Lauren Curley is a Fashion Merchandising major at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. She interned at 10eleven, one of the most influential multi line showrooms in the country that represent highly regarded contemporary designers. Her internship, as well as years of experience in retail and almost four years of research and classes at FIT make her an exemplar for young students attempting to break into the fashion industry.
1. How can you best prepare for a job in the fashion industry?
The best way to prepare for a job in the fashion industry is getting first hand experience. That would include internships, retail jobs, and even further knowing the current events about the fashion world. Internships allow you to test out different sectors of the fashion world such as buying, planning and merchandising, which will ultimately lead you to choose the best career path for you. Retail experience allows you to understand the consumer and their needs. At the end of the day, if you are not pleasing the consumer, then you are not making any money, ultimately jeopardizing your job.
2. What makes getting an internship in the fashion industry different than other internships and what does it take to do so?
It’s all about knowing the industry, knowing what companies want and expect, and bringing fresh ideas to an employer. When working in the fashion industry, knowing all of the current events and what is happening is knowing the industry. You must know the upcoming trends to forecast all of the shifts in clothing that take place within the fashion world. With that being said, it is crucial to be ready to show a perspective employer new designs or new ideas for an upcoming line or brand they might be creating. Employers, designers and anyone else in the fashion business want people who will bring the best, freshest and most unique ideas to their company. If you aren’t going to bring something new to the table, and can’t think ahead to what fashion consumers will want in the future, then you can’t expect to get an internship; that’s why this industry is so different and unique from many others.
3. What is the definition of smart shopping/ shopping for less?
Smart shopping or shopping for less would be going to different stores and weighing your options on which is the best deal. In other words, going to fast fashion retailers and buying a cheaper product rather than buying a collection item, right off the runway.
4. How can college students look good but for a good price?
There are many great options for college students to not break the bank. There are the fast fashion retailers, such as Zara, H&M, and Forever 21 that have cheap products that you can create multiple great outfits. Also, Urban Outfitters has a great sale section, and the consumers are now prone to wait for the sales and purchase at that time, rather than on full price merchandise.
Lauren Curley is a Fashion Merchandising major with a focus on product development at FIT