5 answers
Layla
Student
Gower, Missouri
1
Question
Asked
150 views
How do you break into the fashion industry when living in a small town?
Hello, I am a 17 year old girl living in a small town in rural Missouri I am seeking advice to help farther my career!
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5 answers
OKENYI VICTOR
Fashion designer/hospitality
1
Answer
Lagos, Nigeria
Updated
OKENYI’s Answer
Hey Layla
Get very clear on what role you want
“Fashion industry” is broad. You need to narrow your lane early because each path has different entry points.
Common paths:
• Designer (creating clothes)
• Stylist (putting outfits together for shoots/clients)
• Model
• Content creator / influencer
• Fashion photographer
• Fashion marketing / PR
You don’t have to lock in forever, but pick one primary direction to focus your energy.
⸻
2. Start building a portfolio immediately
No one hires based on potential—they hire based on evidence.
If you want to:
• Design → sketch collections, sew pieces, document the process
• Styling → style outfits using your clothes or thrift finds and shoot them
• Model → take clean, natural photos (digitals: plain background, no heavy makeup)
• Photography → shoot friends, create editorial-style images
You don’t need a studio—natural light + a phone camera is enough to start.
⸻
3. Use social media as your runway
Platforms like:
• Instagram
• TikTok
• Pinterest
These are not just for fun—they are distribution channels.
Post:
• Behind-the-scenes
• Outfit breakdowns
• Styling ideas
• Transformation videos
• Your creative process
Consistency matters more than perfection. One strong post per day or a few per week is enough to build traction.
⸻
4. Study people already doing what you want
Look at designers and creatives like:
• Virgil Abloh
• Miuccia Prada
• Alexander McQueen
Notice how they built identity, not just clothes. Fashion rewards point of view, not just skill.
⸻
5. Collaborate locally (even in a small town)
You likely have:
• Aspiring photographers
• Makeup artists
• Friends willing to model
Organize small shoots. Even 2–3 people is enough to create editorial-style content. This is how real portfolios are built.
⸻
6. Apply to opportunities beyond your location
Don’t wait to “move to a big city” before acting.
Look for:
• Online internships
• Open calls from brands
• Fashion competitions
• Remote freelance work
Websites like:
• Fashionista
• Business of Fashion
often list opportunities.
⸻
7. Learn the technical side
Free learning matters:
• Sewing (if design)
• Editing apps (Lightroom, CapCut)
• Fashion history and trends
• Branding and storytelling
Skill + taste = leverage.
⸻
8. Plan your “exit strategy” (long-term)
At some point, if you’re serious, you may need to move to a fashion hub like:
• New York City
• Los Angeles
But don’t rush it. Build momentum first so you’re not starting from zero when you get there.
⸻
9. Age advantage (this is important)
You’re 17. That’s actually a strategic advantage.
You have time to:
• Experiment without pressure
• Build a strong online presence early
• Make mistakes cheaply
Many people try to enter fashion at 23–25 with nothing built. If you start now, you’re ahead.
⸻
Reality check (important)
Fashion is competitive and often unpaid at the beginning. Exposure doesn’t pay bills—but it can open doors if used strategically.
So:
• Avoid working for free forever
• But be willing to invest time early to build your portfolio
Get very clear on what role you want
“Fashion industry” is broad. You need to narrow your lane early because each path has different entry points.
Common paths:
• Designer (creating clothes)
• Stylist (putting outfits together for shoots/clients)
• Model
• Content creator / influencer
• Fashion photographer
• Fashion marketing / PR
You don’t have to lock in forever, but pick one primary direction to focus your energy.
⸻
2. Start building a portfolio immediately
No one hires based on potential—they hire based on evidence.
If you want to:
• Design → sketch collections, sew pieces, document the process
• Styling → style outfits using your clothes or thrift finds and shoot them
• Model → take clean, natural photos (digitals: plain background, no heavy makeup)
• Photography → shoot friends, create editorial-style images
You don’t need a studio—natural light + a phone camera is enough to start.
⸻
3. Use social media as your runway
Platforms like:
• TikTok
These are not just for fun—they are distribution channels.
Post:
• Behind-the-scenes
• Outfit breakdowns
• Styling ideas
• Transformation videos
• Your creative process
Consistency matters more than perfection. One strong post per day or a few per week is enough to build traction.
