Fashion is an ever-evolving industry. That means, everyone who works in this field has to be up to date with the latest fashion trends and the type of outfits fashion icons are slaying these days. That doesn’t just apply to fashion designers. Even the fashion writer in 2020 have to seek for the current fashion trends to keep his knowledge of fashion up to date. fashion journalism is a vast field where fashion related news and information is reported and published across various outlets of media. These outlets can be anything from magazines, websites, social media, fashion blogs and more. For anyone who wants to pursue fashion writing as his full-time career needs a bachelor’s degree in fashion media, mass communication or fashion design.

What do fashion writers do?

Writing for fashion encompasses much more than just clothes, shoes and footwear. Apart from keeping up with the newest styles, you need to analyze current events and pop-culture and how they influence the existing landscape of the fashion industry.

It might not seem like it but fashion writing requires you to invest your time doing research, attending fashion events and sometimes even taking photographs of the fashion shows you have been to. So, if you are ready to invest your time to pursue your career in this direction, this article is for you. Today we are going to discuss all that it takes to become a fashion writer in 2020.

Becoming a fashion writer in 2020:

Since fashion rules the world, the net worth of the global apparel market has risen up to $1.52 trillion in 2020. Only the amount American spends on Easter clothing makes up to $3.2 billion. That makes writing for fashion one of the most rewarding careers today. Many magazines and fashion websites are chasing after some of the best fashion writers to hire. So, without further ado, the following are the steps you need to follow to become a fashion writer in 2020.

Get the right education:

Now getting a degree from a fashion or journalism school is not absolutely necessary to become a fashion writer. However, having graduated from one of the well-reputed fashion or journalism institutes makes you more visible in the market. It also increases your chances to be hired by some of the well-known media outlets. Getting proper education in fashion makes you a valuable asset to the fashion publication you are working for.

Get experience:

If you believe you have innate skills to write for fashion writing then the next step you need to take is to gain experience. One of the best ways to get hands-on experience is to work as an intern with a magazine publication or the fashion department of a newspaper. Another great way to get the necessary experience is to assist a stylist.  

Make your portfolio:

Showcase your fashion knowledge and skills in a photographic collection for the publications to reference. You can use the projects you completed while you were a student at an art school. It could be the work you have done for fashion brands as a freelance fashion writer in 2020. You can also start your own fashion blog and use it as your portfolio that can be shared across various social media platforms.

Don’t rush:

Renowned publications won’t hire an amateur writer who has decided to pursue the field of fashion journalism. You need experience. Start small by doing freelance writing for a couple of months to get experience. Before searching for full-time employment, look for freelance opportunities and part-time jobs to build your skills in the field of journalism. Working on a freelance basis or doing a part-time job is the best way to start in the field of fashion. You can work more flexibly and set your own pace to build your expertise.

Choose your niche:

Fashion writing opens a wide breadth of career options for you. But to earn a name in the field of fashion journalism you need to choose your niche for example Plus size clothing. This will help you to focus down your efforts and build your skills in a particular area of fashion journalism. Once you have earned enough experience in your field of interest you can opt for more senior positions such as fashion director, stylist or fashion editor.

Experience and skills required to become a fashion writer in 2020:

Apart from the ability to write, there are various other skills you require to become a fashion writer in 2020. Some of them include:

• Good communication:

One of the best traits of a good fashion writer is the skill to effectively communicate his ideas in his writing. It gets especially important while you are writing for visual items such as clothing and accessories. Honing your communication skills is one of the best ways for you to emerge as a professional fashion writer in 2020.

• Maintaining a pleasant atmosphere: 

Being a fashion writer, you need to interview a number of artists, fashion designers, models, and stylists. To succeed as a fashion writer, you need to provide your interviewee with a pleasant environment and space to share his views as you conversate.  

• Ability to write for multiple platforms:

Fashion writing is not limited to fashion magazines and newspapers. We live in the age of Information Technology where everything has gone online. Therefore, you need to hone your skills to write for social media platforms, blogs, and online magazines. You need to learn about SEO and how to make your content interesting for the readers. This way you can make your writing more noticeable so that it reaches a wide range of your target audience.

Fashion writing is one of the most in-demand skills these days. If you are a fashion enthusiast who loves to keep up with the latest trends and styles, fashion writing is your call. However, before entering the field of fashion, you need some formal education, experience, and some social skills. Take your time to polish your skills and get some experience. Work as a freelance writer for some time and then apply for a full-time job as a fashion writer.