Ruthie Friedlander on Fashion, Career and Eating Disorder

When you see Ruthie Friedlander’s Instagram profile you can immediately associate two words to this woman: strong and confident. I wanted to bring you her story cause she’s such an interesting person in the fashion. The consultant and co-founder of The Chain -an eating-disorder peer support group for women working in fashion and media – told us about her first job in fashion, how she went from social media at Chanel and The Row to becoming Elle’s Deputy Editor, and eating disorder.

1.Hi Ruthie! Could you please introduce yourself to the GO community?

HELLO! My name is Ruthie Friedlander. I’m a cat-owner, hair-bow lover, and consultant. I’m also the co-founder of The Chain, an eating-disorder peer support group for women working in fashion and media. 

2.What did you study?

Computer science and journalism at NYU.

3.Do you think is necessary to study something related to fashion to work in this industry?

Not at all! 

4.What are your tips for those who don’t have a fashion degree and who are looking for their first job in fashion?

Intern, intern, intern. And be INTERESTED. There’s nothing that’s more important than showing you care about the industry you work in. Doing your research on the history of a brand or magazine vs. just being able to speak to what the company has done in the past 5 years is a huge plus. 

5. What was your first job in fashion and what did you do?

I was an intern at Seventeen Magazine! My first paying job in fashion, though, was being the senior editor of a now defunct fashion site, Styleite. 

6. You were Social Media Coordinator at Chanel for 3 years then you worked at The Row as Senior Digital Manager and then you got a job at Elle as Deputy Editor. How did you go from Social Media to becoming an editor?

It’s funny – social media back in the day was more of a catch all for “understands the Internet.” My job at Chanel was more than social media. In fact, the position was in the PR department. But it was the very beginning of luxury brands understanding the need to play in this space, so my role was really to learn how to navigate that space. The change from brand to magazine wasn’t as big a shift as one would think. I’ve always looked at the place I work as a brand — whether it was ELLE the brand or CHANEL the brand. It’s just what you’re working on that’s different and how you market it.

7.What does a Deputy Editor do?

That role is different everywhere! At ELLE.com, when I was there, being deputy editor meant keeping the trains on the track in terms of scheduling content, people getting stories in on time, managing a budget, and, one of my most favorite parts of my job, dealing with the print to digital and sales relationships. 

8.You’re now Self-employed. Can you tell us what do you do and why have you decided to leave a company and go for yourself?

The truth is this wasn’t my own decision. In September, I was laid off from InStyle and very sad. And there are still many things I miss about that job. But I’ve really enjoyed the past 7+ months being self-employed. I’ve been working with a range of fashion/retail brands and helping with digital strategy. For some brands, this means creating an editorial calendar/brand voice. For others, it involves creating an email marketing strategy. And I’ve even done some copy writing, because I love writing. Anything that helps a brand build voice. 

9.You are also the co-founder of @thechain a non-profit network for women in fashion and entertainment struggling with eating disorders. When did you start it, why and what do you do with The chain to support these women?

Christina Grasso and I launched the chain after I completed intensive outpatient treatment about two years ago. The movie To The Bone, had just come out on Netflix, and I wrote a story about it for InStyle.com. Christina reached out and we came up with the idea to start something the first time we met IRL.

10.Do you want to share some advice to prevent eating disorders?

I think preventing eating disorders is a real big hurdle. But I think in general, if we were kinder to each other on social media — in comments, for example — it would be a safer place for being struggling with all sorts of emotional issues.

11. What are your tips for girls who want to start a career in Fashion?

My biggest tip is to think BIG. Fashion doesn’t mean one thing: being an editor doesn’t mean what it once did. So if you love fashion — truly love fashion — be open to things that may not sound as “sexy.” One of the most valuable jobs in the industry right now can be found in unexpected places — like web design or marketing. 

12. What are your 3 favorite pieces you’re wearing to the office at the moment?

My Roxanne Assoulin bracelets, my Neophyte hair clips (instantly upgrades my look) and my Nili Lotan leather trench coat (which makes me feel like a Matrix-superstar).