March 3, 2008
How do I get started in
the fashion world? Should
I go to college or try to
get a job? Do I want to
start my own company? So
many questions in my
head--where do I start
and where will I end up?
Sound like you? I
remember the feeling
exactly like that myself!
I've learned a lot about
the industry since I
began and I'm finding out
there is always more to
know. I've graduated from
Fashion Institute of
Technology, interned for
designers, and started my
own label. I've realized
that it's an industry
where art is connected
and, in fact, run by
business. If I didn't
have a strong grasp of
business, it would all be
just a hobby. Some people
have made it in a very
short time with no
training and others have
graduated from university
with degrees before
starting their careers. I
started in fashion
design, and then decided
to graduate with a BA in
business.
I believe it is important
that you first decide if
this is really what you
want to do! Start by
getting involved in this
industry. I would advise
getting a degree in
fashion. Even though you
will probably learn more
from trial and error and
working for another
designer, this industry
is very competitive and
graduating with a degree
will give you a head
start. If you want to
get into fashion, it’s
important to find the
right college and to do
an internship while in
school.
I would suggest F.I.T,
Parsons School of Design
in New York and the Rhode
Island School of Design
in Providence because
they are either in, or
near, the center of the
fashion world. You meet
people, develop
relationships. The
fashion industry is
really a small world.
Everyone knows each
other. So you can find a
new job and go to another
company a lot easier if
you want to. To get into
one of these schools, you
would need to put
together a good portfolio
of your work. Several
ways you can do this is
to get an internship and
do it with a positive
attitude and demonstrate
a good work ethic. It’s
the most important thing
no matter where you go to
school, because you get
to know people in the
business, make
connections and develop
relationships; otherwise,
it’s really hard to get
hired because you usually
have to know somebody to
do that.
While I was attending
F.I.T I really wanted to
intern for Zac Posen. If
you put your mind to
something and are open,
anything is possible. I
found out he was having a
trunk show at Bergdorf
Goodmans and I met him
and he was so charming. I
told him that I was
attending F.I.T and he
actually suggested the
internship. I ended up
interning for him for 2
years and it was very
beneficial. Interning was
fun, but it can be long
hours and hard work. I
was able to learn about
the business side of the
industry, production,
distribution, sourcing
and marketing. I think
this is a great route;
you can learn from
someone else's mistakes,
learn the ropes, make
great contacts and
eventually go out on your
own better equipped. If
you can, I would
recommend interning for
an up and coming
designer. You will learn
a lot more and see how
things happen from
scratch. One of the
hardest things for me to
do is to put myself out
there; I am basically
introverted and hate
asking for things or
being assertive. I’ve
learned very quickly in
this business you will
not get very far with
that mentality; you need
to go after what you want
because it will not come
to you while you’re
sitting back and
day-dreaming.
There is no hurry in
starting your own
business. Be patient and
recognize there is no
rush. It is better to
have the means to endure
mistakes or the skill to
avoid them. This is not a
business of instant
gratification. You have
to develop it over time
and have the right
business plan. Everyone
makes mistakes and the
industry will come back
if you have the
creations, strength and
passion.
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