Fashion Journalism

[Cicciolina]

Yes... also fashion isn't like medicine or law - where you have to study medicine to be a doctor, or law to be a lawyer. You can study History/Anthropology/Sociology/English Literature/Studio Arts/Business/whatever if you want to be a fashion journalist/fashion stylist/journalist/managing editor/artist/etc etc.

The same question comes up again and again. I think if you're really serious about wanting to work in the editorial side of media, whether it is in fashion or elsewhere, there is a lot of information out there on this forum already, let alone on the web. Part of being a good employee in this field is that you need to do a lot of the groundwork and research yourself.

It's good to expand your mind with liberal arts subjects... the idea of any sort of long-term course in fashion journalism is a waste of time in my opinion. In all honesty, if a a media outlet were to hire a journalist (or a fashion journalist - a fashion journalist has to be able to write about other stuff - they have or should have writing skills which are transferable to any other subject matter), they'd hire the one with loads of clips and experience over the one with a masters in fashion journalism.

 

[prosperk]

There isn't much more to be said, is there? I think this thread should be locked and pinned up there for posterity and the enlightenment of youngsters likely to fall for the whole academic journalism and media studies scam, which is like the old sociology degree, in itself a way in the past for the less intelligent progeny of an expanding middle class to get that all-important degree for the job resumé. Media studies and journalism degrees enable a lot of people who would be better off as bellboys and shopgirls to delude themselves that a glorious career awaits them in "da meejah". I know this doesn't apply to everyone who enrolls in such a course but Singer's remarks and the last two posts here make glaring, unavoidable sense. The problem is that there are just too many people being allowed into universities nowadays - one of the many failings of democratisation - and many of them are not sufficiently intelligent or self-disciplined to do a serious degree, hence the dumbed down courses on offer.

PK

PK

 

[Drusilla_]

^seconded.

I agree with everything you guys say- fashion is, after all, a field that takes inspiration from so many others, it's silly to study it as if it exists in isolation. I'm a law student who'd like to try working in fashion journalism/editing some day, but often it feels like I'll never catch a break in my country, all the magazines seem to want to hire fashion/journalism students, with maybe the odd spot for a literature student, but that's it. And frankly, I've seen the results of that approach- badly-written puff pieces. Not something I'd want to be a part of (I'd rather enjoy fashion from the outside than 'contribute' to it that way).

 

[fashionistasista]

After a few years in this area of work i've learned a few things in regards of what degree to do in order to get a job in fashion journalism.

Network to your best ability - most of the places i've worked for (national magazines to local street press) have hired someone they've known or professionally recognized above newbies that cold call and send resumes in, no matter how sterling their academic records.

I think in the end, you need to be able to write well, or take a course that will enable you to write well - this doesn't have to be a journalism degree, as it teaches aspects of the industry, not simply writing skills. But perhaps a wiriting course that has grammar, punctuation etc covered.

Do a degree that will make you understand more about your culture, and keep you rounded as a person (and allow yourself a fallback career). Journalism is a fickle job industry at the best of times and you can always freelance. Doing a design degree, art degree, something else entirely will make you a much more interesting person. Think of someone with lawyer parents, went to school, studied law and became a lawyer. their view is slanted, and they will be a person with a very specific experience.

that said... unfortunately folks, when journalism/writing/fashion journo entry level jobs are advertised, they usually do ask for journalism graduates. Sometimes it will pay to fall into the 'fatory line'.. just keep up your lifestyle around you/school to keep your experience varied!

and network!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ched]

"Murdoch signals end of free news"

"News Corp is set to start charging online customers for news content across all its websites."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8186701.stm

 

[prosperk]

that said... unfortunately folks, when journalism/writing/fashion journo entry level jobs are advertised, they usually do ask for journalism graduates. Sometimes it will pay to fall into the 'fatory line'.. just keep up your lifestyle around you/school to keep your experience varied!

and network!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is perhaps because the job has already been allocated to someone behind the scenes, often as a result of networking, but employers often have to advertise positions openly to comply with employment legislation so they stick a pro forma ad out there, complete with the stipulation that applicants have to have a degree in journalism, because this reduces the number of applicants to whom they have to send refusals.

