Are you looking to pursue a career in the fashion industry? Today, I will be sharing with you six simple steps with underlying advice for different circumstances to help you enter the fashion industry and build a successful career, even if you don’t have prior experience or go to fashion school both in person as well as remote. There are numerous opportunities to pursue a fulfilling, stable, and fruitful career based on your skills, studies, and talents.
If you are interested in styling, design, marketing, and creative direction this video is for you especially, but I believe many tips apply to other disciplines as well. I have my BA in communications with a concentration in graphic design and as well as public relations and pursued my higher education in psychology. I interned at a photography studio, worked as a stylist at Saks Fifth Avenue, and since then have had the pleasure of working with various brands as a designer as well as a stylist/image consultant with my clients.
What I wish to share with you is some advice to begin your career in fashion. I believe this is great for wherever you may be in life. I know I don’t have much of a younger audience, but if you happen to be in high school this video may shed some light on options you are maybe not aware of or if you are in college, I hope this can help you land your first job out of school. Maybe you are someone older and looking for a career change, this video could also help you transition to do work more aligned with your passions and see how where you are now can be a wonderful stepping stone to where you wish to go in life.
The first step is to determine your path which is far easier said than done. A common misconception is that fashion is frivolous and if you are to pursue it you will become a starving artist which could not be further from the truth. Many times when people think of working in fashion being a model or hairstylist, makeup artist, photographer or designer first comes to mind and while this is all very valid, the industry is so vast. The general public only sees the surface of fashion, but there are forces of fashion so many people contribute.
Many sectors you can think of for any company exist in fashion. Think about one near you and all the different departments, which would you belong to? You can find the equialvent in the industry. According to Fashion United, the industry has a labor force of more than 300 million people. It’s one of the biggest industries in the entire world and there is a spot for you. If you can go to fashion school go and make the most of it. Take advantage of the resources and events that can help you develop your career, but I understand many people do not live in a fashion hub or maybe have the means to do unpaid internships.
Know that you still have options if you dream of working in fashion because there are remote opportunities and many positions available beyond what the public sees. You just need to take a realistic route to make it a reality. It’s a difficult pill to swallow, but once you do you can make it happen. So for instance say you are a very analytical person. You always thrive in these sorts of classes and fashion is a huge passion of yours. You can major in mathematics, business, human resources, cognitive science, or graphic design for example.
It doesn’t sound as glamorous, but in truth the creative side it not glamorous it is very grueling, and if you are to go more in this direction you are likely to have steady work such as maintenance technician, logistic analyst, and architecture manager. Or say maybe your dream is to work with clothes because you are a creative type, but you may not have connections or many resources, you can study or practice to become a technical designer for instance which all brands need. There are buyers, trend forecasters, journalists, fabric researchers, e-commerce, merchandising, and marketers. It takes a village to create a campaign and while you may not be the face of it, you can play a vital role in it coming to fruition.
You must know when to let go of your ego and say to yourself I am contributing to something bigger than myself, a beautiful creative vision that I have the luxury to aid in the making of and when to advocate for yourself. Decide on a direction you do not need to know the end all be all goal, so say your parents are kind enough to help you through school, but only if you go into mathematics or Statistics, make your goal to become an accountant at a brand or publication.
Find out which tools they specifically use, and try to network to see what the workplace culture is like. Be in the industry you love and bring what you have the means to do so. Don’t look down on yourself for where you come from or what you have.
Please don’t feel like if you don’t reach your dream straight out of the gate you have failed or it is not a possibility for you because it’s later in life. It’s a journey, enjoy it. For instance Vera Wang, we all know and adore her right? Her career was in figure skating then she worked at Vogue and Ralph Lauren before launching her brand. You must focus on being the person who achieves and is passionate about their goal rather than the end all-be-all all goal itself because this will evolve as well.
