So you’ve just completed your fashion degree and are wondering what next. We caught up with Vickie Keeble, Women’s Style Director at Matches Fashion, and she let us know what you need to progress in your fashion career.
I wanted to be a fashion designer since I was 10 years old! I clearly remember the day I started drawing clothes designs. Everything from then on was geared towards being a fashion designer. I completed art and fashion GCSE’S, a BTEC and then my Fashion Design degree. I realised during my degree course that I didn’t want to be a designer anymore, I still wanted to work in fashion but I had no idea that there was any such job as a stylist! After a career break ,travelling the world as an Air Hostess, I returned to a career in fashion via work experience at ELLE magazine.
I think there has been several! The big one was going from being a fashion intern to a fully paid fashion assistant for ELLE Girl magazine. The fantastic Editor at the time, Sarah Bailey ( now at Red magazine) believed in me and guided my career. Everyone should be generous in mentoring and giving time to people starting out.
Everyday is different! As I oversee the fashion aesthetic across all channels my day can include, spending time in the photo studio directing the styling team in there, signing off product for the weekly issue, mood boarding ideas for shoots, meeting photographers and agencies and attending sales meeting for the business. I love the variation of my role and the mix of departments I work with.
I think a clear, honest CV that is on one page. In an interview I look out for a warm, positive personality and a candidate that is happy to try their hand to anything. You can spend years doing certain tasks in a role that you don’t like but it’s important to always give 100% and not to moan!
Flexibility to keep changing and growing (as fashion does), an ability to talk (and listen) to anyone. It sounds a cliché but it’s important to have a huge love and passion for fashion! Long hours and little pay at the beginning is hard and a focus and passion keeps you going!
Positivity, focus and keep going! We spend a lot of time at work and it’s important to love your job, be gracious and lovely and work hard!
Adding to this Vickie also made one important point for those looking to progress in their fashion careers:
I think my degree (Fashion Design) opened doors, but actual on the job work experience was more beneficial to my career progression.
So on that note we recommend you try to get as much experience when you can where you can.