PK

 

[fashionistasista]

This is perhaps because the job has already been allocated to someone behind the scenes, often as a result of networking, but employers often have to advertise positions openly to comply with employment legislation so they stick a pro forma ad out there, complete with the stipulation that applicants have to have a degree in journalism, because this reduces the number of applicants to whom they have to send refusals.

PK

Sometimes, but not always the case. Perhaps its more of an australian custom. Especially in our biggest publishing house, I have heard editors voice their preference for journalism graduates, and its prevalence in job ads cant mean that every one is taken.

 

[Cicciolina]

To be honest (I'm in Australia as well) I haven't seen this occur at all. They often say "Journalism degree or equivalent qualification or experience" which seems to include a lot more.

 

[octopi]

some truly interesting and insightful opinions/advice shared on this page. i never thought that it would actually be beneficial to go into fashion journalism with a background in something that is not usually associated with a career in fashion, but i find that very comforting. even though i am an ex-fashion designer looking to explore fashion journalism, it's reassuring that the time i'm currently spending on travelling etc will not go to waste because it seems that magazines aren't just looking for people with an education directly pinpointed on journalism. thanks everyone for the refreshing posts!

 

[sidewalks]

I have enough clips to start putting a portfolio together, but many of them are web clips. I don't want my portfolio to look sloppy, so how do I print clips from the web?

 

[prosperk]

Sometimes, but not always the case. Perhaps its more of an australian custom. Especially in our biggest publishing house, I have heard editors voice their preference for journalism graduates, and its prevalence in job ads cant mean that every one is taken.

Well, I've worked for a few Australian publishing houses in my time, admittedly as a freelance, but I was Oz Vogue's Man-in-Paris for a couple of years and nobody ever asked me if I'd been to school let alone university. In fact, I was never even asked for a CV. I don't even think I've updated my CV since 1999 or thereabouts. I got the Oz Vogue job because the then Editor-in-Chief had seen a Galliano interview I'd done for The Big Issue - London's seminal homeless magazine - and I happened to have just moved from London to Paris.

Frankly, editors who insist upon journalism or media studies degrees probably aren't very good or imaginative editors. What counts is ability, not pieces of paper proving little more to prospective employers that you might stick around at least for two or three years, just as you did at university, fitting into the corporate routine and toeing the line.

Don't get me wrong. I went to university myself and I also read a subject - Modern Iberian and Latin American Regional Studies - that was probably more useless in practical terms than journalism or media studies. I was expelled after two years, which was a good thing. And at least I had a sound reason for enrolling. There was this girl I liked and she challenged me to do it. It was a kind of quid pro quo thing. It certainly wasn't about getting a good job! Nobody - doctors etc aside - should go into further education because they want to get a good job afterwards. That way lie demons...

Any idiot can become a journalist, as the issue of press cards to bloggers by the NUJ and other press unions proves. The thing is, do you have what it takes to become a good journalist? There's the rub...

PK

PK

 

[Cicciolina]

Sometimes, but not always the case. Perhaps its more of an australian custom. Especially in our biggest publishing house, I have heard editors voice their preference for journalism graduates, and its prevalence in job ads cant mean that every one is taken.

I replied to this previously, but as someone who is also from Australia - I haven't seen this at all. This is within Fairfax, News, ACP, PacPubs, etc...

 

[vavavinny]

Dilemma!

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!

 

[prosperk]

You're getting completely different jobs mixed up. The editors who work with photographers on fashion editorials include the Editor-in-Chief, who might sign an editorial every month introducing the issue, usually ghostwritten, and the Fashion Director or Editor, who rarely if ever writes anything at all. Fashion writing, on the other hand, belongs in the features or editorial department and is certainly not really for you if you are more drawn to styling and directing fashion shoots.

There again, no reason why you cannot style and write. It is a rare combination. Most stylists I know do not even read much. On the other hand, there are exceptions: George Cortina, for instance, is very cultured but even so, he styles. He doesn't write. I would consider the Parsons course were I in your place. A Master's like that will give you more leverage and versatility. Fashion journalism, by which I mean serious commentary by the likes of Menkes and Horyn, is a highly specialised craft learned on the ground rather than in the classroom. If you find you have a flair for it, you can develop that side of your skills by freelancing. I've expressed myself fairly bluntly on the subject of learning journalism at school earlier in this thread so I shan't repeat myself here.

