Networking in the Industry

You know the saying “It’s all in who you know”? This might sound so cliché but a lot of times it’s really like that when trying to get into the fashion industry. I know I’ve gotten a few jobs because I may have met a person at a party and we both had something in common and starting chatting up a storm. Heck, I once got a gig working for a magazine because someone remembered that I lived in New Jersey at the time. Don’t get me wrong, the Bachelor’s & Masters degrees are wonderful, but in this industry, sometimes you just have to get in where you fit in. When I went to the Fashion Institute of Technology, I was introduced to a book by Crystal Wright called “The Hair, Makeup & Styling Career Guide”. The book gives lots of insight on becoming a fashion stylist or hair and makeup artist. She even has a website that’s oh so resourceful! It’s www.makeuphairandstyling.com. The website has a forum that allows you to talk to other fashionistas in the making. You can hook up with other makeup artists, hair stylists, or fashion stylists and form a team to build your portfolios.

Speaking of portfolios, Crystal does a workshop twice a year that talks about successfully building your portfolio.
Here’s a little preview of some portfolio Do’s and Don’ts:

Do: Place several promo cards and labels in your book at all times.
Don’t: Chop up your prints to create [what you think is] an artsy presentation.

I find that carrying something with me at all times can be very useful (even if its just my business card). You’d be amazed at some of the places that you can come across an networking anopportunity to discuss your future job!

Until next time…

One should not walk into a room and expect ambiance; One should enter a room and become it.

~Justonee