Fashion Jobs and Fashion Career Advice

Picking one out of many fashion jobs generally is an overwhelming challenge. There are several different opportunities in the fashion industry that you might not be sure which one is best for you. With the high demand for fashion jobs, you need to be sure of what it is that you want to do so you can get started on pursuing your dream in this competitive industry. Below you will find descriptions for several fashion jobs and, subsequently, be one step closer to establishing your career in the fashion industry.

1. Fashion Designer

Thanks to shows like Project Runway, there are many people whose curiosity has been rose towards the fashion industry, exclusively, fashion design. A career as a fashion designer seems extravagant and rewarding but it takes a whole lot of work. A fashion designer must be well-informed of the latest trends (and sometimes even be ahead of them) and have the creativity to conceptualize new designs. A fashion designer creates sketches, whether by hand or with computer-aided design (CAD) software, of their designs and must be familiar with fabrics and materials in order to create samples that show what the final product would look like. As a fashion designer you can specialize in clothing design, footwear or accessories. Fashion jobs like that of a fashion designer are prolonged with grueling hours of intensive work and lots of traveling if you want to promote your designs. Fashion designers work under pressure to meet deadlines and make an impression on fashion buyers and other potential clients. As a fashion designer you would need not only talent and creativity but also thick skin and dedication.

2. Fashion Merchandising

Fashion jobs in merchandising can be very challenging. A fashion merchandiser must know what consumers really want, how to present it to them, what they want to pay for it and how to lure them to purchase. A fashion merchandiser is not just an expert in fashion but must also have strong business, financial and advertising skills. As a fashion designer you might find yourself creating budgets, tracking profits and losses, tracking inventory, developing marketing strategies and even putting together creative visual displays to draw in consumers. It's a career that entails many different roles but also has many opportunities to grow and advance in.

3. Fashion Buyer

Fashion buyers are among the most crucial people for brands and companies. They must have good communication skills, be aggressive, organized and driven. As a fashion buyer you work hand in hand with designers, merchandisers and other key people to select what pieces to present to consumers and ensure that best-sellers are continually available. Buyers must be mindful of both current and future trends so they can make the right choices of clothing, shoes, accessories, etc. to ensure high profits. Working with suppliers to negotiate prices suggests that a fashion buyer must have good interpersonal skills, be educated in market costs and also in consumer demands. Fashion buyers must be ready to work under pressure, travel and research and analyze in order to make practical decisions on what products to offer their target customer base.

4. Fashion Director

Fashion directors, also known as creative directors or fashion coordinators, are in charge of the image and look of a store, magazine or a fashion house. They are accountable for that first impression given when people look at ad campaigns, shoots and even fashion films. A fashion director must make sure that the models, photographers, location and concepts characterize the store, brand, or magazine in the best and most genuine way. One of the most well known creative directors in the industry is Grace Coddington who, alongside Anna Wintour and other industry professionals, are a part of American Vogue. In the documentary "The September Issue" we are able to see Coddington showing us her best work and the steps she takes to produce the magnificent spreads in Vogue. Now, don't think it will be a snap landing one of these fashion jobs. Be prepared for long hours of work, creative stumps, frequent traveling, crazy deadlines, and being willing to go back to the drawing board time and time again. Remember, as a fashion director you are responsible for the image of a brand; you produce something that the whole world will see. People will base their opinions on what you present to them. As one of the top fashion jobs in the industry, the pressure is on!

Fashion Jobs - The List Goes On

5. Fashion Forecaster

Probably one of the highest ranking careers in the fashion industry, fashion forecasters do just that, forecast the future trends and styles. This is much more sophisticated than forecasting the weather. Not only does a fashion forecaster need to have in depth knowledge of fashion but he or she must also be creative and surely have the skills necessary to research and analyze potential trends, colors, fabrics and patterns. Fashion forecasters seek inspiration in everything from movies, music, even science and technology. Getting a position as a fashion forecaster is one of the most prestigious of all fashion jobs you could aspire to.

6. Fashion Stylist

A fashion stylist has the easy (or is it?) task of making someone look good. A stylist must be familiar with what colors, fabrics and styles work best to flatter someone's shape while also knowing ways to accessorize and finish the perfect outfit. Fashion stylists are responsible for picking the best pieces for photoshoots, events, etc. and putting them together for the final product. A stylist's reputation lies on how good the client looks and, in the case of ad campaigns, whether or not the stylist can communicate the image and vision of a product. Don't be surprised if, as a fashion stylist, you find yourself traveling for motivation or shopping for clothing, or even spending a day (or a few) revamping a client's closet. Finding fashion jobs for stylists can be as uncomplicated as working as a personal shopper or styling photo shoots for websites or local magazines or newspapers.

