Working in the fashion industry is all about fashion shows, business meetings, communication with talented people, business trips around the world, a busy schedule, and the constant pressure of deadlines. If you happen to be a fan of fashion blogs and are always looking forward to the next Fashion Week, you can definitely try to turn your hobby into a career. We have compiled a list of the top five most popular and interesting occupations in the fashion industry, to give you a better idea of the potential career paths and what to expect from each one.
It is true that the best start of your career is with a simple entry-level job, such as fashion assistant, so you can get acquainted with the industry before you start working your way up. However, it is also important that you understand where you are headed in the long term - this will enable you to build a solid career strategy and stick to it.
Building a career in the fashion industry might seem like a beautiful dream for many people. However, few people realize exactly which occupations are most in demand in the industry. Most people are thinking about jobs like designers, models, and photography. In fact, the fashion industry needs countless other specialists, jobs that are equally popular and well-paid:
Fashion stylist
Since the dawn of time, people concern themselves with their appearance. As far back as the Middle Ages, fashion was an important part of the cultural life of society. Then the demand for talented specialists who could create clothes, shoes and hats, began to emerge. Nowadays, the clothes and appearance of a person represent a hallmark, an indicator of status, of wealth and taste. Even in our current century, the fashion industry is still gaining momentum. And it is precisely fashion stylists who ensure the connection between fashion and people.
Having one of the most creative occupations in the fashion industry, fashion stylists coordinate all the aspects a person's visual appearance and aesthetic, to make them as attractive and fashionable as possible. These specialists are highly sought after by magazines, boutiques, and television channels. They are also responsible for the creation of fashionable visual concepts for photo shoots and video shoots. Many fashion stylists work with private clients, choosing and managing wardrobes, while taking into account the preferred color type, physical features, social status and character of the client. Fashion stylists can further develop their careers as visual merchandisers, journalists, trend hunters, or personal shoppers.
Fashion blogger
A relatively new profession in the fashion industry, fashion blogging has become quite popular thanks to the evolution of technology and the advent of social networks. Fashion bloggers share looks, write style articles, review brand collections or store assortments, cover fashion shows and talk about current trends. Basically, they create, edit and publish their own online magazine, acting as a journalist, photographer, stylist, model and PR manager, all at the same time. This can be a great start for you, since you do not need a lot of resources to start your blog. You can meet interesting new people and spend a lot of time networking. This will help you with the development of your future career, as relationships and connection are everything in the fashion world.
Buyer
Buyers are the purchasing specialists responsible for the inventory of a boutique, store or department store. They visit fashion shows, conduct a lot of online research and carefully examine the competition, always looking for new designers and selecting collections from renowned brands. Buyers must be acutely aware of the latest fashion trends, consumer needs, as well as the overall socio-economic situation and the characteristics of the region where they intend to sell the inventory. The area of responsibility of a buyer can include entire department store or, more narrowly, certain departments or specific types of products. Regarding career development considerations, a buyer can eventually be promoted to Purchasing Director, Development Manager or Commercial Director.
Fashion illustrator
Fashion illustrators work with designers to create concept sketches and illustrations for various fashion products, including clothing, shoes, and accessories. In addition, illustrators produce advertising copies and images for promotional materials, both in print and online. The profession of fashion illustrator is over a hundred years old. Initially, fashion designers drew sketches of future collections in order to present their ideas to customers and seamstresses. It was much cheaper than sewing samples from cloth. With the development of the fashion industry and the appearance of the first glossy magazines, fashion illustrations moved from the sewing shop to the covers and pages of magazines. In the 1920s, photography was not as popular and accessible as it is today. Therefore, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and other magazines turned to artists to create illustrations.
Fashion merchandiser
This occupation is one step higher on the career ladder from buyer. Specialized education in merchandising will allow you to work with purchasing and inventories, and eventually gain the ability to predict fashion trends before they hit the runways. While the job of buyers is to purchase trendy goods that will be in demand, the responsibilities of merchandisers are more business oriented and include financial calculations of the customers' purchasing power and willingness to buy, as well as how much product a store requires, to meet demand and avoid overstocking.
Last but not least, remember that the most important part (albeit the hardest) is to get going. Start with a relatively simple job, preferably part-time, to get an inside look at the industry. Try to communicate as much as possible with experienced employees, listen to what they want to share with you and pay heed to their advice - this is probably the most vital knowledge for you in the beginning. Work hard and believe in yourself to achieve your goals!
Fraquoh and Franchomme
P.S. We want to hear from you! What do you think is the best fashion career? Why? Who is your favorite fashion icon? Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!
