Comments on: 5 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Fashion Career

By: RealAdvice

RealAdvice — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:42:04 +0000

I am going to give it to you straight. I work in a very high profile fashion company. All around me are complainers. Most of my co-workers like myself, are in their 20’s. They all sit around and bitch about how mean the designer is because he asks us to work past 7 on occasion. They complain that they have to do too much work, that they don’t get paid enough and on and on. I NEVER COMPLAIN and work and work and love what I do. Why should I complain? I have an enviable job as Jr. Assistant to the designer and am poised to have the assistant position soon. I have moved up from an intern and will continue to move up because I have passion for what I do and realize how many people are dying to get into this business. I don’t kiss ass, its not necessary. My boss has noticed my good work and seriousness about my career and rewarded me for it. My advice to all of you is to just do the work! The world is not always fair and you must pay your dues for years. If you want to get ahead faster and make yourself INDISPENSABLE to your employer than grow up and get a work ethic or else people like me will continue to take your jobs.

By: Jules

Jules — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:30:04 +0000

You’ve raised up some great points about the fashion industry – definitely an eye opener, and so refreshing to read something that highlights what it really does entail. Great post!

By: Ashburn Eng

Ashburn Eng — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 22:09:58 +0000

great post! is not a star-studded job afterall =)

By: sweetarchivia

sweetarchivia — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 02:18:36 +0000

Thank you so much for this post! This is really great for those outside of the industry to see…

By: Birdie @ Bonne Vie

Birdie @ Bonne Vie — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:40:22 +0000

Great post! It’s true, everyone thinks a life in Fashion is super exciting and glamorous, but they don’t take into account long hours backstage changing models, the days and days of fabric shopping to try to source materials, all the money you have to put forth to have a collection assembled, hours of pinning, re-pinning, sewing, seam-ripping… *sigh*

By: Erin

Erin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:11:33 +0000

Definitely a great list! I was always told that Fashion wouldn’t be very glamorous before I worked in the industry but didn’t know the specifics of it all until I had firsthand experience! I still love fashion but it’s definitely not an easy industry to work in.

By: MidtownGirl

MidtownGirl — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:52:23 +0000

Heart this post!

I would tell a newbie to keep an open mind when it comes to a career in fashion bc you may start of in one sector (say as a buyer), but decide another area of fashion is more suitable for you & your lifestyle…

Only real-world experience can help you decide which path works for you.

p.s. – This was SOO much more informative then people just saying “Fashion is not all glamour”.

XOXO

By: Cafe Fashionista

Cafe Fashionista — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:52:01 +0000

I just have to commend you for this post – it is so well-written, and thought out; and really makes one think about the fashion industry in a different light. I think that another important question to ask yourself is…”Can I handle not having much me-time/privacy?”

You are often on-call 24/7 in the fashion industry, and sometimes have to put up with more than one roommate to afford living in a big city; therefore, it’s essential to weigh the thoughts of how much privacy you will have, and how important privacy actually is to you.

By the way, love the image at the top of this post – tres cute!! :)

By: Chelsea

Chelsea — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 02:36:59 +0000

Reading this reminded me of exactly why I love the fashion industry.
Thanks so much for visiting my blog, I will definitely keep y’all linked.

By: Meghan

Meghan — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:55:07 +0000

I wish I had had this list before I started working in fashion. It of course wouldn’t have changed my mind but I would have had more realistic expectations. Working in fashion has been the best thing I’ve ever done and the hardest (and I went to law school) it is really what I always wanted to do but it is much more of a challenge then I ever thought. I’d ask any newbie “Do you like business?” Because this is business and there is a lot more numbers, sales, marketing etc then I ever expected.

By: Fash Guru

Fash Guru — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:15:12 +0000

Fantastic list ladies!

I would add “Can you handle living in a big city” Most fashion jobs, schools, shows etc require residence in a major city and while fabulous for me, I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.