Dwijendra Kumar
- Read fashion related contents being written about in plenty in newspapers, magazines and on news websites as well as social media platforms.
- Attend fashion related events including fashion shows, exhibitions of dresses and garments, visit boutiques, shopping malls, fashion related institutions such as National Institute of Fashion Technology, Ministry of Textile, Government of India which has got branches across the country as also Footwear Design and Development Institute and National Institute of Design, both under Ministry of Commerce and Industry, having study centres in various parts of the country etc.
- Write a blog and express your views through it. When you mention in the biodata about the blog, it carries weightage and concerned Editor/HR professional would like to have a look at your writeups to have an idea about your caliber and talent. And if they get impressed, a job opportunity may land in your kitty easily.
- Work with a trade magazine or B2B magazine in the field to get to the bottom of what you want to highlight in your writings. Experience there would provide depth to your write-ups.
- Keep yourself updated regarding trends in vogue. Read about what was there in the past and acquaint yourself with what is in store for the fashion lovers.
- Work as intern with a fashion and lifestyle publication, a trade magazine concerning the fashion and lifestyle industry or with a noted designer or a garment manufacturing company. Experience there would enrich your profile when you apply for a full time job with a fashion publication.
- Take a formal diploma in Journalism or Fashion Design from a reputed institution.
- Always have a list of fashion and related trade publications readily available with you. Keep a tab on vacancies appearing in them.
- Work on your own appearance. Try to look good as you shall be dealing with people in the most glamorous field.
- Be soft spoken. People in creative fields are basically mild natured and sensitive. They would like to open up themselves with one having similar nature and personality traits.
- Keep updating list of contacts developed in the field. As per demand of the assignment you would need to get in touch with them for inputs or comments to give credence and objectivity to your write-ups. Comments from the concerned add vigour to your story.
- Do start your career as a freelance writer. If possible discuss with the editorial team of the publication house before you begin work on a story.
- Make a portfolio of your published write-ups.
- Do work on technical aspects and related software required to prepare a writeup and to send it.
- Always give credit to the concerned for the pictures being used in the write-ups.
- Have a thorough look at the writeup before you send it for publication. Edit it to make it precise, interesting and thought provoking. Take the prints and proof read it to make it appear error free.
- Share your write-ups on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, to get noticed and develop links in the industry.
- Do prepare yourself for multiple roles in the fashion publication industry. You may be asked to create content for a television channel or a popular vlog. May have to interview a noted personality in the field on camera also.
- Have an alternative career in mind also such as those relating to styling, public relations, image consultancy etc. Their knowledge of the trends and writing style besides exposure to the best in the fashion industry make them suitable for innumerable roles in promotion or business of fashion.
- Know the target readers, do research on their likes and preferences. If publication is focused on contents for women readers, do write keeping only women in mind. If it is B2B publication, your writeup must be informative and should have something new to talk about the related industry. If the target readers are the general people, any topic which may be of interest to them would hold the key to their hearts.
(Dwijendra Kumar writes on fashion and lifestyle issues and has authored books on fashion design & textiles. Views are personal)
