6 pros and cons of being a fashion assistant

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An entry-level fashion job that many people covet is that of a fashion
assistant. Since it’s such a desired role where only a few succeed, there
is a challenging career path that every assistant to world-famous stylists,
designers and directors accepts as part of their day-to-day
responsibilities. A fashion assistant’s end goal is to become just as
respected and accomplished as their mentors. FashionUnited takes a look at
the pros and cons of the demanding yet exciting job as a fashion assistant.

Pro: A way into an immense contact network

As a fashion assistant, you could be helping to create looks for
editorial content or assisting on major fashion shoots. It is a job that
requires one to multitask and manage numerous projects simultaneously. A
major responsibility is to call in products and source looks from PR
agencies and brands for photoshoots. The fashion assistant serves as the
direct contact between the PRs, models, celebrities and the high profile
magazine, stylist or fashion brand. Through constant contact and building
work relationships overtime, many fashion assistants end up compiling their
own immense contact network within the industry.

Pro: Working closely with famous designers and influential brands

If you’re somebody that lives and breathes fashion, assisting a top
designer or being part of a major fashion house can be a lifelong dream.
Even though they usually have a large team, being an assistant for them
places you at the centre of the creative process. In the vlog “A Day in the
Life of a Vogue Fashion Assistant,” Petta Chua, (fashion assistant at Vogue
Australia) learned the importance of attention to detail while working with
Salvatore Ferragamo such as how the perfect weight of tulle lifts in the
wind and frames a dress.

Pro: Travel the world, be in exclusive and exotic locations

Glamour, beauty and travel seem to be synonymous with luxury brands or
high fashion publications. This could be true for the life of a fashion
assistant as many photoshoots require exclusive and one of a kind
locations. From a multimillion-dollar mansion in Beverly Hills to the
streets of Tokyo and even Coco Chanel’s apartment are just a few examples
where fashion assistants have called “office” for a day.

Con: Low starting pay, overtime, menial tasks, heavy lifting

Working as a fashion assistant, you’re constantly reminded that your
position is replaceable since there is so much competition. Low starting
pay, overtime, heavy lifting and menial tasks are all part of the job
description while travelling the world or attending fashion weeks. At the
end of a photoshoot, you may be in charge of packing and dragging the heavy
suitcases. Since it’s the fashion’s assistant’s job to pay attention to the
specifics, the most meaningless tasks matter from picking up needles from
the floor to searching all day for the perfect prop to complete an
editorial photoshoot.

Con: Constantly under pressure

The title “assistant” should not be taken lightly since you will serve
as the brain of that high-profile stylist or director and need to memorize
every look, face and name. Attending fashion weeks sound exciting and
glamorous, but it can be a race to be on time to every show and extremely
hectic coordinating the logistics. The fashion assistant is also the glue
that makes sure all projects run smoothly. Formerly the European Editor of
Harper’s Bazaar, Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni, details in the book “After Andy:
Adventures in Warhol Land” her time as a 26-year-old assistant at the
Chanel Studio. During her 18 months working for the late Karl Lagerfeld,
she once had to source 180 pale green taffeta camellias that matched Linda
Evangelista’s eyes for a dress that ended being shelved.

Con: Emotionally and mentally draining

At the end of the day, fashion assistants are there to learn firsthand
from their mentors. In this demanding and unique position, the line between
personal time and work often becomes blurred. Your boss could demand you to
be on call twenty-four seven and even treat you as their therapist, yet the
assistant is expected to remain professional at all times. The ability to
remain in this grey area, adhere to tight deadlines, juggle projects can be
extremely draining emotionally and mentally. However, if you stick it out
and succeed, fashion assistants usually go on to become top directors,
influential stylists or renowned designers themselves.