Giulia ZuffaNew assignment for the journalism intern at RGNN! After covering an amazing gym and even the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, it’s time for a new experience. This time, I’m dealing with another assignment related to art, a field that I love!
On the 3rd of March a new temporary exposition has opened its doors at the Museo del Traje of Madrid (the Fashion museum). ROOSTERGNN has received a press pass for the preview of this exhibit, called Modamorfosis. RGNN’s Director has chosen me to cover the event and report on it. So, I can add a new entry in my section “Behind the scenes at RGNN”.
Me at Modamorfosis | Giulia Zuffa
The Museo del Traje is situated ten minutes by foot from the metro station Ciudad Universitaria. It’s next to the enormous campus of the Complutense University. I easily find the museum: the building is gigantic and its tower is visible from afar.
As a real journalist, I’ve come there very prepared for the job that I’m going to do. I know the name of the architect that designed the building, I’ve researched some news about the museum and I’ve collected some information about the exhibit.
As I know that I’m going to interview the curator of Modamorfosis, I’ve prepared some questions. My professor of journalism taught to me that the very first rule to be a good journalist is to always be well-informed. Will my preparation be sufficient to face this job? I come from the country of Dolce&Gabbana, Armani, Valentino and Versace. I hope that fashion is in the blood of Italian people. I arrive at the Museo del Traje well in advance and I take an advance look at the museum’s garden and take some selfies that I’m going to publish in the article.
Museo del Traje | Giulia Zuffa
At 11.30, I enter the doors of the exhibit and the press office personnel welcomed me and the other journalists that are going to take part in the event. I present myself as an intern. Immediately, one of the journalist says to me “You aren’t an intern. You are here, so you are a journalist.” Wow, I thank her, and I feel proud.
We can walk around the exposition and take some photos. In the black room where the collection of forty-nine dresses is exhibited, the work is still in progress. Some people are setting the lights, others are checking the last details. Nothing can be left to chance in an exhibit like this. Then, begins the guided tour with Lucina Llorente, the woman that, together with her colleague Juan Gutiérrez, has curated the exposition. It’s clear that she has a true passion for fashion and it’s a pleasure to hear her explanations. Where most people only see a dress, Lucina sees an entire world and she helps us to understand it. Behind every dress there is a story and each model carry the weight of the centuries.
Work in progress | Giulia Zuffa
It’s a pleasure, yes, but I have to be concentrate. I have to be multitasking: I look at the dresses, I listen to the curator, I take notes and, at the same time, I try to formulate questions. The other journalists are more experienced than me, and they look more comfortable. They are knowledgeable about fashion and they also ask questions that aren’t related to Modamorfosis. For example, one of them interviews Lucina about the dresses of the Oscars.
This is a lesson to learn: if you want to write a good article, never fear to ask, in particular if the interviewee is as willing as our guide. I notice that some of my colleagues have a recording device. Another thing that I internalize, is the importance of this tool: it’s always useful to have the possibility of listening to the voice of the person that you have interviewed again after the actual press preview.
I’m going to write an article about this exposition, which I truly suggest you to visit if you are in Madrid (you have time until the end of May!). With lot of photos and a notebook full of notes (are they are readable? I cross my fingers!) I’m impatient to start writing. Comparing myself to other professional journalists has been useful to understand how an interview must be carried out and to catch some of their skills.
I am waiting for my next assignment. Meanwhile, I think that I’m going to buy a recorder.
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