Career Advice From a Fashion Exec: “Operate Outside of the Box and Dress the Part!”
Since its launch in 2009 by the people behind Net-a-Porter, The Outnet has become the go-to site for any savvy shopper who loves style but prefers to be smart with their money. Sure, the site peddles discounted designer duds, but don’t be fooled — this isn’t a dumping ground for the luxury retailer’s surplus product. More than 90 percent of the stock on the site is bought directly from the designers and brands by the Outnet’s own dedicated team of buyers. So, how do they buy in advance with the confidence that the item will still be hip by the time it hits the site? The same way all buyers do — they attend fashion weeks, identify the trends, and buy them — but The Outnet’s team just do it in bigger bulk.
A job where you travel to all the fashion capitals, attend fashion shows, shop a lot, and then predict which items will be hot one or two seasons later sounds pretty sweet, and the Outnet’s Chief Merchant, Shira Suveyke, (along with her team) does it season after season. We caught up with Suveyke to chat about her job — and tips on how you can get one just like it.
Photo: Courtesy of the Outnet
1. Don’t be afraid of change!
Shira Suveyke: I studied economics and Business Management at Boston University, and I wanted to move to New York when I graduated. My first job out of college was working at Deutsche Bank, but I quickly learned that I didn’t have a real passion for finance. I’m analytical and strong in mathematics, but that doesn’t mean that’s what I want to be doing every day. I’d always worked in retail through high school and college as summer jobs, and always just enjoyed that job, but didn’t really understand what a career in fashion or a career in retail would be. I grew up in Philadelphia, and people owned small businesses — they were doctors or lawyers or dentists or accountants. They had very traditional careers, but being in New York, I was surrounded by people in the fashion industry, whether they came from an editorial perspective, magazines, stylists, or buyers – everybody works for a fashion company. So once I was exposed to it, I think it gave me the confidence to go for it and to really put myself out there, and say, “OK — I can take this analytical side of my capabilities and the strength that I have — but how can I apply the analytics to the business of fashion?” And that was it.
2. Know your brand.
SS: I went to Ralph Lauren working in the buying office at 650 [Madison Ave.] for the retail stores. It was such an amazing place to learn design, to learn about a luxury brand, to be immersed in a company that has such a strong brand identity and DNA, everything. I wore Ralph every single day and just loved it. You loved the brand, and you believed in it, and put yourself in the customer’s shoes, and it set the tone.
3. Think out of the box and reach up!
SS: Put yourself in the mindset for the job that you want — not necessarily operating in the job that you have. If you’re an assistant buyer, and you want to be a buyer, operate like you’re the buyer! Deliver those results. You don’t have to operate within your box. You have to be reaching up. You have to set your sight on what that next position is. Dress that part, act that part, deliver on that part. You’ll get promoted that much quicker.
4. Passion, love, and long hours are key ingredients!
SS: I think that people from the outside don’t always understand how hard-working the fashion industry is. They think it’s really glamorous. And it is. We have glamorous lives, glamorous wardrobes, we sit front row at fashion shows and do loads of travel to beautiful cities like Paris, Milan, and London. It sounds pretty silly to complain about being in those cities, but the reality is, the hours can be grueling — especially during fashion weeks. You’re going from appointments to shows — loads of travel. I think it’s a surprise to a lot of people when they get into the industry just how tough those hours can be, especially during the fashion weeks and the markets. I work incredible hours, and I think all the more reason why you need to have that passion and love for what you do, because when you’re putting in that time, you also need to enjoy it.
5. Get experience!
SS: I’m a big believer in experience. I think you need practical experience all through school. You’ve got to work your way up. You need to also show up to that first job and really demonstrate that you are there to learn and you are there to work hard. Show up with humility, and be willing to work hard. Don’t ask when you’re going to have my job. You know, you’ll get there.
6. Look the part.
SS: I think you need to understand the DNA of the company you’re looking to work for. If it’s a fashion brand, what is the aesthetic of that company? I always think it’s strong to mirror that DNA, so if you’re working at a cool contemporary brand, you want to dress a little cooler and more contemporary. If you’re going to work for a luxury house, you probably want to be a bit more sophisticated in your style. Of course, you want to appear professional. I’ve had people show up with chipped nail polish! We have a team environment, and I’m really big on team and everybody is part of it. There’s not one person who’s individually responsible for the success of the Outnet. So having that great social media profile is fantastic, as long as it doesn’t eclipse what we’re building as a team.
7. Don’t stress out too much.
SS: Be patient. You’ll get there. I remember buying the book, “Quarter-Life Crisis.” You’re like, “What’s my life going to be?” You want to have it all figured out at 23… 25. There’s no crystal ball. You’re going to get there when you get there. So let it happen, and enjoy the ride.
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