The idea of working in fashion is often associated with an ultra glamorous lifestyle that comes with free gifts, beautiful clothes, and fancy, extravagant parties. But, let me be the first to assure you that it is not exactly that if you haven’t already heard.
While my experience lies in retail specifically, I’ve had interactions with several individuals from various parts of the industry, leading me to believe other fashion sectors fall within reach. So from a first-hand view, here’s what it’s really like to work in fashion (gathered in my half-year tenure):
Fashion is a business.
Every single fashion company is essentially running a business.
It’s easy to think product comes first and that it’s all about the visuals, but in reality money comes first – what’s going to bring in the dough?
How do we get more reach (which equates to more dollars), what can we advertise (that’s going to sell), what new brands can we partner with (that will give us a low cost)? This industry is probably at minimum 60% financials 40% product whether you’re selling goods, writing content, or shooting editorials – all of it ties back to financials.
The Devil Wears Prada is kind of real.
I actually think the movie is a pretty good indicator of how people in fashion operate. When I first watched this movie, I seriously thought – people like this cannot exist! Well just as Miranda Priestly was monstrous and Nigel sincere and generous, both species exist. You can argue that this happens wherever you work, but it’s unique in fashion. In other industries, your superiors could be fired or approached by HR for an offensive comment, but in fashion, mean people who perform (i.e. bring in the dough) don’t get fired or receive remedial action.
Your boss will be condescending to you at one point and you have to understand that they probably had a boss who also gave them the same treatment early in their career. These situations will put you out of your comfort zone and you’ll want to backlash, but you’ll learn to hold your tongue – the same way Andrea Sachs huffed and puffed when she was unappreciated and criticized through her highest efforts.
You’ll also meet the bitter Emily who doesn’t want to teach you anything, which can be even more awkward when her position is below your’s. Just be prepared for it. The upside is, you will meet amazingly nice people who want you to succeed so they’ll help you silently, answer all your annoying questions, and show you the way – people you’ll build strong networks and relationships with for the rest of your life.
Rite of passage.
Unless you’re working for yourself, there are silly, daunting tasks you will do, which you might as well consider “rite of passage” in fashion. For me, that was walking up and down three flights of stairs to pick up “colored” printouts several times a day and dedicating countless hours to hanging and organizing heaps of clothing samples by delivery month. But it’s just one of those things we do and move on with.
People dress normally.
(Caveat: There are exceptions to everything, but for the most part, this is what I’ve observed.)
I think bystanders often imagine women in fashion decked out in Prada or full on head-to-toe designer gear just as tourists think they’ll go to NYC and see couture on the streets.
But reality is people are just as normal in fashion as they are elsewhere.
Even if they are decked out in designer labels, they’re usually not flashing it – there’s no need to. However, fashion industry workers typically have a more sophisticated taste level, which translates into an impeccable (personal) style. Still, not everyone has that unlimited-seeming income ceiling that allows for weekly trips to Barneys at a entry-mid level job. Most fashion girls end up having a few designer statement pieces, but the high-low mash up is the real deal as is the case in the masses.
It is truly rewarding.
Having meandered through various careers, I can absolutely vouch for the personal satisfaction accompanied with working in the fashion industry. Nothing feels better than seeing something amazing you helped bring to fruition whether it be random people on the streets wearing a piece you picked, something you designed, or seeing people’s positive reaction to an advertisement you put together. Not only that, but if you truly believe in being rewarded for your performance, this is the ultimate place to be because only those who work the hardest reap the highest benefits. Rewards come in the form of promotions, monetary increases, occasional free gifts and meals, great discounts, and most importantly, a fulfilling career.
I’ve found myself to be most astounded by the passionate, amazingly talented people in this industry – their inconceivable creativity and constant strife for self-improvement are contagious. These are talents you can acquire through osmosis alone and quickly take with you if you ever choose to leave. For only here, does the unthinkable, unimaginable happen – and that’s how magical I think working in fashion can feel. To be able to think it and breath it day in and day out and never get tired of it – this is really the lives of people passionate about their work, which is how I would describe the majority of us in the fashion horde. Cheers.
XO,
Susan
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Image Source Credits – Trendland, The White Pepper, Fashion Gone Rogue
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The Cat Street Antique Markets aren’t actually located on Cat Street, but on Upper and Lower Lascow Row in the Sheung Wan district. The name apparently comes from the fact that some stores sell stolen goods, known in chinese (Cantonese?) as Mouse Goods – 老鼠貨 thus those who shop there are ‘Cats’…according to wikipedia. Either way I spied a cute little jade cat that I’m sure would bring me some good luck.
Swimmers – 
I’ve always been most comfortable dressing like a boy – ever since my days as a kid on the farm where I ceremoniously dubbed myself a tomboy. Of course, lighting fires and scrubbing around the cattle yards, who could be much else! Today I wouldn’t really suggest I’m dressing like a boy – rather, this is a ‘relaxed casual androgynous look’. Either way – let’s stop talking labels.
So here’s me in as much of a ‘grown-up’ look as I can muster. I’m even wearing a whole load of make-up!
I didn’t really know what to expect of this place but I’ve been so pleasantly surprised, there’s so much to do here. Looking forward to sharing more of that.
I am definitely not the fittest person but I love to push myself and try new things. The reason I exercise is to keep fit and healthy, it increases my energy and it also makes my mood 100 times better. I have gone through phases were I’ve hated exercise, it was hard (and it still is) but I was told when I didn’t exercise my moods were shocking and when I did I was a different person. Even when I don’t feel like training I push myself to get up and do it because I know once I’m finished, I will feel so much better! If you find exercising hard and hate it just start off slowly and set reasonable goals – remember the key is sustainability, you need to work it into your day-to-day life so you can maintain it long term and doesn’t simply become something you dread doing coming into bikini season. 
That essentially sums up how I’ve been feeling lately, but it seems I’m not alone in this dilemma. There are countless individuals who’ve just graduated and are clueless about what they want to do with their lives so they resort to higher education as an only option. On another side, we have Crowd B (of which I belong to) thinking they need the higher education to remain competitive in the market. It’s the unspoken pressure of going just because that’s what people do these days.
I know how popular that beach loving bohemian aesthetic is – you only have you check out instababes like 
In some ways, being part of the show has felt like a really natural progression from being a Fashion Blogger. Myself and the cast members already had various press engagements and moments of being in the spotlight with the various jobs and collaborations we were involved in. It’s a good time to be in this industry in Australia because it’s all very new and people are excited about it, we are receiving a lot of support. In Fashion Bloggers, we are really just sharing what we do in the same way as it happens through our blogs and social media – it’s just that this time – we’re being followed by cameras.
Can’t wait to hear what you guys think of the season! And apologies to those who are unable to view it, it’s really out of my hands. One day maybe it’ll be available to view online but until then – it’s exclusively on E! (in around 120 countries).
Blue is easily the most common hue of all the clothes in my suitcase/wardrobes. I guess I’m drawn to it because of my colouring, but I’ll forever see blue tones in the same bracket as neutral.
