On second thought

The paradigm shift towards fashion-oriented careers has made previously below-the-radar creative positions more aspirational for real world newbies. In decades past, wanting to be a doctor or lawyer has always been the go-to reply to every question about one’s future goals. But now, hearing girls in their lookbook/chictopia uniforms saying they want to get into the creative industry as a designer, stylist, photographer or a fashion editor is not surprising.

The turnover of trends through real time availability has made it more accessible to the general mainstream, but it doesn’t necessarily guarantee that everyone’s an expert on it. (Some may argue otherwise.) The thing with this deluge of information at the click of a pop-up window is that fashion is being made more egalitarian. Anyone can voice an opinion on it. Which brings to mind the debate over the voice of bloggers: Do they really have the power to identify a brand? Some say that without a firm grasp of fashion history, one doesn’t have the right background to properly analyze or break down a collection. On the other hand, others say that having an unbiased take on fashion, even without being in the business, or from the real consumers’ point of view, brings with it a different perspective. So where do you stand? I could go on and on, but it’s beside my original point. (More on this next week.)

My point is that so many fashion lovers want to get into the industry with all the wrong preconceived notions. It’s not all glitz, glamour, and gloss. (Sometimes it is) Most of the time, though, it’s really breaking a sweat. Here’s what it doesn’t say on the job description: Preparing for a shoot is like organizing a well-strategized battle plan. Booking the team — from photographer, to hair, to beauty, and don’t forget the model! And then there’s conceptualizing, researching and conceptualizing again on how to make the visual impact powerful and new. And then it’s having the clothes made. Then pulling out from the retail scene — at the same time facing looming deadlines, designers who don’t make it on time, and cranky sales associates in stores that make me feel like I’m some insignificant non-buying populace not worth the time. “Ah, pull out lang yan.” With a smirk and a 180-degree walk away. Uh, hello?

And that’s just the half of it. There’s the shoot day itself, where the model comes in 10 pounds heavier than her set card, with matching annoying diva attitude. And clothes that don’t fit, makeup stains on the most obvious places, and watching with eagle eyes over those P40,000 shoes so they don’t get scratched or damaged because it’s hell to pay when doing the returns. But guess what? It’s all part of being a stylist. It’s stories that I share with other style veterans over cocktails. Like battle scars, we all live, learn, adapt and, yes, sometimes pay the occasional (unintentional) damages. Because seriously, who in the right mind would want to damage an item when you have to pay for it anyway? And still, I love it. The whole lock, stock and smoking theatrics. Fashion will always be about being liberated but also, it’s about being devoted. And so I am consecrated to my craft, and I couldn’t be happier.

So, after writing this, and confirming what I have known through all these years — that I am an inconsolable, die-hard fashion junkie — I read an article that totally popped my current comfort bubble. It said that, compared to what the visual side makes, the business part is much more lucrative. (Isn’t it always?) Last week, it was revealed that Hipster multi-brand store Urban Outfitters’ CEO Glen Senk received a $2 million performance bonus on top of his base $1 million salary. Plus $26.9 million in company stock. He must have gone through a lot of surly sales associates and overweight models to get to that heaven. (I knew I should have paid more attention in math class when I was in school instead of inserting all those fashion magazines in my books.) So, I’m guessing that in addition to wanting to be a designer, stylist, photographer and fashion editor, one can always dream bigger and insert the “CEO of a mass retailer” or “head of LVMH” as answer to what they want to be when they grow up. Now, if only I had got that memo…