Finish each question below with a full paragraph that is specific to you alone. This is your private journal, and will not be read or shared with anyone else. You will be adding to this personal journal throughout the semester. 1. The 5 things that excite me most about fashion 1 2 3 4 5 2. The main reason I got interested in studying fashion at PCC was 3. What makes me happy when I am studying fashion is 1 2 3 4 5 4. I remember that my first real interest in fashion began when 5. When I was a kid fashion was 6. What I want to do now in fashion is 7. The ideal job that I would like to have is 8. If I could get my wish, I would 9. In fashion, I want to learn TO DO 10. In fashion, I want to learn ABOUT 11. What interests me the most about fashion 1
12. In fashion, my fantasy is to 13. The 5 top traits that I want people in the fashion industry to think of me as 1 2 3 4 5 14. In 5 years I want to work and live 15. In 10 years I want to work and live 16. What I like most about the fashion industry is 17. My secret ambition is to. 18. And I will achieve that secret ambition by doing 19. The hardest goal for me to reach will be to 20. The biggest obstacles blocking my career goals are 1 2 3 21. The biggest obstacles blocking my success as a student are 1 2 3 22. What strategies should I have to remove the obstacles from my goals? 2
MY FASHION CAREER AND LIFESTYLE GOALS On this page make a collage showing your fashion career and lifestyle goals. You may use magazine photos, and any other images that create the desired affect. This page should inspire you. 3
OBSTACLES TO MY FASHION CAREER GOALS Circle the personality traits that you have now that you feel are getting in the way of your personal success. I am too tired too worried under stress depressed Unhappy hate my life hate to work hate my friends Hate my family too anxious disorganized unable to be on time Sleep to much loose things don t finish projects afraid of new things Too shy too clumsy afraid of doing stuff too slow Too sloppy fear of disapproval lack confidence lack initiative Have difficulty making decisions too loudmouth I feel dependant I feel stupid Afraid to leave my family impatient I might not succeed I loose interest easily I am afraid to start things nervous I don t want to join in I did poorly in the past I get frustrated too easily undependable I probably will fail again I can t do this HOW CAN YOU OVERCOME THESE BIASED AND UNTRUE PERSONAL QUALITIES? What do you think are your 5 biggest problems? List your old attitude in order of difficulty or importance. 1 2 3 4 5 What are the steps you can make now to overcome each problem? Write your answer beside each problem. START THIS SEMESTER WITH A NEW ATTITUDE List 5 new attitudes or habits that you will have starting right now that will help you succeed in your career as a fashion student. 1 2 3 4 5 4
MY NEW ATTITUDES Make a color collage or poster that LISTS your NEW ATTITUDES. This should be something that expresses your personality! 5
FINDING AND CHALLENGING YOUR OBSTACLES TO SUCCESS Answer each question as best and in detail as you can to give yourself a good vision of your obstacles. SCHOOL 1. What has kept you from being a successful student in the past? 2. What fear will you feel if you change those problems? WORK 1. What has kept you from having a great fashion career? 2.What do you fear the most about having a fashion career? YOUR PROFESSIONAL IMAGE 1.What is keeping you from acting, looking and being a professional? 2.What do you fear most about being a professional? FAMILY 1.What has your family done to prevent you from being successful? 2.What do you fear will happen with your family relationship if you change? FRIENDS AND PARTNER 1.What have they done to keep you from you goals? 2.What do you fear will happen to these people and your relationship with them if you change? FINANCIAL 1.How has your finances affected your ability to reach your goals? 2.What is your biggest fear if you study fashion and begin a new career? 6
PERSONAL EVALUATION Now read your answers. What problems have kept you from being a success or changing your life? What do you fear will happen if you change? What is holding you back from your career in fashion? 7
Write your answers to these questions in a letter to yourself. Tell yourself what insights you now have about yourself and your fashion career. 8
MY STRENGTHS Answer these questions truthfully and with insight into your own strengths. 1. I will be a good student of fashion because 2. I have an easy time learning to 3. I will be an asset to the class because I 4. On the job, my best assets are 5. At home, my best assets are 6. I will be happiest when 7. My strengths are 8. My best people skills are 9. My best student skills are 10. My strongest fashion ability is 9
PERSONALITY TRAITS: Circle the traits that you feel you have. These are the strengths that will help you to succeed as a student. Leader supportive team player organized tidy good communicator Honest hard working detail oriented enthusiastic ambitious good listener Independent thoughtful helpful creative clever drive Stylish intelligent neat objective energetic goals Reliable inspired resourceful ingenious active spirited Rational sensible capable achiever confident seek opportunities Relaxed skilled expert focused careful completer LIST YOUR TOP 5 TRAITS. THEY ARE YOUR BEST ASSETS. 1 2 3 4 5 10
MY TOP 5 PERSONALITY TRAITS On this page make a full color poster that showcases and lists your top 5 trait for success as a fashion student. You may cut images from magazines, use paint, fabric and anything you want to convey your top assets. 11
