Career Girl Answers: What Does It Take To Become a Fashion Writer?

Dear Career Girl:

My name is Megan and within the past couple of years or so, I have been HOOKED on fashion. I was wondering if you had any information you could give me about being a fashion writer, for a magazine preferably, and what it takes to be one and how to get there.

Currently, I am only a freshman in high school and my ambitions may change, but for right now I would love to learn as much as I can about this! Thanks so much and please get back to me soon! :)
-Megan

 

Dear Megan:

There's nothing quite like a career as a fashion writer for someone who LOVES fashion. How wonderful that you're considering it. Are you in a Fashion Club at your school? If not, start one. That's a great way to begin your career in fashion.

Now, if you write, offer to cover fashion for your school's newspaper or blog. And if you don't write, start writing, and then offer to cover fashion for your school's newspaper or blog. :) You could pitch story ideas to the paper's editor, such as "Spring 2012 Fashion Trends" and "What's Hot and What's Not." Offer to interview managers at the major department stores and local boutiques for quotes. You could research local fashion designers to write about their stories. You could even pitch your local newspaper's editor to cover a fashion story about the students on your campus.

And when you're getting ready to go to fashion college in a few years, you will be way ahead of the rest! Did you know that FIDM publishes a student magazine? It's called Mode, and it's written by FIDM Students for FIDM Students. You would be the perfect candidate to work on it.

A good fashion writer is someone who adores fashion and follows it closely, and loves to write.

If you find that you have a change of heart later, and you're not exactly sure what part of the fashion industry you'd like to pursue, take a Career Quiz. FIDM offers 20 creative majors in the fashion, entertainment, and interior design industries.

Keep me posted on what you decide, and all the best to you.

Fashionably Yours,

Career Girl

Career Girl Answers: What FIDM Major Prepares For a Career in Fashion Publicity?

Dear Career Girl:

I have always been interested in fashion, since day one. I read blogs and research new fashion designers all the time. I adore writing, and would love a Kelly Cutrone type of job someday. My dream is to be a fashion editor.

I have always aspired to attend fashion college at FIDM, but I don’t know what major would incorporate all that I want. Any advice?

Thanks,
Maddy

Hi Maddy:

If you'd like a career in the fashion industry, FIDM is the place for you. As a student, you will have built-in networking opportunities with fashion professionals of all disciplines. FIDM Instructors are industry leaders. If you aspire to a Kelly Cutrone type of career, then you'll want to intern for a fashion publicist, and Los Angeles is a haven for that. FIDM Career Advisors work with students to let them know about all types of fashion industry internships and work opportunities. The entertainment industry is based in Los Angeles, and fashion publicists work closely with celebrity stylists, fashion editors, and industry trendsetters.

When you start at FIDM you will enroll in General Studies courses such as Effective Speaking and Critical Thinking, which will definitely be great for a career in publicity or fashion editing.

Promotion in the Merchandising Environment and Marketing Communications are part of the Merchandise Marketing curriculum, and explore various messages of targeted media.

I'm going to also suggest to you, Maddy, that you make an appointment with an advisor at FIDM. They can speak with you about your interests and find out which exact path is right for you.

Good luck to you! Your future is full of possibilities in the fashion industry!

- Career Girl

Career Girl Answers: What is Merchandise Marketing and Can I Start a Fashion Club?

Dear Career Girl :

I actually have two questions. The first one is, can you give an explanation of Merchandise Marketing? I've been trying to find out, yet have been unsuccessful. The other question is, if I were to start a Fashion Club at my school, do I need to be aspiring to major in design or could I aspire to major in Merchandise Marketing?

- Alex

Hi Alex:

Merchandise Marketing is an exciting major that focuses on the buying and selling of wholesale and retail goods. Students learn about planning, purchasing, allocation, promotion, and leadership and go on to work as buyers, planners, store owners, managers, executives, and more!

If you like to spot trends and be organized, this may be the perfect major for you. You can read about some successful FIDM Graduates working in the field here.

