Fashion Industry Careers - Options (See individual threads for specific careers.)

[MizBlue]

Marketing/Advertising

Hello You all,

I'm not sure where to post this but I wanted to know the real deal.

I'm a marketing major with a focus in Advertising.

What are the jobs to look into upon Graduation in the Fashion Industry?

My goal is to become a buyer.

I really need guidance as to the best steps to take upon graduating.


Any advice will help

Thanks everyone

 

[Ceptuouse]

Careers in Fashion Design...

I didnt know where to put this so I just put it here so you can move it if you like

But, what i wanted to know is if anybody knew any good information about getting a career in Fashion Design, what you need to be good at, how hard it is, how much it costs to start your own buisness... Any information will be great Thankyou


JR1

 

[Fashion Puss]

I think to get a career in fashion design you have to really really want it. I went ot a London design school and it was full of rich kids doing it because they thought it was fun.
My advice would be to get into a really good college. Work on your portfolio a lot with lots of other work showing a variety of ideas and illustrations. Then get a good work placement and build it from there.
Unfortunately, fashion courses are very popular and are over subscribed. But if its what you really want to do then I say go for it! i had a great time on my course, but was unprepared for how hard it was to find a job after I graduated.
My suggestion would be to think more broadly then just a fashion design course, have you considered a textiles course? Textiles would be more informative and you still retain a strong design theme, you would have to be designing not just the outfits, but the prints to go with it. It would give your portfolio a much stronger edge as it would contain not only design work, but sketches of prints and fabric studies. A common problem with design graduates is that they haven't been trained to think of the garment in terms of fabric composition and its mass-production.
Many people I graduated with were unable to find a job designing and set up on their own. So its not impossible to go out on your own.
I hope this helps. Best of luck, if you want it then it will happen!

 

[Ceptuouse]

Thankyou!!

 

[fireatwill]

It's a good idea making a thread about this JR1. I was just talking to my mom about going into fashion, and she told me to just talk to people who are in it right now. My cousin designs dresses, a small business, but he went to fashion school. So, she told me to just ask him how it is and things like that. And I'm sure this board is full of people who are in the fashion business so this would be the best place to get first hand information. I'm just rambling. Sorry.

<3 ME.

 

[ElenaD]

I'm thinking of doing a fashion & textile design course too Have a past in styling & makeup and now have my own jewellery label, but have long been thinking I'd love to study fashion & textiles too. I love fabrics & textures and I'd love to just see how I go really.

So I'm interested in hearing stories from people who've studied fashion already/currently studying or designers who're already out there in the industry too.

I knew a girl in London who studied at Saint Martins and she ended up winning the best womenswear award for her final year. I believe she stayed in London for a little while, but then moved back home to Poland and created her own successful label. I know another friend who studied Styling & Photography at London College of Fashion who went primarily into Styling, but also has worked in PR and Buying. So there seems lots of opportunities if you're willing to work outside the box.

 

[Fashion Puss]

Hi ElenaD, I saw from your profile that you're in Perth. I'm interested in what the fashion is like there. Is there much of an interest in fashion courses? How well do the unniversities do? Which would you say is the most fashionable city - Melbourne, Sydney or Perth?

 

[ElenaD]

In Perth we don't have any fashion courses at University, but we do have a fantastic program at TAFE (college) which has produced Michelle Jank, among others. There are TAFE's all over Australia, and there's one called RMIT in Melbourne which is kind of college and uni combined that has an excellent rep.

There are more fashion colleges in Melbourne and Sydney, the high profile magazines are all based in Sydney and most fashion photography is based in Sydney. Manufacturing has long been in Melbourne, and most of the high-street stores have their Head Offices in Melbourne.

So, it's definitely more high-profile over East, but here in the West we have a growing band of people who are creating their own labels and making small waves! Perth is kind of the place where you can start off, but you generally need to move o/s or over east to make a name for yourself, or at least have your wares sold overseas or interstate.

Melbourne, Perth and Sydney are all quite different, imo, fashion-wise. Melbourne seems quite like a little European city where people are 'dressed' and aren't afraid to try new trends...but they also have the rep for wearing all black, all the time and being quite 'arty'. I really love Melbourne! Sydney seems more superficial, and people there aren't afraid to show a bit of skin. I liken Sydney to be quite LA....it's a really nice place to be, but I prefer Perth or Melbourne.

Perth is a lovely place, but quite isolated from the rest of the country. There are a lot of conservative people here, but a growing number of people who're interested in looking a bit different.

I would say there's a big interest in fashion courses, but of course you have to be really dedicated to make it work, as you would anywhere

So where are you based? Love to hear all about it

 

[softgrey]

here's a thread that's all about getting into styling...

http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5145

and one on being a make up artist...
http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6326

good luck with whatever you choose...

 

[ElenaD]

Aw thanks softgrey - that's so sweet! Those threads are good - always cool to read info from people who've been through it.

