Plan and supervise the content of fashion publicationsThis glamorous career is really a lot of hard workFashion sense and a love of writing are mandatoryA degree and experience in fashion publishing are required for this
senior post
Fashion editors have to keep abreast of trends. If a color or fabric
is going to be the next big thing, fashion editors will be the first to know.
The career of a fashion editor seems glamorous -- flying to fashion shows
in Milan and Paris and rubbing shoulders with the stars. The reality is somewhat
different, however.
Sure, there are trips. But they can be exhausting affairs with editors
scrambling to get the best stories and pictures for their publication.
Lisa Tant is a beauty and fashion editor. "People have to remember that
this is a business and not a fun way to get free clothes," she says. "If you're
in it for the glamour, that wears thin fast and you won't last long."
Fashion editors work at a variety of publications, including magazines,
newspapers and internet publications. They also produce television programs
about fashion. They may work for large publishing corporations or radio and
television stations. Some are self-employed.
The typical day for a fashion editor involves spending hours on the phone
with staff or freelance writers. They also meet with photographers and advertisers
to make sure everyone produces the material needed for the upcoming issue.
Fashion editors are the people who decide what their publication is like.
They determine the content by selecting and preparing stories and pictures
for publication. They set the tone for the magazine by determining editorial
policy.
Fashion editors plan the content of a publication and supervise its overall
preparation. They manage staff, handle correspondence, edit the work of writers,
hire photographers and stylists and plan budgets.
Some well-known fashion editors write their own columns in which they analyze
the latest fashion designs, news and personalities. Most fashion editors have
a background or education in the fashion industry in addition to their writing
and editorial training.
Most fashion editors spend their days in an office. That can be a busy
and hectic place. The search for the hottest fashion trends and personalities
may also take them on the road to factories, offices or fashion show runways.
Fashion editors usually must work overtime to meet deadlines or to cover
late-developing stories.
This is a competitive field and some patience may be required to stick
out the first few years.
"Is it easy? No. The fashion industry is intensely competitive and it can
be very frustrating to get your foot in the door," says Tant. "But it's ultimately
exhilarating."
Potential fashion editors need a thorough knowledge of the fashion industry,
including design, trends, marketing and advertising, and merchandising.
As you can see, a fashion editor needs many skills. What's the most important?
"Knowledge of all aspects of the industry. Staying updated on news and trends,"
says Lawrence Thompson. He is the former fashion editor for the Fashion Institute
of Technology newspaper.
"I'm on my feet all day. Also, people skills are a MUST."
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), writers and editors
held 341,000 jobs in 1998. But only a small number of them specialized in
fashion.
Nearly a third of salaried editors work for newspapers, magazines and book
publishers, says the OOH. Major magazines, broadcasting companies and advertising
agencies are concentrated in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Philadelphia,
San Francisco and Washington.
This is a competitive field. Job opportunities are expected to increase
faster than average through 2008, reports the OOH.
Christopher Saunders is the assistant to the style department at a newspaper.
He says there is certainly room for growth in the field. "If [you] look at
different periodicals [and] different fashion magazines...you'll see that
there's definitely room for growth," he says.
He adds that the outlook is especially good for those who pursue this career
with vigor. "If you put your mind to it, you never know what you can do!"
Beginning salaries in the field averaged around $36,480 a year in 1998,
reports the OOH. The highest paid took home more than $76,660. The lowest
paid took home less than $20,920.
Salaries vary, says Saunders, "depending on which periodical you're with."
Regarding the top figure of $76,660, Saunders says, "Here, I think that's
a pretty accurate figure."
RegionAverage Annual EarningsAverage Hourly EarningsU.S. National$75,260$36.18RegionOutlook2023 Workforce2023 to 2033 Growth RateU.S. NationalDecreasing114,200-2%
An editor generally needs a college or university degree. Although some
employers look for a broad liberal arts background, most prefer degrees in
communications, journalism or English. A degree in fashion design or fashion
merchandising will help.
A well-rounded background also helps. Former fashion editor Lawrence Thompson
has studied psychology and marketing, and has a degree in advertising and
communications.
Fashion editor Lisa Tant's background helped her to get where she wanted
to go. "I found that my background of writing, business sense and style helped
my career speed along," she says.
Those with good writing skills and a love of fashion may be able to get
into the career by starting as a research assistant, editorial assistant or
trainee.
Those in the field tell young people to get whatever experience they can.
Working at high school and college newspapers and literary magazines, as well
as radio and television stations, can provide valuable practical experience.
Many magazines, newspapers and broadcast stations have internships for
students.
"Work for free. Just because it is a job doesn't mean you have to get paid.
Experience is of the utmost importance. Get it however you can," says Thompson.
Christopher Saunders is the assistant to the style department at a newspaper.
He says to start gathering resources and creating contacts as early as high
school.
"Get in contact with different magazines, people that might be in the industry.
Talk, make phone calls, fax, try to get some samples of different periodicals
that come out and start to create a library," he says.
"You've got to go in there and do it because you never know who you might
run into that might be receptive to your ideas -- and that's how things are
made."
Here's one example of a school offering related training:
State University of New York
Fashion Institute of Technology
Seventh Ave. at 27 St.
New York
,
NY
10001-5992
USA
Internet
:
http://www.fitnyc.suny.edu/
Associations
American Society of Magazine Editors
Internet
:
https://www.asme.media/
Links
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
The OEWS has labor market data on over 700 careers
Fashion Group International
A nonprofit organization for industry professionals, with articles
and job postings
Women's Wear Daily
Read the headlines from top fashion publications, with classifieds
and news on trade shows