Intern Diaries

Now that I’ve graduated from university, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to start an internship. It’s a chance to explore different industries, gain experience, and figure out what really excites me — one of those being swimwear and fashion.

Swimwear and resort wear have always been a passion of mine. Maybe it’s because my family is from South Africa, and I’ve grown up surrounded by that Mediterranean-inspired lifestyle. I’ve always dreamed of blending my love for fashion, graphic design, and marketing, and what better way to kickstart my career than by gaining hands-on experience in the industry?

I applied for tons of internships through agencies, but unfortunately, didn’t hear back from most of them. So, as a backup plan, I decided to take matters into my own hands and started reaching out to companies directly. Thankfully, I found three swimwear agencies in London, and one of which got back to me. After a few email exchanges and an interview, I secured the internship!

The best part? The agency was located in Notting Hill, right on Portobello Road — my favourite spot in London.

A glimpse into my daily routine.

I went into my internship with an open mind, not really sure what to expect. Turns out, the office housed two companies that worked closely together: Pistol Panties, an online swimwear boutique previously stocked in Selfridges, with my boss even being featured in Vogue, and Sun & Sand Studios, a white-label swimwear studio that acts as the middleman for brands and individuals looking to elevate their swimwear lines.

This meant I got hands-on experience in a variety of roles. Being part of a small studio with only a handful of employees also came with a lot of responsibility. I handled tasks like liaising with factories and manufacturers to ensure materials were correct and working with clients on their strike-offs and amendments to perfect their designs.

I learned so much during this internship, even though I joined in the quieter winter months when swimwear demand isn’t as high. I managed to make my role my own and created a routine I absolutely loved. My days typically consisted of checking emails, reaching out to potential brands, liaising with influencers, photographing swimwear for the website, collaborating on tech packs, and filming TikToks. On lunch breaks, I’d wander around Portobello Road, taking in inspiration — nothing beats firsthand research.

From concept to completion.

I worked in the studio for six months. While I would’ve loved to stay longer, it was an unpaid position, so I couldn’t afford to continue. During that time, I had the chance to collaborate with a variety of clients and see two swimwear collections come to life. One was for Sophia Alexia, a resort wear designer specialising in bohemian swimwear. I loved working with her and seeing how my initial CADs transformed into the final product.

I also worked on a collection for KIKAKINIS, a swimwear brand run by an influencer, where I played a role in developing a range of metallic bikinis.. Being part of the entire process from start to finish was a great learning opportunity.

Our trade show booth at Olympia London.

I also had the amazing opportunity to host a trade show event, which was one of the final projects I worked on during my internship. While I had previously attended events to scout clients for the brand, this time, I got to be fully involved in planning and hosting. I worked on everything from brainstorming how to design our stand to creating a set of business cards to hand out.

It was such a rewarding experience to be part of such a big event, and I’ll definitely be attending Olympia London again in the future. One of the highlights was collaborating with Rebekah Roy, a renowned fashion stylist and creative director, who selected some of our pieces to showcase in the fashion show. Seeing our work on display was great, and it even led to securing some exciting new clients!

Marketing material and social media content.

It’s tough to sum up my whole six months in just a few paragraphs, but overall, I had a great time. I learned so much and really enjoyed working alongside my boss, a woman who worked her way up in the industry — she’s someone I aspire to be like. I gained so much from this experience, but most of all, I loved collaborating with clients and helping them see their designs come to life from start to finish. I also really enjoyed the marketing side, especially curating a social media feed that reflected the fun and quirky nature of Pistol Panties.

Now, onto the next chapter!