About me

To Whom It May Concern:

I am a creative, confident and hardworking writer and administrator with a passion for fashion and lifestyle publishing, living and working in central London. Currently the Editorial Assistant for Harpers Bazaar online, I have an excellent understanding of luxury magazine production.

Working in a small editorial team, I have had the opportunity to develop a diverse range of skills, whilst gaining substantial editorial responsibility in my role, as well as providing hands-on assistance to the Editor and Head of Digital and ensuring the smooth running of harpersbazaar.co.uk.

As Editorial Assistant, I am a proficient news-gatherer generating original ideals, detailed research and accurate copy for news, features and interviews efficiently and to strict deadlines.

As well as writing in an editorial capacity, I work closely with the Head of Digital generating on-brand ideas and copy for luxury Advertorial clients. This requires extensive knowledge of the clients needs and aspirations as well as pitching innovative initiatives and writing informative and high-quality copy. I have generated paid-for content for clients including Stella McCartney, Net-a-Porter.com, Alice Temperley, Clinique, Este Lauder and Laura Mercier.

I have worked alongside Bazaars Retail and Events Editor for Bazaars Women of the Year Awards 2010, and was responsible for managing relations between the talent that attended the event and film crew that documented the occasion. This required me to be calm, charismatic and professional whilst working quickly and effectively, to get the desired results for the sponsor of the event - Este Lauder. My professional and polite manner has allowed me many opportunities to network with high-profile clients and colleagues as a representative of Bazaar - always networking with diplomacy and discretion

I have an exquisite eye for detail, and have the responsibility of researching all editorial and creative images that are used on the website. I have first-class skills using picture libraries, and am often responsible for negotiating with photo agencies for exclusive access to images. I often undertake design tasks, and having studied for a Postgraduate degree in Photography, I enjoy utilising the Photoshop skills I have when required.

I contribute to all of the websites channels: Fashion and Shopping, Beauty, Travel & Culture and People & Parties. A new channel when the site migrated from old to new platform in September 2010, People & Parties has become a high-traffic channel after I initiated a daily-updated gallery of A-list pictures from social-circuit events and A-list parties from around the world, using my first-class knowledge of whos who and whats hot to create exciting and hit-worthy content.

I have an extensive and diverse portfolio of valuable contacts and collaborators, within fashion, beauty, art and culture at my fingertips of which I am particularly proud and I am confident this would be a beneficial addition to any existing network.

I have exceptional IT skills and am confident across both PC and Mac platforms, with comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop, as well in-depth know-how of CMS and newsletter publishing software. I am also proficient in Outlook and Lotus Notes email software and have a finger-on-the-pulse attitude to social networking strategies and capabilities.

I am confident that I am excellent candidate for this position and would fulfill the role to an exceptionally high standard. I am happy to provide references from reputable referees, and would relish the opportunity to present my portfolio to you in person.

Your Faithfully,

Isla Cunningham