OT - Fashion Career Advice Needed

I have an almost 16 year old daughter who is very interested in fashion as a potential career. We haven't gotten much further than "something to do with fashion" at this point, although she has also mentioned an interest in working for a fashion magazine.

My question is, where do I go to get more information for her? How do I find out what are the potential careers in the industry, what schools are best, etc.? Any advice Angie or anyone else could give would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance, especially since I've been MIA recently. I've missed this place! I haven't visited in a while as "real life" has been so busy with the holidays, etc. and I haven't time to indulge myself here as much as I'd like. I hope to change that, soon.

14 years ago

General

7 replies

Latest reply was from CK

rachylou

Veteran

"Fashion careers" brings up quite a bit on Google. Also, I like the .gov site that talks about different jobs and future outlook for them (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos291.htm). Your local community college could be helpful - and any local art/design schools.

14 years ago

Amy

(website)

Veteran

What kind of role would she want on a fashion magazine? Writing? Photography?Something else?

I don't know about schools, etc., but perhaps the first thing to do is for her to get her "hands dirty," so to speak. If there's a way to channel her hobbies into working on a skill that would tie in with her career interests, get her started there! For example, she should write, take pictures, sew...work on the school newspaper, take journalism classes. If you can, providing her with tools like a camera or a sewing machine and extra curricular classes might be a great place to start.

14 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Rent her "Devil Wears Prada" :p

That's all the useful advice I have.

14 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Where are you located? Have her talk to her high school guidance counselor and see if she can get some kind of internship or other info about careers in fashion.

14 years ago

Active Member

We live in a small town, about 90 miles from a major city, so internships might be hard to come by. She has taken art classes, video production classes, etc., though. I am going to sign her up for a sewing class in the near future, but I don't think actual design is what she wants to do.

As far as the magazine work goes, I think she pictures herself putting together fashion spreads, that kind of thing. I don't know what the job title for that would be. Fashion editor, maybe? I was thinking graphic design might be another area of study which would be helpful, but I'm not sure.

14 years ago

Stephanie

Veteran

I think it might be useful for her to talk to someone who works in fashion. My younger sister is a fashion designer (she does men's knits for a major retailer)--if you PM me, I can give you her e-mail address, and I'm sure she'd be happy to talk to your daughter. I don't know anyone who works in fashion magazines, but I'm sure someone else does.

14 years ago

Active Member

Thank you so much, Stephanie. Actually, my husband's cousin is a designer as well, but my daughter has been too shy to reach out to her so far, even though she knows she can. I am hoping she will get up the nerve soon, but thank you for your offer. I think the future seems very far away to her right now.

14 years ago

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