Here at Topshop, we're really lucky that we get to work with so many amazing girls! We’re always super interested to find out how everyone in head office got started in the industry, as well as what they do from day to day so we decided to catch up with a different member of the Topshop team every month. In December, we chatted to our lovely Press Officer Cressida Jamieson and this month, we bring you Melinda Kennedy who is Topshop’s International Marketing Manager and bakes the scrummiest cakes we’ve ever eaten! We hope you enjoy catching up with Melinda as much as we did.

My job title is… International Marketing Manager which means that  I look after all the marketing for all of our international stores all over the world (from Kazakhstan to Australia!)

I studied… a BA in Drama & English and an MA in Public Relations.

I got my job by…  applying for a more junior role to get my foot in the door and through a contact who used to work at Topshop.

In a typical working day I… create a marketing plan for a new store opening, brief in our creative team on an international project, approve models/styling/production for a catwalk show, and brainstorm new ideas for different markets.

The best thing about my job is… working with so many different departments (from buying to merchandising) and working with such a huge spectrum of markets, each of which are very different.

When I was growing up I wanted to be… an actress.

I couldn’t do my job without… having an international background (I was born in Auckland and grew up in Singapore), as well as all the amazing people around me who get me through the day.

My advice to students hoping to crack the fashion industry would be… don’t ever give up on getting a role in a company you love (I interviewed at Topshop for nearly 8 years!) and get to know as many people in the industry as you can. Also stay true to your beliefs, don’t be a victim to the latest fashion ‘fad'.

My signature style is… skinny black jeans, black vest, flats and a Starbucks!

And my hero piece for this season is… my raspberry skinny Leigh jeans.

When I’m in London, my hottest hang-outs are… I’m not cool enough to answer this question!

And when I’m in my hometown I love hanging out at… The Department Store in Auckland.

I can’t live without… STARBUCKS!!!

My favourite magazine is… Vogue!

I love grabbing my lunch from… Abokado - a little sushi place near our office.

On my iPod right now is… Two Door Cinema Club.

As a special treat, I love to… eat cottage cheese on toast with LOADS of butter

In five years I’d like to... have 2 kids & working 4 days a week.

We'll be back next month with another catch up but in the meantime, why not check out our Tumblr, and see what the girls in our office are wearing right now.

There are so many amazing girls who work in our head office that we’ve decided to catch up with a different member of the Topshop team every month. We’re always super interested to find out how the girls we work with got started in the industry, as well as what they get up to each day, and we thought all of you guys would be too. Last month, we caught up with Senior Press Officer, Liz Shuttleworth, and this month, we’re catching up with her colleague, Cressida Jamieson, who gives us an insight into what she does as one of our Press Officers each day.

My job title is… Press Officer.

And that means… I work with publications on a daily basis to ensure that Topshop is featured in the press, in both articles and fashion shoots.

I studied… French and Italian.

I got my job by… doing work experience at the Times and Tatler, then at the Miss Selfridge press office. Whilst there I met the Topshop team and went for the job!

In a typical working day I… will answer all emails regarding to Topshop questions, arrange appointments with stylists who want to come into the office and borrow samples for shoots, arrange filming instore, organise still life photo shoots, and have meetings with the design and buying teams to discuss future Topshop projects.

The best thing about my job is… I get to meet and work with so many brilliant and creative people. Working at Topshop means that we work with a wide range of publications, and also with young designers. My work changes from day to day, it is never boring!

When I was growing up I wanted to be… a fashion writer.

I couldn’t do my job without… a really fun and passionate group of people around me.

My advice to students hoping to crack the fashion industry would be… do as much work experience as you can, and if you’re not entirely sure what you want to do within fashion, do varied placements so you can get a taster and an understanding of all sides of the industry. It will also look good on your CV! Do everything with enthusiasm whilst on a placement, even if it is something not very exciting. A good intern will always be remembered, especially when a job comes up.

My signature style is… it varies, but I tend to rely on a Breton stripe top, skinny black jeans and patent ballet pumps. French beatnik is my favourite style and Brigitte Bardot my icon!

And my hero piece for this season is… a chunky knit classic black crew neck jumper and some high heel Chelsea boots. Either can be dressed up or down.

