Fashion writing or fashion journalism is not very different from other categories of writing, but what makes it enticing is that it delves into the upbeat industry of fashion. If you have a flair for writing and a love for fashion, you might want to explore this field. If this sounds like a potential career option to you, read on to learn all about how to become a fashion writer.
Who Is A Fashion Writer And What They Do
As we all know (and have seen on the internet and in our wardrobes), the fashion industry is ever-evolving and can be tough to keep up with. That’s where a fashion writer comes in! A fashion writer’s job involves doing research and writing about the latest fashion trends, as well as reporting news related to fashion to keep the public updated. They attend fashion shows and foster connections with designers, stylists, and fashion photographers to stay up to date on the new developments in the fashion industry.
Fashion writers majorly work for magazines, tabloids, online media, and newspapers. Below are the types of job roles a fashion writer can take up.
- Fashion writer
- Fashion blogger
- Fashion reporter
- Fashion critic
- Editor
How To Become A Fashion Writer
Now that you know more about fashion writers and what they do, let’s get into how you can become one.
Get A Degree Or Certification
There is no compulsion to have a degree to become a fashion writer (or any kind of writer for that matter). However, a degree in mass communication, journalism, or literature can make your journey to becoming a fashion writer much easier as it will equip you with the necessary skill set so you’re ready to enter the real world as soon as you graduate.
But if getting a degree is not an option for you, then enrolling yourself in a short-term certification course will be equally helpful. You can also freelance, build your portfolio, and get as much work experience as you can.
Here are a few online certification courses that you can take up.
- Fashion blogging by Udemy
- How to be a journalist – The Complete Guide to Journalism by Udemy
- Multimedia journalism by Udemy
- English for journalists by EDx
- Become a journalist: report the news by Coursera
Do Internships
Internships are a great way to cultivate workplace skills and know what a career in a certain field will look like. An internship provides you with exposure to the real world and also allows you to make connections with working professionals who can help you in the future. If you want to become a fashion writer, you should start by looking for internships in newspapers, magazine publications, online media, and publishing houses. Finding an internship in these organisations won’t be too difficult as they are always looking for interns; if you perform well, it might even lead to a full-time position. These internships will add to your resume and portfolio and will increase your chances of getting a job.
Make A Strong Portfolio
For a creative field such as writing, a resume alone isn’t going to be enough to get a job. What you’ll need is a portfolio.
A portfolio is a document that contains proof of all the work you have done so far as a writer, in the form of published articles, blogs, short stories, etc. So be sure to build a strong portfolio that showcases your work and also portrays your artistic personality as a writer.
To know more about how you can create your writing portfolio, you can read our detailed blog here.
Build A Network
Networking plays a vital role in your professional life and should be an important part of your job search. Through networking, you can connect and engage with like-minded people working in the industry of your interest. You can try connecting with fashion writers, critics, or bloggers and ask them for referrals and advice; this will help you discover opportunities suited to your skills.
LinkedIn is one of the best social media platforms dedicated to professional networking. If you’re interested in learning more about LinkedIn networking, you might find the video posted below helpful.
The above-mentioned steps will help you kick-start your career in fashion writing. As a bonus, here are a few desirable fashion writer skills that you can start brushing up on right now!
Skills Required To Become A Fashion Journalist Or Writer
Good Communication Skills
Good communication is one of the most important skills in a writer’s arsenal. So, if you want to become a fashion writer, you should start honing your written and verbal communication skills as early as you can. As a fashion writer, you will be working on pieces that are related to apparel and accessories ﹘ both of which are highly visual objects ﹘ so you must be able to communicate your ideas effectively to a larger audience.
Knowledge Of The Industry
Having a good working knowledge of the industry you want to work in is important, especially in fashion. As a fashion writer, you should be aware of everything that is happening in the industry. This will not only help you do your job better but will also come in handy during your interview.
So go on, subscribe to all the major fashion magazines, and get reading!
Social Skills
A fashion journalist or writer’s job isn’t just about conducting research and writing about topics; their responsibilities also include interviewing fashion industry experts such as designers, stylists, models, and photographers. As a fashion writer, you’ll be talking to people and asking them a lot of questions and sometimes interviews can last for hours. To do this you need to have great social skills to make sure you create a safe and comfortable environment for your interviewees.
Adaptability
In today’s world, journalism is not limited to print publications; it has moved to digital platforms and has taken many forms. To keep up, you have to show adaptability and be comfortable with multi-platform writing. Adaptability is a desirable skill for recruiters and can increase your chances of becoming a fashion writer.
And that’s it! With all this information, you’re all set to start your career journey in the fashion industry. Good Luck!
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