lifestyle

6 tips for getting a job in the fashion industry.

 

 

 

By CHELSEA THOMAS.

After 10 years in the corporate world and a new baby on my hip, I decided to take the leap into getting a job in the fashion industry. I actually tripped into it. Wearing flat shoes and an oversized t-shirt. I was a new Mum with a passion to start a blog about gorgeous fashion bargains, under $100. I didn’t need a degree. And I definitely didn’t require a background in fashion. I mean, it might have helped but it wasn’t a pre-requisite.

Just as an FYI, you should know that this post is sponsored by Tailors Mark. But all opinions expressed by the author are 100% authentic and written in their own words.

Getting a job in the fashion industry looks quite hard to break into from the outside but there are a few things you can do to get your fashionable feet through the door. Even if you’ve never even worked in retail before, getting a job in the fashion industry can be done.

Here are 6 tips to getting a job in the fashion industry:

1. Share your passion for fashion with the world: Begin a Pinterest board full of your favourite fashion images and styles, start a blog and show off your purchases via wordpress.com or blogger.com, start an Instagram account and interact with your favourite brands. This is an excellent way to connect with prospective employers. Anyone can share their love of fashion. The more genuine your opinion, the more followers you’ll attract.

2. Consider working in a retail store: Think about a brand where you love to shop. Could you approach them about a weekend shift? If you’re a fan of the store and the product, chances are you already have a relationship with the staff. If it’s a boutique, you’ll get a wealth of experience because you may be the sole staff member. Working in a customer-facing retail environment can also expose you to real women and their fashion challenges. Making them feel great about themselves can be a very rewarding career.

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3. Dress the part: Literally. The outfits we put together say a lot about us. If you want a job in fashion, you need to be confident in your appearance and present your personal style to the best of your ability. When you’re meeting with prospective employers or fashion contacts overdress, rather than underdress. If you’re a little unsure, ask a friend that’s in the industry for some advice.

4. Cold call for coffee: Make a list of brands, fashion organisations and online retailers you aspire to. Then make a list of the people you know (even those vague Facebook connections) that have a link with your list. Your ideal scenario is to grab a 20 minute coffee with the decision maker or at least strike up a conversation with them and share your passions (which you’ve been busy working on from point 1)! You’d be surprised at the number of people that don’t bother to introduce themselves to their dream workplace. I’ve done this several times throughout my working career and it works a treat. At a recent fashion event in Sydney a student walked right up to Peter Morrissey and asked him for a job. She was so passionate about his brand he offered her an internship on the spot. Seize these types of opportunities and offer to work for free if it means having access to the skills you’ll need to work in fashion.

5. Become a style consultant from home: Working in fashion is one thing. Working in fashion from home is a great lifestyle. For those of you that have kids and want to crack into the industry, listen up! If you’re a well-networked woman check out reputable fashion brands like Intimo or Tailor’s Mark: both offer flexible work-from-home opportunities. Tailor’s Mark employs women to sell premium, quality shirts from their homes. If you’re a natural-born seller and need some additional income you should put this tip on your list of things to research. Oh, and they have wonderful support teams for those of you that like a bit of help (and a chat) along the way.

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6. Party time: It’s likely your city is awash with fashion events. Get along to them. Have an interest in new and local designers, upcoming trends and what’s hot right now. Many of these events, like the Melbourne Spring Fashion Festival provide ticketed business forums where people like you and I, can obtain valuable information, insights and if you’re lucky enough, some industry contacts.

Chelsea Thomas is the Director of www.iheartbargains.com.au, a fashion website dedicated to cool fashion under $100.

 

Co-founders, Rob Fisher & Dave McLaughlin fell in love with tailored clothing whilst living in London but wanted to offer a solution to the exorbitant prices charged by the High Street tailor. The pair developed and launched Tailors Mark in 2011 offering Australian men properly fitting custom made clothing with the convenience of personal in-home / office fittings.

Tailors Mark takes a traditional European luxury, combines it with cutting edge e-commerce technology and the personal service of your very own style consultant. All garments are express delivered, come with a unique 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and world-class customer support.

To find out how you can become a self-employed, style consultant for Tailor’s Mark, enquire online.

Comments on this post are for this post only. If you have questions or comments about this product or about sponsored posts in general please email info@mamamia.com.au or visit our frequently asked questions page here.