5 Tips How to Success in Fashion Industry

Fashion careers are glamorous and exciting. We are left wondering what it took to get there when we see the glamorous entourages of Paris Fashion Week and those style priestesses and high priestesses who strut the halls of Elle and Cosmopolitan.

Fashion careers are not as glamorous as they seem in the media. However, there is no shortage of exciting options for those who want to make a career out of fashion, whether as a designer, marketer, assistant or accountant. Due to the exclusivity that fashion industry tends to emit, it can seem closed-off to outsiders.

With the right attitude and knowledge, you can get into the fashion industry without any insider connections. Here’s how:

1. KNOW EXACTLY WHY YOU WANT IT

Although it might seem a bit odd, this one is important. Fashion is a wide-ranging industry with many lucrative careers. This is not an industry where you should be a master of all trades. You should instead have a clear idea of your goals and the skills required to achieve them.

Are you a keen designer? Are you a buyer who is interested in the latest trends? Maybe you are interested in running campaigns for global brands. Before you start your journey, make sure to clarify your goals.

2. START SMALLER

Few people will apply for a job at Givenchy or Gaultier at the start. These are highly prestigious brands, and each job posting will receive thousands of applications. You must start small if you want to reach the top.

You might consider looking at local studios and brands that could benefit from your talents, energy, and efforts. You might find internships that are less saturated with applications from fashionistas looking for work. This is how to get in the door.

3. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK

This is something you’ve heard many times before. However, it doesn’t mean it’s less important. Fashion is all about who you know. To get ahead, it would be best to make your self known to the right people.

You have to be brave and open to new opportunities, such as networking with people you don’t know. You don’t want to miss an opportunity to meet someone at a party or industry event that could make a difference in your career.

4. DEVELOP YOUR LANGUAGE SKILLS

Many discussions about how to get into fashion often overlook the important hard skills that will make you stand out 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. You should aim to learn a language that is essential to the industry, and can be used widely such as French or Spanish.

You can learn Spanish online, and you will be able to improve your skills as you move up the ladder. Fashion workers with strong Spanish skills are ready to work in Mexico City, Madrid, Barcelona and Buenos Aires. Spanish skills can also be a benefit when you apply for positions at Spanish fashion houses like Zara, Mango and Pull & Bear, or Massimo Dutti.

5. MASTER YOUR CRAFT

Skills are not only important, but it is equally important to be able to walk the walk and talk what you say. Your personality and connections are important, but your concrete skills will land you the job you want. You must be skilled at creating high-quality, cohesive garments if you want to be a designer.

You must be able to spot trends faster than anyone else if you want to become a marketing director or creative director. You can only improve your skillset by practicing, so make sure to spend plenty of time learning. It is not easy to get into the fashion industry, but it can pay off. These tips will help you get started on your fashion career.