Entering the fashion industry is not a cup of tea. It has always presented a unique set of challenges. It’s no different for young people breaking onto the scene today. Often taking roles as freelancers, associates, and assistants, young professionals manage the expectations of the industry on a budget. Here three fashion assistants share their survival story in fashion industry.
Ansley Morgan
Personal Style
“My personal style is constantly evolving, [and] I never want to limit myself to one aesthetic. So many factors affect what I wear, but I try my best to never let what other people think to be one. Clothing in my size from my favorite designers, unfortunately … continues to be a dream and not a reality. There are so many things I would buy if it came in my size, ranging from a set from Outdoor Voices to a skirt from Chopova Lowena. It’s hard to truly develop your personal style when so much of what I want to wear won’t fit me.”
Shopping philosophy
“In the past few years, I have made the shift towards curetting a sustainable wardrobe by purchasing pieces from slow fashion and designer brands. I quickly learned that this takes a lot of time and money, and while the fashion industry is glamorous, the salaries aren’t always of the same caliber. Trying to maintain a certain image in this industry can quickly add up. It’s important to remember that fashion is cyclical and something you have in the back of your closet or find at the thrift store can probably be used to keep up with the latest trends. I keep a list of the items I want to buy and save up for them.”
Kevin LeBlanc
Personal style
“A lot of my personal style comes from going to Catholic school and being used to a uniform. I went totally in the other direction for a while, but now I find myself falling into a uniform from time to time. There have definitely been moments where I felt pressured to dress a certain way or present myself a certain way in certain spaces. At the end of the day, I’m where I am because of my intellect and talent and I always remind myself of that, and that while dressing is an amazing outlet for self-expression, it’s not the be-all-end-all of being a professional in this industry.”
About work
“I love seeing what part my work plays in making a shoot come alive. I grew up digesting fashion images that drew me to work in the industry in the first place, and when I can see my work come alive in any shape during a photoshoot, I feel such an intrinsic reward. More than that, I love the way fashion uses its platform to express different points of view. I also take joy in finding and supporting new designers/creative.”
Laniya Harris-Pringle
Personal style
“I developed my own personal style by mainly staying true to my comfortability, seeing how others put their own styles together, and [learning] that I can always mimic and personalize them in my own way. My personal style comes from putting together items in a different way than matched my personality and not from how I want others to perceive me. I try to make sure that I am comfortable in what I am wearing, yet still very stylish at the same time.”
Pressure of comparison
“A lot of times I see people wearing designer pieces that I pressure myself into wanting just so I can fit in with the crowd or feel included. I sometimes would feel like I have to look polished and chic each day, even if that’s not how I felt like dressing. It was very easy for me to snap out of this by looking at myself and realizing that being included and trying to keep up with others wasn’t necessary for me. I am very secure within my own style; trying to fit in with what everyone else is wearing or buying is not always what fashion is about. I had to tell myself to just be me and not allow pressure to change the way I express myself through my clothing.”