 And yes, you can absolutely start an official FIDM Fashion Club at your school, regardless of the major or career you are interseted in. You just have to be enrolled in high school. Get started here!

- Career Girl

Career Girl Answers: Should I Study Fashion Design?

Fashion Sketch | FIDM Student Kok Wai Wong

Dear Career Girl:

I really love fashion, sketching, and anything to do with clothes! But I get so bored when sewing. Do you think FIDM and Fashion Design College is the right program for me?

-Keena

Dear Keena:

There are so many career options when it comes to the fashion industry. Don't let your disinterest in sewing keep you from pursuing your dreams!

If you love fashion and sketching, there are so many career paths to follow. Did you know FIDM offers 20 different majors? Merchandise Product Development could be a good option. Visual Communications could be perfect. Fashion Design could also be the right choice for you. Designers aren't usually the ones creating the samples, so you wouldn't ultimately be sewing as a career.

My advice for you is to make an appointment with an advisor at FIDM. They can talk to you about your interests and find out which path is right for you. Also, take our Career Quiz. That could help get you headed in the right direction, as well.

Good luck, Keena! Your future is full of possibilities in the fashion industry!

-Career Girl

Career Girl Answers: What Fashion Opportunities Are There For High School Freshmen?

Dear Career Girl:

I'm a freshmen in high school and I aspire to be a fashion designer one day. I see lots of opportunities for juniors and seniors interested in fashion, but none for freshmen. Could you give me some advice by telling me what I can do now to get ahead of the game?
 
-Lost

 

Dear Lost:

Do you have a Fashion Club at your high school? If not, start one! It will provide opportunities you would not believe. You could put together a runway show at your school and work on fashion projects as a team, while you develop a relationship with FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. As the club president, you'll get free admission to "3 Days of Fashion," an annual summer program FIDM offers where you'll take workshops in draping and learn how to sketch the nine-head fashion figure.

In your last two years of high school, you can apply for exclusive scholarships to attend fashion design college at  FIDM. Read about Danica Y. who just won the My FIDM Fashion Club Scholarship Contest! She was FC's Featured Member this month.

Good luck to you and remember to never give up on your dream!

-Career Girl

Career Girl Answers: What Jobs Can You Get With a Visual Communications Degree?

Dear Career Girl:

What types of jobs can you get with a degree in Visual Communications?

Sincerely,

Fashionista

Dear Fashionista:

Visual Communications is a broad area of study that allows you to focus in on what you love the most in the visual arts.

FIDM's program gives students the skills to do fashion styling, create window displays, and design tradeshow and exhibit booths.

The career possibilities are endless, it just depends on your interests. FIDM Visual Communication Graduates have gone on to become Fashion Stylists, Set Decorators, Fashion Publicists, and Visual Merchandisers.

FIDM Grad Peter Lam recently had the opportunity to work on the Michael Jackson exhibition at the Grammy® Museum.

You may want to read this interview with FIDM Alumna Ali Matilla. She graduated with a degree in Visual Communications, then went on to take the Advanced Study Program in Entertainment Set Design & Decoration. She's now a Set Decorator for Disney's TV show "Zeke and Luther."

Good luck to you!

-Career Girl

 

Tissue paper dress and display designed by FIDM Students Jana Garvin, Amber Delp, Felicia Cantacessi, Barbara Ruiz, and Jamie Melandez.

Career Girl Answers: What's the Difference Between Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising

Dear Career Girl:

I'm a sophomore in high school and am interested in going to FIDM. I really like Fashion Design, but I'm also interested in Fashion Merchandising. Can you explain the difference between the two, and is there a job that involves both fashion design and merchandising?

-Katie

Dear Katie:

That's a great question and one I'm sure many aspiring fashion design school applicants are asking. And I can definitely explain the difference between these two excellent career choices. While both fields will require an understanding of business, Fashion Merchandising focuses on the business of fashion while Fashion Design is the hands-on, technical skills necessary to create a garment or fashion collection from sketching and creative design to pattern-drafting. 

FIDM's Fashion Merchandising curriculum covers management concepts, selling techniques, pricing principles, brand imaging, and marketing and business strategies, to name a few.  