⸻
4. Study people already doing what you want
Look at designers and creatives like:
• Virgil Abloh
• Miuccia Prada
• Alexander McQueen
Notice how they built identity, not just clothes. Fashion rewards point of view, not just skill.
⸻
5. Collaborate locally (even in a small town)
You likely have:
• Aspiring photographers
• Makeup artists
• Friends willing to model
Organize small shoots. Even 2–3 people is enough to create editorial-style content. This is how real portfolios are built.
⸻
6. Apply to opportunities beyond your location
Don’t wait to “move to a big city” before acting.
Look for:
• Online internships
• Open calls from brands
• Fashion competitions
• Remote freelance work
Websites like:
• Fashionista
• Business of Fashion
often list opportunities.
⸻
7. Learn the technical side
Free learning matters:
• Sewing (if design)
• Editing apps (Lightroom, CapCut)
• Fashion history and trends
• Branding and storytelling
Skill + taste = leverage.
⸻
8. Plan your “exit strategy” (long-term)
At some point, if you’re serious, you may need to move to a fashion hub like:
• New York City
• Los Angeles
But don’t rush it. Build momentum first so you’re not starting from zero when you get there.
⸻
9. Age advantage (this is important)
You’re 17. That’s actually a strategic advantage.
You have time to:
• Experiment without pressure
• Build a strong online presence early
• Make mistakes cheaply
Many people try to enter fashion at 23–25 with nothing built. If you start now, you’re ahead.
⸻
Reality check (important)
Fashion is competitive and often unpaid at the beginning. Exposure doesn’t pay bills—but it can open doors if used strategically.
So:
• Avoid working for free forever
• But be willing to invest time early to build your portfolio
Laura Lucas
16
Answers
Munster, Indiana
Updated
Laura’s Answer
Hi Layla,
In my experience, most jobs in the fashion industry are based in metropolitan areas, if not New York. I live in the suburbs, but I commuted to Chicago daily. We all follow different paths, obviously. I started as a manager at Saks Fifth Avenue, also in Chicago. I found out about a position as a brand ambassador for a designer based in New York that had a strong interest in keeping SFA a happy client. Management recommended me for the position and I got the job. Other paths..I hired interns in my ambassador positions. They got to know management, public relations, visual managers, etc, which helped them learn not only about different positions, but contacts along the way.
So, to answer your original question, I found I needed to be near a major metropolitan city. Maybe others found a way to make it into the field without that criteria. I hope you find your path!!
Best of luck,
Laura
In my experience, most jobs in the fashion industry are based in metropolitan areas, if not New York. I live in the suburbs, but I commuted to Chicago daily. We all follow different paths, obviously. I started as a manager at Saks Fifth Avenue, also in Chicago. I found out about a position as a brand ambassador for a designer based in New York that had a strong interest in keeping SFA a happy client. Management recommended me for the position and I got the job. Other paths..I hired interns in my ambassador positions. They got to know management, public relations, visual managers, etc, which helped them learn not only about different positions, but contacts along the way.
So, to answer your original question, I found I needed to be near a major metropolitan city. Maybe others found a way to make it into the field without that criteria. I hope you find your path!!
Best of luck,
Laura
Marielle Ravally
Learning Program Specialist
4
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Marielle’s Answer
Hi Layla,
First of all -- don’t be afraid to follow your passion! There’s a lot you can start doing now to get a clearer sense of the kind of career you want in fashion. I’d suggest first looking into different jobs in fashion and retail and learning about the various paths out there. If there’s a brand or company you really love, take some time to check out the types of roles and teams they have. That can help you be more intentional about who you connect with and how you start building your network.
First of all -- don’t be afraid to follow your passion! There’s a lot you can start doing now to get a clearer sense of the kind of career you want in fashion. I’d suggest first looking into different jobs in fashion and retail and learning about the various paths out there. If there’s a brand or company you really love, take some time to check out the types of roles and teams they have. That can help you be more intentional about who you connect with and how you start building your network.
Crissy Bogusz
Graphic Designer and Motion Graphics Artist
10
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Crissy’s Answer
Hey Layla
What is it you want to do? Fashion styling? Fashion design? Whatever it is, if you can - study towards it. So after highschool choose a subject at a college or associates degree college to study that will be somehow related to this topic. Anything you study - any courses (online, at college, through a mentor, through a coach, etc) will help you when you eventually start applying to jobs or internships.
