Mentor Interview
Question #1: How has fashion evolved over the last century?
Answer: There have been many fads pass through each different era. For example, the 1920’s was known for flapper dresses and women began to reveal themselves a little bit more. As we grew into the 1960’s youth began to rebel against traditional clothing styles and create their own trends. This included, bell bottoms, hot pants, blue jeans, and many more. Towards the 1990’s women began to reject designer brands and value more comfortable, simple clothing. In today’s society clothing trends from the past have made a come back. For example, bell bottoms and high waisted shorts. You really never know what trends will be coming out next.
Reflection: I agree with my mentor on this particular question. Fashion trends have definitely grown and evolved over time.
Question #2: Do you believe fashion plays a major role in today’s society?
Answer: Yes. Without fashion people wouldn’t be able to express themselves the way they do. Fashion is what sets people apart and makes everybody unique in their own way.
Reflection: I have always felt like fashion plays a role in individuality.
Question #3: How can you predict the global market?
Answer: Honestly, I don’t really believe there is a proper way to predict how the global market will be year after year. It’s always a surprise and new fashion trends are not always easy to follow either.
Reflection: I sort of agree on this one. While there is no way to predict the future, by studying the past and present I believe that it is possible to predict new trends.
Question #4: How has managing a clothing boutique helped you grow within the industry?
Answer: Working here has definitely opened many doors for me. It has been a great experience and has taught me a lot about running a business. I know that later on in life I will always be able to look back on this job and recall information that will be useful for future jobs. Whether fashion related or not, it has helped me grow into more of a business woman.
Reflection: Hearing her response on this made me very excited. It’s comforting to hear that what I am doing now will benefit me in the long run.
Question #5: How do you plan to further gain knowledge in this industry?
Answer: Definitely by finding open doors. It is so important in this industry to search for opportunities. They will not be handed to you. The more I’m exposed to the more I will learn and grow.
Reflection: Opportunities are definitely not just handed to you. I very much agreed with my mentor on this. You have to wokr hard in order to make it somewhere.
Question #6: What is your favorite part about working with fashion?
Answer: I love love love working with fashion. It is something I am truly passionate about and it excites me being able to style people for a living. Work doesn’t feel like work for me. I love what I do.
Reflection: Working at a boutique doesn’t feel like work to me either. I enjoy being around people all day everyday and making people happy with fashion. It’s also good to hear that my manger loves what she does!
Question #7: What is the best advice you could give me for my future in this career?
Answer: I would have to say the most important thing is being true to yourself. Within this job you will be surrounded by people who are very influential and it can get scary at times. But that is how you build your portfolio and move up. It’s all about who you know. Definitely work your hardest at every job given and always strive to impress the person you are working for.
Reflection: Her advice was very good to hear. She has been in the industry a whole lot longer than I have and has had many jobs that have shaped her as a person. I will for sure keep her advice in the back of my mind when working any job down the road.
Question #8: How do you go about keeping up with trends?
Answer: This may sound crazy but the way I like to keep up with trends is through apps like pinterest and wanelo. I usually try to get on every couple of days and see what’s hot. It helps me a lot when it comes to buying for the store as well.
Reflection: I go about keeping up with trends the exact same way! It is an awesome way to see what people like and are willing to buy.
Question #9: What will you imagine fashion will be like in the next 10 years?
Answer: That is a hard one. It’s hard to predict how the trends will be. If I had a guess I would say it would be a mixture of modern fashion along with old trends that are making a come back. Fashion always repeats itself.
Reflection: I agree with this one as well. We’ve seen first hand how fashion has repeated itself with styles from the 60’s so I imagine certain trends will come back 10 years from now.
Question #10: What would you say has been your biggest challenge in your career so far?
Answer: My biggest challenge so far was definitely working my way through college. I was going up against people who were very driven and didn’t care who they had to put down in order to get where they wanted to be. The scary thing is, that will always be a factor in life. But like I said, if you just focus on you and working really hard you will end up where you want to be. Success is all about having a dream and the willingness to do what it takes to fulfill that.
Reflection: It was good to hear about her struggles in college and how it is important to always be yourself no matter the situation. It was very encouraging.
