Hello, Darlings!
Welcome back, and welcome to another blog from the Future of Fashion, a place where we can magically impact the future of fashion, beauty and creativity for all living creatures.
Recently, I’ve spent time with the new generation of graduates and undergrads discussing their futures, dreams and aspirations. What came up so often, were the challenges as a future designer or business person in sustainability. How difficult it is to be noticed; to get the first job opportunity (many of which have to be unpaid). They asked how to really establish themselves in the fashion industry. They’ve worked so hard to gain a qualification, and now it seems harder to move forward.
If I look back at my own journey through education to a successful career in fashion, I also remember those worrying and somewhat faithless days. So in this blog, we will explore what I wish my fashion fairy godmother could have done for me, and how to nurture the aspiring designers of the future. So let’s dig in and have some fun.
The fashion industry currently stands at a transformative crossroads as environmental concerns, increasingly grow the demand for sustainable practices. To grow with them, emerging designers and designers for the future, hold the power to shape a new era of conscious fashion, driven by social and environmental innovation and responsibility.
As a sustainable designer or brand creator, there are many pathways to the future of fashion. Let’s say you have completed a fashion degree with knowledge in sustainability and see the ways the industry needs to transform, ask the critical question “How can I do that?”. The future of fashion is a holistic one, where designers require more skills than creativity and design ability. Those additional skills and knowledge include materials knowledge, human rights compliance, circularity, green energy, water, and waste - to name a few.
ADD TO YOUR SKILLS: To make yourself valuable for brands (or ultimately for yourself), ask this question and take an inventory of your current knowledge and ability. Where are the gaps, and what can you do to fill them? Now, we have access to many digital courses, YouTube educators, industry experts and communities to educate us in profoundly valuable ways. Sign up for industry-leading magazines such as Teen Vogue.
And remember - we have a Free Fashionable Futures Community on SKOOL, which you can Join here. This is where you have access to endless valuable education and an amazing group of people.
MODEL ON OTHERS: Glean inspiration from trailblazers in sustainable fashion, discover how they have combined creativity with eco-innovation and make their visions a reality. These can include smaller craft-related brands right up to the likes of Gabriella Hearst and Stella McCartney, look at how they made their way to success and find your own path to model them.
COMMUNITIES: As we spoke about earlier, there are many digital communities for sustainable fashion. In most cities, there are also physical communities, including NGOs and Charities, where you can gather information and network with valuable people in the industry. The Fashionable Futures Skool community provides access to a community from all over the world with sustainable brands, founders, designers, marketers suppliers, and innovators. The information and network available to you within this community is extremely invaluable.
COLLABORATIONS: Connect with some like-minded designers or brands and look at ways to innovate a product or service. If you’re a designer, offer your services to an existing sustainable brand in an innovative way. One that will benefit both of you to create a product or service which has real value in the industry in a new and sustainable way. You have no idea where this could lead to. It gives you an opportunity to make profound connections, gain credibility, and learn valuable lessons endorsed by somebody already established. It’s also a great way to have some fun through collaboration.
EXPERT VOICE: establish yourself as an expert in the industry or a key opinion leader. You could start a YouTube channel, or Instagram account or be active on LinkedIn (as I do). Certainly, you will have to learn more and more things as you move through the process of gaining credibility and building your audience. From this, the opportunities for the future are endless. You can also collaborate with other creators on social media platforms. You could create a course that you sell, build your own community, and really contribute to the future of fashion in your own unique way.
On a personal note, I remember this time. I started a brand as a new graduate. It was very difficult, and I felt very isolated. I didn’t know where I could sell. I received so many “nos” and “are you crazy” comments. But I persisted and kept being true to what I believed was important for me and my journey. One of the biggest lessons I learned, was to connect with others, especially when it felt uncomfortable. To go beyond your limitations, to explore the world is an adventurous journey. Whilst you can do a lot of things at home in your room, the world is an exciting place filled with extraordinary people and ideas. So let’s make this future of fashion exactly that adventurous, exciting and fulfilling for all.
In summary, it may seem daunting to start a career as a new graduate or student. So much to face, so much uncertainty, and yet so much opportunity. Let’s transform the future of fashion together. Review the insights in this newsletter and take your next critical steps on your journey to the future of the industry. We are all stewards of tomorrow’s fashion landscape. Let’s make it a fulfilling and caring future.
As always, have fun, love life, and enjoy fashion.
Kate xx