine shock was felt by many in the room. We saw a different side to Shulman when answering this question, one we hadn't seen in the previous questions she had answered.
Shulman then expressed how she felt that many people of an older generation feel like the stars of that generation are better than the ones today. She said how they are "arrogant" to think that. I admired Shulman for saying this and it showed her willingness to use new faces and develop the magazine for the next generation. It indicated to me how she has done a valuable job at developing the magazine over the past 25 years.
So what's next for Alexandra Shulman once she wakes up on 24th June, no longer Editor-In-Chief of Vogue Uk? When asked about this she expressed her excitement for a long summer holiday. A well deserved one in my opinion. She then went on to state a possibility of a return to journalism. When asked about potentially returning as a columnist she responded that she doesn't want to right now however there is a possibility that she could change her mind. She also shared how she has been approached by a number of different people for television however, she is not really interested.
The Q and A then opened up to the audience where students were able to ask a range of questions. One student asked how Shulman would describe her own style/ who her fashion inspiration is. She answered she doesn't really have on however, she expressed her "girl crush on Prada". She is her "style heroin". When it comes to her style she joked she is a "style schizophrenic"
Shulman was then asked her opinion of all the parodies made about the role of Editor-In-Chiefs and the magazine and how true they are. Her response to this was that they are "pure fiction". She expressed how she feels that it is hard to fictionalise the job to it's advantage.
And finally, to round up the Q and A, Shulman was asked if she has a principle she lives by to stay motivated with such a busy lifestyle. She said she doesn't really have just one. She is a firm believer in "if something is worth doing, just do it - it doesn't have to be perfect" This is a great piece of advice, especially for young creatives in order to build our confidence in just putting our work out there and doing what we want to do. She also made the comment that you should start things not wanting perfection because perfection will stop you from starting something.
I really enjoyed the guest lecture with Alexandra Shulman. It was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity that I took many great pieces of advice and information from. I am grateful that she was able to take time out of her busy schedule during her last few months at the magazine to come and inspire rising creatives.
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