Is there any scope in working in the fashion industry?

Question

have heard often that the fashion industry is going down and it is very hard to find a job at the moment. Especially with the whole recession and credit crunch going on.

I have to apply for uni this year and i want to be sure that going into the fashion industry will at least get me somewhere and leave me other options if i fail in something else. i want to go into fashion designing but i don't want to be left at dead end.

I will be going to uni next year so in about 4-5 years time i will be working. i need some advice about the fashion industry in the future and whether it will be a good field to go into. It will be very useful if any advice can be given from someone who is currently in the industry.

Answer 1

All depends what you want to do - its a huge industry.  

Its not particulary hard to get into but it is oversubscribed as so many people want to get into it, and for the first few years whatever you do, you will be very poorly paid for very long hours just because of the mass competition and the willingness of others to work for nothing.

As we approach recession, yes some magazines will close, some agencies will get hit, some shops with close but so will the rest of the economy. If you have a love of something go and do it and don't worry about what is happening economically - people will always buy clothes so there will always be a need for the fashion industry - just be prepared to be a dog's body on a slaves salary for your first few years our of Uni.  Eventually it will be worth it. Best of luck

Answer 2

it is very hard to get into. fashion design is very difficult with all the competition out there. you have to be very very good at what you do, passionate and don't give up, and push yourself out there or no one will notice you.

If its definietly what you want to do, I would suggest doing work experience during summer, even a few weeks placement if you could here and there, to get a head start. So that when you graduate, you'll have something to show other than studies. There are hundreds of different types of fashion courses in the uk, each year 1000s of graduates would be fighting for a place in the industry, so you need to be above the average.

Do your research and see who you would want to work for, have a direction and really develop your own style and design personality through your years at university. look at different jobs and what the roles, duties, expectations and requirements are for them. You never know you might want to go into styling, pattern cutting, garment tech, freelance illustrator, merchandiser etc.

You'll find that most of these will only consider someone with atleast a years experience already. even companies looking for juniors wants someone who has been a junior.

I hope that helps, i'm rambling on now.  

Answer 3

depends how good you are

the industrys hard to get into