Is there any career that looks more glamorous and exciting than a career in fashion? When we see those impossibly chic entourages at Paris Fashion Week or those high priests and priestesses of style that strut the rarified hallways of Vogue, Elle, and Cosmopolitan, we can’t help but wonder what they did to get there.
While a career in fashion – whether you want to be a designer, a marketer, an assistant, or an accountant – is never quite as chic as it appears in the media, it is certainly a career that is far more exciting than most. The industry itself can also seem like a closed shop to those outside, given the exclusive vibe that it tends to give off.
However, with the right know-how and attitude, you can break into the fashion industry with no insider connections whatsoever. Here’s how:
1. Know Exactly What You Want
This one might sound a little bit obtuse, but it bears emphasis. Fashion is a broad church, with many rewarding careers available. However, this is not an industry where being a jack-of-all-trades is necessarily the best approach. Instead, you should have a firm idea of what you want and the skills you need to get there.
Do you want to be a designer in a premier atelier? Do you want to be a buyer looking for the trends of tomorrow? Perhaps you want to run campaigns for influential global brands? Solidify your end goals before you begin your journey.
2. Start Smaller
Very few people will walk into a job for Gaultier or Givenchy at the beginning, if at all. These are very prestigious brands where each job posting will typically get thousands of applications. If you want to get there at some point, you need to start smaller.
Consider looking into local brands and studios in your area that could use your skills, energy, and efforts. Look for internships that might be less saturated with job applications from hungry fashionistas like yourself. This is how you get your foot in the door.
3. Network, Network, Network
You’ve probably heard this all before, but that doesn’t make it less relevant. Fashion has always been about who you know, whether you like it or not. It would be best to make yourself known to the right people to get ahead.
This means swallowing your fears, putting yourself out there, and networking like you’ve never networked before. Never pass up an invite to a party or an industry event, as the right chance encounter could change your career trajectory forever.
4. Develop Your Language Skills
Often, discussions about what it takes to get into fashion tend to neglect the essential hard skills that will distinguish you as a job candidate. Chief among these are foreign language skills, which are a fundamental prerequisite in one of the most internationally-focused industries on Earth. Your goal should be to master a language essential to the industry and can be used broadly, such as French or Spanish.
Learning Spanish, for example, is something you can even do on the job via an affordable online tutoring service to help you boost your proficiency as you climb the ladder. A fashion worker with strong Spanish skills is ready to work in the style Meccas of Madrid, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, and Mexico City. Spanish skills will also give you an edge when applying for roles at Spanish fashion houses such as Zara, Mango, Pull & Bear, or Massimo Dutti.
5. Master Your Craft
Speaking of skills, it is also vital that you can walk the walk and talk the talk. Personality and connections matter, but the concrete skills you can bring to the table will ultimately land you your dream job. If you want to be a designer, you need to become an expert at putting together cohesive, high-quality garments.
If you want to be a creative director or marketing exec, you need to have a razor-sharp ability to detect trends before anyone else. The only way to increase your skillset is through practice, so don’t forget to dedicate plenty of time to hone your craft. Getting into the fashion industry is far from easy, but the rewards for those that do can be immense. Follow these tips to embark upon your dream career in fashion.
