Importance Of Role Models/Mentoring In Fashion.
Having a role model or Mentor is very important in the real world to succeed in a business, profession or career, that, however, is how important it is in fashion as an industry. It is also important you don’t lose yourself during the process of learning and mentorship.
Fashion as an industry which encompasses the designers, manufacturers, marketers, retailers, advertisers, and everyday fashion lovers which we can call the wearing group, needs mentorship in all mentioned aspects.
A mentor is someone who guides a less experienced person through a profession, career or business by building their knowledge and trust in themselves in that field especially by sharing details with their mentee of their successes in same field and how they achieved it.
A lot of young fashion lovers have these role models but subconsciously. This is because they don’t see the necessity of building friendship with a particular person they like their dress sense for the sake of mentorship, even though, they try to dress like them in their subconscious minds.
whereas, it is important to have proper mentoring process in the fashion industry as in other prominent industries as it shares the same importance.
Every fashion conscious person needs a positive role model or mentor to influence their actions and motivate them to strive to uncover their true potentials and also overcome their weaknesses in the field of fashion.
Having role -models or mentors as a fashion lover pushes you to make the most of every piece or trend. They stand as a standard for you to meet while setting goals and exploring the world of fashion.
A role model/mentor can serve as a consultant who provides expert advice on how you can dress to certain functions such as business meetings, social gatherings, educational convocations, cultural outing and how to market your style for one who intends to use their fashion sense to promote their fashion business, and its worth the push.
Your role model should also be someone you could listen to as he/she could counsel you and give constructive feedbacks and advice that could build your enthusiasm and you are expected to listen.
It should be considered a privilege if you have a
mentor with the ability and availability to commit real time, knowledge, energy and resources if possible, contributing sincerely in helping you grow and stay relevant in the fashion industry without any “official” reward. This is so because a lot of people we choose as role models or mentors are celebrities we never have the opportunity to meet in person and may not be interested in us if we meet them eventually.
On that note, I strongly advice that you get a good mentor who genuinely want to see you succeed in the fashion industry either as a business person who deals in fashion related items and services or fashion lover at the tail end of dressing up to look their best.
With the above point being said, having someone in the fashion industry as a mentor can be really helpful. That can advance your fashion knowledge faster especially for those in the business aspect of fashion. He or she can provide insight into where the industry has been and where it’s going. They could have a network of professionals that are also in the industry who they could possibly call to assist you if need be.
However, your mentor or role model mustn’t be active in the fashion industry, at least necessarily a fashion person. He could be in a relative field but must be successful and impactful enough in his field for you to learn from him and apply it to your fashion world.
Mentoring is important now because today’s fashion aspirants need to carve out their role and create a lasting career trajectory now that traditional companies are giving way to digital newcomers. The stakes are even higher for women and minorities, who still lack representation in management positions. That’s why it’s more important than ever to find guidance and forge relationships with experienced veterans.
You as a young person in fashion we strive for mentorship in the industry should also know to strike a balance between your likes and dislikes and that of who you aspire to be like fashion wise. As much as they are your mentors or role models they have their dislikes that may work for you, and you are in the mentorship to develop and not to lose yourself.
Although the fashion industry in someway is an industry that encourages self-motivation and internal drive to achieve, produce and develop our own styles, however, you should pair yourself with a veteran, knowingly or unknowingly to them.
The inspiration of others is a key role that helps one grow in fashion and otherwise.
