Hot Tip -- by Susan Gillespie

Want to work in the fashion industry? Before you groan and think, "no retail please," don't forget there are other employment options. The manufacturing side of the fashion industry offers many employment opportunities for those interested and willing to learn. Retail can't be dismissed because it too offers many chances to get in on the ground floor.

Here's an example of someone starting at the bottom and working his way up. One local fashion designer started on the manufacturing side of the industry sweeping floors. He now teachers fashion designing/illustration and operates his own business in Calgary. Not everyone can make this leap, but this story offers proof it can be done.

Besides, entry level employment can lead to careers in sales, marketing and beyond. This is a competitive industry, however, where keeping on top of new trends is essential. Being able to visualize and anticipate new trends is critical to working in the fashion field as well. Here's a look at a few work opportunities in manufacturing and retail and some advice to set a design career plan in action.

Retail

Retail work will provide a good look at the nitty gritty of fashion merchandising and provide excellent business experience. You will learn about sales, managing staff and working with suppliers and customers.

The most common entry-level fashion position is retail/customer service and sales. What do retail employers look for in potential employees? Good communication skills, the ability to work as part of a team to provide customer service, as well as a willingness to learn.

If you are creative, merchandising/display positions may be appealing. These people create the visual clothing (and other product) displays you find in the windows and throughout the stores.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing also provides entry-level opportunities. These could include operating machinery in production (most fashion production is very highly computerized and automated), sewing, and working with embroidery machines (which are usually highly computerized), among others.

These entry-level jobs will provide exposure to the day-to-day operations of the fashion industry, and may lead to long-term opportunities in other positions including marketing, design etc.

If you are interested in fashion design and illustration, a good knowledge of garment construction (sewing!) is essential. Start now! Computer skills are very important as software is used both to design and construct garments. What are the skills design employers look for? Ability to meet deadlines, a good sense of colour, perseverance, historical knowledge of costumes and clothing.

Design

Those serious about fashion design and long-term career potential, should research, research and research! Here you will find job descriptions telling you all about what these jobs are, what skills are needed and what industries employ people in these positions.

Research the fashion industry can also be conducted through web pages such as the Canadian Apparel Federation. This site has general information on the apparel industry, marketing clothing and apparel, as well as training and education. It also contains many useful links to Canadian and American fashion pages.

Once the research is well underway, the next strategy would be to secure entry-level employment in the fashion industry and start learning all you can while making connections with businesses and employers in the field. Maybe you too will move from cleaning the floor to creating fashion on the floor.

(Susan Gillespie is a career counsellor at the Calgary Youth Employment Centre.)