7. Fashion Photographer

It's not just about knowing just how to take a good picture. Fashion photographers basically have two fields to be good at: fashion and photography. The photography part consists of knowing what angles, lighting, etc. As far as the fashion, photographers really need to be experts in that as well. A fashion photographer should always know what the best trends are, top designers, top fashion events and any other heavy hitter aspects of the industry. Fashion jobs in this field can consist of taking pictures for model portfolios, ad campaigns, and fashion shows. Fashion photographers are responsible for producing a shot that requires excellent technical skills and extensive fashion knowledge. For example, when a fashion photographer goes to shoot at a fashion show he or she must know exactly when to snap the shot of that model wearing the flowing dress. The picture must showcase how the fabric moves and flows instead of displaying a dress that falls limp and drags on the floor. A fashion photographer works hand in hand with stylists, makeup artists and models to ensure that the final product is efficient in sending a visual message.

8. Fashion Editor

Fashion editors supervise the direction of a fashion publication, website and other media. They are in charge for editing a fashion writer's work, making suggestions, and researching the possibilities of future stories. Fashion writers must be aware of trends and classics to assure that coverage is provided for the target audience. A fashion editor works under the pressure of meeting deadlines, supervising writers, discovering features and fresh ideas all while staying current on the industry and scanning the levels of competition. Some of the qualities necessary for one of these fashion jobs are being organized, punctual, able to communicate verbally and have impeccable writing and journalistic skills. Being one of the most competitive fashion jobs in the industry, a fashion editor should be ready to put some hard work in and spend long nights brewing up excellent, creative content.

9. Fashion Writer

Being a fashion writer is not as easy as picking up a pen and paper (or laptop, tablet, etc.) but includes extensive amounts of research. Fashion writers must be current on their knowledge of fashion and creative when drumming up writing ideas. Of course, outstanding writing skills are a must and meeting deadlines are also fundamental in this career. Fashion writers can execute interviews, cover fashion events and supply reviews of products. You have a choice of working as a freelance writer, with television shows, websites, blogs, smaller publications like local magazines and newspapers or with major publications such as Vogue or Elle, among others. This is one of those fashion jobs where you can find many opportunities and can be fairly simple to get started.

10. Fashion PR (Fashion Public Relations)

Creating a good consumer opinion is of the utmost importance for this fashion job. Where advertising and marketing can create a consumer desire to purchase a certain fashion item, public relations handles the image in its relation to the public eye. Public opinion can gauge the success and longevity of a company. Out of all the fashion jobs mentioned, fashion pr is the piece that ties it all together.

Fashion Jobs that Require WORK!

Whatever one of these fashion jobs you determine to make your career, remember that in such a reasonably competitive industry it's important to put in a lot of hard work and to be determined. All employers look for something that make their next hire special and capable of making their publication, line, show, or website shine amongst the rest. What is it that you have to offer that others don't have? How motivated are you? Tell us, which one of these fashion jobs appeal to you the most?

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Fashion Photography - An Exciting Career

Do you have burning ambition to be a fashion photographer? The ability to learn new things? Can you handle constructive criticism? You need to ask yourself these questions as you research into your new career choice of becoming a fashion photographer.

An interest in fashion is really important, you need to know your fashion. Learning about designers, trends and what designer is 'in', what is going to be the new seasons fashion, this knowledge and passion is just as important as the photography side of being a fashion photographer.

Do you have a vivid imagination, can you think outside the square? You also need to be confident in your self and your ability to be a fashion photographer, in a very high paced, at times stressful profession. Therefore you must be professional in the way you conduct yourself in offering your services? Do you have the right mindset to achieve your goals. Like all choices in becoming a success, you need to set yourself reasonable an attainable goals to be able to reach the top as a fashion photographer and into high fashion photography.

Helpful hints to help with your rise to be a success and become the next rising star in the fashion world as a fashion photographer.

The fashion world. Always keep up to date with high fashion magazines how their photos look. Get your inspiration,study modeling, eg: poses for high fashion shoots, lighting, however as a photographer, you should already know about lighting, if you don't, get started on the basics of photography.

Put a lot of effort and pride into building your first portfolio, you want it to be eye catching, professionally presented, you should use big glossy photos, show case different scenes and themes.This shows flexibility in your photography. Some photos can be very basic but sending a message about the clothing or fashion, not boring, and allow some photos to be really out there in tune with the clothing your photographing.

You definitely do not need to spend money on high fashion clothes for your models, borrowing clothes can be extremely helpful as you start out building your first portfolio, use different eras and use them to fit fashion and photograph them in a theme, being 60s, 70s 80s, the present, imagination and research on high fashion over these eras and then putting it all together in a portfolio you can use to sell your professional high fashion photography services. Remember your models hair and makeup have a lot to do with the end result to your fashion photography goal and that is to be a success.

You need to sell your self, go to magazines, fashion stores that have runway shows, offer to shoot for them. Send your portfolio to news papers in you city and offer your services for their fashion section to shoot fashion events in your state or where ever they may send you.

There are many opportunities, but they don't just come to you, you have to go out and find them and be confident in doing so. Know what you should be charging for your services if your freelancing. Most of the time working for a magazine, newspaper or fashion mall they will pay you per project, hour or perhaps a contract between you. But ask what the pay is and how their payment structure works.

Another idea to sell your abilities as a fashion photographer is to put together a mini high fashion magazine, write your own articles. This shows initiative, imagination and professional skills in show casing your work. You can also start selling your photos online, your photos may sell like hot cakes and this gets your name out there and shows that what you are doing is what people like and want to see. Edit your photos if needed.

