How to Become a Fashion Journalist

About Fashion Journalist

A fashion journalist reveals the most recent fashion designs or trends. Journalists who cover the fashion industry are in charge of writing and publishing news stories, blogs, and articles about current fashion trends. Design professionals from all spheres of life are covered in this kind of journalism, which is solely focused on promotion and entertainment. Individuals will be writing about the most recent fashion trends or designs as a fashion journalist. Reporting on fashion shows and other relevant events falls under this category. Along with having excellent writing skills, one requirement for success in the fashion industry is to have a keen eye for trends and the ability to spot them before they become widely known.

A career as a fashion journalist could be a lucrative choice in the future because the majority of fashion journalists work in the entertainment and media industry, which is expected to create over 2.7 lakh jobs in the next three years. A student can become a fashion journalist by obtaining a qualification at the associate, graduation, post-graduate, or certificate level in various Fashion Design Courses. Candidates must complete courses such as BSc in Fashion and Apparel Design, BDes Fashion Communication, and others in order to become a fashion journalist. The institutes' fees differ from one another. The average course fee is estimated to be between INR 50,000 and INR 20,000.

Fashion journalism offers numerous opportunities. A fashion journalist can be a fashion writer, editor, stylist, communication manager, and so on. Any firm offers the opportunity to work as a freelancer or full-time fashion journalist.

Roles and Responsibilities of a Fashion Journalist

Here are some of the major roles and responsibilities of a fashion journalist listed below:

• Since the fashion industry is extremely dynamic and everything within it is constantly changing, firms need someone who can inform the public about the evolving trends. As a result, fashion journalists are hired
• A fashion journalist makes use of their expertise, passion, skills, and creativity to inform the interested public about current trends and breaking news in the rapidly evolving world of fashion
• To access the most recent information in the industry, the position calls for strong networking abilities
• The fashion journalist must network with everyone (industry insiders and clients) to obtain their perspectives on fashion, which are crucial to understanding
• Fashion journalists are in charge of writing articles for publications, editorials, television, websites, blogs, and other media
• Many fashion journalists frequently collaborate with a variety of photographers so they can cover everything that is happening in the sector while also having the benefit of using real-time images
• Even more, a fashion journalist attends fashion photo shoots, collaborates with top stylists, and conducts regular interviews with fashion designers

Eligibility to become Fashion Journalist

Anyone with adequate skills and knowledge can become a successful fashion journalist. If a candidate has a bachelor’s degree in the fashion domain, he/she has more chances of obtaining a clear insight into the fashion industry and trends.

• The candidate must have cleared class 12/intermediate. If he/she possesses a degree in the fashion stream, it can provide more knowledge, skills and opportunities.
• With a flair for fashion and an eye to details, an aspirant can become a popular fashion journalist.
• A candidate must have the right set of skills that include creativity, imagination, communication skills, good written and verbal skills, sound knowledge of the English language and knowledge of the subject.
• Each recruiter asks for a different set of eligibility before giving a shot to the aspirant. Some give preference to degrees while others lend stress on skills.

How to Become a Fashion Journalist?

Taking the following steps will help you become a fashion journalist:

Step 1: Completion of 10+2

Students must understand how to become a Fashion Journalist in India after completing their 12th grade. Collegedekho will walk you through the steps to becoming a Fashion Journalist after high school. Students must have completed a 10+2 level of education in any stream with an aggregate of 50% or equivalent from a recognised board as a first step to become a fashion journalist.

Step 2: Entrance Examination for Admission

Listed below are some important steps to becoming a Fashion Journalist. Several universities and colleges hold entrance exams to determine admissions. Candidates must take the entrance examinations for their respective universities and colleges. The popular entrance exam for Fashion Journalism degrees are:

Popular Entrance Examination

Step 3: Bachelor’s Degree

Students must apply for admission to bachelor's level programmes after successfully completing 10+2 in any stream. The popular bachelor's level programme for the Fashion Journalist career is listed below.

Popular Bachelor's Level Programmes 

Step 4: Post Bachelor Degree

After earning a bachelor's degree, a candidate has a variety of options for pursuing a career as a fashion journalist. The two options that a candidate may think about are described below.

Option 1: After completing the journalism undergraduate programme, students will start working in the field as entry-level positions. After gaining some experience, they will enrol in a master's degree programme in the relevant specialisation.

Option 2: The applicant will continue his or her studies without taking a break during the academic year after completing a bachelor's degree programme. He or she can begin working in the sector after earning a master's degree.

Popular Master’s level programmes

Courses to Become a Fashion Journalist

The following are a few of the courses that those who want to work as fashion journalists in India can take.

• BDes in Fashion Communication

It is a 4-year undergraduate programme with a minimum eligibility requirement of 50% in the 10+2 exams from any accredited board. For admission to this UG course, several colleges hold entrance exams at the national, state, or institute level followed by interviews. NPAT, NIFT, UPES DATE, and AIEED are a few of the busiest entrances. There are also direct admissions available. The course's average cost is between INR 0.79 and INR 7.13.

• Bachelor of Arts (Hons) (Mass Communication and Journalism)

It is a three-year undergraduate degree which focuses on the study of mass media constituents as well as methods and techniques for gathering and disseminating news to the general public. The basic requirement is a minimum of 50% in 10+2 exams or its equivalent from any recognised board. Admission to the course is based on candidates' performance in the relevant entrance exam, which is followed by rounds of counselling. Direct admission is also an option.

Many of the BA Hons. in Mass Communication as well as Journalism colleges in India hold entrance examinations such as the Indian Institute of Journalism Entrance Exam, the Indian Institute of Mass Communication Entrance Exam, the Maharaja Agrasen College Entrance Exam, and so on.

