How To Start Working In Fashion With No Experience
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By PAGE Editor
Are you tired of that boring job that you have no passion for and are simply sucking it up? Do you have a passion for fashion? Besides watching The Devil Wears Prada, you probably have no other experience sufficient to land a job in this profession, and you feel like a diamond in the rough. Don’t give up because you can still get your dream job.
Working in the fashion niche is a fun experience. Apart from fulfilling your passion, you get to express yourself artistically, meet new people, and enjoy the glamor of the fashion world. Here are the top ten ways to start working in fashion without experience.
1. Choose Your Niche
The world of fashion is big, and there are endless opportunities for people with skills. Therefore, if you want to start working in this field, you have to be specific about which path you want to take, for example, stylist, designer, model, or fashion journalist. Choosing a niche helps you create professional goals and strategies.
Research the available niches that match your passion and interests.
2. Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to kick-start your fashion career. Companies often need volunteers to help them run fashion shows and exhibition events. Though volunteers may not get paid much or aren’t paid at all, you stand to gain in the following ways:
· Experience. Volunteering as a photographer at a fashion week event gives you valuable exposure that you can include in your portfolio.
· Connections. You meet the top fashion icons and power players. Having such contacts may land you your first job.
· Meeting new people who share your dreams and goals.
· You get more inspiration from other people’s work.
3. Apply For Entry-Level Jobs
Entry-level jobs are the easiest way to start working in fashion without experience. These jobs will require no prior experience in fashion except for a college or bachelor’s degree and good interpersonal skills. Entry-level jobs include sales associate, personal assistant, and warehouse associate. You can work your way through the ranks from entry-level jobs and achieve your career goals. Did you know that Ralph Lauren first took up a clerical job at Brooks Brothers before working his way up and starting his own brand?
Therefore, be confident, send that application, and wait for that call that may land you your first gig.
4. Get An Internship
If you have a fashion-related educational background, you stand a better chance of landing an internship in a fashion company. Often, fashion companies use an internship to evaluate an intern’s work ethic and skills. You may earn your boss’s trust and respect, prompting them to retain you on a contract as an employee. An internship provides hands-on experience and helps you build a network.
5. Create Your Own Opportunities
Start small to create opportunities for yourself. You can start a fashion blog or social media account or open your own boutique. If you want to be a designer, for example, you can start with your little knowledge in tailoring to come up with unique outfits. In the long run, the opportunities you create for yourself will count as experience, and if you do your best, you will attract important eyes.
Some of the “haute couture” brands like Louis Vuitton are a result of humble beginnings and individual hard work, so give it a shot.
6. Network
Use the people already in the game, either employees or business owners. You can benefit from them in the following ways:
· Connection to job opportunities;
· Mentorship, advice, and guidance;
· Inspiration;
· Project collaboration and partnership.
Attend fashion-related events and contact people on social media to expand your network, as they can unlock the doors to your dream job. If someone invites you anywhere but you feel a bit suspicious, just look up those people on PhoneHistory or PeopleFinders.
7. Keep Tabs On The Trends
If you want to start your career as a solopreneur, you may want to learn the game by studying other successful brands. Look at e-commerce and ethical trends for inspiration on how to run your business. Save yourself the risk of negative publicity by learning from the pros. At the same time, keeping tabs on fashion trends will help you identify what is profitable.
As a job-seeker, keeping tabs on fashion trends helps you connect with the movers and shakers while feeding your passion. If you aspire to be a model, watch videos and movies about fashion and read magazines like GQ and Vogue.
8. Study
Studying is generally important for every creative professional in this career. A solid educational foundation provides an understanding of what works. Take up a course to get a grip on the basics. Learn other important skills like critical thinking and communication that will be helpful when seeking an internship or entry-level job.
You may also benefit from networking with your professors and students who share the same vision and goal. For example, ModCloth, a vintage-inspired fashion retailer, was started by college students.
9. Build Your Portfolio
Prepare samples of your work that will showcase your skills, abilities, and interests to a prospective employer. For example, photographs, videos, design patterns, and blog posts may be enough for you to hit the ground running. You never know; your portfolio may be better than most people’s that are already in the business. So keep working on it.
10. Work On Your CV
Tailor your CV to suit your dream job. Highlight the skills you have that are needed for the job. Creativity is diverse, and you may just have what is required. Therefore, curate your CV in the best way possible, be honest, and increase your chances of landing an interview.
Conclusion
Fashion careers are exciting and fulfilling, especially for fashion enthusiasts. However, a lack of experience may hold you back from a career in the fashion industry. You don’t have to worry; you can still jump the line, land a job, and get hands-on experience. The most important way to land a job in fashion is by doing anything that will expand your network. You will likely land on your feet and start your career through networking.
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