Where can my Fashion Communication and Promotion degree take me?

My Top 3 Jobs

1. Fashion Journalist & Photographer 

My love for both writing and fashion would harmoniously go hand in hand if I were to become a fashion journalist. My desire to write about this industry is strong; from detailing upcoming trends to analysing brands' ready-to-wear fresh off the runway. I would aim to write with the intention of inspiring my readers and further my research of more unique and underground brands as I believe it's vital to shine light on those who deserve every bit of publicity as the well-known, household ones.

2. Stylist

Dressing up is one of my favourite activities and it almost seems too good to be true that you can style others as a job! I would love to, one day, style celebrities such as Bella Hadid and Emma Chamberlain as they are my main fashion inspirations. Whilst participating in photoshoots as part of my course, I always put myself forward to be the main stylist as I love integrating my personal style into a project as well as working with different people each time. I think diversity is so important to exemplify fashion as an inclusive industry and that anyone can look good in anything. I prioritise colour coordination and layering over anything when it comes to styling due to my maximalist approach to clothing and accessories. 

3. Business Owner & Entrepreneur

My father being a self-employed business owner most definitely catalysed my hope in the idea of having a successful brand. One way in which I believe I could make this dream a reality is through utilising the specific skills I have acquired/will acquire in my studies of Fashion Communication and Promotion; understanding the depths of the fashion industry will allow me to calculate a business plan that others often have to start without any prior knowledge therefore I am at an advantage. I have already kickstarted my business by setting up an Instagram and Tik Tok account; 'Anais Vintage' sells a curated collection of unique, vintage pieces from Europe and America. I understand that maintaining a variety of stock as well as keeping up with the quantity of stock needed to guarantee the trajectory of a brand/business is difficult, but, with the facilities that are accessible to me and my goal to make my younger self proud will inevitably keep me motivated.

Research

Fashion Journalist

'Fashion journalism encompasses much more than just writing about clothes, it refers to any media type including video, print and online copy. The fashion industry as a whole is extremely fast moving, with constantly evolving trends. It is the job of a fashion journalist to keep up with this and even predict future developments. Due to this, the hours of the job are often unsociable, you may have to travel and work to tight deadlines. You will also need excellent writing and communication skills.

The main responsibilities of a fashion journalist include:

Research

Any good journalist needs to ensure that their story is factual and newsworthy. Fashion journalism is no different. You will need to conduct thorough research, collate facts and information in order to corroborate claims and get to the root of stories.

Interviews

Interviews are a common tool of journalists to gain information and expert opinions to help provide colour and context to their stories. Interviews may also be used for human-interest stories. For example, you may interview up and coming designers about their journey into fashion and the inspiration behind a collection. Interviews could be in written format or video for platforms such as YouTube or TV.

Writing

Writing is one of the key responsibilities of a fashion journalist. Even those specialising in video or recorded content may need to write up questions and stories from time to time. A good fashion journalist should understand how to engage users and adjust their writing style depending on the topic, audience and intended media type. Some fashion journalists choose to report via a mixture of media types therefore they must have good writing and presenting skills.

Networking

Having a strong network is key for a fashion journalist. Your network should be varied giving you access to as much of the industry as possible. This could include designers, models, photographers, event planners and more. Building these relationships allows you to gain information for stories and ensures you are privy to the latest developments in the industry.'

https://www.fashionretailacademy.ac.uk/resources/guide-to-fashion-journalism

Fashion Photographer

'Fashion photographers are responsible for how clothing is presented in advertising campaigns, catalogues and fashion magazines. They work closely with designers and fashion houses to ensure they are portraying the desired image for the brand. They work in studios or carry out shoots on location. The fashion industry is highly competitive; most photographers work on a freelance basis and must build up their reputation and eventually have their own studio if photography is to be a sole source of income. Periods of little or no work are common.

Work activities

• Meeting with designers to generate unique concepts for photo shoots.
• Understanding fashions, style and fabrics and how to shoot them.
• Using different types of light and modern technologies in photography such as photo editing software.
• Directing on set; instructing models and other set personnel.

Producing portfolios of work.'

https://gradireland.com/careers-advice/job-descriptions/fashion-photographer

Styling

'A stylist is a professional who curates looks for another person or brand. As a stylist, you'll be responsible for all aspects of a person's visual aesthetic. You'll need to create and maintain a curated image for someone, by designing and coordinating what they wear, and how they wear it!

Not only will you be in charge of creating a visually appealing outfit, but it must also match the requirements of the occasion or event. You could be working with anyone from the most famous celebrities, to models on a photoshoot, to someone who just wants to look their best for a specific event. This means you could be putting together outfits for the red carpet, a fashion shoot or even runway shows. Whilst you must ensure that the outfit is suitable for the event, you also want to make sure it stands out.

The role of a stylist is extremely varied. As a stylist, you could be working on an almost endless number of projects, from professional photoshoots, magazine features, advertising campaigns, music videos, album covers, TV show appearances, stage outfits for a tour or red carpet events. You could also work as a wardrobe stylist for a movie or TV show, creating costumes for characters alongside a costume designer. When you consider the number of jobs you could be involved in, it's no surprise that to be successful, you'll need to know the fashion industry like the back of your hand.

