So you’ve stepped out into the world of fashion design. You’re trying to find your footing in an ever-changing industry, filled with hope of eventually showing your collections at a fashion capital, be it London, Milan, New York or Paris. You’ve got a knack for telling a decent bolt of cloth from a dodgy one and can cut a v-neck blouse that flatters the hips and slims the shoulders in your sleep. However, it is a big world out there and there are a plethora of hangers sporting the name tags of thousands of designers. The catwalk is where everything happens and even Couture houses had to start somewhere. So, what is some good advice for an emerging designer?
Internships:
Being an intern is a great way to get to know the industry. It allows insight into the industry’s intimate way of functioning, giving you real world experience and allowing you witness designs from conception to the catwalk. Some internships are paid and others aren’t so generous, but what matters most is the experience which will be invaluable to your CV. And remember that it’s not only about what you know, but who. Making an in-the-know contact could set you in good stead for the development of your career, which is the biggest payout of all. As an intern, proving your worth to a designer may be difficult, but it is the fastest foot in the door, especially as many internships in the fashion world offer the chance to work with designers themselves. It is the route that bears the most fruit; even Stella McCartney humbly began her career as an intern for Christian Lacroix at age 16.
Social Media:
Facebook is your friend and a Hashtag is your hombre! With the explosion of smartphones and 4G networks worldwide, social media has become an intrinsic part of our everyday lives. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, WordPress and YouTube can all compliment a budding career. By liking the pages of designers and fashion magazines, you can keep abreast of the most important developments in the fashion world. Hashtags and Twitter profiles of major houses or designers offer a running commentary of developments on a tweet-by-tweet basis. YouTube and WordPress provide a number of blogs and videos on the latest trends and news from the most influential houses. What’s more, these platforms will allow you to grow your own audience and fanbase by following the same circles of social media and promoting your own hashtags and blogs in comments and on Facebook and Twitter pages. Instagram, fashion’s preferred social media platform, offers access to millions of people and images at the touch of a screen and has been very successfully exploited by the likes of fashion bloggers such as Chiara Ferragni of “The Blonde Salad.” With an Instagram account boasting over 3 million followers, Farragni’s fanbase is bigger than the readership of some of the most popular UK Sunday newspapers.
Be Unique:
What is already firmly established in fashion will be hesitant to change, and even a bit of derision can earn you a few scoffs. However, do not let this deter you. It never deterred the likes of Alexander McQueen or Jean Paul Gaultier, both of whom are now household names. Vivienne Westwood’s designs for Malcolm McLaren’s King’s Road store was at the forefront of the 70s punk scene, which is about as anti-establishment as you can get. Fashion’s middle-name is innovation, from Coco Chanel’s Little Black Dress to Louis Reard’s bikini (imagine the reaction to the iconic beachwear in 1946) to the late David Bowie’s gender bending attire in the 70s. Never be afraid to shatter a mould if it’s an uncomfortable fit for you.
Set Goals:
Having a dream you wish to attain is a wonderful thing. “We are all of us in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars,” as Oscar Wilde once said. However, it is wise to be realistic in how these goals will be attained and what steps you can take in order to reach your dreams. It is no good building a shrine to Gianni Versace and offering pencil skirt sacrifices whilst sitting around and awaiting a miracle! This is where a combination of the aforementioned advice points come in. Arrange a photoshoot to showcase your designs (there are plenty of photography students and aspiring models willing to shoot for you) then spread the photos over social media like wildfire. Arrange for your designs to feature in local and beginner fashion shows. Be vocal about your ideas to the designers you’re interning for. Reach out to independent boutiques to see if they are willing to sell some of your pieces. Sell using online marketplaces and social media. Then examine the most successful, enjoyable and achievable aspects of all these ventures and make a decision what your next plan of action will be. Realised you want your own Savile Row tailors? Try looking for work experience at an established tailor.
Immerse Yourself in the Fashion World:
General networking is one of the biggest keys to success in any field that people yearn to make it big in. Just being out there and showing your face makes the world you want to infiltrate more familiar. Attending events will not only allow you to meet others who are at the same stage of their careers as you, but also people higher on the ladder, which leads to new contacts and potential for new opportunities. Just turning up once in a blue moon will render you forgettable, so become a regular face at events to ensure you stick out or grow as part of the makeup of the fashion community.
There you have it, some advice on how to get yourself ahead in the world of fashion. Of course, the best advice comes from your own experience and actions. With time, you will come to learn which key steps to take and which pitfalls to avoid. The road to couture is littered with shoulder pad blazers and jeggings!
By Brad James
