When Claire Sacré decided to go into journalism, she did what many press recruits have to do — work for nothing, taking the chance, at her own expense, that she could prove herself.

“I was one of the lucky ones,” Claire says. “I did a two-week internship at a men’s magazine and then started a six-month spell at Elle. Halfway through, I was taken on staff.”

Three years later, Claire, 27, combines writing and researching features with being PA to the Editor-in-Chief, Lorraine Candy, above right, who started exactly the same way in journalism.

“I left school at 16 for an unpaid internship at The Cornish Times, which then offered me a job,” says Lorraine, who went to a comprehensive school in Liskeard. “I don’t regret not doing A levels and university, and I don’t put much store in academic qualifications. At Elle we have five or six interns at any one time, and I can tell within a week whether they are going to succeed.

“Claire reminds me very much of myself. She’s hard-working and passionate. She’s probably the best intern we’ve had.”

What does Lorraine think of a system that, while widespread, is open to charges that it allows publishers to exploit would-be journalists? “You just have to accept that it is a fact of life,” she says. “But I do recognise that some interns will work for a long time for nothing, and the sad part is that as an opening to journalism, it’s really available only to those who can afford to do it.”

Lorraine’s own career has been meteoric: from Cornwall she went to a newspaper in Wimbledon, and from there to the nationals, including The Sun and The Times. She has also worked on Marie Claire and edited Cosmopolitan before going to Elle in 2004. “I’ve worked on broadsheets and tabloids, but what I like about magazines is that they are so creative. News is fascinating, but has a rapid turnover. With Elle, I’m creating something new and more lasting with each issue.

“When I arrived, it hadn’t had an editor for six months and had rather lost its way. But its DNA is fashion and we’ve been going back to our roots: fashion is fascinating, glamorous and fulfilling. The world of fashion journalism is often portrayed as being spectacularly bitchy, but it isn’t, and we all recognise that there’s more to life than bags and shoes. Fashion may not be about world affairs, or life-or-death issues, but how you look is important.

“I have to look stylish in my job and so does my team. I tell them to look as though they work for Elle — that’s not a chore but a joy.”

Still only 39, Lorraine juggles working life with raising three children, aged 5, 4 and 1. “They wake at 6am, so I’m constantly exhausted,” she says. “But I manage because I have a lifestyle contract: I start work at 9.30am after the school drop and leave at 5pm. I do go to evening functions as part of the job, but only after the children are in bed. I also cope because I have a superb PA.

“For example, we’re preparing for the Elle Style Awards next Tuesday — the Oscars of the fashion industry,being held during London Fashion Week \ — with 300 people for dinner and 1,000 at the party. Claire will have researched all the guests and I’ll know something up-to-date about each one.”

Claire, who has a psychology degree from Newcastle University, says: “I have an extremely busy job, with responsibilities across the features department as well as being a PA. Managing Lorraine’s diary is the biggest task because it’s constantly changing — I have to be both reactive and intuitive. Everyone wants to have some of the editor’s time, whether it’s readers, PRs or staff. I’m always the first point of contact.

“I was nervous about, but not intimidated by, the thought of working on a high-fashion magazine — everyone was so welcoming — and the dress code is anything and everything. I usually wear jeans and tops, but you do see people wearing some fab outfits in the office.

“At some point, I want to be a full-time writer or editor, and Lorraine is a good mentor. She’s totally dedicated and inspiring.”

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