Photography: Erica Cohen
Fashion is one of those industries that can seem near impossible to enter—whether your dream is to become an editor, stylist, designer, photographer, creative director, buyer, publicist… (okay, so there are a lot of options). Even here, we get emails every day asking about potential internships, opportunities to freelance and possible jobs. And we get it; we’ve been there. Getting your foot in the door is the ultimate challenge, which will lead (fingers crossed) to the ultimate reward: your dream job. So we started asking around because everyone has to start somewhere. Herein, how people who work at some of our favourite companies in fashion, from Net-A-Porter and Moda Operandi to Teen Vogue and Paper Magazine, talk about how they got in the door and what they look for when they’re hiring. Prepare your resumés accordingly, friends!
Photography: Nikki Erwin
Kevin Breen, Market Editor, Paper
Image: The Covetuer
“I started as an intern here at Paper and haven’t been able to leave! It’s my home away from home and my family here in New York. The internship required a well-rounded set of skills. With a company likePaper the tasks varied from hanging disco balls from the ceilings at Webster Hall, to the typical fashion returns and everything in between. I was originally introduced to Paper through a friend that was attending school in New York. When I graduated from college I was interested in fashion and media and thought that a magazine internship would be the best way to see if it was the right fit.
Work hard and work smart! People notice when you put the extra effort into what you are doing! Set goals and map out your career path.
I look for someone who is humble, friendly, flexible, and, most importantly, hard-working. I am always impressed with a resumé that has been mailed directly to the magazine. You should always dress up for an interview and immediately follow up with a thank you! I believe when you are meeting someone you can get a real sense of the individual. Once you have reviewed qualifications it is important to rely on your gut feelings!”
