[Cicciolina]

You don't really need to study anything specific to be a Bookings Editor. Many get that job after being a fashion assistant/editorial assistant.

I think nowadays having a blog can be helpful, but I wouldn't say that to work in fashion magazines, you need a blog. The lines are blurred much more and with the likes of Susie Bubble working for Dazed, and Rumi at Fashiontoast etc blogging for Lucky Magazine has been a step forward in bringing the fashion blogging and fashion print media together, but it's still far way from being necessary to have a fashion blog. Even though those bloggers have done well for themselves now, I'm still not sure if this sort of integration will be sustained in the long run, maybe it will? Who knows

[turnofflights]

thank you so much for the info Cicciolina!

[fashionified]

i think if you want to work in a fashion magazines, Art History would be the one that you need to take, i believe they look for art history graduate more to work in a fashion magazine, than the one that graduate frm fashion design. coz u see, the designers didnt do as much writings as the Art historian since we spend most of our time sewing the bloody garments.

[Cicciolina]

Art history is definitely well regarded

Vera Wang studied Art History before working at Vogue; and of course now she's a successful designer

[caroLovemio]

if you want to write major in english or journalism, you can go anywhere with any major though its just all about what your plans are and what you wish to work in.

[*Bianca*]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cicciolina You don't really need to study anything specific to be a Bookings Editor. Many get that job after being a fashion assistant/editorial assistant.

As booking editoris deal with models would it be helpful to get experience with a casting director or model agency first?, or better to get your foot in the door straight away at a magazine, even if it's not interning with a booking editor?

[Cicciolina]

I think it is definitely well regarded to get experience with a casting director or an agency if you want to go in the direction of a bookings editor. Hmm hard to say which one is preferable, but if this is just on an interning/work experience level, try to get as much experience as possible

[octopi]

thanks everyone for the helpful info posted thus far!

can someone tell me what i need to do to get a position as an editorial assistant or just an intern at a fashion magazine? to give you a bit more on my background, i have a fashion design degree, have worked as a fashion designer for the last 2 years, have about 2-3 years of retail experience and i am 25. it looks like odds are against me but i'm hoping one of you will say otherwise

thanks!

[vavavinny]

I am facing a major dilemma. My goal is to become a fashion editor (in-house stylist) at a major fashion magazine (very, very easy, I know ). I am finishing my undergraduate studies in 2 months (English literature major, art history minor) and have applied to graduate school because I was unfortunately not able to do any internships during my undergraduate studies. I was accepted to NYU's magazine writing program and I had an interview with Parsons yesterday for their MA Fashion Studies program. I am not sure if I will be accepted to the latter yet, but I should know in 2 weeks.

The problem is, I am not sure which program is the best for what I want to do. I think the internships NYU offers are invaluable, and, if I am in the journalism department, I can have a good shot at getting an internship at a magazine like Vogue or W. At the same time, though, I don't want to be loop-holed as merely a writer, because, in the long-run, I would like to work with photographers as an editor. I realize that this is a position that one must climb the ladder to become, and I am wondering if I start off as a fashion writer, is it possible that I can become a fashion editor?

On the other hand, Parsons MA Fashion Studies program sounds fantastic. It is perfectly tailored to my interests and I really think that I would learn a ton about fashion in a variety of contexts if I was accepted there. I think a good editor should have as many reference points as possible, and, by studying literature and art history, I already have many, but I would like to further broaden my knowledge of fashion. The only thing is, the program seems like it is aimed at individuals who would like to pursue careers as fashion scholars, something that I don't necessarily want to do.

I am also planning on applying to the MA Fashion Journalism program at Central St. Martins--a school I believe would put me closer to the European glossies I would love to work for--but I have no idea if I will be accepted and the process for an international student to apply there is super-confusing and difficult. I have a very difficult decision to make and I was just wondering if anyone has any input or advice for me. I am extremely overwhelmed and stressed, and I want to make a good decision, a decision that will ultimately determine the course of my future. If anyone has any input, I would EXTREMELY appreciate it!

[BetteT]

I"m not an expert ... but I have some thoughts based on what I've heard, over and over again.

If you don't want to be a writer ... then you may be over educating yourself ... unless the reason that you are moving along is to take an internship.

To work a a stylist (fashion editor) at a magazine, it doesn't require all of this. What it does require is the right connections, someone who will champion you and then of course, a talented eye and a strong work ethic is needed too.

Now ... any education is good and will help you do your job as a stylist ... don't get me wrong. I totally agree that the more you learn about art, culture, history, sociology, form, color, texture and so on ... the more you develop your styist's eye and your imagination to create exciting editorials. But ... I really don't think it will give you a leg up to get "the job" ... because most stylists /fashion editors don't have that kind of educational background. They, more often than not, were well connected and well liked and managed to get noticed that way ... recommendations and referrals between friends, a favor owed, and opportunity popping up, when least expected.

