Hello People,

Welcome back to another dose of #TheHandbagDiaries.

We are 8 episodes in now and I could not be happier.

Guy's don't be shy, if you are listening tweet me to let me know (@handbagdiaries).

If you have any topics you want me to cover let me know also.

This week I sit down with my photographer friend Shonay Shote or @shotbyshonay on instagram.

She is based in London and is a fashion and beauty photographer working out of a cool studio in South London.

Aside from working with agencies as a freelancer she is also passionate about representing black women in the conversation about diversity and inclusion in the fashion and beauty industry.

Recently she has returned from a 1 month trip to Los Angeles, where she discusses the in's and out's of wanting a change of scenery for her career.

We also discuss what the HUSTLE feels like in LA and the financial and logistics of actually MAKING IT HAPPEN.

I hope our chat encourages anyone out there to JUST DO IT.

I plan to do the same!!

Until next time people...

Christina xo

Hello People...

Welcome to Ep. 7 of #TheHandbagDiaries podcast!

I know it has been a month since the last episode and I have been figuring out which direction to go, in relation to content for the podcast. I really want this to be an open and honest platform. Let me know if you have any suggestions - I would like to hear from you.

This week I sit down with Edith Walker Millwood who is a freelance fashion stylist from London.

She currently works with FAULT Magazine as their go-to-stylist working with music artists such as; Etta Bond, Daya, Rebecca Ferguson and Highly Suspects and most recently The Voice UK's winner Mo Adeniran (who was a favorite of mine on the show).

In this episode we discuss her journey into fashion styling and how she got her start.

The business side - working with PR agencies and clients.

The GOOD, the BAD and UGLY side of the industry, future and current fashion trends. PLUS we bond over our love for Solange and her admiration for fellow fashion stylist June Ambrose!

Enjoy!

Christina XO

handbagdiaries.com

Twitter: HandbagDiaries

Edith Walker Millwood: @ewm_stylist

Please leave us a review if you found this content useful.

This week's podcast episode on #TheHandbagDiaries is influenced by the world of sport and athletics in particular.

There are a lot of parallels in terms of the preparation and dedication athletes go through and how to approach the world of business.

Personally I believe it requires the same amount of focus and intensity, so I have invited my sister (@susannabanjo) who happens to be a British 400m track athlete to share on what she does to ensure she performs at her best even on 'off ' days.

Her current routine involves training 5-6 days a week with a mixture of gym and track sessions, competes at competitions nationally and internationally. All while implementing a strict plan and review strategy of her progress daily.

I learn so much from her on what it takes to be dedicated to your craft and her tips have definitely rubbed off on me.

As the saying goes.... "Train like an athlete and think like a BOSS"...

Books Mentioned:

The Champion's Mind: How Great Athletes Think, Train and Thrive - Jim Afremow

The Gold Mine Effect - Michael Johnson

Sleep - Nick Littlehales

I hope you enjoy this week's episode, let me know if you have any comments.

Until next time!

Christina Xo

Instagram: ChristinaBanjo

Twitter: @handbagdiaries

On this week's episode of #TheHandbagDiaries I chat with Marianne Miles who is a Publicist and Founder of her own company Merite PR.

She started her career in music PR working for Universal Music International handling the promotion of acts such as Rihanna and Maroon 5 earlier in their careers.

She later branched out to work as a Freelance PR and now in her own company advises entrepreneurs and start-up companies in aspects of PR, Branding and Social Media.

In this podcast we discuss:

- PR tips and strategies she uses for her clients.

- How she uses social media to get noticed & Do's and Don'ts.

- Freelancer tips and knowing what to charge.

- Why she went networking crazy in the beginning by purchasing 3000 business cards!

- Overcoming fear and putting yourself out there, inspired by Shonda Rhimes' book Year of Yes.

I hope you enjoy this week's content and let this year be your year of YES! I sure have by starting this podcast.

See you next week!

Christina XO

Pleave us a review on Itunes. To connect you can email [email protected] and on twitter @handbagdiaries.

Personal instagram: @christinabanjo

Bonjour!

Welcome to another episode of #TheHandbagDiaries.

One of my favourite cities in Europe is Paris. So I decided to get my Paris pals and high-life connoisseurs Katia Bumba, who runs the fashion brand Kate Bee and socialite /event PR Antoine Schmidt, to discuss the best and worst things about living in Paris.

In this week's episode we talk about:

- The best places to eat, drink and party in Paris!

- How to make it in the Paris fashion industry and what goes into creating a fashion collection.

- We also discuss Katia's fur match with Kim Kardashian and why Parisienne girls never wear heels! Open-mindedness and more...

If you enjoyed this week's content be sure to leave us a review on Itunes. You can email us at [email protected] and on twitter talk to us @handbagdiaries

Follow our socials on Instagram:

Katia - @KateBeeOfficial

Antoine - @AntoineSchmidtvb

Christina - @ChristinaBanjo

See you next week!

On this week's episode of the podcast #TheHandbagDiaries.

I respond to questions I was sent on starting-up in the fashion industry.

I share some of my experiences starting a leather accessories brand, Christina Chi. I talk about when I first developed the idea and the stages I went through to get my first samples made.

I did not come from the traditional background into fashion. I was working in the corporate world before I decided that this was what I wanted to do. So I am able to offer a unique perspective in terms of having no formal training to teaching myself everything I know!

If you enjoyed this week's content be sure to leave us a review on Itunes.

You can email us at [email protected] and on twitter talk to us @handbagdiaries

I'm on instagram @christinabanjo and brand page @christina.chi

This week I sit down with Maya MK who has a fancy job title as a Mineral Wealth Economist!

In a nutshell she advises on the purchase or sale of gemstones such as emeralds and amethysts for private clients. And if you need a mine? She is the one you need to be looking for.

On this weeks podcast episode we talk about:

- How she got her start in this industry?

- The importance of keeping design authenticity...

- Sustainability and why there seems to be a lack of female participation in this industry.

She also shares advice for anyone that is interested in pursuing the gemstone world and talks about starting her jewellry line.

Resources:

https://www.gia.edu/

Thanks for listening, if you enjoyed this week's content be sure to leave us a review on Itunes.

You can also find us at www.handbagdiaries.com and on twitter @handbagdiaries