Sometimes you love something so much that you’re not satisfied only getting to indulge in it in your spare time. You want to make this thing your whole life. Eat, sleep and breathe it until the day you die.
We all need to make money to survive. Turning one of your passions into something you get to do all day, every day, usually involves building it into a career. If you have a passion for fashion, there are many different options for you. You could start your own business, or you could join the ranks of the employed. But whatever you choose to do, there’s a wide variety of specialized jobs in fashion.
Perhaps you like writing, and you want to be a journalist or you have a talent for photography. And beyond the obvious careers, there are jobs in fashion like Visual Merchandiser and Public Relations Specialist. To start turning your love for fashion into your job, take a look at some of these amazing positions.
Jobs in Fashion Industry
Visual Merchandiser
Not all roles in the industry are about modeling and running a high-flying magazine. Many jobs in fashion are in the retail sector, whether that means chain stores in malls or high-end designers. If you’ve always loved putting outfits together, and have great style, the position of a visual merchandiser could be for you. Individuals in this job need a good eye for detail and a level of creativity that allows them to put together window and store displays. A background in design will help you out for this career, with some experience in mixed-media.
Editor or Journalist
None of your favorite magazines would exist without the people who write and edit them. If you think you can hunt down a compelling story, or you have an eye for detail worthy of editing Cosmo, you might be off to a good start.
You might already run a blog, which will help with showing what you can do, and your personal style. But blogging alone won’t get you into the big leagues, because there’s a lot more to professional writing. A degree in journalism, marketing or a similar subject is a good place to begin if you want to get into publishing. And, of course, remember that there are online publications, as well as traditional paper ones.
Fashion Photographer
One of the most important jobs in fashion is a fashion photographer. Without photos, no one would see anything! As a fashion photographer, you might be employed by a designer, retailer, magazine or other publication. However, you might also freelance and accept jobs from a number of people. Photographers obviously need to learn how to wield a camera – and not just your tiny digital camera you got for your birthday. There’s a lot more to taking photos than most people think, and it involves more than just pointing and clicking. You could work at live events, such as fashion shows, or in studios for advertising and magazine spreads. A degree in art or photography is an excellent place to start for some, but the important thing is building a portfolio of work.
Personal Assistant
You might think of a personal assistant doggedly running around, obeying their boss’s every command. And you would be right on some level. Of course, you need to be dedicated to their needs and wants, but the job involves a lot more than just following instructions. To be someone’s assistant you need to have excellent organizational skills, as your role is likely to include scheduling and multi-tasking. There’s often a blur between your boss’s private and personal lives. Don’t be too surprised if you’re picking up their dry cleaning or arranging their vacation.
PR Representative
Working in public relations in the fashion industry is often seen as being pretty glamorous. But while there might be some bonus glamour on the side, it’s a lot of hard work. Your job is to represent your client, promote them and drum up publicity. This might include strategizing and building relationships with the media. You could also be arranging press conferences and other events. Not to mention daily tasks such as writing and publishing press releases and reports or bringing in new business opportunities. This is one of the more stressful jobs in fashion with long hours.
Designer
Fashion designers are probably the first people you think of when you consider jobs in fashion. They’re the creative minds behind the runway, magazines, and top brands. Most designers will start off by gaining some qualifications and experience in creating their own garments and accessories. For example, a degree in fashion design, including the fashion courses at westlondoncollege, will teach you a number of necessary skills. Most designers begin as a design assistant. While some people work for an established company, others set up their own brand. You can be extremely successful in this role, as you can many others, but remember that not everyone can be the next Coco Chanel.
Marketing Executive
The role of a marketing executive is less creative than some other jobs in fashion, but you still need to think creatively. Marketing jobs can involve a lot of numbers too though, so you need logic and common sense, as well as creativity. Your job will involve creating and working on marketing campaigns to promote a brand. You’ll need excellent communication skills to form a network of contacts and liaise with other professionals. It’s a great right brain-left brain type of job.
Makeup Artist
If you prefer the makeup side of fashion to the clothes, becoming a makeup artist could be an excellent option for you. Makeup artist’s jobs in fashion vary widely. You could be working on magazine shoots or live events, such as fashion shows, to create unique looks that speak for brands and complement outfits. Makeup artists can also work outside of the fashion world, for TV shows or film, or perhaps theater or live music. There’s a lot of freedom and creative leeway for makeup artists.
If you want to work in the fashion industry, a passion for the subject matter is a good place to start. But you also need to work on your skills, and have bundles of talent if you want to go far and stick out from the crowd.
photo credit: Between the frames Paul Mitchell Fashion Event – 1269 Aveda Eco Fashion Week – Day 1 – Feb 23 11 via (license)