Image Source: Become Chic
Do you have a love of all things fashion? Like do you eat, breathe, and dream about the latest runway trends? If fashion is a serious passion of yours, why not turn it into a career? There are plenty of women out there who have started with little to no experience at all, that now have their own fashion lines, salons, or boutiques. If this sounds like something that might interest you, know that it’s not all glitz and glam. It will require a game plan along with some hard work to get to where you want to be. However, if you’re driven by passion, getting there should be an experience in and of itself. Check out these options below:
- Work as an Intern or Assistant
If you have very little experience in the fashion industry, your best bet would be to start off as an intern or an assistant to someone you might consider a role model (or at least in a niche of fashion you’re most interested in). Before you start looking for the best person or company to intern for, it is important that you have a clear understanding of where you want your fashion career to go. If you’re looking to be a shop owner one day, then working as an assistant to someone who owns their shop would help you learn the ropes. If you’d prefer to become a stylist, working with a local designer or stylist would give you the most experience you need to launch your career further.
- Open Your Own Shop
If you have a knack for business and know that your dream is to open your own fashion store, then go for it! It’s likely a good idea to hire someone who has worked in a retail store as a manager before to assist you with the day to day. You’re going to need a considerable amount of capital because you’re going to need to find the right employees, vendors (designers), and more. You’ll also need to select the right location to attract your target audience. Finally, of course, you’ll need to liven the place up with a unique layout and detailed decor from wall mural designs to shelving, seating, and flooring. The idea is to make the place look really “fashion-forward†so that customers want to shop there frequently.
- Start with a Local Boutique or Mall Kiosk
If you’re not ready to take on the responsibility of being a full-on shop owner, or you have your own designs which you’d like to advertise you can always consider going with a mall kiosk or small boutique. They are a lot smaller in size and allow you to get a feel for things before you sign to any major leases. You also have the freedom to market your own products and see just how interested customers would be before you start making large quantities.
- Work as Tailor or Local Designer
If your dream is to see others walking around in fashions with your trademark on them, then you’ll want to start off as a tailor or independent designer. You can create your own designs by learning how to sew and make trending fashions. As you’re honing in on your craft, working as a tailor is a great side hustle that can help you to gain clientele. Making alterations and then working your way up to actual designs will help you to build your brand and credibility in the fashion industry.
Though you won’t become the next Donna Karan, Kim Kardashian, or Stella McCartney overnight, with time you can turn you love of fashion into a lucrative career path. It will require some patience as you develop your craft, credibility, and capital, but it is one of the most exciting, fast-paced industries you can get into. Before you know it, customers will be coming to you for tips on how to dress for the season, the hottest trends, and the best deals in fashion.