Remember when I asked which shade of red lipstick would suit my pale colouring? You all gave me so many great suggestions and using your ideas I tracked down this orangey red. It’s a 17 lipstick in ‘Playful’. I love it!

The lovely Anna Jane from Pixelated Blonde really caught my attention with her post on the Tanya Gold article. She spoke about one thing that really puts me off the fashion trail – the lack of happiness in the industry.

I’m generally a very happy person – I think a positive outlook on life makes everything better, including how you’re seen by others. It seems strange to me that an industry so focused on appearance can look so down in the mouth all the time. Experts are constantly telling us being happy prolongs our lives, makes us look younger, reduces frown lines and keeps us slim. You’d think models would be all over it like Posh on the new Birkin.

I don’t suppose many people will know this, but for a time, I worked for a glossy fashion mag. It wasn’t a big one, unless you live in Yorkshire you probably won’t know it and the content was less Vogue, more vague, but still. A fashion mag it was. I worked there for 6 months and hated every waking moment. Wearing jeans was a sackable offence (well, almost). A size 12 was fat. Flat shoes were considered sacrilegious and I was sent sobbing to the bathroom after eating a burger for lunch. That was one place where a shining smile, goofy grin or cheerful chuckle was received with the same distain I usually reserve for The Daily Mail.

I’m glad I no longer work directly within the fashion industry. I know not all places are the same, but prejudices and judgements from the very top filter down to even the smallest of fries. And I’m relieved I got out when I did.

Have you ever worked in a fashion-related job? Is it a career you’d like to pursue? I’d love to know!

PS – Don’t forget, Little Bird readers get 20% off at elsiebelle with the code ALITTLEBIRDTOLDME!