8 Ways to Break into Fashion PR

1) Start Grafting

Malcolm Gladwell’s hit book Outliers touches on the concept of the 10,000 hour rule, which is about spending time working hard to achieve your goals. Fashion PR is of no exception. Alison Lowe, founder of boutique firm Felicities says: “Normally, working hours in an agency are from 10-6pm.” But, extra work means more time is needed. “Sometimes extra hours are necessary for events and shows”, Alison adds.

2) Know your limits

However, it is important to make sure you are not overworked. “You need to ensure that you are not taken advantage of”, Susan Czarny who runs her own firm, says. “From my experience, I’d say 75 per cent is hard work. Hard work is never glamorous”, Sophie Sheikh of pr-eo pr tells vox-popPRcareers.

3) Be enthusiastic

Sophie Sheikh says: “I started pr-eo PR with no training in fashion. It’s all about passion. You can do anything if you’ve got passion.” This passion has translated into success: Sheikh has secured coverage for her clients in publications such as ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar and Tatler.

4) Be a powerful networker

Tierney Fox of Dangling Carrot, a Bristol-based PR firm thinks networking is vital to career success. Fox says: “Superior contacts should form the armoury of a PRs campaigning. Good contacts in any industry will always give you the edge. Though it’s what you do with them that counts!”

5) Look beyond the glamour

Alison Lowe stresses the importance of avoiding being seduced by image. “If a graduate is entering the profession thinking it is glamorous they have made the wrong career choice”, Lowe says. The PR entrepreneur explains: “We work in a glamorous world working with beautiful people and clothes, but at the end of the day we are there to represent the client. We often work in the background and it is hard work, so any glamour attached to it is a bonus”

6) Keep your eye on the prize

“If you really are of that mindset that ‘I want to be MD by tomorrow at 6, put the effort in today at 3”, Sophie Sheikh says. While ambition is regarded, try and avoid being side –tracked. “You are only as good as your last job, whether you are an actor or a fashion PR”,Sheikh advises, who wrote this book on breaking into fashion PR.

7) Have ideas

Susan Czarny suggests that aspiring PRs come with ideas. “One way of showing your worth to the company would be to put together an outline plan with a range of fresh new ideas for promoting the clients”, the PR veteran suggests.

8 ) Sharpen your personal skills

Tierney Fox says: “Fashion PR graduates will require tremendous grit and tenacity if they expect to succeed in the industry.” Fox’s agency has secured coverage for their fashion clients in magazines such as Cosmopolitan and Harper’s Bazaar. “Like any creative profession, competition is fierce and clients expect consistent results, whatever the season”, Fox explains.

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http://www.vox-pop.co.uk/