How to stay involved with the fashion industry from home

Apr 27

Apr 27 How to stay involved with the fashion industry from home

The fashion industry will certainly change when the coronavirus pandemic is over. I have heard many experts say if we return to business as usual, then we have learned nothing. During this time, it is crucial to support your favorite brands and stay up to date on what experts are saying. As a fashion major, here are a few ways you can spend your time at home to stay up-to-date on what is happening in the industry, support your brands, and enhance your skills.

1. Online shopping

Online shopping right now, if done safely and consciously, is a way to keep brands alive and support those you value. Almost every online retailer is having a sale and here are a few that have caught my eye-

Shopbop Final Sale up to 70% off
Boohoo 60% off everything
Nordstrom Rack up to 45% off Nike
Anthropologie 30% off all tops and jewelry & extra 50% sale
Urban Outfitters up to 50% off Women’s Apparel + Intimates
Free People Sale Now up to 50% Off
Asos up to 70% & spend $85 to get free express shipping
Designer Shoe Warehouse 30% Steve Madden sandals and Free Shipping.

2. Tune into live interviews with industry experts

Almost every day of the week, The Business of Fashion (BOF) has daily interviews with CEO Imran Amed and industry experts through Instagram Live & Zoom. On Zoom, when you sign-up online, you can submit a question to ask during the interview. If you are selected, you can introduce yourself and ask the question during the meeting. So far through these calls, I have heard from Susanne Tide-Frater, who teaches the BOF Masterclass called The Art and Science of Buying and Merchandising, Ahmed story on how he built BOF, and Moj Mahdara, the founder of Beautycon. Not all topics focus on the pandemic, but it is fascinating to hear an expert opinion on what they predict will happen. I urge everyone to sign up. You don’t have to change out of your pajamas unless you are notified your question is selected. Here is the link showing this week’s events.

3. Sign up for online & industry-related classes

BOF offers online classes at a cost, but during some of their Instagram Live and Zoom events, some of the teachers are featured. Eventbrite also offers free courses on fashion marketing, photography, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and sustainability. Some of the lessons come with notes to download for reference later. This is a great way to enhance your resume from the comfort of your own home.

4. Watch every documentary made about fashion

There are so many documentaries and fashion reality TV shows, especially on streaming services like Amazon Prime, Hulu and Netflix. Here is a list of some, split up by streaming service, that are worth a watch.

Amazon Prime: Movies - Chiara Ferragini: Unposted, In Vogue, Battle of Versailles, The September Issue, The True Cost, McQueen and Dries movies. TV shows - Making the Cut with Hedi Klum and Tim Gunn and Art of Style.

Hulu: Dior and I and Iris.

To Rent: MADEMOISELLE C, Valentino the Last Emperor and Coco Before Chanel.

Netflix: TV shows - 7 Days Out, The Goop Lab with Gwyneth Paltrow and The Assassination of Gianni Versace.

YouTube: The Future of Fashion with Alexa Chung

5. Read

Reading is a great way to educate yourself on current issues and entertaining stories in the industry. I am currently in the middle of reading Fashionopolis by Dana Thomas, which is about sustainability and the impact of fast fashion. Next, I plan to read Love Style Life by Garance Doré, An Innocent Fashion by R.J. Hernández and then Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell. I have also been reading articles on BOF’s website and Fashion United.

6. Explore your creative abilities

If you’ve ever wanted to expand your portfolio, but didn’t have enough time, now you do! Play around with Illustrator and Photoshop, draw or color fashion sketches, learn how to use a professional camera properly and start or finish any projects that have been in the back of your mind.