Often, when people think of working in fashion, being a fashion stylist instantly comes to mind. Being a stylist is a sought-after job, but it’s not for everyone. There are so many careers in fashion that you can thrive and excel at with your unique skill set. Here are five other fashion industry careers you may not have thought about.

1. Fashion and Lifestyle Television Producer

Being a fashion and lifestyle producer is all about thriving under pressure, as the majority of the time you will be producing segments for live TV. In this role, your key responsibilities are planning daily segments which can be on the topic of anything, from the latest global beauty trends to different ways to style a sweater. Check out this internship for Julia Grieve, founder of sustainable fashion brand Preloved, who is now Cityline’s Eco Expert.

A day in the life usually consists of collaborating with influencers and industry players, conceptualizing segments, casting models, booking designers to feature, and reaching out to brands to see if they are willing to give the show product testers for guests. A background Radio Television Arts or Journalism will give you a competitive edge in this role.

2. Retail Buyer

Being a retail buyer is truly where creativity and commerce intersect. In this role, you must have a solid understanding of who your key consumers are and what they are looking for, in addition to having a strong sense of trend awareness each season. You always have to be ahead of the curve as fashion is fast-paced and styles are constantly changing.

Having strong communication skills is also imperative. You’ll be meeting with vendors and negotiating costs, while also leading your team to ensure the vision for the season aligns with your customer, all while staying on budget. Interested? Then you may be cut out to be a retail buyer. In this position, a background is Fashion Merchandising or Commerce is a plus.

3. Product Developer

While working with a team of designers to conceptualize pieces with upcoming trends in mind, product developers are often involved in designing from the initial sketch to the final garment.

Your main objective is to produce beautiful goods that appeal to your customers, both aesthetically and price-wise. You also want to keep the company competitive by producing pieces that are on-trend and in your customers price point. This role may require you to travel to source manufacturing and raw materials. Another large part of this role is gaining inspiration from your surroundings and reflecting them in the garments you create. Having a degree or diploma in Fashion Design is an asset.

4. Fashion Journalist

For years, fashion magazines were the cornerstone of communicating the latest trends to the masses. Now in the era of social media, there are so many platforms with different approaches to writing.

As a fashion journalist, you might have to be able to encapsulate the creative force behind a designer or the review a fashion show in a way that immediately draws in the reader. Another important skill is research. When pursuing a career in fashion journalism, understanding how to network within the industry lets you find insiders to weigh in on trending topics or industry events. Interviewing and quoting these fashion insiders further validates your writing. A degree or diploma in Journalism or Communications is an asset in this role.

5. Fashion Merchandiser

A store’s front display and merchandising strategy, when done creatively, tells a story and draws the consumer in. The main objective is to entice consumers to come into the store and display the garments in unique ways that inspire them to buy. A successful fashion merchandiser has a clear understanding of trends and popular culture, and thinks outside of conventional lines to create a story with clothing. With this in mind, a degree or in diploma in Fine Arts or Fashion will help you to thrive.

There are so many opportunities in fashion, but you have to find the right fit for your skills and interests. When you explore different roles that exist in the fashion industry, you may discover a new career path that you didn’t even know you enjoyed or excelled at.

Do you feel stuck in your career? Are you looking to make a change? Book a one hour Career Meeting with Style Nine to Five’s Founder, Christie Lohr, to discuss your options, review your resume, cover letter or LinkedIn profile to get the advice you need to make your next upward steps in your career.

By: Demetra Maragos – Demetra is a freelance writer who loves thinking outside of conventional lines while combining her passions for lifestyle and fashion in order to create brand centered messages.