Recently I was inspired by an article I read in Who What Wear daily on career tips from some of the fashion industries most successful women.
Two things struck me: how helpful this would have been to me when I was starting in my career, and why isn’t there the same from Australian women?
So I made a list of all the women who I found inspirational and successful and asked them, ‘What are your tips for career success?’
I’m ever so grateful for the responses and the time these extremely busy women took to out of their schedule to share their point of view and if you have any comments, questions or musings please leave them below, I’d really love to year your thoughts.
Founder of Samantha Wills Jewellery, Sam represents an award-winning brand, having won a ‘Prix de Marie Claire’ fashion award in 2013 for Best Australian Accessory Brand, and ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ in 2012 by Cosmopolitan magazine. She splits her time between her homes in Sydney and New York City.
“Say yes & figure it out afterwards. There is never ever going to be the perfect time to do anything, so do it now. Jump in deep & commit. Start that blog, quit the job you are not happy in, start the brand you always wanted to, go for the promotion. Every single opportunity that comes your way, grab it with both hands, even if you have no idea what you are doing, keep cool, calm & collected on the outside, then behind closed doors, hustle like its nobodies business learn what you need to. Good things don’t come to those who wait, they come to those who hustle (who have patience yes, but hustle in the meantime!)”
Founder of online store St Frock, Sandradee took her business selling clothing at Bondi markets and turned it into a million dollar empire that now employs 18 people and has a social media reach of more than 200K.
“You will never be 100% ready for anything so give it your best shot and don’t let your fears breed inaction.”
Zoe worked at Harper’s BAZAAR where she was beauty editor, Cosmopolitan, where she was beauty and health director, and currently writes for Sunday Style magazine. She’s a published author and in 2014 after 10 years working in the beauty industry launched her own skin care link, ‘Go-To’ beauty.
“What’s your superpower? What are you wonderful at? Where do your skills lie? What do people say you are really good at? Do THAT. It might be something as seemingly nothingy as being great at names, or being the connector in your social network, or inventing smoothies, but I believe you can turn anything you love and are brilliant at into a marvellous and fulfilling career. And indeed should. Also, don’t be an asshole to people. And don’t waste your life in a job you detest: love it, leave it or change it.”
Creative director of OROTON Australia, Ana has worked with fashion’s finest including supermodel Daria Werbowy and collaborated with the likes of photographer Tommy Ton and stylist Taylor Tomasi Hill. Her creative vision has taken the brand from New York to Copenhagen to Paris. Ana started on the floor at Oroton before working her way up to take the brand to international success.
“Knowledge. It’s important in the younger years of your career to ask as many questions as you can. Learn as much as you can and try to be as open as you can.
Start from the bottom and don’t rush to be at the top, take your time. I started working the floor at Oroton when I was at uni and I learned so much about the brand. It was a great opportunity for me to learn.
You can’t isolate from the numbers, you need to look at the results and understanding financial success. Costing and understanding that balance is important and numbers aren’t boring if you can manage them in the correct way.”
Founded by Margaret Porritt in 1972, Feathers Boutique has grown to become one of Melbourne’s most iconic fashion brands. Along with a talented and passionate team, Porritt remains at the helm of the company today where she oversees the design of each and every garment, guaranteeing the highest quality is obtained and ensures the brand is ever evolving.
Margaret is informed by over fifty years of experience in the fashion industry and now with a succession of fifteen stores and over fifty employees, Feathers is proving to be as strong as ever.
“Always listen to the customer and always reinvent yourself. Adapt. I am always focusing on my customer and respecting them, but evolving as well.
In the 90s when the economy hit the skids there was a saying, ‘live by price, die by price.’ So we don’t discount, we try to add value by giving women a designer product at a lesser price. I’m not trying to be all things to all people, I just listen to the customer. She is driving the business but I’m at the coal face with my sleeves rolled up.”