YOUR FASHION IMPULSES What type of job are you looking for? Answer these questions to determine what type of job will make you happy. 1. When I am alone, I prefer talk on the phone. 2.When I am with friends, I prefer to let someone else decide where we will go. 3. When I study, I always have a study schedule and keep to it. 4.I like to learn about other societies or cultures. 5.I prefer to be with people, talking and doing things. 6.I like to work alone, I can get more done that way. 7.My friends help me to get my projects done, I like to work with them more than on my own. 8.I want to travel in my career 9.I want to have a family and a home more that a career lifestyle. 10. I want to hang with people who are all in the fashion business, I think they are more fun. 11.I like people who come from artistic professions and different lifestyles. 12.When I work on a project, I can go for hours without a break. 13.I need to have deadlines before I really start to work, I procrastinate. 14. I want a job with benefits, vacations, and good work environment. 15.I don t care where I work as long as it isn t boring. 16.I get jobs from my friends and the people I meet. 17.I would like to be able to choose fashion styles that my friends could wear. 18.I keep in touch with people I have known for years. 19.I only socialize with people that I see often. It is too hard to keep in touch with old friends. 20.I can sell anything as long as I believe in the product. 22. I hate sales, I don t want to deal with customers. 12
23.Retail is exciting, I love all the people and the inventory. 24.I could talk on the phone all day. 25.I am really organized. I can take a big mess and get it back in shape. 26.I am good a getting people to do things. 27.I get a lot of satisfaction out of completing a big project. 28.It would bother me to work all night to get a project completed. 29.I would take a job I did not want if the pay was really good. 30.A nice big home and new car is important to me. 31. I like to keep track of money and see how much is spent. 32. I want to wear fantastic fashions from the couture designers. 33. I have a good sense of style. 34. I like to look at fashion photography. I like the poses and props they use. 35.I could go to fashion shows all week. That would be fun. 36. I love the psychology of the consumer and knowing the target customer.. 37. I have ideas about fashion trends, and sometimes it turns out to be true. 38.I am good at guessing what fashion will be happening in the future. 39.Fabric is really important to me, I love the color and texture. 40.Historical fashions are something that I love to see in museums. 41.I would love to collect art and ethnic objects if I had the money. 42.I am good at getting people to do things they are really interested in, like at social events. 43. Some people are too bossy for me, I would rather they leave me alone.. 13
SCORING YOUR IMPULSES Write down the numbers for all answers that you answered YES to: This list shows your strongest personality traits: your likes and dislikes.. You will see that some traits are typical in more than one career. What career is most compatible to your answers? Wholesale Representative and Marketing: You are outgoing and like to be with people. You would like to work at a trade show or in a sales room. You like to travel and see different cities. 1-5-8-10-15-16-18-20-24-26-30 Design and Merchandising: You are sensitive to trends, textiles, and the customer s needs. You would be working with a small group of people, but may answer to a larger corporate management. 4-6-7-11-12-15-19-22-27-33-35-36-37-38-39-40-41-44 Patternmaking and CAD design: You are detail oriented and can work alone to create your projects. You want your work to be perfect, and are willing to work until the job is done correctly. 2-3-6-9-12-14-19-22-27-28-39-43 Production: You are in charge of a large group of employees and contractors. You are responsible for meeting the deadlines and getting the product produced and delivered. 3-7-12-14-19-22-25-26-27-29-30-42 Retail: You like people and the changing world of retail merchandising. You would like to own a store or manage a business. You enjoy making a profit and determining what will sell to your customers. 5-7-9-14-15-16-18-20-23-26-28-29-31-33-36 Buyer: You know what the store will sell and it is your job to find those products. You will seek out and meet with the representatives for the manufacturers you want to do business with. You will attend the trade shows. 1-5-8-10-14-15-16-17-18-23-24-31-32-33-35-36-37-38-39 Stylist: You must meet and cultivate a large number of personal friends and business contacts. You know what looks good on each figure type and what suits different personalities. You work will with people and they need to trust your judgment. 1-4-5-8-10-12-15-16-17-18-20-24-26-30-32-33-34-35-37-38-39-42 MY CAREER GOAL MY FASHION CAREER GOALS THE TARGET DATE FOR REACHING MY GOAL List your career goals in the boxes above. Be sure to aim for a career that interests and excites you. Keep your focus on this goal through out your time as a fashion student. Remember that having a GOAL will keep you on target and make you a success! Don t list your target date until you finish the next page. 14
MY CAREER PLAN Evaluate your personal schedule to create a list of goal dates. By having deadlines, you will succeed as a student and fashion employee. List your goals for each date on the Career Plan: School studies and accomplishments career experiences you feel you should have at that time related experience financial goals, salary and lifestyle personal life and family Today: (date: / / ) 6 months from now: (date: / / ) 1 year from now: (date: / / ) 1 ½ year from now: (date: / / ) (for each of the following, you will be looking at the same month as today) month: 2 years from now, 20 : 3 years from now, 20 : 4 years from now, 20 : 5 years from now, 20 : 10 years from now, 20 : 15