Here is a break down of the main roles and skills that may be included in stylist job descriptions:

STAYING ON TOP OF TRENDS

Staying on top of trends in the styling world is essential. To do this, you will need to spend a significant amount of time researching new styles, as well as analysing the current industry landscape to predict future trends. This aspect of the role can be incredibly important, as many clients will want to set trends and be ahead of the curve in terms of their looks. Richards is a fashion stylist who's worked for celebrities including Selena Gomez and Victoria Justice. Speaking to Teen Vogue, Basia said "I spend a lot of time on a computer doing research. I'm researching different looks, making appointments, gathering all the pieces for a look. It's a lot of screen time!". As well as researching online, you'll need to watch runway shows, visit brand showrooms and attend fashion industry events to keep on top of what's going on in fashion and culture. Building a network of designers and brands can help you develop an expert level knowledge of products.

To truly stay on top of trends, you should also have a good understanding of the history of fashion. As they say, fashion often repeats itself. Understanding key references, styles and trends from past eras can be helpful for inspiration and context.

IDEATION AND PRESENTATION OF LOOKS

When you have been approached for a styling project, you will usually be given a brief. This may entail what event the look is for, the kind of style/aesthetic to be achieved and any other requirements.

You can utilise your research to put together ideas for your client. You may want to create mood boards to help them visualise a look or inspire them to share your vision. You should also be prepared to add additional context, reasons behind your choices whilst taking into account their ideas. Styling, truly is a collaborative process.

PRODUCT SOURCING

Once you've finalised your ideas, you'll need to source the products to make them a reality. At this stage, it helps to have a network of brands and retailers you work closely with. You will need contact PR agents, brand showrooms and designers; finding, borrowing and buying clothes, shoes and accessories to bring an outfit together. For borrowed outfits, it will be the stylists responsibility to ensure items are returned safely and in good condition. Failing to do this can restrict your ability to work with certain brands in the future and can impact your reputation. Some brands may also choose to gift items, depending on your client.

A focus on sustainability in the fashion industry, has also brought a new parallel to this aspect of styling. Many stylists will now also need to be comfortable sourcing vintage items and looking through designer archives, whilst still managing to create a fresh and on-trend look.

CONSULTATION

Much of styling involves working with other departments, providing consultation and advice to help them achieve a desired end result. You may consult with art directors on photoshoots, helping to implement their vision for the shoot through the looks you put together. You may also have to work with hair and makeup teams, and models to provide direction that will allow the correct message to be conveyed visually.

PERSONAL SHOPPING

Personal shopping is another aspect of styling that sees you work one on one with a client, usually in a retail setting. Sometimes personal stylists work in-house for a retailer and appointments can be booked, whilst others work directly for the client. During a personal shopping trip, you may be tasked with finding a singular look for an event, or a complete wardrobe overhaul for the upcoming season.

BACKSTAGE SUPPORT

If you're styling a photoshoot or fashion show, you'll have plenty to do backstage. Along with organising all of the looks, you'll be steaming, pinning, fitting clothes and products to models to make sure they match your vision. You might also plan and advise on makeup and hairstyling to compliment your looks.

TRAVEL

Whilst some of the time, you'll be based in your studio or office, you will need to regularly travel to events and set locations. Stylists are needed on the ground to ensure the look is put together properly and that adjustments can be made if necessary.

Not only will you need to travel for photoshoots and events, but you may also need to travel to brand showrooms when sourcing products and to meet clients to discuss the project. International travel is common in this industry.'

https://www.fashionretailacademy.ac.uk/resources/guide-to-fashion-styling

Business owning & Entrepreneuring

Laying The Foundation For Your Fashion Brand

Perhaps one of the most exciting aspects of fashion brand management is that there are not always strict rules or guidelines. As a creative, you have the power to begin building a fashion brand that aligns with your own interests, passions and strengths. While there is plenty of flexibility to create a brand that looks and feels like your personality, it's still important to lay a solid foundation by developing an industry-specific fashion brand business plan.

Defining Your Brand Identity

Defined by the American Marketing Association (AMA) as the cornerstone of marketing, branding is essential to your career as a fashion designer and fashion entrepreneur. Your fashion brand will likely be both a personal brand as well as a corporate brand, which means that you should develop a brand identity that reflects your personal values, expertise in fashion and knowledge of your target audience. The goal and purpose of branding is to create a consistent identity that can be reflected throughout every aspect of your business, from the clothing items you create to the policies and procedures you develop for your company.

Creating A Business Plan

A business plan is a strategic document that outlines the goals for your fashion brand and includes the steps to take to reach those goals. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, a business plan acts as the foundation for any entrepreneurial venture and is thus acore component of your fashion brand.

A well-rounded business plan should include:

• A description of your fashion brand.
• A targeted list of milestones that you hope to reach and deadlines for reaching those milestones.
• A market analysis.
• In-depth information about the fashion products you intend to offer.
• A fashion marketing plan.
• A financial plan for building your fashion brand.
• Funding needs and requests.

https://www.rmcad.edu/blog/fashion-entrepreneurship-starting-your-own-fashion-brand/