Karl Lagerfeld, John Galliano, Tom Ford, Yves Saint Laurent, and Valentino have more in common than just being the masterminds of the top luxury fashion brands in the world, they are also all men. This also stands true for luxury brands outside of fashion. For a long time luxury brands have been run and masterminded by men, but after reading this article by Luxury Briefing entitled Women Power
I am learning that women are making more of a presence in boardrooms rather than billboards.

I have said before that I would like to work in Brand Management and luxury brands work by a totally different set of rules. If ever there was a place to study the strangest Market Share to Advertising ratio it's with luxury brands. In college I don't really remember talking too much about luxury branding and marketing, and now I am wondering why.

Now while reading the article I came across a lot of information that I didn't know or was unfamiliar to me such as the terms "Womenomics" made popular by the Economist and "Feminocracy" which I am not all that too thrilled about. Still some great info from the article:

• Companies with more women in senior management have a higher return on equity
• Center for Economic Business Research predicts that by 2020 53% of millionaires will be women
  

I think that is great to hear for all the women who are hoping to be on the business side of fashion like myself. This information reads (to me) more job and internship opportunities to women. It also means to me a shift in advertising and female portrayal in said advertisements. I may be getting a little ahead of myself but let's look at television recently as well with women power players in shows like Sex and the City, Lipstick Jungle, and Cashmere Mafia.

I could go on and on about the moves women are making in all types of areas but the focus of this post is the luxury brand arena. So if you are like me and want to be a power player behind the scenes my recommendation, as it will always be is to fill in the cracks for yourself. One of the major reasons I started this blog is because I honestly don't know how to go about obtaining a successful career in the fashion industry other than putting myself out there and figuring it out for myself and asking others how they figured it out for themselves. You gotta get out there fill your own cracks and build your own bridges to get there. So here's a start, pick up a book. For example:

It's pretty obvious I got this image form Amazon and I have only read the preview that is provided by the site but it was enough to make me want to share it with my readers. If you have other books or resources that you use please send the info my way.

Disclaimer:
I came across all this because I have a particular interest in luxury brands and how they work. It is also here that I would like to note that I am still learning about branding and all that it entails not just luxury but all brands, so please do not take my word for the final word and if you are working in luxury right now or branding in general please leave a DIVA Stamp I would love to dialogue with you.

So have you ever heard the expression "Feast or Famine"? Yeah that's what I am experiencing right now. Serious feast which is causing a bit of a traffic jam....which actually can be a good thing...as I am currently learning.

My former career adviser now sister-friend told me that I have a tendency to "Poodle" , (basically get overwhelmed and go in the corner and shake), but I have gotten so much better because ever since she pointed that out I have learned my triggers.

• When I am overwhelmed I tend to "shuffle the food around my plate"
• I look at the same thing multiple times for a long time with no action
• I play free cell

So now that I know this about myself I have learned how to detect it in its early stages that I may combat Poodling with Productivity.

So recently this is what has been flashing in my brain:

1. This blog is really important to me and I want to keep it as informed as possible as you guys move along your Freeways, or find them in the first place.
   
2. After I became serious about my career I have been all over the Internet and man there are so many resources and companies and interesting things that I want to read, know and learn about, and share with you.
   
3. I don't want to look scatterbrained and just have random posts that make sense inside my head but not to my readers.
   
4. There are people and companies out there that I view as potential employers and I don't want to approach them in an inappropriate, unprofessional manner. I want them to see potential in me, my blog, and my current and previous experience.
   
5. I want my blog to have structure. I want my approaches to be consistent, whether that's with posts or contacting future employers, companies, interviewees.
   

So this is a taste of what I am dealing with: (last list I promise!)

1. I want a banner for this blog. Something really cool that has a car and the Fashion Ave sign and the freeway
2. I want a structured order for my posts
   
3. I have come across a lot of great sites and people that I would like to feature on the blog
4. I have come across a lot of great companies and news sources that I would like to read up on to keep me informed about the industry.
   