Actually, I did some styling when I lived in London for 3 years, and I've trained as a makeup artist too. At the moment though, I'm concentrating on my jewellery label, which is much easier to do in an isolated city such as Perth. We don't really have much work here for stylists or makeup artists...if I want to get back into that stuff I will have to move cities again.

But I'm thinking of following a long-held dream and studying fashion! Even if it's something that ends up helping my jewellery, I think it would be a fun course.

Are you a designer?

 

[softgrey]

you're welcome elenad...no...i'm a stylist......
did you see this thread?...
http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3823

 

[jhaime]

I would have to say I agree with the mass majority here. It's not an easy career path at all, especially with so, so many people doing it. If you gain a degree in it, it's like...so what? loads of people have degree's in it...

It's more to do with contacts than anything...even if you're the best undiscovered designer in the world, you will find it virtually impossible to go where you wat without the correct contacts, and the gift of the gab.

I left school, and set about starting up a business in fashion retail...(I was 16)

It took me a year to get it even off the ground, I took diplomas in accountancy, credit management, retail management...you name it, I did it...It's scary setting out for your dreams, because once you're in, you're stuck, and you have to really nuckle down, stay mentally foccused on what your aims are, and make sure you meet them. Discipline is the key...that's the main attribute you need to make it in whatever you want to do...

However, after all my hard work, and all my effort, you want to know the reason behind me pulling it off...

my mother was friendly (well still is) with our bank manager, and that was the only reason i was granted the business loan at the end of the day. Yes my business plan was immense for my age, and my knowlidge ofbusiness for a 17 year old was astonishing i guess...but It would not have mattered if my Mother had not known the manager I was going to see...

so, with everything in life, it's who you know...

as for dreams...

what's the point in having them, if you aren't going to make them happen...

and when you get down and begin to have a second thought, bare in mind that the sweet, is just never quite as sweet without that little extra sour

 

[softgrey]

merged with existing topic...

 

[Lena]

most of fashion careers can be interconnected

as an example, so far i have worked as
*vintage boutique owner /buyer
*stylist
*designer & boutique owner
*strategy and developement consultant
*big events co-ordinator

i have studied fashion design, history of fashion and theatrical costume... sky is the limit guys, never give up your dreams, make them happen

 

[**Li**]

Hello to all, this is my first post. To comment on the above subject and to Judea's post, I come from the same position and young age so from my opinion the only way to make it to the top is to do what you love. Yes, you'll probably be eating too much top ramon but watch what you eat because all eyes might be on you for second on a stroke of luck and you've got to be ready. Like the folks have spoken above it looks like the best idea for you is to move to New York. Use your trust fund money or hustle to pay rent and meet people just like you in the city. Start to get to know the industry by going to FIT and work your way in there to Parsons. Spend all your free time with other productive artists because like I said before, you never know who's watching. Do you think most Now Designers were drinking a Coors watching American Idol when they were picked out of the masses? Loving fashion and wanting to be involved I'm sure you know how important it is to represent yourself appearance wise so I'm sure we don't have to go into that but my only recommendation is to move to New York, volunteer and hang around the industry hot spots. There my dear peer, you will meet your contacts. LI.

 

[ElenaD]

Lena - I think it's great how people can move to different jobs within the industry too.

Do you have a favourite of the jobs you have done?

Sometimes I think I should just choose one thing and stick to it, but for me different jobs have appealed depending on where I am in my life at that time. Right now it suits me to have my own business, but in the past I really liked the stability of working for other people.

Softgrey - how do you find you styling work in nyc? Do you have an agent or do you find it easier to be freelance?

 

[stylishmoi]

Hey, Just thought i'd let you know that I do a course in the UK at university called FASHION BUYING FOR RETAIL (BAHons) its really really good and prepares you for a career in buying! I would recommend it to anyone!

 

[softgrey]

Softgrey - how do you find you styling work in nyc? Do you have an agent or do you find it easier to be freelance?

hi elenad...
it's gotten really difficult everywhere since the economy and the industry are in a slump..for almost 4-5 yrs now...
i used to have an agent...but i left and then i worked on staff at a mag for a yr...but it was a bad situation...so now i'm back on my own...

i have also had several career changes...
retail mgmt
retail buyer
visual designer-store display
stylist
magazine editor

and i think i'm ready for another transition...
lena posted somewhere at one point that styling can be rather boring after awhile...and i agree...like anything else...it becomes a chore after awhile...and i'm not feeling challenged or inspired any longer...especially because i really don't like what's going on in most magazines or with most celebs...advertising can be lucrative...but it's also pretty boring, unless you're just working with nice, fun people...then it's not so bad...

i've almost always been freelance-(having an agent still makes you freelance)..
but now i think it's time for a change...we'll see...

 

[lizmar]

well, m. kors, among others, went to the fashion institute of technology in new york. i myself am not a fan of college and firm in the belief that you do not, entirely, need it, but it sure as hell would make getting an internship that much easier.if you find a pth that doesn't require college, let me know. my clothes and styling are kick-***!

 

[lizmar]

p.s. why is fashion trance only on at 1am and 5am?!