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Novice Fashion Job Hunters Beware!
By admins | October 17, 2009
image kaitlin_campitelli
(Fashion Flashback – This post was originally posted on 2/26/09. However, since we have so many new readers and unfortunately many newly unemployed readers we felt this article may be of interest. To view the original post’s comments click here.)
So, you’re looking for your first, or maybe second job in the fashion industry. Maybe you’re wanting a higher paid assistant job, or the ever elusive jump from assistant to associate designer? You’ve worked tirelessly on perfecting your portfolio and dealt with a number of shady recruiters and are finally on your way to an interview, and guess what? It seems to be going well, the office is pretty decent, the boss doesn’t seem like a psycho and then she asks, “Can I borrow your portfolio for a minute, to show my boss? I’ll be right back, Thanks.” And in two clicks of her Jimmy Choo’s she is gone.
Well, what is she doing you newbies might ask? We’ll tell you, she is photocopying everything you’ve ever designed. If you worked for her competition, she is copying all their info for her boss and will knock off the newest designs to beat them to the market. If you didn’t, then she is passing your designs to her staff or freelancers as general direction for them to techpack and send out ASAP. For you upper level designers/directors, while we do not condone this, it is an effective way to get your work done for you when you’re behind deadline. That is of course, if you are truly soulless, incompetent, and have no conscience preventing you from outright thievery. So, next time you are in an interview think twice about letting all that hard work out of your sight and we suggest you hold onto that portfolio like it was the last Marc Jacob dress at a sample sale!
Here is more related scoop;
Topics: fashion industry, jobs | 11 Comments » 
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October 17th, 2009 at 9:45 am
I remember seeing this very thing on that TV show Lipstick Jungle. I didn’t think this actually happened!!
October 17th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
omg how competitive !!!! wow ….
October 17th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
OMG so true! I love this site!
I worked at a place that did this often, not so much to steal designs but to check out our competition. My division never did it, since we designed more classic styles but another did it regularly. This way we could always under cut the pricier competition also the bosses would try to “steal” the employees more than the designs. It got ugly…
October 17th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
As much as I would like to think that does not happen too often, I have a feeling it probably does! Hope you’re having a gorgeous weekend :)
October 18th, 2009 at 5:16 am
Ah I’d take any job in any industry at this point… I’m literally applying for reality shows. Literally :-/
-Ashley
http://breakfastatsaks.blogspot.com
October 18th, 2009 at 5:17 am
Idk if my last comment went through? I just said that I’d take any job right now, strings attached or not!! I know it’s awful that people do this, but I’m so desperate… *sigh*
October 19th, 2009 at 12:25 am
That’s crazy scary. My question to you now is this: How do you gracefully ask that interviewer not to take your portfolio with them during an interview for a job that you’re dying to get? Is there a nice but firm way of handling that sitch?
October 19th, 2009 at 3:03 am
This is how you do it. Don’t show your immediate boss ANYTHING. Find your way to the Big Wigs and “accidentally” get into convo about your amazing designs.
This is how it works. Fashion, like any industry is CUT-THROAT. I know this from my M&A I-Banking days(esp being a Female). Trust me I was not going to let ANYONE get credit for MY hard work. This city is TOUGH but you have to be TOUGHER – or it will eat you alive.
LOL – ok I sound like a be-otch but you get what I’m saying right? It’s Business. Ask Anna Wintour she knows what I’m talkin about ;-)
ps – thank you so much for the bday wishes and email me please so we can make plans asap!! XOXO
October 19th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Woah, that is so mean. But it’s fashion so I shouldn’t be surprised. I guess this really works for most careers, don’t be naive, ask questions and hold a little piece of yourself back.
October 19th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Ugh that is despicable!
October 23rd, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Yes, it is shocking but unfortunately true.
Ashley, so sorry to hear about your situation. It’s tough out there but slowly improving. Good Luck.
Dreams, There are a couple ways to handle this. Say you’ve had unfortunate experiences in the past…work getting damaged etc…so now it’s your policy to not let anyone take your portfolio. Also usually the interviewer’s excuse is that somebody else is busy…in a meeting.. and doesn’t have time to come look, so immediately you should offer to come back later or another day when that person is available. Finally, you could refer to this article or a recruiter’s advise and state firmly that you really don’t feel comfortable letting it go.