• The Moment - by the NYT that features guest bloggers
  
• The Business of Fashion

Those two are just at the top of my list...

So I'm gonna take some time out, crank up the Traveling Music, and write out some ideas. If you have any ideas feel free to leave a Stamp, I would love to hear them.

My future roommate and I were talking about working in LA to pay rent and feed our fashion habits, and I was telling her about this blog and musing about what I would like to do in the industry and asking her the same. Well during the conversation we kinda got to a fork in the road.


We both want to work in fashion that's obvious seeing as we will both be attending FIDM in the fall, but....which way is the best way to approach finding your career?

You see she has massive experience in other areas outside of fashion that could serve her well in LA and she is thinking of using the skills she has to get a job with flexible hours.

I, on the other hand am struggling with the idea of passing up a great job with 9-5 hours because of classes. I started applying for jobs in the industry in LA (and actually heard back from a company that I really want to work for-until she found out I live in South Korea until August).

FIDM is having a career fair the first week of school for its students. Should we rely on that or look ourselves or both? Should we work in the fields where we already have experience regardless of if that is where we want to end up (Point B)? Can that be considered a Connector or just totally off course?

What are your thoughts? Leave a DIVA Stamp and let me know

Fashion Related Experience:
Present:

• Creator, No Fear, Just DIVA
• Contributing Writer: AndSpeakingofPink.com (My Posts)
  
• Contributing Writer, Style-Ology Magazine
• -Issue 1 July 2008
• -January 2009

Past:

• Sales Associate-Guess, Macy's
  
• Associate Fashion Editor
• Assistant Manager-Rave G+G
• Showroom Intern-Baby Phat Footwear
  

Non-Fashion Related Experience:

• File Room Manager
• Marketing Associate/Brand Advocate
• Leasing Consultant
• Customer Service Rep
• Administrative Assistant

• Don't turn down an opportunity just because it's unpaid.
  

Working as the Associate Fashion Editor of a webzine was amazing because I got a chance to interview up and coming designers in the Columbus, Ohio area. This position also took me to Olympus Fashion Week in New York where I sat under the tents photographing and documenting the shows and hanging out in the press room with other fashion editors and writers!

• Enter interviews better informed about a companies promotion from within policy.

In the past I have held the standard Sales Associate position and even have been Assistant Manager. I don't want to start all over again. I worked for a dept store whose Merchandising Corporate Office was right across the street, only to later find out the worse way to try to get to the corporate office was through the store. Less than 1% of the associates actually saw outside those walls, especially if you worked in the Juniors (read "low-priority") Dept.

• Look past the people I work with and look at the overall company structure.

I have stayed at companies that were not "connectors" to my Freeway for long periods of time just because I enjoyed my co-workers. I have also let a position go unappreciated just because I did not like certain employees and that was my focus, rather than the doors that were opening because of that position and how my employer/company structure could get me to my Point B.

The Fashion Bomb - June 2008
Diva Marketing Blog - July 2008
Apparel Search - July 2008

Contact Information:

FirstThreeInc[at]Hotmail[dot]Com

Emails are welcomed! Company have an opening? Post your career opportunities here! Would like to see my resume in full? Got a FAQ? Want to Advertise on No Fear Just DIVA? Let's talk! Please use the following as Subject Lines as to not be confused with spam:

• Job Postings: "Postings"
• Career Opportunities: Name of Position
• General Inquiries: "NFJD" - Subject of Inquiry
• Advertising: "NFJD" - Advertising, Company Name
  

Images courtesy of Devil Wears Prada, Ugly Betty, Lipstick Jungle, ANTM

For my first Road Map post I would like to highlight a blog that I have been reading for a while now...The Fashion Bomb, check the side for a direct link and daily updates.

Claire, the creator of The Fashion Bomb, has turned her blog into something really special! What I want to highlight today is her section Breaking into Fashion.

