A few years ago, I was one
hundred percent sure that I am going to work in fashion one day. I had just
finished my three years in higher education and awarded my 2:1 degree from a
prestigious university. I was young and extremely ambitious... There are a lot
of things that have changed since then, but I believe the five golden rules to
crack the fashion world I put down on paper back then are still as valid as
ever.
1. STAND OUT/BE UNIQUE
It all starts from the
bottom. You are a nobody, just a name on the list, who needs to make its way
behind the closed doors of a fashion world. Addressing an email to 'Madam or
Sir someone in Glamour magazine or Matthew Williamson' won't get you very far.
Trust me. Pick one person, that being the junior editor or PA of a fashion
designer, any industry insider really. Do your research. Literally stalk their Twitter,
Instagram. Know what they like, where they hang out. Be creative. Boring CVs
and cover letters about previous experience will make them yawn. Use Pinterest,
Tumblr, Instagram, ANYTHING. Tell them what you can bring to the company, not
what you have already done for others. Be unique, stand out and don't be afraid
to speak your mind. Talk about your ambitions and dreams regardless how big or
small they are.
2. KNOW THE BRAND
If you are heading for a job
in Glamour magazine, check Conde Nast and all their publications. Read every
issue of Glamour you can get your hands on. Find your favourite authors. Check
their other publications, Google them. Stalk their twitter, again. When heading
to a fashion house, use Wikipedia or Google. Know everything about their
history, previous collections, even know which university their designers
studied. Know it all. You can never be over educated. Less is more won't work
this time. Simple.
3. MAKE GOOD USE OF SOCIAL
MEDIA
Don't have a Twitter yet?
Where have you been? Make one. Right NOW! And then there's Instagram,
Pinterest, YouTube, Tumblr. You do know what I'm talking about? If not, you're
certainly not ready for a fashion job. It's a best way to get social, practice
creative writing and get your hands-on styling or make-up. Use your friends as
models, use your phone camera. You don't need a tonne of money to make it work.
It's all about passion, hard work and again, hard work. What comes easy isn’t good,
what's good, won't come easy.
4. COLLABORATE
Fashion is one of the most
competitive businesses right now. I hate to break it. Only 1 out of 1000 will
make it, but why can't one of them be you? Make contacts with other
bloggers/fashionistas. Make joint blog posts, interview other bloggers, get in
touch with up-and-coming photographers in your area. Don't be shy. Approach
them. You might find someone special. Learn from others, observe what they do,
but never steal. Never copy. Take in what you see and put your own twist on it.
Knowing what's already there can help you to find what isn't there. And that will
make you stand out.
5. NEVER GIVE UP
Got rejected from Glamour
and Vogue? Didn't even get a reply from Matthew Williamson and House of
Holland? Don't worry. This is not the end of the world. There are hundreds of
magazines and fashion houses. Just because the first one said no.... or okay,
first ten said NO, it doesn't mean the eleventh can't say YES!! Don't expect diamonds
and champagne. It's all hard work, blood and tears, but that's what's going to
get you there. One day, I'll promise. You will get there. Smile, take a deep
breath and get started!
Anet x