Myths About Working in the Luxury Fashion Industry

Everyone in this industry is a designer

The most common misconception about the fashion industry is that everyone is a designer or stylist. The luxury fashion industry is like any other business. It involves a whole network of people from suppliers and manufacturers to PR and salespeople. A report by the Luxury Institute actually states that the luxury fashion industry actively tries to employ people with a wide variety of training and backgrounds so as to not make the industry obsolete and to avoid groupthink.

We only sell expensive things

Luxury fashion has become a synonym for expensive and exclusive clothing and accessories. It is seen as another avenue for the affluent and wealthy to spend their money. This could not be farther from the truth. Luxury cannot be bought. The luxury comes from curating an experience around a product, brand or around the act of shopping. It is about making a client feel special and indulgent. People in this industry spend years crafting these experiences that fit their brand’s image. In essence, the industry is much more complex than simply selling products of a higher price range.

It’s all about the money

Following from the previous myth, another misconception is that the industry is simply fueled by money — money spent in marketing, employing popular celebrities and building large storefronts in prime locations. The opposite is true. Working in this industry requires you to value human connection above all else. People have to be able to engage customers and build one on one relationships. Luxury shoppers are immensely private people and they require personalised experiences. So people in the industry spend years building these relationships and learning all about their customers’ preferences. Creating and marketing these products also requires one to understand their consumer deeply. The luxury consumer already has money, so flashing more money will not attract them. The business requires one to empathise with the consumer at all levels — design, manufacture and sales.

People in the industry spend their time partying and attending events

Working in this industry can look very glamorous from the outside. It appears to be an endless cycle of champagne-filled nights, brunches, promotional events and exotic trips. But the reality is that most people in the industry are involved behind the scenes of these extravagant events, planning every last detail to fit with their brand’s image. Planning, scheduling, booking venues and flights, creating menus, picking tapestry and flowers is anything but glamorous. Attending these events is also work, as the goal is either networking or promoting a certain brand or product.

Everyone is obsessed with their appearance

Everyone who works in the fashion industry is thought to be shallow and obsessed with their appearance. They are thought to always dress in designer clothing and have the best fashion advice for others. But, as most of this article states, people in this industry are just like people working in any other field. The industry is more about creativity and artistic expression than it is about outward appearance. People usually dress normally; they simply have more access to luxury fashion.

It doesn’t require skill or training

A common misconception is that anyone can be a part of this industry. In fact, this industry requires an immense amount of training at every level. From producing these goods to selling them, each job requires specialised training. This misconception also stems from the equation of “designer” products with luxury goods. While design is one aspect of luxury, the quality and exclusivity of the design also matter. Countless brands design and sell leather handbags, but there is only one Hermes and only one Birkin. The precision and skill of the seamstresses, jewellers, perfumers also affect the quality and value of the product. A salesperson is expected to know the smallest details of what they are selling and also have an understanding of their customers’ individual sensibilities, know how to style all kinds of people and offer informed advice and develop a trustworthy relationship. All these jobs require years of training and various kinds of intelligence. It cannot be repeated enough — luxury is an experience, not a product.

Working in the luxury fashion industry is much harder and much more complex than the one-dimensional viewpoint most people have about it. Luxury brands have a long and rich history. They have survived wars, famines, depressions. They have stayed relevant in the ever-changing landscapes of entertainment and communication media.  Surely, it must take some kind of genius to keep the industry relevant and thriving, come what may?