Breaking into Fashion features real professionals in the Fashion Industry and how they got there. Covering every profession from Writer to Celebrity Stylist, great advice and insight is given to those who are looking to travel similar Freeways.

I caught up with Claire and she was gracious enough to answer a few questions for me:







Thanks Claire that was great advice and I forgot how uplifting "Make it Happen" can be! As soon as I figure out how to embed music I sure will, until then everyone check out The Fashion Bomb and check back for more Road Maps.

~Update~ Check out No Fear, Just DIVA mention on The Fashion Bomb! Here (News and What Nots)

In the previous post I was talking about writing out my plan according to the Jolley-Good system and man I must admit that takes time. I have been reading what I wrote over and over and over again and it sometimes sounds a little silly but I want to be as specific as possible, which is what the directions say right? Okay so here goes:

1.) Decide What You Want
-A serious career in the Fashion Industry

2.) Write it Down and Be Specific
-A career in the Fashion Industry that will allow me to travel to Fashion Week in not only the 4 majors NY, Paris, London, Milan but also the emerging Fashion Weeks. I want to work with multiple brands and actually use my French.
-I want a career that pays my expenses for traveling, (plane, car, hotel), and entertaining clients.
-I want an office that is intimate enough that I know that it's MY space, but open enough to be inviting and allow me to hold meetings.
-I want lunch dates and conference calls at crazy times because everyone on the call is in a different county.
- I want to be a vital part in negotiations for my brand/employer/company.
- I want to be that Go-To-Girl. The girl that's in the know.
- I want a name associated with a positive image one that makes others say "Oh you have/are working with Mei-Li? You are in good hands/You are all set/It's all going to be fine"
-I want a condo in Paris that has a view of the Eiffel Tower. It doesn't have to be right in front of it, but on a clear night I want to see the lights.
-I want to help guide a brand into international markets without compromising that countries culture or the integrity/vision of the brand.
-I want to sit in board meetings and look at ad/marketing campaigns and how that corresponds with the direction of my client at the time and where the brand is going, but I want to be able to do this with multiple brands, not just one.

4.) Set a Date
July 2011

7.) Develop a Plan of Action
Well....I am applying for jobs in the fashion industry. I am moving to Los Angeles in September to attend the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. I am using this blog to reach out to others in the industry and chart my progress and hold myself accountable.

8.) Do Three Things Daily Towards Your Goal
1-Read my blog
2-Reach out to someone in the Industry or trying to get there/Read fashion blogs or sites to stay current
3-Check out and apply for jobs

Now that I have done mine you do yours! Some might sound a bit far fetched but so what! When you are dreaming anything is possible so let's see if we can make the dream inside our heads a reality in our worlds.

My aunt sent me a card that I have to admit I took for granted until today. In the card she wrote

As my Welcome message suggests I view my journey towards a career in the Fashion Industry as a Fashion Freeway. So it's only natural that I would have labels that reflect a road trip of sorts. So here are some of my "Freeway Finder" labels defined for easier navigation.

Freeway Finder = the Labels themselves, we all have a different ways of getting to our Fashion Career Point B, so these are here to help you find your freeway.

About = Explains different sections of the blog in detail

Road Maps = Sites, People, Books, Articles that may give me incite as how to get started on my journey

Rear View = As I start to make noticeable progress towards my career this section will allow me to look back and recap what happened to get there. "One Step Forward, Just Glance Back. No Fear, Just DIVA"

Traveling Music = Sometimes I use music as my inspiration to get some things done and this is where I will post songs/videos.

Articles = Different from Road Maps, these are just interesting articles that I think are note worthy about the Industry. Not necessarily career specific.

Imports = Things that I have written in other places that I feel holds relevance here so I will post it. Imports will always be my works, not that of others.

My Freeway = This section is specific to my journey. I want to make my blog as universal as possible when it comes to Road Maps and Articles, but this blog is about my journey and how I will get/am getting/got to my Point B.

