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USA:Working in the fashion world |
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2005-4-5
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It sounds like the premise of a new hit sitcom: student graduates from college, finds a job with fashion giant Polo Ralph Lauren and moves to the Big Apple. For N.C. State grad Erica Brown this is reality. Brown graduated in May of 2003 with a Textile and Apparel Management degree and a concentration in management. Brown paved her way to her position as a retail analyst for the Ralph Lauren childrenswear division through a previous internship.
As a retail analyst for the Lauren''s childrenswear division, Brown works closely with its sales managers and buyers to plan and project future prospects for the company. She also examines the history of the business and develops recaps in order to come up with strategies for future business.
Polo Ralph Lauren is one of the unmatched fashion companies of its time, having dictated looks and trends for over 40 years. Since its debut in the 1960s, the company has consistently been on the rise, reaching a point of infiltration that has made the company a global household name. According to Polo Ralph Lauren''s official website, www.Polo.com, the company has offered strong leadership for over 30 years, boasting of its status as "a leader in the design, marketing, and distribution of premium lifestyle products in four categories: apparel, home, accessories, and fragrances."
As for Brown''s work on a daily basis, she has her hands full with six major accounts including Saks 5th Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Lord & Taylor, Filens, Hechts, and Boscovs. Her position entails meeting the numerous demands coming from inside the company as well as the tedious work that is involved in responding to the needs of her accounts.
"The retail business is very fast-paced," Brown said. "Therefore, in order to have the most accurate data, you must be willing to work hard to build a strong relationship with each account to allow the communication that is necessary."
An upcoming graduate in the textiles field will no doubt wonder what the key was to Brown''s success in landing her first position with a company so highly regarded by the textiles and fashion community. Due to the competition for employment in the textiles field, Brown heavily emphasized that an internship proved to be her key to breaking into the field.
"I actually interned with our company, which led to not only learning directly from them, but it allowed me to get to know several employees very well, which was key when I was getting ready to graduate."
Brown continues to stress the importance of an internship even if it is not in the same field of textiles in which one may end up working. She conveys the value of an internship when she points out that, "[an internship] makes you feel comfortable when transitioning into a professional atmosphere."
She tacks on her own outlook on the matter when she adds, "I would be hesitant to hire someone without an internship on their resume."
Lindsay Parina, a sophomore in Textile and Apparel Management, has gained a great deal of advice on how to break into the textiles field from Brown through the time she spent with Brown in New York.
"Seeing what Erica has done with our degree in combination with a great internship gives me a reassuring feeling that I too have the possibility of the same success," Parina said.
For future graduates in the textiles field, Brown possesses other important insights into her field that are vital for upcoming graduates to weigh. One factor that a student in the College of Textiles should research is the best geographic locations for his or her concentration field within the broad field of textiles. Brown found that in order to excel with her degree in textiles and apparel management and be involved in the fashion industry with such an esteemed company, relocating to New York for at least a few years was absolutely necessary.
"I feel that North Carolina would limit growth opportunities for my career concentrating in fashion, whereas it might be more beneficial to someone pursuing more of a production or manufacturing position," she points out.
Other students in the College of Textiles preparing for a career in this field like Brittany Blair, a sophomore in textiles and apparel management with a concentration in apparel, have also arrived at the conclusion that moving elsewhere is essential.
"In North Carolina there are plenty of mills and factories that deal with aspects of textiles like production of fibers," Blair said. "But if you want to work more in the design or management end of the spectrum it is necessary to live somewhere like New York."
In this particular field of textiles dealing with apparel and management, Brown is witnessing many changes.
"This field is becoming more and more competitive. As technology improves, less personnel is needed, which seems to impact the design and manufacturing sectors the most," Brown said.
As for her final piece of advice due to the rise of competition in the field, Brown urges students in the Textile and Apparel Management field to do everything possible with their degree, resources and internships to become the most competitive candidate possible. Setting yourself apart from the competition, she maintains, is critical when trying to break in. |
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