• BSc in Fashion and Apparel Design 

This 3 -5 years academic programme is required to earn a bachelor's degree in fashion and apparel design. The length of time depends on the student's subject preferences. This degree offers students careers in apparel and soft goods design and development and studies design creation. Universities at both the national and state levels offer the course.

Skills Required for a Fashion Journalist

Some of the key skills required to become a Fashion Journalist are listed below for your ease.

Types of Job Roles Fashion Journalist

Journalism is a wide term in itself. Candidates willing to enter the domain of fashion journalism can look out for various job roles and profiles. Check out a few of the sought after job profiles you can consider in fashion journalism.

Writer: The duty of a fashion writer is to write a copy of style and fashion for media including trade and advertising publications, fashion magazines, newspapers and online fashion forums.

Freelancer: A freelance journalist of fashion either vocalise or write about fashion and upcoming trends. They do no work with a set firm but can take-up work as per their fancy.

Blogger: A fashion blogger manages the online platform by either writing or posting elements and aspects of fashion.

Photographers: A fashion photographer works with photography to display apparel and other fashion items. They can work with a magazine, newspaper, celebrity or any e-platforms.

Fashion Critic: The responsibility of a fashion critic is to communicate an opinion or an assessment of fashion, style and trends.

Editor: The fashion editors supervise the overall process of planning, creating, managing and presenting fashion-related content for instance photoshoot, write-up, TV shows, magazines etc.

Fashion Reporter: They reports on the current favourite fashion trends. Also, a fashion reporter presents the fashion-related news, gossips to the audience.

Employment Opportunities for Fashion Journalists

Various sectors all across the globe require a fashion journalist. Check out the list of firms mentioned below that provide job opportunities to a fashion journalist.

• Magazines, Newspapers, Blogs
• Entertainment Industry
• Social Media
• Print Media
• Fashion Industry
• Publishing Houses
• Fashion oriented companies

Top Recruiting Companies for Fashion Journalists

With the growth in the fashion industry, fashion has become a strong individual pillar. Multiple companies all across the globe are hiring fashion journalists to put the fashion perspective of the public in order. Check out the top recruiting companies mentioned below that hire a fashion journalist.

• MTV
• Times Now
• TLC
• Femina
• Vouge India
• Hindustan TIMES
• Elle
• Verve
• NDTV GoodTimes
• Grazia
• The Times of India
• Youtube

Benefits of Career as a Fashion Journalist

As you gain experience in fashion journalism, you will have access to a variety of job opportunities in India and abroad.

Salary: A fashion journalist should initially aim for a salary package of at least INR 2,00,000. Depending on the caliber of work the person has done in the past, compensation increases as they gain experience.

Job Security: All fashion journalists receive a competitive salary, ensuring job security. If they have been able to acquire the necessary experience in the field of journalism, they have a high level of job security. 

Unique Experience: A career as a fashion journalist has a lot of additional advantages. First of all, it requires a lot of travel because one of the many duties is to cover different fashion shows or events taking place around the world. Second, there is a chance to collaborate with seasoned fashion industry professionals like models, editors, designers, etc.

Career Advancement Opportunities: The media and entertainment industries employ the majority of fashion journalists. Future employment opportunities for fashion journalists are expected to be enormous as the Media and Entertainment sector is predicted to grow by 13.5% between 2014 and 2024 and reach USD 43.93 billion in revenue.

After Fashion Journalism 

Higher Education after Fashion Journalism: A student may pursue a master's degree in the area of interest after graduation. A student may pursue a Ph.D. from a reputable university if they have already completed a master's degree.

Start Job: Once you've earned your degree, you can look for a reputable internship at a reputable media company. When looking for a job in the industry, internships look good on a resume. The likelihood of landing a good job after an internship is very high.

Pay Scale/Salary of Fashion Journalist

Fashion Journalists have a wide range of career options to pick from. The pay scale for each job profile is different from the other. Check out the salary that a fashion journalist earns in starting level, mid-level and senior-level of their career.

Note: The data mentioned above is just a rough figure. The information is subject to change from company to company and individual to individual.

Books & Study Material to Become Fashion Journalist

Fashion is a field that never stays constant, it keeps evolving and transforming continuously. To stay updated with the ever-changing style of fashion and to be equipped with the apt skills of a fashion journalist, a candidate must refer to the books mentioned below.

• Fashion Journalism: History, Theory and Practice By Peter McNeil and Sanda Miller
• The End of Fashion: How Fashion Changed the Fashion Business by Teri Agins
• Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster by Dana Thomas
• Fashion Law: A Guide for Designers, Fashion Executives & Attorneys by Guillermo C. Jimenez and Barbara Kolsun
• Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth L. Cline
• Fashion Journalism by Julie Bradford

Pros of becoming a Fashion Journalist

• A fashion journalist is involved in a lot of travelling across the beautiful and attractive destinations of the world. It helps in maintaining excitement and a spark for a very long time.
• You get to work with established names of the industry who people look up to as inspiration.
• A fashion journalist gets a lot of recognition and fame. People look up to them with respect.
• The fashion industry is currently booming immensely. If you are good at your job, people will recognise with you. It provides you with extra perks and a swift increase in name, fame and money.

Cons of becoming a Fashion Journalist

• An uneven and untimely schedule is followed by most of the fashion journalists. There are no fixed work hours and an individual has to work whenever and wherever.
• A fashion journalist has to continuously be creative and observant which might bring the energy down and might exhaust the mind.
• Most of the time, a fashion journalist has to compromise on his/her personal life to bring forth a good piece of work.
• A fashion journalist is required to regularly build connections and be sociable. It takes away the silence and ease from your life and always keeps you at your toes.