NYCFashionista
New York, NY
Female, 33
I’m the Creative Director/CEO/Jill-of-all-trades at my very own cold-weather fashion accessory business. I design and market a line of knit-based fashion accessories (scarves, gloves, hats) aimed at the contemporary market. My work can be found in several specialty boutiques in the US and Asia.
Fashion shows were created with fashion buyers in mind. In a few minutes, fashion buyers can review the designer's best looks and place orders that will arrive 6 months later. But the clothes/looks you see on the runway are just samples. Once buyers place their orders after the show, only then would a *smart* designer line up manufacturing / fulfillment. So it's also a great way to test concepts and measure consumer demand before locking cash in production. As many as 70% of the looks shown are typically not picked up, but the 30% that do make it are usually the most commercial pieces that will go on to sell well. Competition is fierce during fashion week and it's important to stand out. Therefore many designers add "extreme" designs / looks to the mix - these are not commercial pieces but play an important role in communicating the designer's perspective that season. Stores all follow a pretty set buying calendar and place their biggest orders for fall and spring. Designers cater to these buyers so fashion shows take place during "market" week in the major fashion cities such as New York, Paris and Milan, when buyers flock to these cities looking for items to sell in their stores 6 months later. These shows attract media attention b/c people want to know what they should be wearing in 6 months! Not surprisingly, fashion show commentary and photos sell -- "fashion issues" are typically one of the most lucrative issues in a magazine's/newspapers editorial calendar.
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The fashion community is small - high-priced wardrobes usually come free or at a steep discount from other friends in the industry. If you like clothes, working in the fashion industry has its perks!
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I think fashion school is useful insofar as it gives budding designers a head start in the industry -- production techniques, industry contacts, business practices, nomenclature -- they teach you all that in fashion school. But anyone with boundless confidence and a thick skin can break into this industry and succeed. Having said that, a period of paying dues is expected even for graduates of fashion programs. Apprenticeships at successful fashion companies would probably be more crucial to success in the industry -- people learn more by doing. Also buyers, especially at the big department stores, like to see professional pedigree and rarely back new, unproven designers. They need to be confident that you can deliver merchandise and that it will sell.
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They can be your best friend if you invest in building a business relationship and deal with each other in a respectful, considerate manner.
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Radio program/music director
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Pay-scale varies widely depending on employment circumstances. Anywhere from $70,000 a year for a competent freelancer in a major metro area to $300,000 for a creative director position at a mainstream fashion label. Expect $0 if you're in the first year of launching your own fashion business.
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It irks me that the commodification of labor and materials have caused people to devalue the intangibles - design skills, materials innovation and creativity. These skills cost money to develop and nurture in a fashion company -- only makes sense to reward designers/fashion companies for it! Having said that, the fashion industry with its short, fast-paced sales/design cycles somewhat forces designers to copy and capitalize on trends. It's a more complicated issue with no easy answers.
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I design a line of knitted accessories with a contemporary, "design-forward" aesthetic -- think your funky high school art teacher who suddenly has a corporate job and needs something sophisticated she can wear everyday while still expressing her flair and individuality. My designs rely on graphic patterns and stitches, so designing on a small scale with accessories allows me to work in more experimental concepts in my designs -- can't say I'd be able to do the same thing with apparel. I also like working with knits because of the instant gratification involved in creating your own fabric and patterns. I get to experiment and see the results in real-time. For someone who's a control freak like me, it's a great medium to work with.
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