PLANNING YOUR FUTURE STEPS TO SUCCESS What can you do now to make your career a success? What steps can you take before you are employed that will give yourself a competitive edge? GET EXPERIENCE NOW! What you can t learn in the classroom that you NEED TO KNOW! Go over the list below and check what steps you are going to take to-- give yourself a strong start in your career: Subscribe to Women s Wear Daily: the professional daily newspaper Subscribe to California Apparel News: the professional weekly for the west coast Read the L.A. Weekly to become familiar with the L.A. art scene. Become familiar with the garment district, where are the showrooms and designer s workrooms. Know the layout of the Cal Mart and the New Mart. Know the largest textile resources in L.A. Who are they are where are they located? Where can you find out about fabric if you re a designer? Know the major marketing firms used by L.A. designers. Who are they? Interview them or volunteer during fashion week. Work as a volunteer for a designer during a fashion week. Work as an intern for a buying office or showroom. Work as an intern in a design room or factory. Go to see museum exhibits that include textiles or fashion displays. Travel to a different city to see the important stores there. Photograph the window displays. Buy vintage clothing to study how it is made. Study the historical costume collection in the Fashion department. Make drawings of each garment that you study to show how it has been patterned and designed. Study a decade from the 20 th century. Read the original fashion magazines from that decade. Make a notebook of what you find. Study the textiles and clothing from a world culture. Make a notebook of what you find. Take photos of the clothing for reference. Meet at least 5 fashion designers before you graduate. Talk to them about what they do and how they do it. Attend MAGIC in Las Vegas. What is happening and what job would you want to have at MAGIC? Find an independently owned clothing store. Interview the owner about this venture. Can you work there as an intern to see how it is managed? Learn more about computers than you already know. Take a computer course in the Art Department or BIT. Take Art History courses. Know about European or Western art history from Egypt through the present day. Predictive Services: Who are they in L.A.? Interview the showroom and find out what they do. Volunteer to work on a charity fashion show. Learn to sew better than you can right now. Make clothing for friends to learn about fitting. Make clothing or accessories to sell. Who will buy your products? Where can you sell them? Network with your classmates. Who had industry experience? Who has a college degree? Who has friends in the industry? Find at least 5 apparel industry companies close to your home. What do they do? Attend a California Fashion Association meeting. What did you learn there? Who did you meet? Attend a Fashion Business Inc. workshop. What did you learn and who did you meet? Should you become a member? Attend a Costume Society of America meeting. What does this organization do and who are their members? Should you become a student member? Attend a meeting and apply for a Fashion Group of Los Angeles student membership. Who would you meet there? Start to build a network and resource notebook. List everyone you meet who is connected to the industry, and resources that you might use in the future. Be sure to get their email and fax number as well. Send thank you notes to EVERYONE who takes the time to talk to you. Make them remember your name. Let everyone you know and meet know what your career goals are, even when you are just a student. Keep those names in your network file for later reference. Get a job in retail if you have never worked there. Be sure that your supervisor knows you are a fashion student and want to learn the ropes. Find out everything you can. Volunteer to stay late and help with the displays or unpack a new shipment. Can you meet the buyer? Would they take you along to market week? Study the fashion category or niche that you want to work in. Know all of the important companies, the owners and designer s names in that category and which ones are located in L.A. Know the retail stores where the product is sold. Follow the trends closely. Know the appropriate colors and textiles. Who is their target customer? Know everything about this customer and the clothing type. 16
STEPS TO SUCCESS PLANNING WORKSHEET From the list on page 13, make up your personalized list of the top 5 steps you will take before you graduate.. Write what you will do, and give yourself a deadline to do it. 5 BIG Steps I will take to success: LIST all details Step 1 Dates From START To FINISH for This Step to Success...... Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 17
MY FAVORITE DESIGNER Who is your favorite designer? What label do they design for? It is time to look at your favorite designer. If you cannot decide, you may look into the life and style of several designers. You will want to find out EVERYTHING there is to know about this person. Their signature style of design is important to you, so make this an opportunity to really understand the scope of this persons design methods and business type. YOUR ANSWERS HERE: WHO Who is this person? When did they live or when were they born and where. What is their education and design experience? WHAT What do they design? What styles are they known for? Show illustrations of their styles. You may want to insert pages of photos that inspire you. WHEN When did they start designing and for whom? When did they begin the business they are in now? WHY Why is their style unique and important to you? Why have they become a success? 18
WHERE Where do they design? Where is their fashion worn? Is it regional? What type of clothing is it? What category? HOW How much does it cost? How is the cost of production reflected in the final retail cost of the product? Do they design for a company? YOU How does this designer inspire and excite you? How will you use this designer to keep you Focused on your career goals? LEARN What can you learn from this designer? Formatted: Font: (Default) Arial, 9 pt, Font color: Black Formatted: Centered 19