So, I think you must ask yourself is how you can best start to connect with people in the biz. Interning is the first, and most basic way to start that networking so NYU sounds like a way in ... if not the best, it's still better than nothing. I also think that if you had to be a writer first to make those connections, that it wouldn't matter. NYU seems to satisfy that basic requirement.

However, if Parsons has a better or different way of connecting you to people in the business you need to weigh that too. From what you said here, it sounds like you won't have the same connection opportunities that and internship at NYU would provide ... but maybe you haven't uncoverd what they can do for you, yet. The connections that they can provide don't necessarily have to be in publishing, but they should be people who know and work with the editors and people of influence at the top fashion mags. I've heard that the fashion biz in NY is actually very small and everyone knows everyone. So the right person recommending you to a friend at a fashion magazine might be anyone. I'd say, explore Parsons further, to see how they can hook you up, before making a final decsion.

I think any way in is better than none ... so take your best shot and see if you find any better alternatives along the way. Do your homework, make your choice but stay flexible ... theres' more than one way.

[vavavinny]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetteT I"m not an expert ... but I have some thoughts based on what I've heard, over and over again. If you don't want to be a writer ... then you may be over educating yourself ... unless the reason that you are moving along is to take an internship. To work a a stylist (fashion editor) at a magazine, it doesn't require all of this. What it does require is the right connections, someone who will champion you and then of course, a talented eye and a strong work ethic is needed too. Now ... any education is good and will help you do your job as a stylist ... don't get me wrong. I totally agree that the more you learn about art, culture, history, sociology, form, color, texture and so on ... the more you develop your styist's eye and your imagination to create exciting editorials. But ... I really don't think it will give you a leg up to get "the job" ... because most stylists /fashion editors don't have that kind of educational background. They, more often than not, were well connected and well liked and managed to get noticed that way ... recommendations and referrals between friends, a favor owed, and opportunity popping up, when least expected. So, I think you must ask yourself is how you can best start to connect with people in the biz. Interning is the first, and most basic way to start that networking so NYU sounds like a way in ... if not the best, it's still better than nothing. I also think that if you had to be a writer first to make those connections, that it wouldn't matter. NYU seems to satisfy that basic requirement. However, if Parsons has a better or different way of connecting you to people in the business you need to weigh that too. From what you said here, it sounds like you won't have the same connection opportunities that and internship at NYU would provide ... but maybe you haven't uncoverd what they can do for you, yet. The connections that they can provide don't necessarily have to be in publishing, but they should be people who know and work with the editors and people of influence at the top fashion mags. I've heard that the fashion biz in NY is actually very small and everyone knows everyone. So the right person recommending you to a friend at a fashion magazine might be anyone. I'd say, explore Parsons further, to see how they can hook you up, before making a final decsion. I think any way in is better than none ... so take your best shot and see if you find any better alternatives along the way. Do your homework, make your choice but stay flexible ... theres' more than one way.

BetteT,

Thank you SO much for your input. I sincerely appreciate it!

I realize that I probably shouldn't even be going to graduate school for what I want to do, the only thing is, I come from a small town and the only even remotely plausible avenue for me to get to NYC--or anywhere else-- is to go to graduate school. I think it would be rather stupid of me to just pack up and move there with nothing lined up to do once I got there. Plus, I desperately need the internship opportunities and think the best way to get internships is through a university. While I may be over-educating myself for the career I would like to have, I don't think it hurts to have a little extra knowledge.

I think the most difficult thing for me will be getting into the business by making connections. The most disconcerting and frustrating thing about becoming a fashion editor is that there is not at all a clear cut path. Whenever I read that fashion editors got the job they have because they were at the right place at the right time, it really bothers me. While being in NYC will bring me closer to the types of magazines I would like to work for, I really need to network as much as possible, no matter which school I choose to go to.

I have already been accepted to NYU, so that is a definite opportunity. I am not sure about Parsons yet, but they will let me know in the next 2 weeks. I definiely agree that the connection that Parsons has with the fashion industry is probably a lot stronger than the one NYU has, and I also think the curriciulum at Parsons would aid me more in the long-run. Still, the way the director was talking during the interview, it doesn't sound like the program at getting students internships at magazines, something that I for sure want to do. I think I could definitely could internships at a magazine through NYU, but I don't want to be loop-holed as a writer when I actually want to be a fashion editor. Still, I have read about many people who started off as writers and ended up becoming stylists/editors (Carine Roitfeld is one of them). It is just so difficult to read about the well known/editors and stylists and their backgrounds and to see that they either did not go to school at all or went for something not at all related to fashion (I read somewhere that Aliona Doletskaya has a PhD. in linguistics!). I figured it would be best if I educated myself as much about art and literature as possible, as both tie in with fashion to a point. I think my background definitely prepares me for a career in fashion journalism, but I just need to make the right connections.