Educate yourself about the industry below the surface value it is traditionally taken at. One thing about fashion is that is so much more than looking good or knowing the latest and greatest trends, even for modeling. Fashion is life, history, culture, art, technology, and identity all in one. So first, get the big picture of the industry. Start with a historical perspective. Study the different movements of style that have defined each decade. Understand why these movements emerged, their social and cultural implications, and how they shaped the fashion landscape. Familiarize yourself with the major international fashion houses.
Learn about their origins, iconic designers, signature styles, and their impact on the global fashion scene. This knowledge will provide insights into the industry’s evolution. Gain a solid understanding of the fashion calendar. Know when and where major fashion events and weeks take place. This includes fashion capitals like Paris, Milan, London, and New York. Understand the significance of these events in setting trends and influencing the industry in the modern day.
Remember, the fashion industry is dynamic and ever-evolving. Continuous learning, curiosity, and a genuine passion for the subject will not only help you stay relevant but also contribute to your success and creativity. I cover all these topics throughout my videos, and I enjoy infusing this into each episode. More often than not people will help, but be sure to get down to the basics so you know which questions to ask.
Some videos on the channel that I would recommend concentrating more on specific designers such as the Impact of YSL while others analyze media and culture such as the Betty and Megan Mad Men analysis that explores designers and movements of this era. Other resources I would recommend are documentaries, listen to podcasts, research papers if you have access to a library, and of course books. If you happen to be in an area with a prominent fashion scene, keep an eye out also for any moving exhibitions at museums.
Be able to have an intelligent conversation about fashion, written and verbal. When you develop strong communication skills and educate yourself, you can then form your unique perspective on fashion and have this be a part of your work. As Alexander McQueen once said, “There is always an underlying message. It’s usually only the intellectual ones who understand what’s going on in what I do.”
Being able to articulate your thoughts, opinions, and interpretations will allow you to not just have your work speak for you, but be able to advocate for yourself as to why you are an ideal fit for a position or be able to offer something with backing as to why it should be done. For instance, if I’m styling a client I feel very comfortable explaining styling techniques that will help with a sensitive subject such as body image, and in turn, it gives them more confidence in wearing their style or say someone is a visual merchandiser doing the story layouts, window and product displays, signage and so on.
They need to create a seasonal display and they reference an archival brand element that evokes this warm vintage essence that is perfect to modernize for Christmas, saying it will create an immersive experience because of this, it will be effective in driving up sales because of that. You are you and that is such a beautiful thing for an industry with a backbone in aesthetics, culture, and connections. Being able to stand by your work to network in person at work and events or engage with industry insiders through social media platforms. Building connections will not only expand your knowledge but also create opportunities for career growth.
Many times I’m asked for styling tips, how to analyze fashion, and where to learn about the topics of TCL videos. It has inspired me to create a resource derived from my studies and work that I would’ve loved to have throughout my time in school and at the beginning of my career. If you are interested in a resource I am beyond delighted to be sharing this book with you called ‘The Little Chic Fashion Dictionary’ How to Speak Stylishly with Fashion Communications and Terminology. Each term is defined in detail, including pronunciation, part of speech, the language of origin, and the specific subset of fashion to which it belongs, as well as illuminating examples to make them all the more memorable.
Style encompasses more than just what meets the eye, it reflects your way of life, individuality, and the language you use to convey your thoughts for a substantial and stylish life. So many of you ask how I know what I do and it’s been a lifelong journey so I am very pleased to pass on my forte to you with in-the-know designers and styling terms to garment production and media techniques, design, and advertising, With the channel, I love making fashion easily digestible for those of you just getting into it and accessible to seasoned fashionistas with a knack for it to enjoy. It’s been a dream of mine to publish this type of book as it’s one I would have loved to have my hands on when I was younger and I’m beyond excited to share it with you.
Now for step four, which will sound incredibly counterintuitive but if you love fashion, you need to branch out. Do not be one of these people who have no awareness outside of fashion. I think it’s easy for anyone to gain tunnel vision with their passion, you live it you breathe it. For anyone wishing to work in fashion the first instinct of course is to learn a lot about fashion, necessary and a great foundation to have but also, you must be well rounded and have peripheral vision.
