Given the well-known drawbacks of working in the fashion industry, it still remains toward the top of the list of dream jobs for many men and women. And even though it can be fraught with long hours, stress, and the occasional backstabbing incident, we all know that there’s nothing quite like working in an industry that is cool, progressive, and looks oh so good. With so much competition in the fashion world, where do you even begin? We take a look at some of the most common ways to become a fashionista.
Find Your Niche
“The fashion industry” is where people want to work, but…that’s a pretty big industry we’re talking about. What area of the fashion industry specifically do you want to work in? You might dream of working for the biggest fashion labels in their headquarters in London or New York, or you might prefer boutique fashion. Establishing what your dream is is the first step toward making it a reality. And if your dream happens to be one of the more offbeat fashion jobs, then all the better – less competition!
Go to University
There’s a couple of schools of thought regarding whether it’s important to go to university and obtain a fashion degree or not. Some people think the skills you need to have in order to make it in the fashion world can’t be obtained through lectures. Others, however, think that even if that’s true, it never hurts to have a thorough grounding in the history and practices of fashion. You’ll also meet plenty of connections, you will be invaluable later on down the line.
Go it Alone
But if you’re really talented, then you probably don’t need to go to university. If you can’t break into the fashion industry, then read up on how to start a clothing line and bring the fashion industry to you. You’ll have a sense of autonomy, will be able to bring your ideas to fruition, and be add your own ideas to the fashion mix. An ideal option, especially if you have an entrepreneurial spirit and dogged determination deep down inside you.
Entry Level Positions
Perhaps the most common way to break into the fashion industry is to get an entry level position within a company and then work your way up the line. These positions are competitive, but they’re also varied. Once you’re in, you’ll learn all the ropes of what it takes to succeed in this competitive industry – and who knows where it’ll take you in the future?
Become Part of the Scene
As a bare minimum, you should be on top of the fashion world, and as big a part of it as you can be without being a professional. That means attending fashion events in your local area, staying abreast of latest changes, and so on. Also, starting a fashion blog is a terrific way to promote yourself and build a portfolio of work that you can use to bag the position you’ve always dreamed of. Good luck!