Careers in Fashion & Textiles

Citation

Green, C. (2007), "Careers in Fashion & Textiles", Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, Vol. 11 No. 2, pp. 307-309. https://doi.org/10.1108/13612020710751455

Interested in a job in the fashion or textiles industry, but don't know where or even how to get started? Helen Goworek, author of Careers in Fashion & Textiles, has simplified your search down to the convenience of your fingertips. This book tells you all you need to know from what types of positions are available in the industry to what experience or degree is needed to secure that position.

Goworek, a Senior Lecturer in Fashion Buying, Merchandising and Product Development at Nottingham Trent University and former buyer and fashion design manager, uses her expertise to create a noteworthy text that fashion or textile undergraduate students as well as those who are already employed in the industry can use to jump‐start their careers.

Lending expertise in the fields of public relations, journalism, and styling, Helen Kenny writes three chapters on these areas as they relate to fashion. Case studies are provided for most of the careers to assist the reader in becoming more intimate with the day‐to‐day relations of each profession. London‐based companies are used for related case studies.

The book contains 18 chapters, 16 of which are devoted to specific careers in the industry. The first chapter acknowledges that there is more to fashion careers than designing and retail and that's why this book can be helpful to anyone who is simply unaware of the various means of employment in fashion.

Chapter 2 reviews a career in textile design, which is primarily a liaison between fashion designers and retail buyers and also between fabric technologist and sales executive agents. Textile designers can work in the various areas of fabrication, be it wovens, knits, or prints; these specialists are considered the craftspeople of the fashion trade. A university degree is helpful for this position, specifically due to the scientific background.

Before fashion experts in any capacity can plan for the industries' future, an accurate assessment of color, fabric, and style should be determined. That's where fashion forecasters come in and Chapter 3 describes how these experts make their predictions. The case study for this chapter is on fashion illustrator David Downton, who has worked for The Times and Vogue.

The one career that most fashion students are more than familiar with is fashion design and is showcased in Chapter 4. What is interesting about this chapter is that most anticipate the normalcy of this career choice because of its popularity. However, Goworek clearly illustrates the multiple routes that one may take if interested in pursuing a job in design. Goworek states that a college degree is not necessary, although helpful. Most importantly creativity and an intimate understanding of appropriate fabric selection would contribute to the success of fashion design.

Once the designers create a fabulous design, the pattern cutters transform that idea into a workable three‐dimensional concept that requires precision and accuracy to see what was originally sketched on paper spring into life. Chapter 5 outlines the path of a pattern cutter and offers a case study of Heather Fairhurst, the design development manager for designer Paul Smith.

Chapter 6 describes the importance of determining the best quality fabrics through means of standards. This is primarily the function of a fabric technologist. How can we properly test a fabric? What new manufactured fabrics can be created to better serve the consumer? When it comes to colorants, which technique would be most appropriate? These are just some of the questions that a career in fabric technology would address.

Garment technology describes the skill of assuring quality standards for various samples and garments made for production prior to their launch to retailers. The overall goal is to maintain consistency throughout the line. This employment opportunity was reviewed in Chapter 7. In Chapter 8 Goworek looks at careers in sales and marketing for both textiles and fashion. Carolyn Chapmen, a sales manager for a wholesale fabric collection is one of the case studies in this chapter. Carolyn provides insight to the demands of the job but also the freedom associated with identifying new opportunities that inspire and challenge her.

What is it exactly that a fashion buyer does other than shop? The idea sounds glamorous, but the reality described in Chapter 9 is a little more involved. Two graphically illustrated charts are provided for the buying cycle for branded and designer merchandise and the other for purchasing own‐label merchandise. The charts provide a visual understanding of the constant progression of planning, monitoring, budgeting, and reviewing merchandise for each upcoming season after season after season. A fashion or textile related degree with experience is preferred for this position.

Retail positions are reviewed in the next three chapters, 10, 11, and 12. Chapters 10 and 12 address positions in merchandising: fashion merchandising and visual merchandising. Both chapters describe the importance of the liaison role, specifically with fashion merchandisers because they are responsible for working with a larger number of professionals more so externally as opposed to visual merchandiser whose primary function is to display merchandise within the confines of a retail environment. Chapter 11 reviews the multiple functions of retail management, from overseeing human and fiscal resources to recruiting, training, and ensuring profitability for their store. Although a degree is not required for retail positions, excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills are preferred to succeed.

So what makes a great fashion public relations executive? According to Helen Kenny in Chapter 13, it's the realization that it is all about promoting the client. That means possessing a social flair, being charming, extremely knowledgeable, and passionate about the fashion industry while being patient, diplomatic, and often discreet with the intimate secrets circulating within the rumour mill. Fashion PRs need to posses a flair of enthusiasm in all that they do regardless how difficult it may be. Some college experience or a degree is helpful in this career.

Fashion journalism is one of the most competitive careers in the fashion industry and is outlined in Chapter 14. The intrigue of this career is comprised of a combination of seeing your name in print and the glamour of hobnobbing with celebrities. Whatever the interest, a strong command of the English language is required and a college degree would be helpful.

The fashion stylists are the gurus of fashion. They are the ones who are in the know when it comes to aesthetics, quality, and according to Kenny in Chapter 15 a “creative flair” which are the essential must haves needed to succeed in this career. Mary Fellows, a fashion assistant at Vogue, describes the importance of working well independently as well as with a team, multi‐tasking, and being proactive as just some of the skills needed to succeed as a stylist.

One of the few career options which requires post‐secondary education and preferably a graduate degree with industry experience is a career in fashion or textiles education. Either teaching through higher education or further education, or perhaps taking on a position as an administrator, this position has the most significant influence on developing, shaping and imparting knowledge on the future young fashion and textiles professionals.

If none of these career options were to your liking, and the idea of being your own boss sounds challenging yet intriguing, Chapter 17 can provide you with some helpful advice in entrepreneurship. The final chapter, chapter 18, provides practical tips in searching for the perfect fashion or textiles job. From cover letter to portfolio presentation, job searching will be slightly less intimidating once reviewing this chapter.

Overall, I found this book to be extremely helpful to any fashion or textile enthusiast who realizes that there is more to the industry than design or retail but simply need some insight as to what those positions are what they entail and what they can typically expect. Goworek's Careers in Fashion & Textiles is a must read for guidance counsellors, instructors, or future fashion and textile graduates. I would not want to start my job search without it.