On the other hand, FIDM's Fashion Design Program includes courses in the history of costume, sketching, sewing, draping, pattern drafting, garment construction, and portfolio preparation & presentation.

In both programs, you will study textile science, critical thinking, color & design theory, and the history of costume.

So, what job incorporates both of these areas of study? A Design Director. They must have a creative vision and strong merchandising knowledge as well as good communication skills. They work closely with the sales team.

Before you make your decision, Katie, make sure you reach out to meet with a FIDM advisor. They will be more than happy to sit down with you and help you figure out your next steps. Good luck to you!

Fashionably Yours,

Career Girl

Career Girl Answers: Can You Recommend A Book On Fashion Sketching?

Dear Career Girl:

I am an aspiring fashion designer and have a great passion for the fashion industry. I have a problem sketching designs that accurately represent the ideas in my head. I have searched for books that would help me convey my ideas and become a better sketcher, but I'm not sure which one is the best. Can you suggest one for me? Thank you!

-Manda

Dear Manda:

I'm so glad you asked. Nancy Riegelman's "Nine Heads" is an amazing book I highly recommend. It's used in the Fashion Sketching for Design class taught at FIDM. Ms. Riegelman teaches at FIDM and students rave about her, describing her as extraordinary, inspiring, and amazingly talented. Before her fashion college career, she worked in Tokyo and Paris as a fashion illustrator for Neiman Marcus, trend publications, and fashion designers! So you know you'll be learning from the best!

Good luck, Manda!

-Career Girl

Career Girl Answers: Are There Any Careers in the Fashion Industry That Allow You To Work From Home?

Dear Career Girl:

Are there any careers in the fashion industry that allow you to work from home?

-Talina

Dear Talina:

Excellent question. There are definitely careers in the fashion industry that allow you to work from home, especially in the design realm—fashion, textile, jewelry, footwear, and graphic design. Many companies these days are looking for freelance designers to fill their needs. You may have to go to an appointment here and there to get a concept or an idea of what the client wants, but working freelance typically allows you to set your own hours and operate out of a home office.

For an inside look at being a freelance footwear designer, be sure to read Alumna Nalini Arora's interview.

Trim research is another area in the fashion industry that lends itself to flexibility when it comes to office location.

And guess what else—blogging! Fashion blogging is becoming a huge part of fashion merchandising,  marketing and public relations, and this is definitely something you can do from a home office.

Fashion Design, Textile Design, Jewelry Design, Footwear Design, and Graphic Design are just some of the 20 majors offered at fashion schools like FIDM.

Good luck to you, Talina!

-Career Girl

Career Girl Answers: Does FIDM Work With You To Get You Financial Aid?

Dear Career Girl:

 

I really want to go to fashion college and think that it is a perfect fit for me, but I'm not sure my parents can afford it. Does FIDM work with you to get you financial aid?

-Meghan

Dear Meghan:

First of all, I'm ecstatic you think FIDM is a perfect fit for you. That's wonderful! And I'm so glad you asked that question. 

 

I want to let you know there are many options in terms of financial aid including Federal Grants, Federal Stafford Loans, and State Aid. You can find out about all of these options on FIDM's site. You should also make a point to speak with your high school counselor—they may know of scholarships and/or grants for which you should apply.

 

Have you heard of FIDM's National Scholarship Competition? You can win a full one-year scholarship to attend FIDM. It's open to all high school seniors and graduates. FIDM is looking for creative thinkers with a vision. The competition deadline is April 30, 2010. Click here for a complete list of FIDM scholarships opportunities. 

 

Here's a money-saving tip: If you are seeking acceptance for Summer or Fall 2010, enroll prior to the April 1, 2010 deadline in order to avoid this year's tuition increase. If you need assistance, please call the Admissions Office at 800-624-1200.

 

On a side note, while FIDM encourages the seeking of grants and scholarships, students should not rely upon them as a major means of financing their education. Please contact an Admissions Advisor with all of your questions.

 

I wish you all the best, Meghan! Good luck with your decision.

 

-Career Girl