For example, I can style people who have completely different styles, body types, complexions, genders, etc than me. I can do this confidently even though I will never know what is it like to wear menswear as a man does or to have a fuller figure, but I understand bone structure, flesh types, color theory, principles of design, psychology, and so on. This allows me to step outside of myself, outside of my taste to not just appreciate fashion and style as an art but be able to work with it when I’m designing I use the Adobe suite and I need technical proficiency skills.
Even though it may be for a fashion brand, the program is only as smart as you are and me know fashion helps because fashion is an art, but it will not make me good at motion capture, coding, typography, color grading, and so on. See how in this instance, even though I may be working with fashion media, it is a whole different set of skills that allows me to do so. Many designers have spoken about their creative process and it’s not just logical facts of garment construction, it’s romantic in concept as well as execution. Fashion like any other art form is not isolated from the world, it is very immersed and inspired by the world.
In a conversation between Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, taken from Prada’s SS21 showcase, Miuccia stated it better than I ever could, “This is my moment to say “Study, Study, study!”, learn, watch movies, watch art, read literature, and know that a piece of clothing serves the purpose of making you live better, it’s for you and it’s for your life. It’s not an abstract job, the result of my job is that people with my clothes feel a bit better, they can live a bit better, so it has to be useful. And it helps to find your personality even if you want to change, one day you want to be somebody, the next you want to be somebody else, it depends on the occasion. So really think about it, that is a really important tool in your life.”
Raf Simons has also been very vocal in another interview stating “There is a very different kind of psychology going on in the fashion scene than in art. […] I don’t want to show clothes, I want to show my attitude, my past, present, and future. I use memories and future visions and try to place them in today’s world.” When you watch a fashion show, television, or film go into it with the the eye of a creator, not a consumer. Analyze why is this the way it is, look at show notes. For instance, Alexander McQueen’s spring/summer 2005- It’s Only a Game.was based on the concept of a chess match between America and Japan, inspired by a Harry Potter film scene. Each look is made in the image of a particular chess piece and the models moved around the runway as if they were on a chessboard mirroring real-life historical events. Completely inspired by eighteenth-century silhouettes and traditional kimono pieces with embroidery. The collection was lighter and more accessible, hence reaching a wider audience due to the romance and femininity of the collection.
There is so much to unpack within this, what events shaped the show, how did the lighter tone impact the reach of the collection, what is the background of the kimono, and how are eighteenth-century pieces constructed? Go watch the film reference and see how that idea was translated into the realm of fashion. See there is so much to unpack. So when you’re out at the shops, examine the store layouts and displays. As an ad pops up, examine how it is edited. I understand this sometimes may seem overwhelming so I have two videos For my video recommendations to begin: I have one about the Semiotics of Fashion and also Create Your True Aesthetic & Style.
So now this step is crucial because everyone may not understand or be supportive and you hear about all the time how it’s a cutthroat industry. More often than not people are kind, but there may be difficult times so you must find your motivator and make it as strong as it can be to have a thick skin. Hone your strength never stop developing your natural talents and transform your weaknesses.
Look at designers such as Yves Saint Laurent. Who once said: “What is wonderful about my art is that dream and reality can become one. There is just one step between the two.” His genius and elegance came from what so many people deem as weakness, people wrote him off as delusional but his vision and philosophy transformed the entire landscape of fashion and the way people go about their style to this day. Or Hedi Slimane, spoke about in a rare interview how his bullying helped create his vision. The jackets are a bit too big, having a slim silhouette. In these times her looked to his music heroes and stated how he felt connected to their allure, aesthetic, and style.
You must transform that baggage into a toolbox to not let those comments weigh you down. And so many people I know who have been strong enough to push through have such similar stories. And I imagine if you are watching this, you have one as well. You have to design a life you love as Anaïs Nin once said, “Had I not created my whole world, I would certainly have died in other people’s.” You must have this fire in you to keep going no matter what to keep going otherwise it will not matter how much you work, how badly you want it, you must know you are worthy and deserving to live your dream.
