7 things you can do in December to prepare yourself for the fashion industry

At Glam Observer we are definitely in the Christmas mood. Christmas is my favorite time of the year so I am excited about this season. 

While you are filling out your calendar with Christmas movies to watch, decorating the house, buying Christmas presents and baking cookies, there are some fashion activities you can throw into the mix so that you end the year feeling both relaxed, and entertained but also productive. In this article, we bring you 7 things you can do in December to prepare yourself for the fashion industry.

7 things you can do in December to prepare yourself for the fashion industry

1. Keep applying for fashion jobs and internships

Feeling like postponing your fashion job search to next year? Think again. While it may be tempting to put all your plans on hold, this is NOT yet the time to do it. Many fashion companies hire in December both for jobs and internships that start now ( I started my first internship on Dec 13th!), but also to fill the positions that will begin in 2024, so they hire either last minute or in advance. So you can still apply before Christmas day. 

It’s worth giving everything you’ve got until Christmas so that after you will be able to enjoy your holiday break until January. Imagine how relieved and proud you will feel if you know that you were productive. Also, if you’ve applied to Vogue, Dior, Gucci…or, what’s more, – that you landed your dream position that will start either in December or in 2024.

My recommendation regarding applying for fashion jobs and internships in December? Do not follow up if you don’t hear back during Christmas week (the one that goes from Christmas day until the new year). Wait till the first days of January when you can also go back to applying!

2. Reflect on your fashion goals: what’s your place in fashion?

Many people come to me asking for help to land a job in fashion. I notice that 70% of you just say: I want to work in fashion, what should I do? So, I always say that I want to work in fashion says everything and nothing. Fashion is made up of so many possibilities. To use the right application strategies, you have to be specific about the role you want to get in fashion. I want to become a buyer, a writer, a stylist, a designer… And it’s not just when you message me to ask for advice 😉 it’s for yourself! 

Each career has a specific set of strategies that it’s better to implement to break into that department. An example? People who aspire to become stylists tell me that it’s very rare to find styling jobs or internships online. And that’s true! The best way to land a styling internship is by reaching out to some stylists. So if you are not clear about the role, you are also missing the right pieces of the puzzle to look for jobs and internships the right way.  

Reflect on your goals

Take December to reflect on your fashion career goals. If you haven’t figured out your dream role yet, then now is the perfect time to inform yourself about the different fashion careers out there. 

We wrote about different roles such as art directors, buyers, stylists, marketing, PR, communication, event production, and other jobs if you need some guidance. It’s okay to be undecided between several jobs. However, you should set a starting point. Have an idea of the direction in which you would like to go. At least know if you are more interested in a creative or a business-oriented career. 

If you want to get more into understanding what job is made for you, inside Module 1 of my course Break into the fashion industry I’ll guide you through some fun exercises to help you understand what’s best for you and what type of opportunities the industry offers. You can learn more about the course and enroll via this link.

3. List your favorite fashion companies

After your ideal role, you also have to think about the companies and/or fashion professionals you’d like to work with. Working at Chanel or Dior is your ultimate dream, or do you prefer to work at small labels? Or maybe you want to assist independent designers or stylists? Creating lists is something nice and fun to do during a cozy December day at home. Especially when there is a holiday spirit and you feel like dreaming about how your life would look like if you were working in the fashion industry. 

Something important when choosing what companies you want to work for is to consider where you want to work. While having a fashion company nearby would be ideal, many professionals often have to relocate to kickstart their careers. I personally experienced this when I moved from southern Italy to Milan to embark on my fashion journey.

Although leaving behind family and friends is challenging, it’s essential to consider the geographical aspect of pursuing your dream job. This decision ties back to your aspirations and ambition, prompting reflection on what you truly want in life. Planning to relocate might also involve learning a new language which you could start doing or perfecting this month. 

4. Work on some fashion projects to refresh your resume, cover letter, and portfolio. 

Do you already have your resume, cover letter, and portfolio? Maybe you’ll spend this time writing your first ones.

Or if you have been applying for fashion jobs or internships already but you are not getting results, maybe your documents need a refresh? This is the perfect time to do so.

Eleonora (a student of my courses), told me she’s going to spend her Christmas holidays working on the projects that I assign to my students in the course Break into the fashion industry. I assign students these projects so they can build up their portfolios. Also, I assign these hands-on fashion scenarios and start thinking as fashion professionals while developing their skills. 

