How to Break Into Fashion Industry?

Everyone knows its not an easy thing to

become an insider in fashion- one of the
most competitive and fastest developing
industries in the world.
Andrew Riley, an editor in chief and owner
of Style Birmingham magazine shares his
journey from the beginning to the top of
Local Vogue Business.

Who is Andrew Riley? An owner and editor in chief of Style Birmingham Magazine, who happens
to also have other businesses across Birmingham like Riley and Raven Partnership. Since he was
little, he was inspired to be in the fashion industry. He says he created the magazine to change the
negative image of our beautiful city. Lets find out what else hes got to say about it.
How long has he worked as an editor? He says he named himself editor around 12 months ago.
He had to change his title to benefit the business. Its not easy to assign him one role as hes doing
a little bit of everything: you have to be a little bit of an all-rounder to do the job that I do.
He also shared with us new must-haves of the season through Style Birmingham.
Theres a new denim trend, which is pretty big right now. There is a number of different
features here.
Weve got A Clean Slate, which is eccentric styling.

 Weve also got Fine Lines, there is a lot of stripes in this season, which are a favourite of
mine, Ive always been a fan of stripes
This one is called style Magpie a playful dresser, treasure-chest, vintage inspired look.

And then weve also got modern denim and a loose thigh as well. There are quite a lot of
trends in there"

Andrew shared his very well-targeted trend statement as well What I found through watching fashion is how fast its changing but how quickly things come back. There are things
that hung around for a little bit longer as well. For example, a military trend was hanging
around for a long, long time, it started to adapt and evolve but its still there a bit like a staple, so things almost become staples as well, you know like men dressing dapper can be
making a bit of a statement as well. There was a rising trend of wearing capes as well and I
saw it, when I was in New York. Ive seen quite a few people doing that but I dont think
people in Birmingham are quite brave enough, particularly men, they are pretty safe in what
they wear. Were actually launching in here, there is mens fashion in here but were launching a specific section because we want to be, I suppose, the authority of what men should
be wearing and trying to get people, a man particularly, to be a little more adventurous.
Feeling comfortable in what you're wearing
is the number one important factor in fashion
With this claim, the next question came up: Whats more important- sticking to the latest trends or
being more independent? Of course, there always needs to be a balance, his biggest suggestion is
"if you feel the slightest bit of discomfort in something when you put it on or, if you're not
feeling entirely relaxed in it, it's not going suit you because its a part of you. If there is a
trend you like when you see it on the page, it doesnt mean its going to suit you or your
shape, thats why its better to stay away from that one. Feeling comfortable in what you're
wearing is the number one important factor in fashion.

Despite a huge knowledge and great understanding of fashion, Andrew didnt go to university at
first. He went to college and studied BTEC in Business, where he gained his comprehension about
the subject. Then he went straight to work at a brick company where he progressed from a selling
to a marketing role. After that someone discovered a potential in him and put him in for a Chartered
Institute of Marketing Diploma, so he could study and work at the same time. He thinks he hasnt
done the best at it as he is a person who gets bored very easily and prefers to keep his mind active
in a job where he knows who he is, although he found university a useful part of what he did. If I
employ someone, I like to see they had a really good grade in their university degree but
also it's really important to come up with their own ideas, pretty forward ideas. Also self
learning new skills, for example new design skills and on a design package. It's important
to have a university background but there are also other skills that really will benefit you
getting a job if you're a self learner. That's the most important thing.
People are the most important

part of business
Riley also worked in a bar at the age of 15 and caught a couple of modelling jobs at a young age.
Then, he faced many struggles in his career. When you create a business you start with thinking that everybody you employ is going to have the same mind-set as you but they don't.
You often get let down by people a lot and you have to overcome that challenge because
you can't do it without other people. You have to be a really good people person, motivating
people and that's an ongoing challenge. You have to make sure they are motivated, driven,
coming with their best work and that's a whole other conversation. People are the most important part of business. There was also the money challenge. He says finance challenge is
quite massive as well, especially when you run out of money at some point and you have to
make some more somehow. Now, his biggest challenge is to establish the business and ensure
that its growing in the right direction. He also struggles with employees as, a matter of fact, many
creative talents from Birmingham go to London, on the other hand he feels great that he actually
picks people good enough to work in London.

It's absolutely crucial that you get

as much experience as possible
We also gathered some more tips, for example about work experience. If I was a fashion journalist, it's absolutely crucial that you get as much experience as possible and you do it for
free. If you do it for free and you do a great job you will go a lot further. He says its not only
about coming into some work experience just to get it on your CV. You have to make a mark by
getting your own work published, then youre in a good position.
I asked about salary too. Of course, its a really important factor when we talk about any kind of
job. He believes we will probably start with 15k to 18k for editorial/writing positions. These days
weve got so much competition out there, especially bloggers that arent always good and often
unprofessional. It means that there is so much content pushing at us all the time and thats the
reason that drives salary down.
We all know how huge and competitive the fashion industry is I asked Andrew how he imagines
it in a couple years. I think it will keep evolving but I feel like there is almost like too much.
We've got lots of different trends, so I think it may have to simplify itself. Now, it's sort of
less it's more. In his opinion people are looking for staples, which they can mix up and use from
season to season. Isnt that the main beauty of staples?
Never Give Up
At the end, he shared a very motivating tip to become successful NEVER GIVE UP: If you feel
really deeply that youre good enough, then you will make it!
If youre interested to see Style Birmingham, there are 290 places around Birmingham including
hotel receptions but hurry up! It goes very quickly. We all know that magazines are a lovely thing
but the online content is great too, check it out here: www.stylebham.com