What's a fashionista wear to an interview?
Oh, the perils of graduation. Although being a student is a stressful undertaking, so is finding a career once you've finished with your studies. Luckily for me, this has been the least of my worries. What has had me in my latest predicament is not obtaining an interview, but rather what to wear to an interview.
Presentation is everything and your choice of clothing will impact the first impression you make no matter what job you are being interviewed for. Go to an interview in an industry that practically bases eligibility on ensemble selection and the pressure to impress increases tenfold.
Wanting to project the image of dazzling wit, genuine professionalism and a style sense that rivals Anna Wintour (which are all qualities I possess and have no problem faking... NOT) I found myself staring at my closet and once again thinking, “I have nothing to wear!” Although friends and family constantly roll their eyes at me when I exasperatedly declare I have a closet full of clothes with nothing to wear, this time I was right.
I have enough jeans to fill a small boutique (or two) and three armoires filled with t-shirts, cardigans and hoodies. This is a fantastic wardrobe for a college student, which was, until quite recently, my driving force of fashion choices. Sadly, the time has come for me to kick my Converse aside (I'll still love you, Chuck Taylors!) and fill some bigger shoes, or rather, taller shoes (preferably those Proenza Schouler platform booties that debuted during New York fashion week). All fantasy shoe shopping sprees aside, what does a girl wear to an interview in the fashion industry?!
After setting up the interview, it was time for me to do some serious research. Firstly, the position in question must be considered. A visual merchandiser must look trendy, slightly pretentious and yet still be able to comfortably dash from their toolbox to being perched precariously eight feet in the air on a ladder. They are, after all, dictating which garments will sell best based on the way the store and displays have been merchandised and they need to dress the trend-commanding part, yet still be able to perform the physically demanding tasks at hand, and trust me, they are physically demanding. (Just TRY dressing a mannequin!). A fashionista who would rather spend her days doing, say, technical design would probably be found in none other than the clothes she herself has helped put into production, or something casual and simple such as an effortless dress or trousers and a belted cardigan.
Fortunately for me, my interview at a fashion magazine was one which has many resources to get outfit ideas for. After watching The Devil Wears Prada and The September Issue for study purposes, I came to the Louboutin and Versace driven conclusion that the key to dressing for success in the fashion magazine industry is luxe labels and the perfect balance between trendiness and timelessness.
Despite my Blockbuster investigations, I once again learned that nothing is like the movies and real life fashion magazine office workers are a bit more casual and a lot less catty (in Toronto, anyway. New York [where the movies take place] may bear more similarities to Hollywood's versions). Sleek denim and interesting tunics and cardigans were more common than fur stoles, but the staple of high heels were still quite evident. Another similarity? The elusive “closet” (read: stock room filled with goods from the shoots and articles ranging from make-up to shoes to garments).
I seriously hope I land the job, partly because it would be a step towards fulfilling my life ambition of becoming an established fashion journalist, but also secretly so I can really know what's in the closet and maybe even get my hands on some of those Chanel quad eye shadow palettes I saw in the October issue.
Presentation is everything and your choice of clothing will impact the first impression you make no matter what job you are being interviewed for. Go to an interview in an industry that practically bases eligibility on ensemble selection and the pressure to impress increases tenfold.
Wanting to project the image of dazzling wit, genuine professionalism and a style sense that rivals Anna Wintour (which are all qualities I possess and have no problem faking... NOT) I found myself staring at my closet and once again thinking, “I have nothing to wear!” Although friends and family constantly roll their eyes at me when I exasperatedly declare I have a closet full of clothes with nothing to wear, this time I was right.
I have enough jeans to fill a small boutique (or two) and three armoires filled with t-shirts, cardigans and hoodies. This is a fantastic wardrobe for a college student, which was, until quite recently, my driving force of fashion choices. Sadly, the time has come for me to kick my Converse aside (I'll still love you, Chuck Taylors!) and fill some bigger shoes, or rather, taller shoes (preferably those Proenza Schouler platform booties that debuted during New York fashion week). All fantasy shoe shopping sprees aside, what does a girl wear to an interview in the fashion industry?!
After setting up the interview, it was time for me to do some serious research. Firstly, the position in question must be considered. A visual merchandiser must look trendy, slightly pretentious and yet still be able to comfortably dash from their toolbox to being perched precariously eight feet in the air on a ladder. They are, after all, dictating which garments will sell best based on the way the store and displays have been merchandised and they need to dress the trend-commanding part, yet still be able to perform the physically demanding tasks at hand, and trust me, they are physically demanding. (Just TRY dressing a mannequin!). A fashionista who would rather spend her days doing, say, technical design would probably be found in none other than the clothes she herself has helped put into production, or something casual and simple such as an effortless dress or trousers and a belted cardigan.
Fortunately for me, my interview at a fashion magazine was one which has many resources to get outfit ideas for. After watching The Devil Wears Prada and The September Issue for study purposes, I came to the Louboutin and Versace driven conclusion that the key to dressing for success in the fashion magazine industry is luxe labels and the perfect balance between trendiness and timelessness.
Despite my Blockbuster investigations, I once again learned that nothing is like the movies and real life fashion magazine office workers are a bit more casual and a lot less catty (in Toronto, anyway. New York [where the movies take place] may bear more similarities to Hollywood's versions). Sleek denim and interesting tunics and cardigans were more common than fur stoles, but the staple of high heels were still quite evident. Another similarity? The elusive “closet” (read: stock room filled with goods from the shoots and articles ranging from make-up to shoes to garments).
I seriously hope I land the job, partly because it would be a step towards fulfilling my life ambition of becoming an established fashion journalist, but also secretly so I can really know what's in the closet and maybe even get my hands on some of those Chanel quad eye shadow palettes I saw in the October issue.
