A New Take on Fashion

Finding a job in the fashion industry may seem tough as it is, but throwing in young age on top of it makes the task even more difficult. Gaining experience in the industry is a struggle, as many opportunities are presented with the requirement of several years of practice already. How can a 20-year-old break into fashion, when so few entry level jobs exist? Without networking, starting a career in the fashion industry feels impossible. Knowing the right people, and making constant connections is honestly the easiest way to land an interview. Instructors, friends, roommates, classmates, and even stylish people on the street are the key to learning new skills and creating strong references that bump the odds of interviewing even higher. Having a good recommendation from somebody is almost as important as experience in the industry. However, networking can be difficult for many people, and figuring out how to reach out to someone can be tough. Taking local fashion classes is a great

To many, being stylish is about spending money. Having the season’s hottest trends is expensive, and looking good means dipping into savings. However, there are many ways to look fashion forward while saving money. Repurposing clothing is the easiest and most fun way to update a wardrobe. Taking a pair of scissors to an old t-shirt brings life in to a drab piece of clothing. Jeans can be customized (and turned into new party pants) by distressing and adding store-bought patches. Two garments can be cut apart and sewn back together to create a mix-print or colour-blocked look, and panels added to the hem of tops create interest and a one of a kind appearance. Thrifting can be tough, but feels like a treasure hunt. Unique vintage pieces feel almost abundant at thrift shops, and the very on-trend “mom jeans” are easy to find. Event and everyday pieces can be purchased at very low prices, which makes shopping feel guilt-free. Another tried and true way to find great clothes is to s

Though my time in the fashion industry has been short, my career choice has certainly impacted many aspects of my life. As a young person in fashion, most of my friends have come from past industry jobs or school, and many of my hobbies are based around my artistic career. However, being in this industry has impacted me in ways that I would have never expected. Dating is tough as it is, but trying to date while being in the fashion industry has brought on a whole new set of challenges. I’ve found that going into dates, many people have false stereotypes and expectations of my personality. They expect an airheaded, pink-loving, Elle Woods type, completely unaware of anything other than the season’s hottest fashions. I’m often compared to characters from movies and television, which reflect absolutely zero aspects of my life. “You’re in fashion? Oh so is your life like ‘The Devil Wears Prada’?” Well, it might be, except I don’t live in New York, I don’t work for a top rated fashion