A Fashionable Attitude

Anna Wintour: would you turn up late if you were working at Vogue?

I have been teaching fashion related subjects for several years now, and I have come across some very interesting students. I have also managed to gain a reputation of being a scary teacher, or a bitch, or other nasty things, but most of the time, the students end up appreciating my no-bullshit methods. I’ve debated whether my expectations are too high, but I don’t think they are.

Here is what I expect of my students:

• Turn up to class on time, looking awake
• Behave professionally in class (no cell phones, no sleeping)
• Do your homework
• Read the blogs I tell you to read
• Take an interest in fashion

I understand that some new fashion students don’t know who Martin Margiela is (although you bloody well should) or Carine Roitfeld (seriously, you should know her), or what a pop up store is. These are things I can teach you, but I can’t teach you to act like an adult. And it never ceases to amaze me how many students think they can rock in to class late, with a snobby attitude, and expect to get somewhere. Would you do the same thing if you were working at Vogue? No.

(On that note, I must say that I have also encountered some fantastic students in my time, and there is nothing more satisfying to see them go on to wonderful things, like a great job.)

Carine Roitfeld, the editor at French Vogue (in case you didn't know.) She doesn't allow Uggs in the office. Good for her.

Anyway, I have written this little post for Handbag Heaven with some tips on how to get into the fashion industry. This applies to fashion students, or anyone considering a career in the fashion. But I’d like to add a few tips on attitude, because some students do not seem to understand the importance of a good attitude. What do you think is really the most important thing when in a job? Your skills are important, yes, but if you are miserable, late, and whiny, you won’t keep your job, no matter what your skills. So here are a few tips on attitude in the classroom and workplace.

• Turn up on time. Seriously. EVERY SINGLE DAY.
• Ask questions, contribute thoughts, and participate. But not every three seconds, because then you are a teacher’s pet and/or a show off.
• Learn your pronunciations of the major designers, brands, and poeple. Every time I hear Givenchy pronounced Give-enn-chee and not zhee-vah(n)-shee, it is like being stabbed in the heart
• Dress properly. This is a tough one…there are no rules in fashion. Jeans are fine, but if they are ripped to shreds and worn with flip flops, then that is a no-go at a luxury brand. Slutty clothes are bad news, especially super short mini skirts with super high heels. Wear that when you’re going to a night club. No athletic wear please (unless you are designing sportswear.) Don’t think job-interview-formal, think stylish-and-appropriate.
• Look awake. I don’t care if you are daydreaming about doughnuts, if you look bored in front of me, I am not impressed.
• Do as you are told. And don’t expect to be treated any differently than your fellow students. I can’t stand when someone thinks they should be granted exceptions for no other reason than the fact that they are whiny and think they deserve it.
• Be resourceful. If someone asks you to do something, and you aren’t sure how to do it, try and figure it out first. If you need to research something, and it isn’t the first entry on the Google search, try a few other techniques before you ask questions (try opening a book, for example.)
• And listen. LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN. If I’ve told someone to do something a particular way, and they don’t do it that way, I get crazy annoyed when they complain about a bad mark. If your boss asks you to do something, you do it, right? Act like that in school.

None of the above things are complicated or difficult to do, and I don’t think I am expecting too much. Remember, there are thousands of people trying to get into the industry, you have to work hard to stand out.

I am considering putting together a little guide for students, prospective students, and anyone trying to get into the fashion industry. It will include some of the following sections:

• A couple of rules and tips about behaviour (like the above, but in more detail)
• Tips on fashion portfolios and the type of experience fashion employers are looking for
• A directory of some fashion schools in Europe and North America
• A directory of most key fashion brands and other fashion-related businesses
• A list of the brands that offer good graduate training programs
• How to prepare and behave during an internship or first fashion job
• Recruitment agencies and where to find good fashion job listings
• Tips from industry insiders

I’d like to hear from my readers whether this is something you’d be interested in, and whether you’d be willing to pay $10-$15 USD for this, as an ebook. Also, if you have any other suggestions for the ebook, feel free to send them over.

If you think you are interested, and want to be on the mailing list for updates about the ebook (that’s it, you won’t be on any other mailing lists), then send me an email to searching4style@gmail.com with the subject line “interested.” If you have any feedback, leave it as a comment or email it to me.

Anna Wintour image source.
Carine Roitfeld image source.