No matter who you are, keeping up with the ins and outs of the fashion industry can be a full-time job in itself. For example, you might hear about a designer’s amazing creative work for a brand for them only to be ousted and replaced weeks later. Or, you may hear about a namesake label showing in the present day under the name of a designer who passed away years ago –– who knew Coco Chanel was still making couture in 2020? Well, she’s not.
Even the best of editors have confused a Fall versus Spring collection before, it’s nothing to be ashamed about. But, we’ve done our homework on the need-to-know essentials to get you started in the industry. The more you know when starting out, the more prepared you’ll be to become the next great editor, stylist or designer (just to name a few). Think of this as your comprehensive, myth-busting guide to the basics of the fashion world-from us, to you!
The fashion world can seem glamorous yet intimidating. Behind the glitz of Fashion Week runways and magazine covers is a complex, fast-paced industry. For those aspiring to work in fashion, learning the landscape, key players, and how business gets done is critical. You don’t need a fashion degree or industry connections to start gaining valuable insights. With the right strategies and resources, anyone can become informed on this vibrant sector.
In this guide, we will share tips for learning fashion industry basics, researching major companies and publications, following trends and influencers, and exploring potential career paths. Consider this your fashion industry 101 crash course. Let’s get started on the journey to becoming a fashion know-it-all!
Learn Fashion Terminology
Like any industry, fashion has its own unique vocabulary There are terms for garment types, seasonal collections, manufacturing processes, job titles, and more. Start by learning some common fashion words and phrases
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Ready-to-wear – Mass produced clothing collections sold in standard sizes
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Haute couture – Exclusive custom-made designs of high quality
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Runway – Narrow stage where models showcase designs during Fashion Week
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Trunk show – Special event where customers preview and order upcoming collections
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Atelier – Design house workshop where couture, prototypes, and samples are made
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Trend forecasting – Predicting future styles, fabrics, colors, and silhouettes likely to be popular
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Fast fashion – Inexpensive clothing copying catwalk trends to quickly make them available to the masses
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Press kit – Packet of info about collections and designers sent to publications
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Fit model – Person clothes are fit on during production to perfect sizing
There are endless fashion terms to absorb. Learning key vocabulary gives helpful context on how the fashion machine works.
Research Major Fashion Companies
Familiarize yourself with brands leading fashion globally and in your region. Some prominent high-end designer houses include:
- Chanel
- Dior
- Prada
- Louis Vuitton
- Versace
- Gucci
- Armani
- Dolce & Gabbana
On the contemporary side, popular brands include:
- Ralph Lauren
- Michael Kors
- Kate Spade
- Tory Burch
- Coach
- Marc Jacobs
Fast fashion giants known for speed and low costs include H&M, Zara, Uniqlo, and Forever21. Department stores like Saks, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Bloomingdale’s are go-to retailers for designer merchandise. Knowing the positioning, specialty, and audience for major brands provides helpful orientation to the industry landscape.
Get to Know Fashion Publications
Print and online magazines drive fashion dialogue. Following key publications helps you stay on pulse with trends, designers, models, launches, and style guidance. Top publications include:
- Vogue
- Elle
- Harper’s Bazaar
- InStyle
- Marie Claire
- W Magazine
- CR Fashion Book
Publications have distinct flavors. For example, Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar focus on high fashion while InStyle covers mass market trends. Reading different magazines exposes you to various aspects of fashion.
Follow Influencers on Social Media
Models, bloggers, celebrities, and stylists have replaced fashion editors as the new fashion influencers. Follow fashion insiders on Instagram and TikTok to observe trends in real time. Some influential figures to know include:
- Chiara Ferragni
- Alexa Chung
- Aimee Song
- Camila Coelho
- Bryanboy
- Chriselle Lim
- Danielle Bernstein
Observing how influencers style themselves, collaborate with brands, and promote the latest fashions is an education in the business of fashion today.
Attend Industry Events
Look for opportunities in your area to experience the fashion scene live. Attending shows, conferences, pop-ups and exhibits lets you soak in knowledge and culture.
- Fashion Week – Attend shows or events to see collections firsthand
- Industry speakers – Listen to designers, stylists, and executives at speaking engagements
- Pop-up shops – Check limited edition brand activations and collections
- Textile exhibits – Discover fabric trends and innovations
- Garment district tours – Learn about design and manufacturing
Immersing yourself in fashion community events offers exposure you just can’t get online. Introduce yourself to people and make connections.
Learn About Fashion Careers
The fashion business employs people in creative, business operations, technical design, and retail roles. Explore top careers like:
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Fashion designer – Responsible for conceptualizing and directing creation of clothing and accessory collections.
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Fashion stylist – Works with photographers, celebrities, and publications to coordinate outfits, accessories, and props for shoots and events.
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Fashion buyer – Makes purchasing decisions to select merchandise that aligns with a retailer’s brand and customer needs.
