Fashion brands are evolving into lifestyle companies, providing services ranging from fashion and design to wellness and experience management. To manage these processes efficiently, professional figures with both business acumen and artistic talent must oversee these new processes.
Gaining varied work experience will prepare you for a career as a fashion consultant. Consider working in retail merchandising to gain knowledge on processing merchandise and engaging with customers.
Clients
Fashion consultants help clients create a style that reflects their lifestyle, personality, and preferences. Additionally, fashion consultants assist clients in selecting clothing and accessories to complement their looks. Fashion consultants frequently work with a wide range of clients, from individuals seeking wardrobe updates to businesses needing assistance with marketing or public relations campaigns – building strong interpersonal skills is critical for this career path.
Before establishing a lifestyle fashion consulting firm, it’s essential to identify your target market. Recognize what problems this segment of society commonly experiences, such as finding appropriate outfits for job interviews or formal dinners. Once identified, identify what services you can offer while setting pricing details that make sense; perhaps charging hourly or project rates might work best.
BPCM is an internationally acclaimed communication and strategic fashion consultancy with offices in London, New York, and Los Angeles. They are recognized leaders in brand strategy and consulting, media relations, digital services, influencer engagement services for celebrities and ambassadors, and events. Their client list boasts iconic heritage brands like Calvin Klein, Doc Martens, and Hugo Boss as clients.
Stacey Spielberg Fashion Consulting Firm, Inc is an international fashion consulting firm located in Hollywood – California that will operate out of an office facility conveniently near busy business districts.
To ensure compliance with local and state regulations for fashion consulting firms, they will require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO verifies that your building meets all zoning laws and government requirements for businesses. Landlords are generally responsible for acquiring this document; however, it would be wise to consult your city or county before starting operations.
Consider creating a legal business entity, such as an LLC, to shield yourself from personally being responsible for any financial losses the firm incurs. You can set up your corporation at relatively low costs or hire professional services to register it. Be aware that you’ll also need federal and state tax ID numbers, writing your name with the appropriate authorities, and getting national tax ID numbers and state taxes paid up-front.
Education and Training
A fashion design or merchandising degree may not be required to become a lifestyle fashion consultant. However, having one will only enhance your credibility and give you an advantage in the industry. Many schools offering fashion-related education offer short programs with flexible schedules so that training fits easily into your busy life.
While gaining complete knowledge of the fashion industry and your client’s needs, you should also develop sales skills and a robust network within it to help expand your business. Networking will allow you to connect with other professionals who can support career growth.
Depending on where your lifestyle fashion consulting business operates, all local and state requirements may apply. A certificate of occupancy (CO) may be needed to ensure your space complies with building codes, zoning laws, and government regulations – although this responsibility typically lies with those leasing or owning property; you may ask your landlord for one on your behalf.
As a lifestyle fashion consultant, keeping up-to-date with current trends will give you an advantage in your market. Fashion trends often migrate from celebrity styles and the runway down into consumer culture, so staying informed on fashion cycles will allow you to plan for any changes and anticipate them when consulting clients. A good understanding of fashion technology also plays a vital role; keeping track of client information, appointments, and industry updates and creating and maintaining blogs or social media accounts may further promote your services and business.
Work Experience
Fashion consulting is a service-based industry, so developing sales skills to build brand recognition and develop clientele is crucial to its success. Networking with professionals in the fashion industry and conducting informational interviews are effective strategies for helping fashion consultants realize their career objectives.
Fashion consultants must possess an in-depth knowledge of popular trends and how they influence consumer behavior, particularly since consumers often adopt styles seen on celebrity or model runway appearances. Fashion consultants must know which trends lose momentum or gain popularity as they progress through fashion cycles.
Lifestyle fashion management consulting may be conducted out of an office or anywhere that suits its clients. When working from multiple locations, typically, all areas must acquire a Certificate of Occupancy to verify compliance with building codes and zoning laws.
Networking
Fashion management consulting offers flexible working hours and exposure to various clients. However, unlike corporate employment/health benefits plans, it does not provide protection or take time to build up a clientele base – though this may be compensated by consistent income streams and opportunities to specialize in specific areas of expertise.
Building relationships within the industry is essential for career success in fashion. Fashion consultants who can leverage effective networking to gain new clients through word-of-mouth referrals and an enhanced online presence can benefit greatly from networking strategies like attending fashion events, conducting informational interviews, and reaching out to professionals in their field.
Staying abreast of current fashion trends is also crucial for fashion managers. While celebrity and model styles often filter down from runway shows into mainstream retail environments, keeping up with them gives fashion managers an edge over competitors. Furthermore, networking with fellow fashion professionals to learn successful consulting business strategies and consulting zoning departments regarding commercial spaces used for conducting business may prove beneficial.
