The Devil Wears Prada
Are you considering pursuing a career in the fashion industry? Would you like to work among respected designers? Would you like to work in a field that you are genuinely interested in? When starting a career in fashion you have to know that you will most likely have to start at the bottom, where the salary is close to nothing. But that's not a problem! Volunteering is a great opportunity to learn more about the industry, gain work experience and meet interesting people. The best way to start out is through volunteering. There are many different roles to fill, so start looking! It's not difficult to find something, just do some research online. Some websites that I recommend are The Business of Fashion, Fashion United, Fashion Jobs and Fashion Workie (for UK). There is no need to worry about there being a language barrier if you are living in a country away from home, some of the placements only require English. All of my volunteering positions I had whilst living in Paris were in English. It's important that you do a good job and are a good coworker as you may be offered to work with them again or you might get a recommendation.
Showroom Assistant
This job position most commonly takes place during Fashion Week (but not only) and is a short time thing, usually lasts just a few days, but those days are long! In my experience it was 10 hours everyday for almost a week. Main tasks include helping to set-up and take down the showroom, welcoming clients and making drinks, keeping the showroom tidy and putting items away and assisting the models. It's a good experience for people who are interested in careers in buying and merchandising. Although you most likely will not be talking with the clients, you can see from up close what it looks like dealing with buyers, how meetings look and how the products that are later present in boutiques and department stores are being selected and ordered. I know it sounds like fun, but it's not as good as it seems. Apart from the tasks I mentioned before you might be expected to run errands such as: collecting food orders from all the employees and then going around town to pick them up, being sent to an electronics store to buy a new music player, because the old one stopped working, carrying heavy things from one place to another and ordering taxis for the clients. Perks of this position, apart from adding it to your CV, are that you get to see the brands collection months before the products make it to stores!
Sophia Webster Showroom (Jan 2016)
Sophia Webster Showroom (Jan 2016)
Sophia Webster Showroom (Jan 2016)
Trade Show Assistant
A trade show is like a collection of showrooms under one roof. Here you're being hired by the organisers of the event so you're not working for any of the fashion brands. Your responsibilities include: setting up and taking down the venue, registration of the buyers and exhibitors and assisting them on the floor of the showroom. There are usually quite a lot of interns working here so you're not even required to work all the time. You get to see important people in the fashion industry like buyers from big department stores in New York and occasionally a celebrity will make an unexpected appearance (Kanye!). You have to be communicative and patient as you will be dealing with clients - there's always something wrong, whether it's that someone forgot to register at home and has to do it there, or the internet or air con isn't working. Be friendly with the exhibitors and you might be able to buy their products at wholesale price! If you're a good worker they might consider hiring you again. One of my friends was invited to work with them again, but this time in Las Vegas!
Capsule Show (phot. @CapsuleShow)
Capsule Show, Paris 2015
Capsule Show, Paris 2015
Backstage Dresser
Out of all my volunteering experience this one was the best! I had to be at the venue at 5am to start setting everything up and preparing the space, but it was all over after a few hours and I made it in time to get to my class at uni. The main function of this job is to dress and undress the models during the runway show. It's a fast paced environment, you legitimately have under a minute to undress the model, take her shoes off (in my case they were tight strappy sandals), help her put on the next garment without ruining her makeup and then squeeze her feet back into the shoes. Most of the models were nice, but my poor friend had the privilege to work with a real diva. People who come to fashion shows are either working in the industry or in media and press, so it's a good place to see interesting faces, and it's cool that you get to meet and talk with the designer. If you're interested in working in the future in planning fashion events or as a designer then this job placement is for you! Oh and you might be leaving with a goody bag!
Backstage at Peet Dullaert SS 2015
Backstage at Peet Dullaert SS 2015
Backstage at Peet Dullaert SS 2015
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