Follow our featured New York fashion designer for 3 quick tips to get you in!
Being a fashion designer certainly has it's share of roller coaster thrills. Every season is going to be different from the last. So, how do you jump into this constantly moving industry and run your own fashion business at the same time? It's good to have guidance from an experienced peer for career advice.
Today, we have a fabulous apparel designer whose t-shirts are worn by fashion savvy men and women who love rockin’ unique tees. This designer is going to share with you three quick tips to help you gain entry into the New York fashion industry while managing your own fashion apparel business. These exclusive tips are universal so use them wherever your fashion industry is located.
So, who is this fabulous designer and why should you take her advice? Adriana Marie is the designer behind her vintage inspired line of t-shirts for men and women. Her company’s name is Adriana Marie Co.
How did Adriana start working in the New York fashion design industry and create her own business?
Adriana studied fashion design at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and moved to New York to work in the fashion industry in 2008. She started her t-shirt line in 2009 while working full-time in the fashion industry.
“I started really pushing my tee shirt line in April 2009. I was doing research for about a year prior. I was so dedicated that when I moved here (NYC) I had no internet so I would sneak into Hunter College and tell them that I was a part of the student government and they let me use their computers. lol.”
Adriana has worked for major apparel companies such as Talbots as a Pre-Production Coordinator. She also has the following experiences as she quotes:
“I have worked for a bathing suit company in Florida, Lila Nikole, worked for BCBG as their visual merchandiser of their flagship store and I have also worked for Christian Francis Roth and Tory Burch.“
She also has the experience of working with notable television personalities such as America's Next Top Models Jade Cole, Bre and Tocarra. She has also worked with singer/songwriter Ellie Goulding and CSI Miami's Eva LaRue.
Adriana is able to balance working in the industry and designing her t-shirt collection. The beauty of her tees is that they incorporate art with positive inspirational quotes. She grew up with inspirational quotes all around her, literally!
"My parents posted positive quotes and affirmations around the house to promote a positive lifestyle and enforce self-development. So basically, when you looked anywhere we were always reading something positive, inspiring and empowering."
Wow! Adriana has an awesome background. We can see that she started with an idea, went to school, moved to New York City and did whatever it took to make her dream come true. This can happen for you as well! It takes consistent work and dedication to make your dream a reality.
Now it’s your turn to shine! Here are the exclusive tips that Adriana shares with you so that you can make the big leap into the wonderful world of fashion design:
1) Fashion design portfolio maintenance and computer programs to know:
“Keep up to date on your portfolio regularly. It’s such a competitive industry and this is how you sell yourself. Make sure that you know Illustrator and Photo shop for sure. Other programs such as the Microsoft Office programs and Outlook (email) are a necessity. Most jobs use different systems so it’s hard to pinpoint what to suggest...like at Talbots we used WebPDM and at my current job we use Electra Gallery.”
2) What's the quickest way to get a freelance or full-time job?
“Be current with what the industry is looking for. It’s a good idea to work with a placement agency because, they get the jobs first hand. Sometimes when you submit your resume online it goes into a pool and if they don’t call you, there is less of a chance to get looked at in the future, agencies help with that! “
3) What's the best way to manage working a job in the fashion industry and building your business?
“Wow… It’s not easy. I work around the clock and I’m surrounded by my business. The best way to manage both is to be on top of everything and make sure that you don’t let anything lag or pass you by. You have to be on your A game at all times.”
It looks like being organized is one of the keys to success. You already have the talent! Now you just have to manage your day.
These are wonderful, workable tips from a real life experienced professional. Thanks Adriana for sharing these quick tips!
But, that's not all! Adriana is very active in the fashion community. You'll want to follow her for more insights and to be a part of her great adventure as she builds her fashion business.
“I invite everyone to visit my website and sign up on the contact form for new collection releases, new promotions and events!”
Check out her fashion blog, friend her on facebook and follow her on twitter. She is always sharing her New York fashion design experience with her friends on these networks…and most definitely check out her t-shirt collection. The warm weather is here, it’s time to rock cool inspirational tees from a New York designer!
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