A temporary job could be your ticket inside the exclusive event, but how do you find one — and is it worth it?
"Working in fashion seems so glamorous," Carstens says. "Students typically underestimate the level of commitment and grit it requires to be successful." One quick PSA? It always sounds prettier than it is.
Assisting PR agencies and volunteering backstage at fashion shows are not the only opportunities that arise during this season, though. Aspiring professionals looking to get some hands-on experience front-of-house can work with busy attendees like stylists, editors and even influencers., a content creator, art director, and creative producer, often hires paid assistants to help him during fashion week.
It's worth noting, though, that most of these opportunities are location-specific, as they're limited to the cities in which fashion weeks happen. Even though the pandemic has made industries like fashionSome remote opportunities for those individuals who have previously interned with a company or brand have emerged," Carstens mentions, adding that there is an openness to continuing working with interns at a remote capacity since they are already vetted and trained.
It is worth mentioning that New York is not the only city that hosts a fashion week in the United States. From Los Angeles to Nashville to Atlanta, many cities host seasonal fashion events, so if you can't make it to NYC, there may still be worthwhile opportunities to get hands-on experience and build your resumé locally.
Volunteering or assisting seasonally is not for everyone, though. Many of these opportunities tend to be unpaid and oriented towards students and young aspiring professionals who have the freedom to adapt to the inconsistency of the schedule. Plus, they're not advantageous for everyone.