Connectors = The indirect path that still gets you to your Point B

Construction Zone = Tearing Down, Building Up, Starting from Scratch, Making what looks like nothing into something amazing

Note* Updates to this post will be made as necessary

This is from my blog 11 Down 9 to Go

Saturday, April 12, 2008

"I Followed the Voice You Think You Gave to Me"

Congratulate me, I have been accepted to FIDM! I am sooo excited about this. I have been accepted for the Merchandise Product Development program. For full information click the name but here is an excerpt from the site:

Students learn to compete successfully in trend analysis, strategic planning, line development, and preproduction planning.

A lot of people have been asking me what am I going to and what about my business degree? But I am getting this degree in fashion to supplement my degree. There are multiple occupations that one can have with these degrees to check them all click here. But what I would like to do is Product Line Development and Brand Management.

Product Developer/Brand Manager

Control an image. Be responsible for managing the development of all new styles within the total line for a specific brand within the context of the company’s financial plans and business strategy. Develop unique and creative ways to brand the company’s product.

In the long run I would like to do Brand Management with International Expansion. Here is a job description of a Senior Planner, (Note: This is just one description from one company and is not the end all be all of this postition and its potential responsibilities)

The Senior Merchandise Planner is responsible for:

1.) Managing a part of the merchandise planning which may require

• analyzing current business trend,
  
• market feedback,
  
• historical data
• recommending course corrections and improvements based on these assessments.
  

2.) The Sr. Planner:

• serves as the key liaison with the Merchant of the businesses they support in the
  development of the plans to achieve agreed upon financial
  targets.

3.) The Sr. Planner

• reports to the Director of Merchandise Planning and directs a Planners and Planning Analysts.

So I hope that gives you some incite as to where I would like to take my career and two degrees. Now next on the agenda is Financial Aid and Housing I need a place to live and a way to pay for school. I have been working with my advisor to get this all situated before October so we shall see and I will keep you updated all the way....while listening to Beyonce's Listen which has been my motivation for a lot of this. "And now I gotta find my own...."

Currently I am living in South Korea and before I started this blog I started the blog 11 Down 9 to Go and when I had no other place to put it I would write about things concerning the fashion industry and my want for a career. I am not too sure of any way to make it all appear here so I am just going to hyper link the titles.

• Scatterbrained
• Fashion Books contd...
• Learning Fashion Lingo
  

Okay so I have decided that the other post I really want to be individual posts so I have to fix that now. But if it does not work I will be back to update this.

Hi,

Welcome to No Fear, Just DIVA. D-I-V-A stands for Devastatingly Innovative Via Apparel.

I started this blog because I want a real and serious career in the Fashion Industry and I am finally taking the steps to achieve that. This blog will chart my journey and give me something to look back on when I am one discouraged, two where I want to be in my career. So what pray tell do you want to do in the Industry? That my dear Watson is the question. So this is what I have been looking into:

1. Product Development/Brand Management
   
2. International Expansion
3. Fashion Journalism
4. Product Placement, movies and stuff like that

I don't really know if this will help someone else but I hope it does. I hope that in the long run this proves to be a real Road Map to finding your, my, our Fashion Freeway.

Fashion Freeway:

There are so many sayings about roads (Road Less Traveled, Road to Success) but I don't like roads. I like the idea of a freeway because, when there is no traffic, it's a bit more freeing, it's also direct in my opinion. You get on at Point A and get off at Point B, even if you change lanes, ride connectors, or remain on the interstate. Okay I know that all sounds a bit, something idk like I am trying to relate it all to a Freeway but in a way it is. Even if you did all these you are still on the freeway, and you remain there until you reach your destination. I like the idea.

Anywhoo I hope you find what you are looking for as I do the same. I hope that as this blog grows you grow with it. I know I am growing already. One Step Forward and just Glance Back, No Fear, Just DIVA!