Right now I really can't make a decision because I wasn't accepted to Parsons yet, but I certainly have a lot to think about. I would really like to apply to Central St. Martins, which would bring me closer to European magazines.

I have read as much on careers in fashion editing as I could get my hands on, and everything says the same thing. I guess the main thing I need to do is go to NYC, network, and get as many internships as possible, something that I could most likely do at either school.

I really, really appreciate all of your help and advice BetteT. I will definitely research my other options, but graduate school seems like the best choice at the moment. Right now, my decision is really based on my acceptance or non-acceptance to Parsons.

[prosperk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vavavinny BetteT, but I don't want to be loop-holed as a writer when I actually want to be a fashion editor. Still, I have read about many people who started off as writers and ended up becoming stylists/editors (Carine Roitfeld is one of them).

She may have written for French Elle for five minutes before going into styling but I can assure you that Carine Roitfeld is not known as a writer in fashion media circles. People were very surprised when she was appointed Editor in Chief of French Vogue. She had initially been taken on as Creative Director but then Joan Juliet Buck and Condé Nast separated and the publisher took a chance on Carine. It was very tough for her in the beginning precisely because she is more of a stylist than an editor and someone of Joan Buck's intellectual calibre was a hard act to follow.

Quote:

It is just so difficult to read about the well known/editors and stylists and their backgrounds and to see that they either did not go to school at all or went for something not at all related to fashion (I read somewhere that Aliona Doletskaya has a PhD. in linguistics!).

Aliona Doletskaya does indeed have a doctorate in languages or linguistics. She speaks English to a standard that would shame many English people, who have forgotten how to speak and write their language. She is also perhaps the only chief editor of any of the major editions of Vogue with the levels of intellect, education and style that used to be required of Vogue chief editors, which is why she was promoted by the gossips as the next chief editor of US Vogue. She could probably do the job standing on her head because she also understands the commercial angles required to keep a magazine successful in the States.

However, let's not forget that there is no set rule that stylists have to be intellectually shallow and one-tracked. Some of the stylists posting here are clearly very educated and smart. And then we have iconic stylists from the past, like Florentine Pabst, who also managed to make the transition from draping clothes and accessories over models to the editor's chair. However, she was never going to be 'in fashion'. Like many others, she drifted into it.

The point here is that you should not worry too much about your academic qualifications. The only thing a degree - vocational degrees apart - tells most employers is that you are not likely to bolt after five minutes on the job, requiring them to advertise the position all over again! They know they will have you onboard for a while. Many fashion-related degrees are really an utter waste of time, although the schools and colleges won't tell you that because they're making money from this sausage machine, churning out young fashion industry hopefuls with a diploma and little if any practical experience of any use to a front line manager looking for new recruits.

I told one of my assistants the other day to forget about media studies and do a law degree instead, specialising in intellectual property and copyright. After all, she was getting the necessary journalistic experience as an assistant/intern that would give a commissioning editor the confidence to try her out so why not do something useful at university that might pay her rent or mortgage the day she realises that journalism might not cover the lifestyle to which she aspires, unless she marries a moneybags or pairs off with some rich old lesbian? As a lawyer specialising in IP etc, she could not only protect her interests but those of all the other writers whose work is being appropriated by firms like Google, for instance.

It boils down to this: either you can do the job or not. If you have talent, you will get ahead because, pre-emptive cynicism notwithstanding, talent always was and always will be a rare and precious commodity above a certain level in the business. This applies to writers, stylists, photographers, editors, copy editors, translators and just about anyone involved in the creative process of producing any form of high end media. The two editors you cited here are outstanding examples of the point I am making.

PK

[YoninahAliza]

Everyone has such good advice, however I am entering uni to study Journalism. I really want to get a degree so that if my orignal plan doesnt work out then I always have a backup one. What do you think about this?

[missnyc]

I have a question. What's better to work in a magazine, to study Art History or Journalism? I mean, I know it's different but I love both degrees and I don't know what to do. I don't wanna write or do interviews, I want to style photoshoots (so, fashion editor right?) And, what's the different between a stylist and a fashion editor?

[BetteT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by missnyc I have a question. What's better to work in a magazine, to study Art History or Journalism? I mean, I know it's different but I love both degrees and I don't know what to do. I don't wanna write or do interviews, I want to style photoshoots (so, fashion editor right?) And, what's the different between a stylist and a fashion editor?

If you don't want to write for magazines or newspapers ... then journalism is not for you.

And yes, fashion editors usually style the shoots. But sometimes for smaller magazines, they bring in a freelance stylist if they don't have a fashion editor on staff. The difference is fashion editors are salaried and work only for that one magazine. Stylists are freelance and work for all sorts of different people and types of gigs.