How to Get Work in Fashion Magazine Publishing (see Post #1 for related threads)

[Cicciolina]

Well I'm also someone else who lives in Australia and has always wanted to be an editor of a fashion magazine! It seems that a specific fashion journalism degree isn't explicitly required - sure it can look impressive but from what I've found, most people working in magazines (editors or otherwise) have something ranging from an Arts/Law combined degree, to Media and Communication degrees, to Art degrees (majoring in something like English or Art History) or even just through lots of experience and no university degree.
And of course - contacts contacts contacts!!!

 

[ebn0204]

how to become an editor of a FASHION magazine

i'm a junior in highschool right now and have just started to think about careers etc...
my dream would be to become the editor of vogue. so how do i achieve that?
my grades are good (3.6 gpa, 4.6 weighted cause of all the AP's) i have great extra curriculars so i'm wondering:
1. what would be a good school to go to for fashion journalism?
2. what kind of money does an editor of a fashion magazine make? what about writers ect?
3. any other helpful advice, stories ect.?

thanks

~Emily

 

[Lena]

merging..
kindly browse the forum's existing threads or use tFS search feature before posting new topics

 

[fashionistasista]

so im sending this last post as a karma to you all for your useful comments..
i have just recently opted to do both the fashion school and the publishing traineeship in my gap year after highschool.... which is next year...... then go on to do a communications degree at uni..... i just enrolled this week and remembered i forgot to thank you all so......thanks!
plus to all your 'degree in connections' comments lol i have also moved to sydney and have been offered styling jobs for indie mags!!! so all is going good at the moment and i hope my luck keeps up this way!!

 

[keta]

I think the key here is that you want to be a FASHION editor, not an editor-in-chief. So like everyone else has said, you need experience styling, but ...

Canadian magazine FLARE's editor-in-chief was promoted from the position of fashion editor. She obtained the position of fashion editor from doing freelance journalism for the magazine.

I don't know much about Australia in particular, but I've found/heard it's nearly impossible to get even an internship without some postsecondary education. So if you are being offered an internship straight out of high school, it's probably a good idea to take advantage of this! Also, if you take the internship and find out you need something else, you can always attend school in a year or two.

You should find out if there are schools in Australia that offer a 'Fashion Communication' program (Ryerson University offers it here). This program is basically journalism with a focus on fashion and styling, which is exactly what you need - I've had friends in the program who have interned with major fashion magazines throughout North America.

I am currently enrolled in a program called 'Rhetoric and Professional Writing', and it's a great communication/writing program, but not pertinent to the fashion industry. As my goal is to launch my own fashion magazine, I am transferring into this 'Fashion Communication' once I graduate next year.

 

[Cicciolina]

Wow fashionistasista, how did you get offered styling jobs for indie magazines? Congratulations, that's great news!

 

[fashionistasista]

thanks keta for that info......but your just making me jealous!!! we unfortunatly dont have anything like that here thats why i was so lost regarding a pathway that fit all my intrests..... i am actually a canadian citizen also and i am not exactly sure what uni course that i want to do i have just enrolled as i do want to go...... so perhaps i will check this out as an option?? but unlimatly i would like to be an editor of a fashion magazine....not a fashion editor but i wouldn't be complaining if i got this position!

and it was complete luck about the styling i met two of the fash editors of sum indie mags here and they said they'd love to let me assist them but in a more handson way with the overall image.... haha so not really styling but its a foot in the door

 

[Ithillien]

Right, this thread has been quite helpful but i have some more questions lol.

Im in the first year of my english literature degree but would really like to persue a career in fashion journalism, (i can do journalism as part of my degree) So what do people reccomend me doing? As much work experience as i can get in all aspects of the fashion industry/magazine/newspapers?

Plus how do people start as freelance journalists for example? How do you make sure the right people see your work?

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated

 

[smartarse]

I know many fashion editors/writers and they had a 4 yr college degree and/or masters. Many didn't even focus on fashion. And here's a kicker, I know this guy who's a freelance writer and does many fashion eds. and he has no clue about fashion but still writes about it. And he's done major mags and trade news... gets into alot of fashion shows, photoshoots and interviews many designers, models, agents etc. It just kills me that he has no clue about fashion but ends up writing about it. And i also know another guy who , (he can be mistakened as a DJ or a tech-surfer geek) and he does editing for ALL major fashion shows, previously, he use to edit for Metro and now he's doing it for another after Metro went off-the-air. It just kills me how many are in the business who you don't suspect to be in it. So, don't think only fashion students are there... many have college degrees and from very prestigious universities. .... I hope this gives some insights.

 

[Ithillien]

Bah! The newspaper i asked for work experience with said they can't let me because they only give the places to people doing full journalism courses. Anyone know other places i can apply for that will count as useful work experience for a fashion magazine?

 

[fashionistasista]

where are you from ithillien? i know how it works in australia - and it might be similar where you are...

 

[Cicciolina]

fashionistasista, may I ask which indie magazines are they? That's really good that you were offered that opportunity, how did you meet them? I'm in Sydney too in first year uni

 

[Ithillien]

where are you from ithillien? i know how it works in australia - and it might be similar where you are...

England, i'd appreciate any info!

 

[emilytara]

is it a good idea to start a portfolio if you want to be a fashion editor?

 

[fashionistasista]

cicciolina, i met them just out on the curcuit in sydney... go out in bondi or surry hills there alot of fashion ppl go out here easy to meet them...
yen has offered me one but id rather not disclose the other seeing as it is not definate yet... x

and as i have found the easiest for getting work experience is to keep ringing them up - even if they say they have no positions or that they only have spots for certain majors... this is what i have found and also what ppl in the industry have told me, as they will just like your dedication and realise you really want the job...
im not sure what places are the best to get into fash mags as that is also what i am trying to achieve and am just learning along the way... but it seems to make sense to get experience in any area that you wish to enter the magazine in a buisness that is respected by that mag..
thats all i can help ..good luck x

 

[keta]

is it a good idea to start a portfolio if you want to be a fashion editor?

definitely - create a portfolio with all your accomplishments, then if you are interviewing for a specific position you can tailor make a smaller (targeted) portfolio for that position ... include such things as pieces you have written, styling you have done, any editing work you have done, copy editing (layout) ... anything that has to do with journalism/editing, really!

 

[lovely_lady]

I want to be a fashion editor too. What magazines are your dream magazines to work for? (I love Harper's Bazaar, Vanity Fair, and Teen Vogue- I feel like Vogue is too obvious... and out of my league)

Currently, I'm and english and an art history major in college (I'm also considering pursuing a career in museum curating).
I write and am the assistant fashion editor for an on campus pop culture magazine. I wrote an editorial about asian fashion designers for this last issue, and worked on the photo shoots for the magazines. It's alot of fun, and it give me alot of insight into the work of fashion editors, I think. If you guys don't have a similar opportunity, I suggest you make one on your own. It's hard work, but my school has alot of people who start clubs on their own. It's a good way to start networking as well.

 

[coolcohen_1]

i rly want to be a fashion editor but im only 15 at the moment can you suggest any courses or a levels i can take to help me on my way?

 

[Besame]

How to be a fashion director for a magazine...

Anybody know? I can't find any info anywhere giving any tips or advice. Nothing.

 

[peacelover142002]

you'd have better luck with this in the careers and education thread, i think.