The fashion industry, and especially fashion magazines, have a bad reputation in movies for demanding impossible things. Design magazines don’t seem to be the most accepting of workplaces, based on the constant scrutiny and harsh criticism depicted in films like The Devil Wears Prada. However, the truth is very different. Magazine careers, like any other, are based on hard work, dedication, and perseverance. But rather than sludging through this brutal industry without any idea of what you are expected to do, you might benefit from certain tips that will help you get in. You can work for a fashion magazine in one of two ways: as a full-time employee or as a freelancer. Each of these figures works at a fashion publication, depending on their positions. Art directors, stylists, and authors make up the majority of freelancers. If you’re just starting out in your career, you can start as an intern in one of the departments that interest you. But getting an internship that leads to a full-time job in the magazine? Now that’s a tricky one.

Make Strong Connections

Making the right connections will help you go a long way. Everyone you meet along the way can help you with advice, contacts, or tips, no matter how small it might be. So get in touch. Be friendly. Think about what you can offer them in exchange. Keep distractions away and focus on the task at hand. Even though you might feel like documenting some things, it is important to observe the things around you and keep asking questions. It’s a huge, multifaceted industry with a lot of moving parts and unexpected career paths that are constantly rising and changing. So keep an open mind, and you will be fine! If you want to work for a fashion magazine, it’s best to send a cold email or make a spontaneous application, so don’t wait for an internship chance to appear in one of your favorite publications.

Grab all Opportunities for Upskilling

It’s a competitive world out there, and the more skills you have, the easier it will be for you to make an impression and excel at the job. Interning is perfect. It’s a great approach to stand out because it allows you to test out a wide range of abilities and responsibilities—and, most importantly, it allows you to see what attracts and excites you. You should always believe the mantra that if you enjoy anything, you’ll be better at it. The qualities that get you noticed are your diligence, hard work, and willingness to go the extra mile. When starting your learning process, it is best to start with questions like what fashion designing is and having relevant knowledge about the field. You can get to know more about various fashion courses and add to your knowledge that will build up a strong CV. Once you have your perfect resume, you can apply for an internship or job. Be sure to highlight those skills which would help you in the job you are applying for. Tailor your resume to fit the needs of the publication.

Show Up and Do the Work with Dedication

Some youngsters in fashion directly want a job in a high-end magazine and don’t really want to work for it. Fashion is also an industry like any other, and there are different levels of jobs and positions. If you get even a small unpaid internship, but in a reputed magazine, you wouldn’t want to take it for granted because it could open you up to a whole new world of rare opportunities. Show up, be thorough, and approach it as though it were a paying job because if you’re passionate about what you’re doing, it will show in your work, and people will notice. One small piece of advice is to always own up to your mistakes because people always remember someone who is rudely unapologetic or lies to cover themselves. Treat everyone in fashion like you would regular people- people with families and personal lives and a sense of humor too. Most people aren’t as unfriendly as you are led to believe.

Put Your Hand Up and Volunteer for Everything

Everyone says that interning at a fashion magazine is the best way to get forward, and it’s true, but it isn’t the only way. For example, if you are a writer and even if you get small insignificant internships at first, use them as a tool to learn life skills like communication and the art of connecting with people. Next is, put your hand up for everything, no matter the task. Nobody is truly indispensable, but you will impress if you volunteer for enough tasks and work hard enough. 

Be a Sponge and Soak Up Every Opportunity!

Experiment with different things to see what works best for you. Internships and work experience are also the most effective ways to meet people and build a network. These connections you make could turn out to be your most valuable asset in the future, so always be your best self. Take the initiative and always strive to stay one step ahead by being ready and able to take on any task. Also, take every opportunity to protect yourself and your skills out there. When it comes to collaborating for a fashion magazine, having a website is a plus. If you want to work as an editorial assistant and eventually become a fashion editor. In that case, you could start your own fashion blog to post your posts, or you could start a website that showcases your graphic design skills. It’s much more effective to demonstrate your skills directly rather than just listing them on your resume, particularly if you’re just starting out.
Hopefully, you have been endowed with some valuable knowledge about how to survive in the fashion industry. If you are curious to know more about fashion designing and other fashion-related inquiries, you can find everything you need at the JD Institute website. Check out their amazing courses on fashion designing that are up for grabs!