2 answers
Ysabelle
Student
Azusa, California
2
Questions
Asked
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What opportunities led you to receive a position in a Fashion Brand? #Spring25
I'm a senior in high school heading off to college in the fall. I am planning to major in Fashion Merchandising with a minor in Graphic Design. I'm already planning to develop my social skills to expand my networking and connections, as well as volunteering at Fashion events and applying for internships. However, what exactly has led you to receive the position you have in a Fashion Brand?
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2 answers
Emma Rarick
Art Educator | Textile Artist
5
Answers
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Updated
Emma’s Answer
Hi Ysabelle!
It's awesome that you are asking the right questions early on in your career!
I'm a textile artist for Kohl's full time and an art university teacher part time. And actually, I earned my BFA in Illustration with a double minor in Graphic Design and Humanities. I did not intend to land a job in fashion as early as you are, but I absolutely could not be happier in fashion. I use my illustration skills from my Illustration degree and my typography skills from my Graphic Design minor everyday at my job in fashion. I think the main things that brought me to my job in fashion illustration/textile art though were my networking connections, my willingness to try new ways of making art, a summer internship I completed, my curiosity, and the questions I asked along the way.
So my advice for you would be:
1. Be on the look out for fashion internships because in my opinion getting into the fashion industry is all about the people you know and the connections you are able to sustain with people.
2. Stay flexible in what you are willing to do in fashion. Everyone starts at the bottom and works their way up overtime in the company setting (if working fashion at a company is the route you wish to take). So if there is an opening at a company you'd like to work at that you are capable of doing, I'd suggest going for that role even if it's not the dream job because companies tend to switch professionals' roles/teams internally before they will look for people to fill their roles that are outside of the company.
3. Always have 2 or more questions to ask your interviewers. People enjoy talking about themselves, and asking questions, as you are doing, shows that you value the person you are talking to's ideas. And when other people understand that you genuinely value them, they will value you too. Continue to be curious about everything and anything by asking both professional and silly questions. Your interviewers and other professionals are also people with a story just like you, embrace that aspect of humanity while trying to build connections to get into the fashion industry.
Wishing you well! Good luck!
Look for Internships
Network (stay connected)
Try new things (that shows a willingness to go through new training processes at a job)
Stay flexible in jobs you are willing to accept
Ask questions
It's awesome that you are asking the right questions early on in your career!
I'm a textile artist for Kohl's full time and an art university teacher part time. And actually, I earned my BFA in Illustration with a double minor in Graphic Design and Humanities. I did not intend to land a job in fashion as early as you are, but I absolutely could not be happier in fashion. I use my illustration skills from my Illustration degree and my typography skills from my Graphic Design minor everyday at my job in fashion. I think the main things that brought me to my job in fashion illustration/textile art though were my networking connections, my willingness to try new ways of making art, a summer internship I completed, my curiosity, and the questions I asked along the way.
So my advice for you would be:
1. Be on the look out for fashion internships because in my opinion getting into the fashion industry is all about the people you know and the connections you are able to sustain with people.
2. Stay flexible in what you are willing to do in fashion. Everyone starts at the bottom and works their way up overtime in the company setting (if working fashion at a company is the route you wish to take). So if there is an opening at a company you'd like to work at that you are capable of doing, I'd suggest going for that role even if it's not the dream job because companies tend to switch professionals' roles/teams internally before they will look for people to fill their roles that are outside of the company.
3. Always have 2 or more questions to ask your interviewers. People enjoy talking about themselves, and asking questions, as you are doing, shows that you value the person you are talking to's ideas. And when other people understand that you genuinely value them, they will value you too. Continue to be curious about everything and anything by asking both professional and silly questions. Your interviewers and other professionals are also people with a story just like you, embrace that aspect of humanity while trying to build connections to get into the fashion industry.
Wishing you well! Good luck!
Emma recommends the following next steps:
Laura Lucas
3
Answers
Munster, Indiana
Updated
Laura’s Answer
I think you are definitely on the right track, Ysabelle. I'm quite impressed with your preparation. Actually, my degree was in Marketing, but I never felt what I learned in school helped my track to fashion. I am a strong believer in internships, so I'm very excited that you're making that choice. I had a few interns work with me while I was calling on stores on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Their advantage was that they got hands on experience in merchandising the product on the sales floor. They also viewed, then aided in morning product knowledge meetings that I would hold in each store, before store opening. Each month I would present the new collection for the month. I'd highlight the details of product to aid sales associates in selling so they could explain to each client, and justify the price for each piece. (I was in higher-end women's ready to wear.) In addition, they got to meet, and hopefully make connections with the general manager, merchandise manager, and public relations manager in each store.
I started my career out of college as an assistant manager at a young women's moderately priced clothing store. I then moved to Chicago from Bloomington, IN where I went to school, Indiana University. In Chicago I was hired as a department manager of women's contemporary clothing. I got to know the Assistant Store Manager, who I reported to and know well. When I learned that there was a position open for one of the brands on my floor, as the designer's representative for the Chicago area, I asked her to recommend me. Saks was a big buyer of the brand, and therefore her request (that I fill the position) was heeded. I was very fortunate and launched my career from there!
I started my career out of college as an assistant manager at a young women's moderately priced clothing store. I then moved to Chicago from Bloomington, IN where I went to school, Indiana University. In Chicago I was hired as a department manager of women's contemporary clothing. I got to know the Assistant Store Manager, who I reported to and know well. When I learned that there was a position open for one of the brands on my floor, as the designer's representative for the Chicago area, I asked her to recommend me. Saks was a big buyer of the brand, and therefore her request (that I fill the position) was heeded. I was very fortunate and launched my career from there!