We asked Carla a bit about how she got started, what makes a good intern, and the one thing you want to make sure you never do when applying for a fashion internship:

Why did you decide to start Freefashioninternships.com?

It was honestly never intentional. While I was in college I would always research internship opportunities online, and one day out of sheer boredom I began posting them on a blog. Looking at these internships almost served as motivation because most of them were in New York, and I was attending school in San Diego at the time.

A few months after I initially began posting the opportunities, I had a friend of mine refer me to my own site! I knew I was on to something so I added contact information and a counter. I discovered that I was getting great traffic, and within a few days companies were contacting me to post their internships.

The site grew very quickly! Why do you think that happened?

I think a lot of people were/are in the same boat I was in. I didn’t know where to begin looking, I didn’t attend a school that had an emphasis in fashion, and I never came across any resources that were consistently updated with quality internships. Craigslist can only get you so far!

You went from in-demand intern to fashion PR maven–tell a bit of that story and how you did it.

I came across an internship on Craigslist for a San Diego-based that had actually been up for over a month. It was the first fashion internship in San Diego that I had ever come across, so I took my chances and contacted her anyway. I can honestly say that my first internship had the biggest impact on me out of any other I ever did. I was a jack-of-all-trades, handling everything from PR to Sales to Photography. I definitely learned how to be resourceful!

I then decided to take the plunge and move to New York to intern for a summer. I only intended to be there for 6 weeks, but I got another internship and ended up staying for 5 months! When I moved home, I began research companies online and saw that most action sports companies were based in San Diego and Orange County. I didn’t have the time to commute to LA as I was still in school, so this was a better option for me. Through my 4 years of college, I basically would intern in San Diego and Orange County during the school year, and move to New York to intern there during the summer.

You interned for a lot of great companies! What did you do to stand out among the applicants?

A good resume and cover letter! You would be shocked to see how many cover letters and resumes I get that are just awful – misspelled, incoherent or just plain unprofessional. Use the resources you have, like your Career Center at school. Although my Career Center couldn’t help me find a specific internship, they helped me with everything resume and cover letter-related.

What are the do’s and don’ts of the interview process?

• Bring multiple copies of your resume.
• Cancel your internship interview if you don’t plan on showing up! About 30% of the people I schedule interviews with do not show up, which is extremely disrespectful of my time.
• If you are going to be late, make sure to call ahead of time to inform your interviewer.
• Research the company you are interviewing with, and come up with a list of questions for your interviewer. This is how we gauge your seriousness about the position.
• After your interview takes place, make sure to send an e-mail thanking your interviewer for their time.

Most internships posted are for major cities like New York. What’s the best way to get an internship if you’re not in a major metro area?

Research local companies in your area, you’d be surprised what you’ll find. There are up-and-coming designers in every city who I’m sure could use an extra pair of hands. Also contact major retailers like Saks or Neiman Marcus in your area – most have in-house event and PR teams.

Any tips for ensuring a positive internship experience?

Be accountable, hard-working and positive.

If you’re in the market for a fashion internship, be sure to subscribe to freefashioninternships.com.

I had the opportunity to speak with the lovely Valerie, aka the genius right-side conversationalist of BLEACHBLACK.  I stumbled upon the great BLEACHBLACK.com through a coworker and I remember being captivated by the concept of a conversation online between two fashion designers, best friends and most importantly, two seemingly very cool girls!

Anticipating my meeting with Valerie, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew she had a love for 60′s and 70′s-era style (she counts Jane Birkin as her ultimate muse), that she had amazing style (product features off the hizzy), and of course, she was talented (Who else knows how to paint on a pair of shorts without making them look like a kindergartner got their hands on them?) What I came to find after speaking with her was that she is nothing short of lovely to work with and had the sweetest, kindest nature about her.

What is your history with fashion?
I’ve been sewing for years, starting with matching navy blue wrap dresses for my Barbies. I’ve also always been tearing my clothes apart, buying vintage, and trying to personalize it. My day job is in men’s apparel design, in the skateboard industry, which I completely love.

How do you manage the time between blogging, your professional life and personal life?
It’s hard, I don’t have much downtime. Actually, I have no downtime! I try to make time for friends a few nights a week, but otherwise I’m always working on a project, reading, sewing, making something, blogging, etc. I recently bought my first (fixer-upper) condo, which is the ultimate do-it-yourself project. It’s been a ton of work, but I love it!

Name three things that you can’t live without this summer:

1. Evian Brumisateur Spray (www.shopevian.com) — It’s the BEST at the beach and only $8.00!
2. Missoni Beach Pants — Obnoxious? Maybe, but believe it or not, they are ridiculously versatile! I wear mine with a grey vintage tee, or pile on a ton of necklaces for dinner with friends.
3. Clarins SPF40 UV – Mandatory.

Tell us about some of your favorite trends this season:
Sheer, flowy kaftans and turbans and anything white macramé/crochet.

Shopbop via BLEACHBLACK, American Archive via BLEACHBLACK

Where did the success of BLEACHBLACK come from?
We really have no idea, but we do work really hard to find our own unique content every day.

What advice would you give a fashion blogger just getting started?
Original content, clean imagery, frequent updates. Also, use a name that everyone can say and spell.

Do you and Kristin actually speak now that you have a daily conversation through email?
Haha, yes! We talk every day, sometimes twice! She’s the best.

Setting up shop

We talked to Andy how they went about getting the store up and running in what seemed like a record amount of time–they were painting and putting together furnishing as recently as Mother’s Day!

“For us, it was a magical experience. When we found the space, everything else seemed to fall into place very quickly.”

