Fashion Journalism

[KindlyCuddly]

The pay is low and so are the oppurtunities to get a stable job, honestly.

[BetteT]

Just moved the off topic posts, about finding a career other than journalism and the subsequent talk about PR, here in the thread about searching for career options.

For more information about PR (Public Relations) there's an ongoing thread, here.

[katebug]

Hi, I'm hoping to get into journalism after I graduate. Fashion journalism would be my ideal

Anyway, just a quick question. I'm always scouring job pages just out of curiousity, and I have seen a lot of adverts for journalism related roles asking skills in graphic design and/or photography. I imagine this depends on the type and size of the publication you are applying for, but are these skills now needed?

I want to get as qualified as possible, so was wondering whether I should take some evening classes. I've heard Quark being mentioned. Is it worth learning these skills? And if so, what?
Thanks

[ms.jade]

Do you know of any good Master programmes in fashion journalism? I'm considering to do my masters and was thinking of Central St. Martins or...? I've recently graduated from art school and would love to live somewhere uproad for a while doing someting useful - London or New York would be great

[dulcedeleche]

Originally Posted by katebug

Hi, I'm hoping to get into journalism after I graduate. Fashion journalism would be my ideal

Anyway, just a quick question. I'm always scouring job pages just out of curiousity, and I have seen a lot of adverts for journalism related roles asking skills in graphic design and/or photography. I imagine this depends on the type and size of the publication you are applying for, but are these skills now needed?

I want to get as qualified as possible, so was wondering whether I should take some evening classes. I've heard Quark being mentioned. Is it worth learning these skills? And if so, what?
Thanks

I don't know about magazines, but for newpapers, you don't really need these skills if you are just a reporter/features writer. At least in the United States. But maybe things have changed?

[australian_girl]

anyone know anything about fashion journalism in australia?

[Cicciolina]

^^^ What about fashion journalism in Australia?
Regarding degrees/masters/etc, I don't think it's necessary in journalism or fashion jourmalism and from what I've seen there are many writers who didn't study journalism, but rather a liberal studies degree.

[Ariadne Grant]

Hi, I studied an MA in Fashion Journalism at the London College of Fashion in 2006 and I have to say it really paid out. The course basically divides in theory (sociology basically) and practice as well as some it courses like photoshop, indesign, etc.
The MA really helped my career, but my advice would be: publish. Publish as much as you can, even if its on your school newspaper or in a small publication, this way you can build a portfolio you can show to your potential employers so they can see your style. You can have great study credentials but if you arrive to an interview empty handed and with no experience is going to be much harder.
Another tip is always ask for interviews, no matter how big they are, many of them are going to say no, but eventually soe of them are going to say yes, that way I managed to interview people like Paul Smith, Phillip Treacy and Christopher Bailey. And that can really build your cv.
Good luck and always keep your eyes open for interesting stories

[Luxx]

^Great tip. Sometimes it can be so scary to ask for interviews but its wonderful when people do say yes.

[Dustcakeboy]

^^ Agreed, really great tip. This is what I've heard again and again - publish.

[seanutbutter]

Interviewing people is actually my least favorite part of journalism. I hate the anxiety that comes with asking someone to answer a few questions for you, then the actual process of going through the interview.

Anyway, I'm still interested in journalism, just not that aspect of it. Which probably narrows down my choices, when I think about it. But I'm not really into specifically fashion journalism (funny, I know) - do we have a thread here for journalism in general?

[Dustcakeboy]

^ You know I don't think we do. Starting one would be a great idea.

[BetteT]

I just searched and we don't have anything here about journalism in general ... every thing here is fashion specific, because we are forum about fashion.

But there has to be lot's of other sites about journalism careers out there, where you could talk to people who are working as journalists in other fields and find infomation about the profession:

Here's a few:

http://wwforums.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/8796015071

http://www.topix.com/forum/news/journalism



For those in the UK:
http://forums.freelanceuk.com/journalism-forum/


And some good info about the profession of journalism:
http://concernedjournalists.org/node/290

[whambam]

Hey you guys!
I haven't read every comment on here but I thought I would like to give some advice to any gal who wants to be a fashion writer.
I have been writing all my life, it's been my biggest passion and it's the only thing I can see myself doing for the rest of my life. I started on a journalist course on distance, but I soon realized it was not my cup of tea. It was mostly newspaper journalist. So, instead I phoned and emailed a bunch of newspaper/magazines but I got turned down. My last hope was my local newspaper and so I emailed them and put up a suggestion of a fashion column. They were thrilled about the idea and 1 month later I got the job. The point is that you can get anywhere you want, if you only believe and stay positive.

London have a great fashion school for anyone who has a big interest in fashion. They also have a course called Fashion Journalism for those who might be aiming towards Vogue, ELLE, InStyle etc. It's worth checking out: www.fashion.arts.ac.uk

Despite all the lows and turn downs, hang in there!
Good luck!

(If you have any questions, feel free to PM or email me and I will do my best to answer.)

[prosperk]

Bravo. But I'll say it again: I'm not rubbishing journalism courses as such but you don't need to go to journalism school to be a journalist. If you have a natural aptitude for it to begin with, you can learn on the job. Part of getting published is not giving up. As Whambam says, hang in there!. The trouble with some journalism courses is that the course lecturers are not honest with students who are simply not cut out for the job, perhaps because they need to maintain statistics, and a lot of clueless, talentless people come bouncing out of college with diplomas...and fall flat on their faces.

PK