Fashion Internships :: Vault Career Guide to the Fashion Industry

Seems like this is the week of fashion internships, doesn’t it?  Well, we do what we can to keep you young, up-and-coming fashion interns in the know!

Coming out of the Vault Career Library Series is the, Vault Career Guide to the Fashion Industry by Holly Han. Filled  to the brim with detailed looks at typical days for everyone including buyers, designers, merchandisers and models,  Holly outlines the different resources and training programs available to incoming professionals. Although some readers feel that it is not the best book for those that are already familiar with the industry, I tend to disagree. Overall, it’s a great resource; not only that, it doesn’t sugar coat the industry, it gives it to you straight.  Check out this excerpt, courtesy of vault.com:

"….fashion careers are mercurial: people who thrive within them must be willing to adapt. Those who truly love the field say that the perks-fabulous clothes, exposure to famous people and brands, extraordinary diversity, awareness of upcoming trends, and cool job status-are worth the struggle. Still, fashion is not all glitz and glamour. Even more than talent, an understanding of the industry is what lands the job.

Today, fashion houses, manufacturers, and retailers are expanding, diversifying, and taking advantage of new technology. Those that don’t will not survive easily. Even though the fashion industry is difficult to break into, opportunities abound in the industry - from creative jobs in design and marketing; to retail sales and buying positions; to corporate careers in finance, planning, and distribution……insiders from all over the fashion world say that their jobs are high on stress and low on pay. Moreover, insiders conclude, people are often judged as much on looks as on performance. With its rigorous hours, capricious culture, and unsteady corporate ladder, the fashion industry certainly isn’t for everybody."

And rest assured that the information you’re getting is good.  Miss Han has over nine years of experience in the apparel and textile industries and has developed product and designed textiles for companies such as Express, J.C. Penney, and Macy’s. She holds degrees from the University of California at Berkeley and the Fashion Institute of Technology and is currently Chief Operating Officer of SmartWear, a company that is developing a new class of patented smart textiles and partially funded by the National Institute of Health. 

If you’re looking at fashion internships, you should get a copy of this book to add to your resource library.  Remember, one can never have too much information!!