How to Land a Design Career According to 25 Pros
Do you dream of working in the fashion world? These 25 industry professionals—including accomplished FIDM Grads—share expert advice on landing a design career.
1. “Know your ideal client -- the dream person you design for, your fantasy muse, so to speak. This will give your collection a point of view and a focus,” says Tom Ford. “Then know your real client, because he or she may be completely different than what you aspire to.”
2. FIDM Advisory Board Member Diane von Furstenberg told Forbes: “The chances are when you begin your life, you don’t know what you want to do. Then you have doors to meet people and they are doors that come in front of you. I want to remind people that it is not always the most glamorous door that will be your door.”
3. “The power of believing in yourself is so important when trying to carve out this path for yourself,” says FIDM Grad and fashion influencer Chriselle Lim (pictured, left). “The thing is, no one will be there with you every step of the way in this journey. So the only person you can really rely on to push yourself is yourself.”
4. “I think a lot of young artists are discouraged. They have people in their families and in their lives who tell them, ‘No you can’t do this,’ ” says Danielle Meder, a fashion illustrator who works with the New York Times and Women’s Wear Daily. It’s more important to live life according to your values than someone else’s values.”
5. “Always let your passions lead you,” says Rachel Zoe, who regularly hires FIDM Grads. “My undying devotion to fashion and all that comes with it is what drives me to work every day – never the money. If you let a potential financial gain dictate any of your career decisions, you can be led astray from what you really love.”
6. Former fashion director at W magazine and editor-in-chief at Yahoo Style, fashion stylist-turned-editor Joe Zee says, “You can get a job, but when you get there, make sure it's the best and most incredible experience for you. Make it what you want to make of it.”
7. Academy Award-nominated costume designer Arianne Phillips has created costume and looks for everyone from Madonna to Jasmine Sanders, and her work is seen in films such as Nocturnal Animals, 3:10 to Yuma, and Walk the Line. She says: “Saying no can often craft your journey more than saying yes.”
8. Regarding career advice, FIDM Advisory Board Member Tim Gunn told the New York Times: “No matter how much strife and consternation you face, no matter how much you want to shout and scream, take the high road. If you want to write an angry email, write it but don’t send it.”
9. Jenna Lyons, the former creative director of J.Crew, encourages people to find their voice. She told Elle: “The fact of the matter is—particularly in a creative company—I have no idea of knowing if you are smart or good or have great ideas if you don't speak up. If you don't talk.”
10. “The best career advice I've received is to find your own balance,” says FIDM Fashion Design Graduate and famed designer Monique Lhuillier. “Balance is a very individual thing and everyone has their own barometer of what they can or cannot handle.”
11. Stranger Things costume designer and FIDM Grad Kimberly Adams told Apparel News: “I want somebody who is excited about life and wants to learn. Show that you’re excited about whatever it is that you’re meeting somebody about. Be excited about it and find what it is that you love about it and talk about it.”
12. "It seems to be a similar thread throughout everything, which is that your life isn't always measured by tangible results,” says designer Vera Wang. “What it really is in the end is the process, and what you learn about yourself and about life. That's something I've taken with me.”
13. “Everyone should be sacked at least once in their career because perfection doesn’t exist,” says Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour in Alastair Campbell’s book, Winners: And How They Succeed. “It’s important to have setbacks, because that is the reality of life.”
14. Fashion illustrator Stephanie Jimenez has worked with Ralph Lauren and Neiman Marcus. She told Fashion Mingle: “Be more than kind to your clients. Many of the wonderful opportunities that have presented themselves to me have been from past client referrals. These are your people, your network… be good to them.”
15. Project Runway winner and FIDM Grad Leanne Marshall says: “The more technical capabilities you have as a designer, the better off you are. Designing on flat paper is one thing, but having construction and pattern making knowledge just opens up your world in so many ways and can really make you a better designer than your competitors.”
16. “Don’t expect anyone to ever think about your career or your future as much as you,” says trend forecaster Jane Buckingham. “Only you can be in charge of your future and the choices that you make. I think I often thought someone else would ‘help’ or ‘take charge,’ but the reality is no one will be able to do it for you but you.”
17. FIDM Grad Justin Janda is a patternmaker and technical designer at 2253 Apparel Inc. “Take advantage of every opportunity. Any chance you get to ask a question, do it,” he says. “You have to challenge yourself to prove that you are able to do what it is you dream of. Even if you feel like giving up at some point, don’t.”
18. Stella McCartney spoke to Glamour’s Cindi Leive and when the topic of career advice came up, she says: “Just be yourself. Be responsible for bringing that into your life. I think anyone can have that kind of confidence—I encourage that.”
19. "You're living in a time with so few barriers digitally, so take advantage of that," says fashion executive and former InStyle editor-in-chief Ariel Foxman. "Find the people on Twitter who are creating the conversation and get involved — you will have a voice. Then, you will get invited off Twitter to meet people and become part of the circle.
20. Forever 21 assistant technical designer and FIDM Grad Kristina Dougherty says, “Ask questions and talk to your teachers. They’re your best resources and have the most direct experience. I got both of my jobs in the industry from two teachers from FIDM, not directly, but through talking about ideas, asking what’s possible, and just being friendly.”
21. Instagram director of fashion partnerships Eva Chen says to do your research when it comes to interviews. "Know as much about the company and the direction it's going in when you go in for interviews,” she said in a Reddit AMA. “ And look for opportunities in emerging fields such as tech."
22. “I would say to any student or person who wants to do these things I’m able to do, to just get out and meet people who can help you, and in return help them,” says FIDM Grad Jake Zielinski, who is the head designer at OBEY Mens. “While simultaneously applying skills you’re learning in school to jobs/internships and then apply skills you learn in the field to school.”
23. When asked for one piece of career advice to share, fashion designer Victoria Beckham told Elle: "I always say the best way to advance your career opportunities is to try to get as much experience as you can in the field you want to enter."
24. When asked about career advice, iconic fashion designer Marc Jacobs told Women’s Wear Daily: “What's worked for me is not quitting, being more passionate about what I do, and not giving up. And when I don't believe in myself turning to other people who believe in me.”
25. FIDM Grad and Project Runway finalist Candice Cuoco (pictured, right) is all for breaking the rules: “Screw boundaries and boxes that society likes to place women in. Forget being softer and more polite because it’s some persons ideal version of what a ‘real woman’ is supposed to behave like."
Categories: Fashion Design