Good luck.

PK

 

[vavavinny]

You're getting completely different jobs mixed up. The editors who work with photographers on fashion editorials include the Editor-in-Chief, who might sign an editorial every month introducing the issue, usually ghostwritten, and the Fashion Director or Editor, who rarely if ever writes anything at all. Fashion writing, on the other hand, belongs in the features or editorial department and is certainly not really for you if you are more drawn to styling and directing fashion shoots.

There again, no reason why you cannot style and write. It is a rare combination. Most stylists I know do not even read much. On the other hand, there are exceptions: George Cortina, for instance, is very cultured but even so, he styles. He doesn't write. I would consider the Parsons course were I in your place. A Master's like that will give you more leverage and versatility. Fashion journalism, by which I mean serious commentary by the likes of Menkes and Horyn, is a highly specialised craft learned on the ground rather than in the classroom. If you find you have a flair for it, you can develop that side of your skills by freelancing. I've expressed myself fairly bluntly on the subject of learning journalism at school earlier in this thread so I shan't repeat myself here.

Good luck.

PK

Prosperk,

I extremely appreciate your input ! You gave me very valuable advice in the past, and I extremely appreciate your help.

The fact that not one fashion journalist--or journalist in general-- I can think of went to school for journalism definitely deters me from the NYU program. Still, the internship opportunities they offer are invaluable. And, if I went there, I would most definitely take classes in different departments (French, art history) to spice up my curriculum .

I am starting to think Parsons is a better choice as well. The only thing is, I haven't been accepted there, and if I do, I will be extremely lucky. They are accepting 15 people to the program. I did, however, have a phone interview, which is good.

I have very good writing skills and lots of experience writing about fashion--I have my own fashion column in the school newspaper-- but I am more excited by expressing myself visually with photographers as a fashion editor.

Thank you so much again for your input. I have a lot to think about. If I get accepted to Parsons, do you think I should still apply to Central St. Martins? I have not finished my application yet, and it seems very unlikely that I would go there. But I still want the chance to go to a school of that caliber. I would love to work in Europe one day, and I think going to Central St. Martins would definitely bring me closer to the European market. Then again, I could establish myself in NY and go from there. I just have so much to think about ! Thanks again!

 

[MissMagAddict]

The fact that not one fashion journalist--or journalist in general-- I can think of went to school for journalism definitely deters me from the NYU program.

Cathy Horyn has a Masters Degree in Journalism from Northwestern University.

Terry Agins has a Masters Degree from the Columbia School of Journalism.

 

[vavavinny]

MissMagAddict, I you! I had no idea Cathy Horyn had a Masters in journalism! Well, now I feel a bit better about NYU!

Thank you so much for the info !

 

[prosperk]

Sure, but I don't think she did an MA to become a writer. She may have done it to be able to augment her earnings by lecturing in the subject but I am merely indulging in conjecture.

PK

 

[frieda]

To be honest, as many people there are these days working in top positions at magazines that didn't have any writing/journalism experience whatsoever... I don't think that people should follow that trend.

I, myself, am a journalism major. Sure, I could have majored in Art History and maybe end up at a fashion mag like I wish to as a journalism major... but I feel more secured that I will find a position because of my extensive journalism resume.

Vavavinny, don't be deterred! NYU is a great school, though no matter what you study there the name NYU itself will get you a lot of places.

 

[vavavinny]

Frieda, thank you so much for your input ! I really appreciate it! I think NYU is a great school as well and I am very, very happy that I got accepted there.

While I don't think one has to study journalism to be a magazine editor, I think it is helpful to at least have some journalistic traits. A good editor should know how to target their audience and honestly should know how to write themselves, even if they don't have to do it. Still, I think an editor should be as well-rounded as possible, especially when it comes to culture, and art history and literature classes are the best way to learn about culture at a collegiate level in my opinion.