Got it: For a retail store, location is a top priority. However, not everything is candy and roses all the time, is it? We asked for advice regarding the top three things entrepreneurs opening their own clothing boutique should know:

1. Know the permits, procedures, and processes related to opening a retail store.

This includes setting up a corporation, obtaining a tax ID number and business license, understanding zoning regulations, and a bunch of other legalese. “It can be a bit frustrating, because you need certain permits and documents to get started, but you have to have some things in place in order to obtain those pemits!” Educate yourself as much as possible before and during the process.

Some good resources for those located in the US:

• SBA.gov
• Findlaw.com
• Business.gov

You may also want to check in with your local chamber of commerce for contacts and information.

2. Have a clear vision.

As someone heavily involved in theater, Andy notes that he always took notice of scenery and decor both onstage and in restaurants, retail establishments, and other public spaces. A well-developed eye helped them determine the vision for the shop before everything was up and running–essential during the planning and execution phases.

“If you don’t have a vision, find someone to create one.”

3. Take a lot of deep breaths!

Some things will be difficult–you will get frustrated, you will work hard, and you will get tired. Be sure to remember to breathe and relax as you go through the process–after all, it’s all part of the fun!

Says Andy, “Now we get to focus on the fun part–sourcing clothing and accessories. We have great relationships with some really amazing vendors.”

With most of the heavy lifting done, it sounds like Fall will be a breeze.

What did you want to change your name to as a child?
I had two role models then: Pippilotta Viktualia Rullgardina Krusmynta Efraimsdotter Långstrump (aka Pippi Longstocking) and Madonna. So, one of these two.

What do you listen to when you’re getting dressed?
Energetic music. Loud. Which style I prefer depends on my fave band or singer at that moment, that changes a lot. But yeah, I do love music from death metal to pop.

If you could invent the name of a nail polish, what would you call it?
What a fun question! Hmm, maybe…”Pop the Cherry”, “Secret Fruits & God’s Anger”,”Alone in the Dark”, or “Dammit, I Am Not a Stripper!”

“In the last year what has been the biggest life lesson you’ve learned through blogging?”

Ashe Mischief of Dramatis Personae
“Firstly, a big change in my life within the last year was graduating from grad school and moving in to a profession. A large part of me is used to this semi-professional writing that took place through all of my schooling, and blogging has given me a platform to continue that in a much more focused way. Secondly, blogging has given me the ability to connect with amazing men and women who are very similar to myself. Being in a small college town is challenging, because many things make you “less than” your peers. It’s really changed my life to see that no matter where you are, how isolated you feel, blogging can really provide you with a network that keeps you from feeling so alone because you’ll always find amazing people who are similar to you.

Michelle N. of Decline Designs
“I’d definitely say the biggest life lesson I’ve learned is perseverance and patience! I am not a patient person by nature at all, and I have a tendency to get frustrated and give up sometimes as well. But with blogging you simply have to stick it out, knowing that it will get better, even though you’re not seeing any immediate results. Obviously this translates well into other areas of life (business, anyone?), so I’m glad I learned a bit more patience.”

Ashley of Breakfast at Saks
“[I've learned] to take the good with the bad. Whether that is your blog statistics, the comments people leave or your interactions with PR people. There will always be high points and low points and you just have to learn to take it all with a grain of salt. And keep your perspective because in the end it’s just a blog and you can always turn off the computer!”

Running and maintaining a blog teaches you so many valuable lessons that you can carry with you throughout your life. Whether it’s learning to have more patience or cherishing the valuable relationships you build, there is no doubt that blogging is a rewarding experience that will leave you with just as much as you give.

Fab Blab’s Arushi Khosla started blogging three months ago when she was inspired by other fashion blogs she loved and noticed that there weren’t a lot of Indian bloggers.

“I wanted to change the perception of people about the country and all that we’re worth. No, we’re not snake charmers and yes, we can dress well.”

Her friends don’t understand why she spends so much time on her blog, but she simply says fashion is her passion! Someday, she’d like to go into fashion marketing and be a buyer for a big store like Barneys. When she’s not blogging she enjoys reading, swimming, tennis, watching shows on the CW, and above all, spending time with friends. I had an opportunity to ask her about some of her seasonal must-have items.

What are your must-haves for this season, and how would you wear them?

Colorful tights
I definitely want to incorporate some colorful tights a la Kate Spade in my wardrobe. With red tights I would wear a high waist mini-skirt in navy or black, a dark blazer, and a white/cream ruffled blouse. If it’s more casual, I’ll wear a plain white tee or tank with a few loosely draped necklaces, and blue suede pumps I got at an awesome sale.

Acid washed jeans
Acid washed jeans are to be worn to a completely different venue–maybe a concert or just hitting up Hard Rock Cafe with a few friends. I’d wear them with a black graphic top and sky high gladiator heels or black ankle boots. I’d probably do heavy kohl eye make-up and nude lips.

Flat boots
Flat boots are so versatile and can be worn anywhere. You don’t really need an occasion depending upon their height, of course. Knee high ones would be worn with pale jeans (because I want brown boots) and a blouse cinched with a belt, and lower ones with a floral, summery dress.

Don’t miss any of Arushi’s fabulousness at http://fabblab.blogspot.com!

By Jenny Ortakales About the author: I love going thrifting to add variety and uniqueness to my wardrobe without having to spend much. My blog is all about being fashionable no matter what obstacle is put in your way. Visit Jenny online at http://jennysopencloset.blogspot.com/ and follow her on twitter at http://twitter.com/fashionistagal1.