Never give up on your dreams!

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What Is Fashion Photography?

With more and more people into photography and with more and more people wanting to have their own photo shoot experience these days, it's also likely that people have false or insufficient information about the various types of photography. Take fashion photography for instance. While it's true that many people have their own version of it, it's also possible that their idea or notion of fashion photography is insufficient or worse, entirely wrong. This, of course, is not good.

Hence, in order to clear things up about exactly what fashion photography is, let's take a look at its history, the fun and stylish details and even talk about the players involved in fashion. You might be surprised at what you will find out.

First of all, fashion photography is a genre of photography. It's not what photography is all about. It's just a sub-type of photography. From the name itself, one can deduce that fashion photo shoots has something to do with clothes, accessories, shoes and other fashion items. Because of its image of being "glamorous," "stylish," "fun" and even "lucrative," fashion photography has become an industry entirely on its own. Photographers involved in fashion are, of course, called fashion photographers. A lot of fashion photographers have already started and developed careers entirely involving fashion photo shoots. Several talented ones have already succeeded in this photography genre. Take note, however, that not all photographers can be fashion photographers. And this is for the simple reason that not all photographers have enough skill, connections, "eye" and - while this may sound rather odd for many - patience to last as a fashion photographer.

Let's dwell on the history of fashion photography. Did you know that fashion photography evolved from the time of countesses and their official court garbs? In 1856, a book written by Adolphe Braun was published. It contained a total of 288 photographs of Virginia Oldoini, Countess di Castiglione, who was a Tuscan noble woman at the court of Napoleon III. The photos of the countess clothed in those royal wedding garbs were featured in the book. Because of this, history regards her as the very first fashion model.

Also, the photo shoot that she underwent is regarded as the very first fashion photography session. Hence, fashion photography stemmed from the fact that a countess, along with her multi-layered, detailed and expensive looking frocks, was all but too happy to sit in front of a camera.

Fast forward 20th century - fashion photo shoots became the norm especially among French magazines. From La Mode Practique to magazines produced by Conde Nast, photographs has taken a different form (as halftone printing became possible). Still, fashion photography then used the same concept as fashion photography now. For instance, in 1911, a fashion photographed named Edward Steichen was challenged by then publisher of Jardin des Modes and La Gazette du Bon Ton Lucien Vogel to use the art of photography in order to promote fashion. What Steichen did was take photos of the gowns which were designed by famed couturier Paul Poiret. Steichen's photos were published in the April 1911 release of Art et Decoration, a magazine. Those photos later went down in history as the very first ones taken during a modern shoot. Now wonder that many say that fashion photo shoots was well-loved in Europe.

And, finally, in today's 21st century - not only has fashion photography further evolved into a bigger industry but fashion photographers have become aplenty - and for good reason. Apart from being a career that can let you manage your own time and pace, being a fashion photographer these days can also be lucrative and can open a lot of other doors, career-wise. Take Vogue and Harper's Bazaar, for instance. To be a part of their pool of fashion photographers can be a dream come true for many. And of course, to be one of the models who will undergo photography sessions with the professionals behind these popular magazines can also be the biggest break in one's career. Needless to say, the power of fashion photo shoots is akin to the power of the flame to a moth. It must be emphasized, however, that not all fashion photography sessions and not all fashion photographers can provide the best experience for all. As earlier mentioned, it takes skill, patience, "eye" and sheer professionalism to handle a real fashion photography session.

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Revelation of a Good Fashion Photographer

"PHOTOGRAPHY HAS THE MAGIC TO MAKE TIME STAND STILL. A PICTURE HAS THE MAGIC TO MAKE A MOMENT LAST FOREVER"- autumn's concerto-

Photography is like a portal that stops time that restores memories and beauty to an object. A photograph is a symbolism of reality that recalls events that happened in the past. As the saying goes, "Photography has the magic to make time stand still."

In the context of fashion photography, it captures the simple gestures of beauty so that it will not fade and can be seen by viewers. That is why; fashion photography is not an easy thing to do because every gesture of a model is important to depict beauty. Here are some of the tips and tricks for high fashion photography:

3 point light system:
The photographer must know the three point lighting system which is the key light, fill light and backlights. These three lights are very important to create balance and proportion to the model as well as bring out the best of the subject. If you would look at the pictures made by high fashion photographers it is as if the subjects are alive and has been preserved in a piece of paper. Moreover the trick is just to harmonize the lights used before taking a shot to the object.

Make ups:
Make-ups like foundation, concealer, lipsticks and more are important to make the subject more beautiful. Without make-ups, the subject will be dull and ugly. This can also be an alternative if the lights accidentally won't work out. The trick in make-ups are simple, you just have to balance the skin tone of the subject with the make-up. Also, in order to remove the pimples and acne of the subject you must use concealer to remove it.

Background:
Know the background for the shooting and make sure that you have the right setting. The background is like the spirit of the picture, if the background is boring, the whole picture will be ugly. You have to make sure that the outfit of the model is appropriate to the background to make a harmonious picture. Harmony is what makes a picture look more realistic and alive because it gives life to the subject.

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