So, you want to work in fashion but you’re not sure which job is right for you? Here is a guide to eight of the most common jobs within the fashion industry and some of the key skills required to help you decide…
Designer
Fashion designers use their creativity to design and create original apparel. Drawing on inspiration from current trends, consumer needs, and political and social influences, designers will sketch out ideas and decide on fabrics, colours, and patterns for a particular collection.
Some designers choose to specialize in one area such as womenswear, footwear, or sportswear. As a designer, you can work in high-street fashion, ready-to-wear, or haute couture. You could work for an existing brand where your designs should reflect the brand’s identity, or you could even start your own label.
Skills required:
• Innovation
• Eye for detail
• Creative
• Technical skills such as cutting and sewing
Buyer
It is the job of a fashion buyer to decide what is sold in stores – including large department stores and supermarkets. The aim is to select apparel that will generate the largest possible profits. This is typically done by anaylising customer buying patterns and predicting future shopping trends.
A good fashion buyer should know the store’s target customer in and out, and know what they want to buy before they even know it themselves. A fashion buyer will frequently attend seasonal fashion shows to choose the items that will sell.
Skills required:
• Mathematics
• Decisive
• Analytical
• Having a “good eye” for trends
Stylist
A fashion stylist works for individuals, fashion houses, or brands to curate looks. When working as a stylist for an individual, you’ll choose what they wear and when they wear it. It may be for a celebrity client who needs a stylist for a particular event. You’ll be in charge of creating a visually appealing outfit that not only suits the client but meets the requirements of the event they are attending.
Stylists are employed everywhere from magazines to music videos, runway shows to concert performances, political campaign trails to red carpet events. You may often be given a brief that details the aesthetic the client is aiming for. It’s then up to you as a stylist to source the products by networking with designers and retailers. It is also essential that a stylist stays on top of trends so research is a big part of the job.
Skills required:
• Attention to detail
• Networking
• Organisation and time management
• Creativity
Journalist/ Editor
The primary responsibility of a fashion journalist is to report on the latest fashion news, designs, and trends. This could be for a magazine publication, a blog, a TV channel, or an advertising company. Extensive research is required in order to stay up to date with what is going on within the industry. As well as research and writing, typical duties may also include assisting with photoshoots and attending fashion events including runway shows. Like most jobs in fashion, a journalist is a highly competitive career, so be prepared to work long hours and write as much as you can to set yourself apart.
Skills required:
• Knowledge of the fashion industry and its history
• Writing skills
• Ability to work to deadlines
Photographer
A fashion photographer will take high-resolution images of clothing, accessories, and models. If working for a magazine editorial, you will determine the mood of the photoshoot and aim to capture this mood within a still image. You’ll work alongside stylists, editors, and creative directors to create an image that tells a story as well as to promote the clothing.
If working for an e-commerce retailer or brand, the aim is to shoot the clothing in a way that generates the most sales. You need to be able to capture the item to show how it is worn so that the viewer acts and wants to buy the product for themselves. As a photographer, you may also need post-production image editing skills.
Skills required:
• Photography and knowledge of kit
• Photoshop
• Good communication
• Artistic
PR
Otherwise known as public relations, PR is the promotion of a brand, item, or individual through a range of marketing and media channels. The role of someone working jobs in fashion PR is to build and maintain a positive public image for a brand. Traditionally, this may involve getting brands or products featured in fashion magazines, but as of recent years, now also involves social media and influencer marketing.
You will plan and develop strategies across all forms of communication to help spread awareness of your brand or client to show them in the best possible light. This may include planning events such as fashion shows or sending gifts and samples to editors and influencers. PR executives can work in-house for one particular brand, or for an agency that works with several brand clients. Maintaining relationships with editors, stylists, and influencers are key so networking skills are essential.
Skills required:
• Networking
• Knowledge of current affairs
• Communication
• Social Media
READ MORE: The 7 Best Sustainable Fashion Brands
Garment technologist
Garment technologists work with designers and manufacturers on product development. You will carry out a range of technical and quality control work to ensure the end product performs to specification. It involves a lot of research and investigation in order to source quality fabrics and materials. Key responsibilities include; overseeing fabric testing and fittings of samples and making sure clothing can be produced within budget.
Skills required:
• An understanding of manufacturing and garment construction
• Ability to work to tight deadlines
• Technical knowledge
• Eye for detail
Merchandiser
Perhaps one of the most unknown jobs in fashion. A fashion merchandiser combines analytical and creative thinking. Working closely with designers, merchandisers help to develop the collection by deciding what will sell in stores. Fashion merchandisers analyse trends and past sales to determine what categories to focus on for the next seasons’ collection. For instance, they may advise the design team that the next collection needs more dresses as they have noticed, through analysis, that dresses are currently selling well.
A retail merchandiser differs slightly in that their responsibilities come in post-design. Their focus is on ensuring the commercial and financial viability of products in store. It’s a retail merchandiser’s job to decide when the collections will appear in stores and online. They need to understand consumers’ needs from country to country to best coordinate where and when to place stock.
Skills required:
• Decisive
• Negotiation
• Trend forecasting
• Research