You have something special to offer as well due to who you are, your experiences, your talents and your skills. For me, I can share my motivator of how I was always passionate about fashion since I was a young girl and then I fell very ill. Fashion art, and culture all sustained me so in moments of difficulty. I have this fire to pass this gift onto others so that in times of doubt, rejection, or overwhelm I can easily regain focus. what I can design, write, create, or style in a way that empowers people. If I listened to others and gave up on my dream I wouldn’t have helped so many people.
People put you down when they see something in you, they want you to do nothing. Aristotle once said, “To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.” I am not saying leverage your suffering or relive your traumas but to learn from your losses and celebrate your wins. So be sure to believe in yourself, find good people in your family or friends who will be there for you, and when you get to where you want to go bring them along as well. If you don’t get an internship or hear back from a job you are not a failure, you are not an imposter, you are less or more than others. Use this to develop your mindset and channel it into your work and passion so no one can sway you off your path to what is meant for you after working so hard.
Develop your portfolio and while this may seem straightforward, there are a few key objectives. Your portfolio is going to likely consist of different sections, for example, I have a portfolio with sections for styling, writing, illustration, graphic design for print/digital, and video editing, but I have different versions of my portfolio aligned with my goals.
Establish Your Goal
Make your portfolio’s purpose clear. Do you want to showcase your creations, land a job, get clients, or collaborate? Every portfolio will be different from fashion designers to UX designers, but there are several key objectives to keep in mind. Personalize your portfolio as needed or create various versions.
Opt for Your Finest Work
Cut out the weaker and less varied parts and save the best. For the sake of diversity and to show that you can adapt, be sure to include a wide range of styles, methods, and projects. Also, collaborative projects not only enhance your portfolio but also expand your network as you work with different individuals with complementary skills.
Highlight Soft Skills
In addition to technical skills, emphasize soft skills such as communication, collaboration, and adaptability. These qualities are often just as important in the fashion industry as technical expertise.
Make Your Theme Consistent
Create a unifying idea or topic to serve as the binding for your portfolio in presentation so aesthetics, color palettes, and styles are all potential avenues for this. If you work on different projects you will likely have different looks, but your distinct style should be evident for an air of professionalism and refinement may be achieved through consistency.
Make Your Portfolio Easy to Navigate
Put your tasks in an order that makes sense and is simple to follow. Think about making folders for your work or arranging them in chronological order. Viewers will have an easier time looking through your work in a portfolio that is well-organized.
Set the Scene
Put a short description of each project next to it. Break out the idea, what motivated you, the tools you employed, and the obstacles you conquered. This gives the audience background and shows how each item was conceptualized.
Display Your Philosophy
Include any relevant drawings, excerpts, mood boards, or behind-the-scenes photos to show how you came up with the idea. This provides a more in-depth look into your process and enhances your portfolio.
Share Your Story
Personalize your networking conversations by sharing your journey, experiences, and the passion that drives your work. People connect more deeply when they understand the story behind your creations.
Collect and Share Testimonials
If you’ve received positive feedback or testimonials from clients, colleagues, or mentors, consider incorporating them into your portfolio or sharing them in your networking conversations. Positive testimonials can validate your skills and professionalism. I have viewer testimonials on cleverandchic.com from those of you who were kind enough to share your words.
This is great for pitching yourself and networking because it won’t just showcase your work, but you as an individual and what you uniquely have to offer. Remember, networking is not just about what others can do for you; it’s also about what you can offer to the industry. Be generous with the people who support you and understand it will not be overnight, but take steps every day even if it is a little one.
I wish you luck in achieving your goals. I must say thank you for helping me achieve mine as well, I am eternally so grateful for this community and hope that this video can help you on your way to landing the job or creating the career of your dreams in fashion.
