What An Associate Director Of Brand Marketing At Free People Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Fashion Industry
Amanda, an Associate Director of Brand Marketing, advises aspiring fashion professionals to develop a strong vision and strategic approach, as "the fashion industry can be really cutthroat," with "not a lot of intellect or basis to back it up." Success requires building strong relationships and developing a "backbone and a really strong sense of self" to navigate the industry's unique challenges and egos.
Industry Realities, Workplace Challenges, Teamwork, Resilience, Leadership
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Amanda Jimenez
Associate Director of Brand Marketing
Free People
New York University
UCLA Anderson School of Management - MBA
Communications
Apparel, Beauty, Retail & Fashion
Communication and Marketing
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. The fashion industry can be cutthroat, and it's important to develop a strong vision and learn from the successes and failures of others.
2. The industry has a particular vibe that may not suit everyone, but finding a company with hard-working individuals from diverse backgrounds can be beneficial.
3. Building bridges and finding allies is crucial, as ego can sometimes outweigh intellect. A strong sense of self and backbone are necessary to navigate this environment effectively.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone had told you before you entered the industry?
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone would have told you before you entered the industry?
The fashion industry can be cutthroat. In my first internships, I felt the people I worked for had a lot of clout and were in similar roles to mine today, but they weren't very strategic.
When I entered this role, I wanted to ensure I had a strong vision for where I wanted the brand to go. I learned by watching others succeed and falter, and by learning what works for the organization.
There's a definite vibe to the fashion industry, and it's not for everyone. I was pleasantly surprised at my current company; there are many hardworking people from diverse backgrounds.
We operate more like a startup within a publicly traded company. We have access to resources, but the day-to-day team is small but mighty. This forces us to get along, even when challenging each other's plans.
It's important to build bridges and find your allies. In fashion, there's often ego without much intellect or basis to back it up. Those in this industry need a backbone and a strong sense of self to manage those situations.
Advizer Personal Links