Welcome on Glam Observer,the pioneering fashion career advice platform.
My name is Giada Graziano and I am the founder, fashion educator and mentor(plus a fashion enthusiast just like you!)
Since 2014, when Glam Observer was founded, I’ve mentored over 3,000 fashion enthusiasts from all over the world helping them land a job in fashion.
I worked in the fashion industry at Alexander McQueen, Yoox-Net-A-Porter and Kering before becoming a fashion educator. The way I broke into fashion wasn’t a typical one.The unconventional strategy that originally guided my entry into the fashion industry has evolved into a proven framework. Thousands of fashion enthusiasts have successfully embraced this method, securing positions at esteemed institutions like Vogue and LVMH, showcasing its effectiveness and reliability. Today, I am excited to share this tried-and-true approach with you on your journey to a thriving career in fashion.
In 2018, I established the Glam Observer Fashion Academy, offering a range of fashion courses designed to equip you with the skills needed to navigate the complex world of fashion successfully.
Being recognized as a fashion career expert, Forbes honored me in 2020 by including me in their prestigious under 30 list.
Understanding the frustration, struggles, and feelings of inadequacy in the industry, my mission is to convey that with the right unconventional approach, breaking into fashion is attainable, even without a fashion background or prior experience.
How I started Glam Observer and Why
As I approached the completion of my Management Engineering degree at a regular, less renowned university in South Italy (my hometown), I began contemplating my career path more seriously. It became evident that my passion lay in the world of fashion, and I couldn’t envision myself anywhere else.
I had zero experience in fashion, zero connections, I was not living in a fashion capital (my hometown is a small city in South Italy where fashion doesn’t exist)and as you can probably tell, my bachelor’s degree was utterly unrelated to fashion. I felt a complete outsider.
While researching how to break into the fashion industry online, I encountered a lack of information. So I didn’t have a precise idea about which roles could have been made for me or how I could enter this industry coming from a totally different background. I only knew I didn’t want to become a designer, nor a stylist… I wanted to work in the management side of the industry. Hence the initial idea of Glam Observer.
Following graduation, I made the pivotal decision to relocate to Milan to pursue my passion for fashion. Though leaving my family and friends wasn’t easy, I recognized that great achievements rarely come without challenges. Stepping out of my comfort zone was necessary for personal growth and the pursuit of my goals.
I opted to pursue a master’s in luxury and fashion management.
Even before completing the program, I secured an internship in the e-commerce department at Alexander McQueen, marking my entry into the fashion world.
Simultaneously, I initiated Glam Observer as a side project, aiming to create a platform to assist fellow fashion enthusiasts in breaking into the industry. Drawing from my experiences, I understood the frustration and isolation that often accompany the journey in fashion, and I was determined to alleviate those challenges. Consequently, I started sharing career tips and insights as a fashion insider, providing assistance to many students and recent graduates.
At a certain point, it became clear that mentoring and teaching about fashion was my true calling. Following work experiences at Alexander McQueen, Yoox-Net-A-Porter, and Kering, I made the bold decision to quit my job and dedicate myself full-time to Glam Observer.
So I totally feel you. I know what it feels like to want to be part of the fashion industry and feel intimidated or even not qualified to be part of it. I grew up thinking that a fashion degree was essential to work in this industry, that fashion was only reserved for people who had connections. I was discouraged at the beginning but I didn’t give up. I reinvented my job application strategies to stand out and I made it. I landed my first fashion internship at Alexander McQueen in just one month.The unconventional strategy that originally guided my entry into the fashion industry has evolved into a proven framework. Thousands of fashion enthusiasts have successfully embraced this method, securing positions at esteemed institutions like Vogue and LVMH, showcasing its effectiveness and reliability.
Today Glam Observer is the benchmark for anyone who wants to start a career in fashion and my job as a fashion educator is to help you land the job of your dreams. With my online courses, I’ve helped 3,000 people from all over the world break into fashion. You deserve a job in fashion, you are enough to get it. You just need the right strategies. But luckily you’re in the right place now. Let’s do this!
What they say:
It’s wonderful what you do! Well done, lady! Keep on!
Laura Brown Instyle Magazine Editor-in-chief