Answer: There have been many fads pass through each different era. For example, the 1920’s was known for flapper dresses and women began to reveal themselves a little bit more. As we grew into the 1960’s youth began to rebel against traditional clothing styles and create their own trends. This included, bell bottoms, hot pants, blue jeans, and many more. Towards the 1990’s women began to reject designer brands and value more comfortable, simple clothing. In today’s society clothing trends from the past have made a come back. For example, bell bottoms and high waisted shorts. You really never know what trends will be coming out next.
Reflection: I agree with my mentor on this particular question. Fashion trends have definitely grown and evolved over time.
Question #2: Do you believe fashion plays a major role in today’s society?
Answer: Yes. Without fashion people wouldn’t be able to express themselves the way they do. Fashion is what sets people apart and makes everybody unique in their own way.
Reflection: I have always felt like fashion plays a role in individuality.
Question #3: How can you predict the global market?
Answer: Honestly, I don’t really believe there is a proper way to predict how the global market will be year after year. It’s always a surprise and new fashion trends are not always easy to follow either.
Reflection: I sort of agree on this one. While there is no way to predict the future, by studying the past and present I believe that it is possible to predict new trends.
Question #4: How has managing a clothing boutique helped you grow within the industry?
Answer: Working here has definitely opened many doors for me. It has been a great experience and has taught me a lot about running a business. I know that later on in life I will always be able to look back on this job and recall information that will be useful for future jobs. Whether fashion related or not, it has helped me grow into more of a business woman.
Reflection: Hearing her response on this made me very excited. It’s comforting to hear that what I am doing now will benefit me in the long run.
Question #5: How do you plan to further gain knowledge in this industry?
Answer: Definitely by finding open doors. It is so important in this industry to search for opportunities. They will not be handed to you. The more I’m exposed to the more I will learn and grow.
Reflection: Opportunities are definitely not just handed to you. I very much agreed with my mentor on this. You have to wokr hard in order to make it somewhere.
Question #6: What is your favorite part about working with fashion?
Answer: I love love love working with fashion. It is something I am truly passionate about and it excites me being able to style people for a living. Work doesn’t feel like work for me. I love what I do.
Reflection: Working at a boutique doesn’t feel like work to me either. I enjoy being around people all day everyday and making people happy with fashion. It’s also good to hear that my manger loves what she does!
Question #7: What is the best advice you could give me for my future in this career?
Answer: I would have to say the most important thing is being true to yourself. Within this job you will be surrounded by people who are very influential and it can get scary at times. But that is how you build your portfolio and move up. It’s all about who you know. Definitely work your hardest at every job given and always strive to impress the person you are working for.
Reflection: Her advice was very good to hear. She has been in the industry a whole lot longer than I have and has had many jobs that have shaped her as a person. I will for sure keep her advice in the back of my mind when working any job down the road.
Question #8: How do you go about keeping up with trends?
Answer: This may sound crazy but the way I like to keep up with trends is through apps like pinterest and wanelo. I usually try to get on every couple of days and see what’s hot. It helps me a lot when it comes to buying for the store as well.
Reflection: I go about keeping up with trends the exact same way! It is an awesome way to see what people like and are willing to buy.
Question #9: What will you imagine fashion will be like in the next 10 years?
Answer: That is a hard one. It’s hard to predict how the trends will be. If I had a guess I would say it would be a mixture of modern fashion along with old trends that are making a come back. Fashion always repeats itself.
Reflection: I agree with this one as well. We’ve seen first hand how fashion has repeated itself with styles from the 60’s so I imagine certain trends will come back 10 years from now.
Question #10: What would you say has been your biggest challenge in your career so far?
Answer: My biggest challenge so far was definitely working my way through college. I was going up against people who were very driven and didn’t care who they had to put down in order to get where they wanted to be. The scary thing is, that will always be a factor in life. But like I said, if you just focus on you and working really hard you will end up where you want to be. Success is all about having a dream and the willingness to do what it takes to fulfill that.
Reflection: It was good to hear about her struggles in college and how it is important to always be yourself no matter the situation. It was very encouraging.