This includes things such as doing a competitor analysis if they wish to work in marketing. Also, designing a collection if they want to become designers, or writing a press release if they want to work in PR and communication. I assign them different projects that span across different careers. These include design, marketing, PR, buying, merchandising, writing, styling, and more. So, they can decide on the project that better aligns with their careers or challenge themselves with all of them to develop cross-skills.

There is also a fun one where I ask them to prepare a presentation about their favorite fashion brand and a challenge to create an Instagram profile where they talk about fashion. In December you might have more free time so it’s the perfect moment to go all in into these types of projects and therefore have a brand new portfolio to send to companies in 2024. If you want guidance and join a community of fellow fashion enthusiasts who are working on these projects, check out the Break into the Fashion Industry course. 

5. Learn a new skill

December provides an ideal window for skill enhancement. Start with your ideal role in mind to identify key skills you can develop. Not all the skills are the same across all fashion jobs. For example, an aspiring designer might want to extend your design skills or learn pattern-making. If you are an aspiring fashion journalist, you might want to develop your writing skills.

If you are looking for some skills that are generically great across all the industry then learn Microsoft Excel. I was personally tested on Excel during my job interview for Alexander McQueen and it wasn’t just me. Excel if you have already noticed, is listed in 90% of fashion jobs and internships as an essential requirement. The best way to acquire new skills from home? Online resources! You can read books, watch YouTube videos, or take online courses (so you also have a certification to add to your resume/LinkedIn profile). If you want to become more qualified for your dream roles in fashion, check out the Excel for fashion course or register for this free webinar. 

6. Update your social media presence

I often notice many social media profiles of fashion enthusiasts who want to get a job in fashion not only lack personal branding but make some big mistakes can could hurt their applications. Recruiters nowadays go online to check your profiles and see if you align with the brand’s codes when they receive your application. So take December to polish your Instagram and LinkedIn profiles. 

While your Instagram profile doesn’t have to show your outfits only because you want to work in fashion (and recruiters don’t expect you to wear designer pieces to get a job at their brand), still having a simple but yet “normal” profile makes the difference in your applications.

Yes, you can still post photos of your dog, travels, and what you eat! Pay attention to the handle you use, and your Instagram bio, and avoid sharing photos that may be deemed unprofessional or inappropriate for the industry. Delete the unnecessary. Having a simple profile is already a great start but if you want to you can also use Instagram to build your personal branding and showcase your skills and passion for this industry. 

LinkedIn is a powerful platform for professional networking.  Use this month to review and update your LinkedIn profile. Ensure that your work experience, skills, and education details are accurate and comprehensive. 

7. Learn about the fashion industry 

Taking a break during the holidays to relax doesn’t mean you can’t learn something new at the same time. Staying updated about what’s going on in the fashion industry and cultivating your knowledge is crucial. Recruiters could ask you what caught your attention recently in the fashion industry, and what you have learned, watched, or read that you would like to share with them. So this way you will have an answer and prove that you are a person who always stays informed.

Read articles on platforms like Women’s Wear Daily, Business of Fashion, and Glam Observer 😉 Every Friday, we send a newsletter with the latest fashion news so you can stay posted about what’s happening in the industry. 

Watch fashion documentaries, read books, and attend fashion exhibitions. During Christmas, you might find yourself spending more time cozy at home so you can alternate your favorite Christmas movies and novels with some fashion documentaries and fashion books. Many of them are available on platforms such as Netflix or Amazon Prime, so make yourself a cup of hot chocolate, grab a blanket, and get inspired by the career path of iconic fashion personalities and brands. If you live in New York, London, Paris, or Milan, or planning to visit them during the holidays, you can check out the ongoing exhibitions and attend some if you have the opportunity. 

And again you can take some online fashion courses to learn about fashion. 

Imagine the fulfillment of your fashion career aspirations as a result of the efforts you invest in December. Envision yourself stepping into the offices of your dream fashion companies, contributing to new collections, participating in Vogue photoshoots, attending showroom appointments as a Dior Buyer, organizing fashion shows, and writing for your favorite magazines. Your career dreams are not just aspirations; they can materialize.

If you’ve been yearning to live the fashion life you’ve long dreamed of but feel unprepared, seek guidance by enrolling in our online fashion courses today.

Happy holiday season!