The first day at work can be stressful for anyone, especially if you work in the fashion industry.
The first impression is really important so usually, the first day is kinda a test not just for you, but for everyone, both your boss and your colleagues.
One of the main roles usually young people get at the beginning of their career in fashion is as Style Office Intern. Usually, fashion brands look for this kind of help so it is likely that your first work in fashion will be an internship in this department.
The style office is a great place to start, especially if you studied fashion design at school. You’ll learn so much about how brands build collections from scratch and if you’re lucky you’ll be able to work closely with the creative director of the brand.
It’s ok to be nervous so with this article I want to share with you some useful pieces of advice to survive to your first day as a style office intern.
1.Choose how to dress by analyzing your work environment
Choosing your first-day outfit seems like a boring thing to do but, as I said, the first impression you’ll make is really important. Let’s see how to prep well.
Choose an outfit that makes you feel confident but make sure to respect the office “dress code”. What do I mean by saying that?
Before getting the job you had the job interview, right? Have you paid attention to the dress code of your interviewer? Was it casual or more formal? And what about the environment? Did it look expensive?
Gaining these pieces of information can be really useful!
Also, I recommend doing some researches about your boss on Linkedin or Instagram, how does he/she dress? Search on Google if they have released any interviews where they revealed some personal information. Anna Wintour for example once said that she doesn’t like people dressed all black at work. This kind of information could really help you to choose the right clothes so dive deep about your company style.
2.Brush up on your fundamentals
If they’ve chosen you among all the other candidates you surely have all the right skills to excel but coming back and brushing up on your basic knowledge could be really a smart move. Before starting your internship take your time and revise all your software skills, like your Photoshop or Indesign ones.
During your internship, you’ll be asked to redesign some dress sketches or to build specific patterns to print on clothes.
Knowing how to do these things quickly will make you a good assistant. Also, you could really help to find new and fresh solutions to the office’s problems. In a style office problems are often solved the same way every time, maybe you could find innovative solutions using your basic knowledge. Don’t just write problem-solving on your CV, act according to what you say.
3.Be curious and ask questions
On your first day you’ll probably feel overwhelmed by the number of tasks they will give you, people there are always working on multiple collections and don’t have time to think about anything else. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t understand everything, give yourself time. While you’re there pay attention to what happens around you, how people talk, how they behave, there are certain things (like computer paper, etc.)?
You need to learn how to move and behave in a new environment. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, this is the first step to become more efficient.
Don’t worry, nobody will think you’re stupid if you ask more than once, it’s your first day and you’re learning. Plus, asking questions will make you stay focused. When you focus your anxiety level decreases, it’s a fact, so win-win.
Working in a style office is complicated, you’ll need multitasking skills and your boss maybe will take for granted lots of things, what I want you to understand is that asking is never wrong. It’s better to ask than doing something wrong and having to fix it later.
4. Think about everything you’ll need on your first day
Prep everything you need in advance and don’t be afraid to bring with you a personal bag with pens, a notebook, a bottle of water and some food. Having them will help you deal with unexpected situations. Maybe your boss needs a pen right away and you can’t find one, if you’ve carried some pens in your purse you’ll be able to accomplish that little task without any worries.
Prevention is the key, think ahead and you’ll be seen as a smart person.
5. Find the right resources
Each workplace has its weaknesses and you’ll learn what they are sooner than you think, your fresh point of view on that could be really useful to the brand you’re working for.Â
Figuring out how you can contribute is your mission as an intern. Make yourself useful! The style office is a difficult environment, everything goes so fast and there are lots of things to do. My main advice is to be as flexible as possible and to develop soft skills like cooperation and problem-solving.
Also, why don’t you rely on some of the Glam Observer’s resources or membership program where we share exclusive and practical tips and behind the scenes secrets of the fashion industry? A good book you should read if you work in a style office is Fashionpedia as I suggested among the books every stylist need to read.
Try to find what could help you in your job: books, videos, podcast (PS the new season of The Glam Observer Podcast is coming soon! Make sure to subscribe on Itunes to get an update on the new episodes 🙂 ) are all amazing resources of knowledge!
Article by Beatrice Mazza
