Trigger warnings: Brief mentions of depression

Fashion Fanatics and Hopefuls Share Excitement as 'Men Wear Pink' Offers Internship Placements

'Men Wear Pink', the highest earning clothing brand in the UK, opens its door for the first time since founding to welcome 30 lucky interns in what could change their lives forever. Following this exciting news, we caught up with founder and owner, Andrew Biersack, in an exclusive interview: 

[So, Andrew, you've owned the company for more than ten years now. What made you decide to accept interns this year?] 

'I've always been a believer in giving everyone an equal chance. You know, just because you might grow up in a home where you have little money, or unsupportive parents, it doesn't mean you aren't capable or don't deserve opportunities that others get. I've been very lucky in that my parents always supported my career and have always helped me out any way they could, and so I feel it is my duty to share what they taught me, and to give everyone a chance, regardless of their background.' 

[You stated that international applicants would not have to be fluent in English. Do you think that's an important thing to specify?]

'So often these days, you hear native English people saying, you know, 'why get a job in England if you can't speak the language', and to that, I say, why the hell do so many of us Brits get jobs abroad without learning the language, huh? What gives us the right? I'm not saying I speak a multitude of languages, because I only speak English, but I don't agree with the idea that, as a nation, we are superior. We expect foreigners to speak perfect English and if we fail to understand it, we blame them, never ourselves.' 

[Where you're from shouldn't prohibit your chances is what you're saying?]

'Absolutely.' 

[What are you hopes for interns who you select? Where would you like them to be by the end of their placement?]

'It's all about building their confidence, showing them they are as good as they wish they could be. I used to spend hours upon hours drawing dresses that I'd hate so much I'd have to punch walls to release the anger. And ultimately, I feel that my knowledge and experience as a designer and a brand owner is, for many young people, like gold dust. It's so hard to find someone willing to give advice. You get responses like 'I worked it out for myself so you can do the same'. Unhelpful, and frankly rude. Please don't ever say that to someone who is starting out. Help them like you would want to be helped.' 

* * * 

"Erin." 

Startled, she looked up. Andy was stood behind her, but she had been too engrossed in what she was reading - the new interview - to notice. 

"I needed the weakly spreadsheet three hours ago." 

She quickly looked away from him, said nothing. 

"It's eight o'clock, Erin. I was supposed to be home by six. You were supposed to be home by five. Please finish your work so we can both go. It's Friday night and I wish to spend it elsewhere." 

She remained quiet. 

"Alright," Andy said. "Then tell me, why are you so desperate to read about me all day? Why are you wasting both our time like this. You have no need in reading an interview about internships, you already work for me. And frankly, you won't for much longer if you keep this up. So tell me. Why, every time I check what you're doing, are you always reading about me?" 

"I..." 

"I'm serious. I'm not having it anymore. You get paid to work. You get paid more than you probably should, because I'm generous and I believe in giving you a chance, but you probably already knew that." He grabbed the top of the computer screen and turned it so she could no longer see what was on it. "I get it. You're young. It's cool, you're working for Andrew Biersack, blah blah. Well guess what? I may be famous for being a 'sweetheart', but I am not going to tolerate this. I will not treat you the way you expect me to if you waste my time and my money like this. You have a job to do. Why are you not doing it?" 

"I've almost finished," she said. 

"Really. Show me." He folded his arms. "Go on. Open the file." 

"It's just...the layout's confusing, and-" 

"Erin. You've had weeks to figure out the layout. I specifically told you when you started, you could have changed it to something that worked better for you. What did you do instead? Read every single fucking interview and article I've ever been in. You know what, just go. I don't wanna see you again." 

"Please, Andrew-" 

"No. Leave. I'm firing you. I warned you more than once, I gave you plenty of chances. Leave." 

"Please-" 

"You're fired, Erin. Collect your things and go." He stood with his arms folded as she shamefully dropped her belongings into her bag, said, "I guess now you can tell all your friends you've been fired by me. Have fun telling that story, because it's the only interesting thing about you." 

Andy finished the weekly spreadsheet once she was gone, entered in the numbers quickly so he could leave, and made sure to disable Erin's account on the computer before shutting it down for the night. 

He felt like crying on the drive home, and he didn't know why. She had deserved to lose the job, but he still felt like he shouldn't have fired her, like he was a harsh boss and none of his employees liked him, or even respected him. Like the idea of him was better than who he really was. 

The house was quiet. He locked the door behind himself and begun taking his shoes off, blinking repeatedly until giving up and letting the tears leak out. It was fine. It would be fine. He'd find another person for her job, everything would be fine. 

That's what he had to tell himself. It was all fine.