Getting Started in the Fashion Business

Fashion industry professionals work as designers, editors for magazines, manufacturers and fashion show coordinators. Regardless of the specific career that interests you in the fashion business, you must start by gaining a solid background in the basics of fashion and developing strong industry connections in order to succeed.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Apply for one of the top fashion schools in cities that are well known for their connection in the fashion industry, such as New York, Miami, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. Schools that are known for their fashion program include The Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan's Garment District, the Arts Institute of Philadelphia in downtown Philadelphia and The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, which has locations in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. This will help you gain practical knowledge of the industry and how to design and manufacture clothes.

2. Network. Attend fashion industry events including fashion shows, parties and networking events. The Fashion Spot, a fashion and style community, maintains a fashion industry calendar. Also, subscribe to the Fashion Industry Network to receive updates about events and opportunities. (See Resources for links.)

3. Subscribe to all of the major fashion magazines including Cosmo, Vogue, Essence, Glamour and Elle.

4. Join Myspace, Facebook, LinkedIn and Flickr groups that are related to fashion, styles and clothing trends. Check your groups regularly for updates about fashion industry events, design contests and jobs. Subscribe to fashion blogs including Fashionising and Fashion Trendsetter (see Resources) to monitor fashion trends. Your main goal in the early stages of a career in fashion is to find a fashion internship. Don't be afraid to take an unpaid or low-paying internship; the value you will gain from the experience will help propel you to the next level.

5. Start working on your personal design portfolio. (You should actually be developing your portfolio before attending a fashion school, to increase your chances of gaining admission into the program.) Use the concepts and ideas you gain from attending events and researching trends online to develop your designs.

6. Work with a reputable clothing manufacturer in your area to develop a few of your designs. Pay for high-quality fabrics when bringing your designs to life, and keep them along with your portfolio to show prospective employers your work.

Tips & Warnings

• Be prepared to travel if necessary. If there are events in other cities that could help you progress in your career, go for it. It's an investment in your future. In the fashion industry it's all about who you know, so be sure to be cordial with your contacts. Keep them updated about your projects while showing interest in theirs. Support other fashion colleagues by attending their events and supporting their work.
• Don't copy or steal other people's designs at any point in your fashion career. If word gets around that you are known for stealing or copying, you could be blackballed by potential employees and colleagues.

Resources

• The Fashion Spot Industry Calendar
• Fashion Industry Network
• Fashionising
• Fashion Trendsetter
• Fashion Magazines

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