SHOULD WE STILL BE WORKING FOR FREE?
PHOTO: CHARMSTORE CLUBThe culture of being overworked is not something that exists solely in the fashion industry, being overworked and underpaid has existed in some form, in every industry. But the thing I find so unique about fashion is how much it is relied on. Working for free, working late and being okay with it are almost requirements in an industry that is filled with so much money - and yet, nothing has changed. Young girls and guys are willing to sacrifice and throw themselves at any opportunity that will get them an ‘in’ at the expense of their own mental health. So the question stands, in a world where the cost of living and poor mental health is increasing - should we still be working for free?
In some element, it makes sense. In an economy where it’s increasingly difficult to get a job without having previous experience, gaining free knowledge almost feels like a win. You get to surpass spending thousands on a stupid course that only touches the surface plus gain hands on experience that money couldn’t buy (pun intended). There’s almost a beauty in being thrown in the deep end, your survival instincts jump in and you realise how quickly you can learn and advance with zero previous experience.
I remember my first day in the industry, ironically paying to be there for a fast-track into the industry - and it worked. But why isn’t this the case with everyone? Whilst I had money from my previous job that allowed me to be in a position to pay for a mentorship, it was my drive and hard-work that set me apart and landed me my first paid role with the course trainee immediately after.
After that I was set. I took all the knowledge and skills I learnt and put them to work to secure more roles within the industry. The key thing here was that at the beginning of my new career, I wasn’t afraid to do some free work if it meant learning from incredible industry talent and making the right connections. The truth is, if you wanted it enough, you’d make time (whether you’re studying, working full-time and part-time) to get yourself out there and get yourself known. The biggest difference I’ve noticed from the people I’ve met along the way is that you either have passion or you don’t - and if you don’t, hustling at the beginning will feel like the biggest struggle. You cannot enter a new industry and expect to be paid the same as the people on the top.
“The biggest lesson I’ve learnt is make yourself such a valuable asset to everyone you’ve worked with that THEY’LL PAY TO KEEP YOU AROUND”
PHOTO: CHARMSTORE CLUB
Some people just want quick cash, whilst others really want to make it. And it’s the latter that gain the biggest reward from it at the end. If your attitude stinks and you’re still slacking a year-in, the truth is there is someone else more worthy of that paid role. To work your way up in any industry is to prove yourself and earn your stripes, and sadly that is the brutality of the fashion industry. Whilst fashion styling isn’t your typical corporate job-role, it’s proven even harder to get into with it not being formally advertised like most jobs. It’s an industry where it’s all about what you know and who you know, and where word-of-mouth is extremely powerful. If you prove yourself to be amazing in one project, you’ll more than likely get recommended for a new project and so on.
So yes, sometimes working for free can be crucial, especially in a less traditional industry. With this being said, I definitely believe there is room for the industry to grow and change the way it relies on free work. Learning and earning your stripes is almost a right-of-passage to finally seeing the big figures and making a breakthrough into the industry. But there are several factors you should consider before taking the risk - am I gaining something in return? Is this the best next step in my career? Am I in a financial situation where I can take on free work? Remember, there is a fine line between gaining experience and being taken advantage of. If you are extremely talented and hard-working, and feel like you are still slaving away with little pay, don’t be afraid to state your rates. The biggest lesson I’ve learnt is make yourself such a valuable asset to everyone you’ve worked with that they’ll pay to keep you around.
I remember the feeling of what felt like finally ‘breaking through’, gaining consistent pay and work and it was a really exciting feeling. It felt 10x better because of how hard I hustled and worked to get there. Coming from me, who decided to start from scratch in my mid-20s to pursue an industry I had no clue about, and actually made it out the other side. I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t an industry that can really knock your mental health and make you question yourself - but that’s a chat for another day. If you find yourself in a position where the only way to go up is to start from the bottom - the real question you should ask yourself is, do you really want it enough?
And it’s okay if your answer is no as well.