Top 6 Ideas for Fashion Industry Careers
If you know you want to work in the fashion industry, but you’re not sure where you’ll fit in, you’re not alone. The fashion industry has a wide range of careers you could choose to pursue. Some take more experience, whereas others take less.
One way to figure out if a career in this industry is right for you is to attend a fashion summer camp, which will allow you to learn from fashion experts, acquire hands-on experience that’s relevant to the industry and much more.
Here are six top ideas for fashion industry careers that might pique your interest:
- Fashion Trend Forecaster
To be a fashion trend forecaster, you’ll need extensive experience in the fashion industry. You’ll have to be able to use your knowledge, research and analytical skills to identify fashion trends on the upswing and those that are losing steam, as well as predict trends that will be hot in the more distant future.
Fashion trend forecasters work with retailers, buyers, design firms, ad agencies and magazine publishers. Because this is not an entry-level position, you’ll need to plan to work in the fashion industry for a few years to gain experience before applying for a job as a fashion trend forecaster.
- Retail Buyer
Retail buyers purchase the clothing and accessories to be sold in stores based partly on market and seasonal trends. The store’s brand and budget, as well as its customer base, are what largely drive the retail buyer’s purchase decisions. What may be on-trend for one retailer may not for another depending on customer demographics.
Other duties of a retail buyer include traveling to fashion markets to view and select clothing and negotiating contracts with wholesalers. Care must be taken to buy items that have an excellent chance of selling. Between making purchases, an additional responsibility of these fashion industry professionals is to manage inventory.
Be aware that without at least a few years of fashion experience under your belt, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to snag a job as a retail buyer.
- Personal Stylist
Personal stylists can either work as a stylist for a company or start-up their own business. Either way, you’ll need to be able to assess clients’ personality, body type and lifestyle to make accurate recommendations concerning style. You’ll also have to know which garments work well for people of different heights, weights, ages and body shapes.
Although the income potential isn’t likely as great if you choose to work for someone else, you may receive more steady work than you would if you choose to open your own business. If owning your own styling business is a dream, then you may want to start it as a side hustle while you still income from another job.
Over time, building your own personal styling brand and acquiring repeat clientele, as well as receiving referrals, is likely the best-case scenario for a career as a personal stylist that will provide a sustainable salary.
- Fashion Writer
If you have writing chops, a fabulous personality and fashion knowledge, pursuing a career as a fashion writer may be right for you.
Fashion writers provide content for both electronic and print media sources, including T.V. shows, websites, magazines and newspapers. Being able to pitch stories, write compelling copy and meet deadlines are all key in a position as a writer for the fashion industry.
They also may be called on to attend fashion shows, conduct interviews with key people in fashion, attend trade shows and visit the headquarters of different fashion designers. A fashion writer can work as a freelancer or a corporate employee.
- Fashion Designer
Fashion designers don’t just dream up an idea and create it. There’s actually a process that they must complete, and a ton of time and creative energy is put into each design. For example, in the initial stages of design, some designers may use a mannequin and fabric to help construct the design, whereas others may create storyboards that include inspirational sketches.
Then a detailed pattern is created from the initial design. After that, all pieces of the designed garment are made from cardboard to make a card pattern that will ensure the pattern is sound. Then, material and other elements of the piece are chosen so that the design can be made into a wearable garment, which can be presented in a fashion show.
To become a fashion designer, you’ll need to have formal training in a design school or possess raw, natural talent and work as an apprentice under a seasoned designer.