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Fashion forecaster – Researches trends, color palettes, and styles likely to resonate in future seasons to inform design and merchandising.
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Fashion journalist – Reports on fashion for publications through articles, interviews, reviews, and multi-media content.
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Visual merchandiser – Designs eye-catching clothing and accessory displays in stores to attract customers.
Understanding the diversity of fashion functions will help you identify where you might fit best. Reach out to people in roles of interest to learn more.
Take Classes
Online courses and college classes offer structured ways to deepen your fashion knowledge. Options range from single classes to certificates to degrees. Topics include design, product development, forecasting, sustainability, public relations, journalism, and more. Benefits include gaining skills, networking, and exploring interests.
Join Professional Organizations
Industry organizations provide education, networking, job boards, and events. Top groups include:
- Fashion Group International (FGI)
- Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)
- National Retail Federation (NRF)
- Costume Society of America
- International Textiles and Apparel Association (ITAA)
Joining groups is a proactive way to make connections and access shared resources. Take advantage of member opportunities.
Read Books About Fashion
memoirs, history books, trend reports, and textbooks. Reading fashion literature builds knowledge on heritage, culture, and inner workings. Some interesting reads include:
“The End of Fashion” by Teri Agins
“In Fashion: From Runway to Retail, Everything You Need to Know to Break Into the Fashion Industry” by Eric Briones
“Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes” by Dana Thomas
“The Battle of Versailles: The Night American Fashion Stumbled into the Spotlight and Made History” by Robin Givhan
Make Fashion Part of Your Routine
Set a goal to engage with fashion content regularly through reading magazines, browsing shops, saving inspiration on Pinterest, or following brands on Instagram. Fashion is always evolving so staying current takes commitment. But learning can be fun when you indulge personal interests – whether that’s vintage tees, nail art, street style, handbags, or all of the above!
Immerse yourself in the fashion ecosystem and soon you’ll start picking up knowledge naturally. Consult this beginner’s guide to discover entry points and tools for unlocking the secrets of the industry. With curiosity and dedication, you can chart a path to success in the fashion world. It all starts with developing a fashion education on your own terms. Happy learning!
Frequency of entities:
fashion: 35
industry: 10
brands: 5
publications: 5
influencer: 4
career: 4
learn: 3
designer: 3
events: 3
clothing: 2
companies: 2
Louboutin or Louis Vuitton?
What’s in a name? Similarities in brand names can be confusing to decipher as a beginner, especially when so many brands exist under the same companies or product categories. Some might rhyme, have similar syllables, or even have the same words in their names. Here’s a quick breakdown: Louboutin is not Louis Vuitton, Pucci is not Gucci, Balenciaga is not Balmain, and Fenty is not Fendi. If you’re unsure of a specific brand’s name or what they’re known for, look them up online to see what products they make or which celebrities they dress. Hearing name mix-ups is often humorous to industry vets since brands with similar names can have vastly different products or aesthetics. Of course, nobody’s perfect; mistakes happen! Just don’t say ‘Versace’ when you mean ‘Valentino’ in front of Anna Wintour.
Glamour is the name of the game.
Glamour isn’t everything in the fashion industry! Though we all wish we could be running between fashion shows and red carpets in six-inch designer stilettos as interns, that’s just not how the industry works. There’s a lot of grunt work, hard tasks and last-minute emergencies that happen to anyone, on any level of the industry, on any given day. PR firms will have seating conflicts for fashion shows, celebrities will argue at parties, and editors will need to coordinate a way to get a dress to set in a seemingly impossible timeframe. Lots of influencers and celebrities borrow clothing from designers or brands for partnerships only to be returned afterward. It might look like lots of editors and influencers are living the glamorous life on Instagram, but know there’s always more than meets the eye when it comes to that perfectly-filtered office #OOTD post.
Fashion School: 16 Ways to Learn Everything About Fashion
How can I learn about the fashion industry?
There are many methods through which you can familiarize yourself with the fashion industry. For instance, you may be able to learn about the fashion industry by conducting your own research, connecting with others in the field, pursuing professional opportunities or through formal education programs.
Why should you learn about fashion?
Learning about the industry, including its trends, best practices, top designers and standards, can help you establish a foundation of knowledge that might allow you to pursue a career in fashion in the future. If you’re interested in learning more about fashion, it may be helpful for you to review a guide .
How do I start a career in fashion?
Establish an online presence via your own website and social media platforms to gain notoriety in the industry and connect easily with others. Learn about the various careers available in fashion and review a step-by-step guide for learning about the fashion industry so you can start your career.
What is the fashion industry like?
The fashion industry is notoriously fast-paced, with trends, technologies, and consumer preferences constantly in flux. Staying informed about industry developments, emerging designers, and global fashion weeks is crucial for anyone looking to make their mark.