When I’m in London, my hottest hangouts are…it’s not exactly ‘hot’, but the Shakespeare pub in Stoke Newington is really cool. It’s always packed on a Friday and locals stay for lock-ins. Plus there’s a really good pizzeria next door which you can eat in the pub. If I want to dance, I’m a big fan on Work It on Kingsland Road. It may be a bit sweaty, but they play 90s old skool hit after hit!

And when I’m in my hometown I love hanging out at… the Hollybush pub in Hampstead followed by the Everyman cinema next door. The pub is really cosy, especially in the winter and the cinema is tiny with amazing food and mulled wine at Christmas.

I can’t live without… so many things! It’s easier to say what I can live without – mainly London transport.

My favourite magazine is… Self Service.

I love grabbing my lunch from… Itsu - always my Friday treat.

On my iPod right now is… PJ Harvey and Foxy Brown.

In five years I’d like to be… still at Topshop and still loving my job… and with no wrinkles.

There are so many amazing girls who work in our head office that we’ve decided to catch up with a different member of the Topshop team every month, here on our blog. We’re always super interested to find out how the girls we work with got started in the industry, as well as what they do from one day to another, and we thought all of you guys would be too. This month, we catch up with our Senior Press Officer, Liz Shuttleworth, who fills us in on the fast-paced world of fashion PR.

My job title is…. Senior Press Officer.

And that means… Well, I work in the Public Relations team at Topshop. It’s my job to be the liaison between Topshop and the press, including magazines, television, newspapers and online. I also promote new campaigns and products, dress celebrities, and organise events and catwalk shows.

I got my job by… doing work experience placements at magazines and newspapers during the University holidays. Once I’d graduated I sent my CV out to every fashion PR agency in London! The only way to get started in the fashion industry and particularly in PR is through internships.

I studied… English Literature at the University of Bristol.

In a typical working day I… There is no typical day when you’re working in PR – it’s a varied and exciting job so it’s impossible to be bored. I start the day either by meeting a journalist for breakfast to discuss forthcoming Topshop projects or by going through all my emails, then I spend time speaking to my contacts about a forthcoming project that we have coming up such as a designer collaboration or writing a press release. I am constantly in touch with our design, buying and store teams to discuss forthcoming collections and instore activity that we can promote in the press. We host bi-annual press days where journalists and stylists can come to preview Topshop’s new season collections, so some days I will be tied up with the logistics of those, whilst in the run up to Fashion Week every spare minute is spent in organising the Unique catwalk show. In the evenings I sometimes have a magazine party or press dinner to attend.

The best thing about my job is… that it’s fast-paced, exciting and at times can feel very glamorous! I’ve met some amazing people over the last five years and got to attend some incredible events. It’s impossible to be bored, particularly when working for as innovative a brand as Topshop.

When I was growing up I wanted to be… a film director, a scriptwriter, or a novelist! I still plan on writing my novel eventually…!

I couldn’t do my job without… the amazing PR team here at Topshop.

My advice to students hoping to crack the fashion industry would be… Make sure you get as much experience as you can! Be passionate and determined and be prepared to work long hours for little money. Your hard work will pay off in the end! If you’re looking to start a career in fashion PR, immerse yourself in magazines, fashion books, newspapers and blogs. The more knowledgeable you are about the industry the better.

My signature style is… simple and masculine.

My hero piece for this season is… I am currently obsessed with white sleeveless shirts

When I’m in London, my hottest hang-outs are… Hawksmoor and Hix for dinner, Purl, Mark’s Bar and Frank’s Café for drinks, XOYO and Alibi for dancing. Krankbrother put on amazing day parties on rooftops all around London. I also love Brixton Village for its cute independent restaurants and vintage shops.

I can’t live without… My boyfriend (and my contact lenses – I’m blind as a bat).

My favourite magazines are… Love, Self Service, Purple, 10, Vogue – I can’t pick one!

I love grabbing my lunch from… one of the restaurants or cafes in Soho, as it is full of amazing food places. My current favourites are Yalla Yalla for yummy Lebanese wraps, Koya on Frith Street for noodles and Abokado for sushi.

On my iPod right now is… Kelis, Wild Beasts, Metronomy, Friendly Fires, and Caribou. 

As a special treat, I love to… get dressed up and go out for a very fancy meal!

In five years I’d like to be… still in fashion PR, hopefully a little older and wiser.

We'll be back next month with another catch up but in the meantime, why not check out our Tumblr, and see what the girls in our office are wearing right now?