So how do you know if your interest in fashion is strong enough pursue a career designing or marketing clothes? First, you need to immerse yourself in fashion literature and culture. Become familiar with the nomenclature of fashion. If you don't know the difference between tulle and chiffon, you definitely need a subscription to Vogue. You also want to closely read the writings of fashion critics. Cathy Horn of the New York Times is one long-standing and well respected fashion critic. By reading her accounts of the latest fashion shows in Paris or New York, you'll learn what's important to look for in clothing designs--such as a piece's overall originality and the texture, cut, and color of a design.
Exploring the Fashion Business from the Inside
The fashion business is not for the faint of heart. It's a fast-paced, competitive industry. To get a keen sense if you're cut out for a career in fashion, take up a fashion-related job or internship in a fashion capital, such as New York, Milan, or Paris. Moving to another city or country just to do a little career exploration may seem a bit extreme. If you want to take a less drastic step, take a fashion-related course. If you live in a rural area or a town without fashion schools, take a course online.Learn Fashion Anywhere
Taking an online or campus-based course in fashion can give you a better sense of the skills and interests required to succeed in the fashion business. At the very least, you can confirm whether your interest in fashion is stimulated sufficiently by occasional trips to local boutiques, or whether it's a passion that pulses through your veins, one that must be pursued on a grand scale.The fashion business is not for everyone. It's a tough industry that requires a thick skin, resilient spirit, and deep passion for style. But if you decide that a fashion career is worth the effort, you may find no better career in which to express your creativity.
