leilani
how can I prepare for a career in visual merchandising or fashion marketing while im still in high school? ?
im currently 17 years old and a senior in high school currently. im really interested in the fashion industry, especially fashion marketing and fashion merchandising. right now I am trying to decide between becoming a visual merchandiser and a fashion marketing specialist because i can see myself enjoying both of those careers.
I really do like the creative side of fashion, such as styling myself in clothes or others or even styling looks together, but I am also interested in how clothing brands promote their products and create marketing campaign. Eventually I do wanna start my own business of mine in fahsion industry,
I am planning to attend college after high school, but Im not sure what major I want to do or would best fit for me to start preparing now. I do want to learn the basics, gain experience and build my skills before college so im able to understand the industry more and feel prepared.
but my questions really is if you work in fashion marketing, visual merchandising, what steps would you recommend me to start doing as a high school student to prepare for that career. is there any skills i should learn, projects I could start, college majors and experiences you would recommend to help me explore both of those paths.
I would really appreciate advice from anyone with experience in fashion industry please !! thsnk you
1 answer
Monica S.
Monica’s Answer
Thanks for sharing! Fashion is a great industry to explore because there are so many different paths you can take and opportunities to turn your passion into a career.
With that being said, if your current schedule permits, I would recommend starting by applying for retail positions such as sales associate, cashier, or customer service representative at clothing retailers like T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, Goodwill, H&M, or Urban Outfitters etc... These experiences can help you become familiar with merchandising, planograms, fashion trends, seasonal collections and how the retail side of the fashion industry operates.
Another great step is to start documenting your personal style and fashion interests, whether digitally or physically. Take pictures of your outfits, experiment with styling, create mood boards, and begin building a fashion portfolio. You don't have to wait until you have professional experience to start showcasing your creativity!
If you're interested in building your portfolio while earning money on the side, you can also explore freelance platforms like Fiverr or creative marketplaces like Etsy to showcase your talents and offer services or products to others.
You've got this! Keep exploring, stay creative, and take those first steps. Every bit of experience counts!