Create a portfolio. Work on some projects - either alone or with others. Take photos and videos, document it, visually represent it and have it online somewhere - so create a special social media account just for this work. This helps promote you and gives people a visual reference for the future when they consider employing you. They want to see your work, your ambition, how you sell yourself.
Contact fashion companies for an internship over the summer, either now or for when you finish highschool. You can search internships online or just google fashion companies, fashion designers, stylists, in your area and email them. Be polite, professional (maybe ask chatgpt to word your email for you and then copy and paste!) and ask if they can lend any advice, maybe meet for a coffee or offer you a short internship. If you're not sure exactly what you want to do, be honest, say you're exploring your options and the different types of positions you can get in fashion.
What is it you want to do? Fashion styling? Fashion design? Whatever it is, if you can - study towards it. So after highschool choose a subject at a college or associates degree college to study that will be somehow related to this topic. Anything you study - any courses (online, at college, through a mentor, through a coach, etc) will help you when you eventually start applying to jobs or internships.
Create a portfolio. Work on some projects - either alone or with others. Take photos and videos, document it, visually represent it and have it online somewhere - so create a special social media account just for this work. This helps promote you and gives people a visual reference for the future when they consider employing you. They want to see your work, your ambition, how you sell yourself.
Contact fashion companies for an internship over the summer, either now or for when you finish highschool. You can search internships online or just google fashion companies, fashion designers, stylists, in your area and email them. Be polite, professional (maybe ask chatgpt to word your email for you and then copy and paste!) and ask if they can lend any advice, maybe meet for a coffee or offer you a short internship. If you're not sure exactly what you want to do, be honest, say you're exploring your options and the different types of positions you can get in fashion.
Irene Smolyanskaya
Designer Creative Draper Educator
36
Answers
Boulder, Colorado
Updated
Irene’s Answer
Dear Layla,
Please don't let your birthplace location stop you from pursuing your dream career.
I currently teach Fashion Design students at RMCAD in Denver, both in-person on campus and, occasionally, online. There are two students in my in-person class right now who come from different corners of Minnesota. The other three are from some rural areas in Texas. Each of them describes their hometown in about the same terms as you do: a small town in a rural area. And all of them are very successful students!
Of course, most of them work some part-time jobs to help cover their living expenses. Two out of the five are planning to return to their respective states (if not to the actual little town they are from). One is planning to design bridal gowns and special occasion outfits for the local people, while the other is planning to open a tailoring/alterations business. I'm sure all five will be very successful in their careers, no matter which particular occupation they choose.
On to the actionable advice:
* Do learn how to sew. You could join a local quilting group or just self-train watching some videos on YouTube
* Look into some online Fashion programs. It's easier to transition into the field if you are sure that it's exactly what you want to do. But you will never know, unless you try it. Just take a semester or two of Illustration, or Fabric Science, or Intro to Sewing, to try your hand at it. Then, you will be able to make a better informed decision on how to proceed.
There are plenty of jobs in the Garment Industry, and I doubt that tailoring will be easily replaced by AI.
Good luck in figuring out your real passion!
Yours Truly, Irene
Explore the site RMCAD. com and see which Fashion related programs might be of interest to you.
Please don't let your birthplace location stop you from pursuing your dream career.
I currently teach Fashion Design students at RMCAD in Denver, both in-person on campus and, occasionally, online. There are two students in my in-person class right now who come from different corners of Minnesota. The other three are from some rural areas in Texas. Each of them describes their hometown in about the same terms as you do: a small town in a rural area. And all of them are very successful students!
Of course, most of them work some part-time jobs to help cover their living expenses. Two out of the five are planning to return to their respective states (if not to the actual little town they are from). One is planning to design bridal gowns and special occasion outfits for the local people, while the other is planning to open a tailoring/alterations business. I'm sure all five will be very successful in their careers, no matter which particular occupation they choose.
On to the actionable advice:
* Do learn how to sew. You could join a local quilting group or just self-train watching some videos on YouTube
* Look into some online Fashion programs. It's easier to transition into the field if you are sure that it's exactly what you want to do. But you will never know, unless you try it. Just take a semester or two of Illustration, or Fabric Science, or Intro to Sewing, to try your hand at it. Then, you will be able to make a better informed decision on how to proceed.
There are plenty of jobs in the Garment Industry, and I doubt that tailoring will be easily replaced by AI.
Good luck in figuring out your real passion!
Yours Truly, Irene
Irene recommends the following next steps: