What Advice Do You Have for Someone Starting in the Fashion Industry?
Ever wondered what it takes to break into the fashion industry? Top insights from a seasoned Designer and an influential CEO could illuminate the path for aspiring professionals. Discover why it's crucial to 'Network Nicely and Finalize Your Portfolio' and how to 'Be Resilient and Adaptable,' among four invaluable pieces of advice. Get ready to be inspired by the industry's elite.
- Network Nicely and Finalize Your Portfolio
- Start Small and Stay Agile
- Educate Yourself and Attend Fashion Events
- Be Resilient and Adaptable
Network Nicely and Finalize Your Portfolio
It's a small industry (even though it's quite large), and people talk. So always network in the nicest way possible. You never know when a contact will reappear. Your portfolio will never be perfect or actually finished, so aim to get it good enough and just go for it!
Start Small and Stay Agile
As CEO of Apliiq.com, a print-on-demand platform for fashion brands, we've helped thousands of aspiring designers launch their own lines. The most important advice I can give is to start small and stay agile. A common mistake we see is new brands trying to release huge collections all at once, which can be overwhelming and lead to unnecessary delays. Instead, focus on releasing smaller, more targeted collections frequently. This approach allows you to test the market, learn what your audience loves, and make adjustments quickly.
Remember, you don't need a massive catalog to be successful—sometimes one best-selling product can make all the difference. At Apliiq, we've seen brands build entire businesses around just a handful of popular designs. Additionally, stay connected with your customers, adapt based on their feedback, and don't be afraid to iterate. Success in fashion is about flexibility, learning, and responding to what works in real-time.
Educate Yourself and Attend Fashion Events
It's essential to build a solid foundation by constantly educating yourself. I recommend subscribing to fashion news outlets like Vogue, Vogue Business, Business of Fashion (BoF.com), and Puck Linesheet. These platforms will help you learn the lingo, stay up-to-date on trends, and understand who the key players are in the industry.
Additionally, make it a point to attend as many fashion events as possible, whether they're local showcases or global fashion weeks. Not only will this immerse you in the industry, but it will also help you start building your network.
In my experience, staying informed, being open to learning, and making genuine connections have been vital to my journey, especially when you are new to the industry.
Be Resilient and Adaptable
As a fashion-brand owner, I've learned that the best things you can be are resilient and adaptable. The fashion industry is notoriously tough, fast-paced, ever-changing, and subjective. It involves a lot of decision-making and requires creativity and innovation to thrive. Whether you're in design, marketing, manufacturing, or merchandising, the most successful fashion professionals understand how to balance raw passion and creativity with constructive feedback and adaptability.
