There’s something magnetic about the world of luxury fashion, whether it is the storytelling, the heritage, or craftsmanship. Luxury fashion is an industry that has always carried a sense of mystique. But behind the velvet curtain of exclusivity is a team of people whose precision and passion bring that magic to life every day.
For Jade Krenek, an HR Manager working in luxury fashion in Toronto, that blend of mystery and intention is what makes the field so special.
“Working in a luxury brand, you really get to peek behind the curtain and understand the why behind everything,” Krenek tells Style Nine to Five.
“You really come to realize how intentional every single step is. There is no action that is taken without intention behind it without a team considering how we should approach something.”
While it can feel intimidating to break into such an upscale space, Krenek believes it’s more accessible than many people think, as long as you know where to start. And for her, the foundation often begins in retail itself.
“Retail gives you that ground-level understanding of what it’s like to work directly with clients, products, and people,” she explains. “You need to know retail to support it.”
“It really sets you up for success no matter what direction you go in later.” Whether you’re just graduating or pivoting careers, retail offers an entry point that lets you learn while testing your interest. “You don’t need to make a full leap right away,” she adds. “You can dip your toe in part-time and see where it leads.”
Once in the industry, Krenek suggests paying attention to where your interests naturally pull you. This can be areas like sales, merchandising, operations, or people management. “It’s really a combination of your passion, experience, and desired career trajectory,” she says. “Those early roles are where you start to figure out what you actually enjoy.”
That sense of exploration, she says, is what makes early-career experiences so valuable. “When you’re starting out, you’re in this ‘I don’t know what I don’t know’ phase,” she explains. But, entry-level jobs help you gain exposure to different areas of the industry. Fashion isn’t an easy field, it requires genuine passion to keep going. “These experiences help you figure out if this is really the space for you, and either way, that’s okay.”
Krenek also believes that curiosity, and a willingness to connect with people, can make all the difference. “Networking is paramount,” she states.
“It sounds cliché, but your network is your net worth. Speaking to strangers is a bit of a lost art because you never know where that conversation or coffee chat might take you,” she adds,” Krenek says sometimes it’s as simple as walking into a store and handing in your resume. “You need to put yourself out there to be noticed.”
Another way to get into the industry is early career internships. And for those applying to internships or corporate roles, Krenek says hiring managers understand you’re early in your career. What matters most is mindset. “We’re aware you don’t have years of experience, you’re coming here to get that experience,” she explains. “So we focus more on values, attitude, and alignment with the brand. It’s less about what you’ve done, and more about what you can do.”
That said, realism and preparation go a long way. “Sometimes candidates apply for roles that are far beyond their experience level,” Krenek notes.
“It’s important to be honest with yourself about where you’re at and what’s expected in the role.” Tailoring your resume is another area where many candidates fall short. “A lot of people use the same resume for every job, and that doesn’t set you up for success,” she says.
Recruiters can’t see your transferable skills and the values that they have unless you put them there. If you’re making a pivot, highlight what’s most relevant to the new area, she explains. “Cherry picking your experience and tailoring your resume to be specific to the role you’re applying for is incredibly advantageous.”
Despite the challenges, Krenek says there’s something undeniably special that keeps people in luxury fashion long-term.
“It’s the sparkle,” she says proudly. “We’re all human at the end of the day. And so I think that luxury, in and of itself, really pulls on people’s aspirations.”
Krenek said there’s beauty about being in an environment that creates beautiful pieces. “It’s an infectious environment to be in when everyone’s constantly raising the bar for themselves, it naturally has you raising the bar for yourself too.”
And while the industry can feel daunting, Krenek encourages anyone who dreams of being part of it to take the first step.
“I genuinely believe we’re limited by our own beliefs,” she says. “If you don’t think you could ever work in luxury, you never will. But if you start to believe it’s possible, and you take that chance, you never know where it could lead.”
The Takeaway
The luxury fashion industry often seems exclusive and out of reach, but it’s more accessible than you think. Jade Krenek, HR Manager, says success starts with curiosity, intention, and a strong foundation in retail, where you can learn the business from the ground up.
Networking, genuine connections, and entry-level jobs can open doors in unexpected ways, while tailoring your resume and showing alignment with your brand’s value help you stand out. Most of all, confidence matters! Once you believe you can make it in the industry, opportunities will follow.
Written by Negin Nia – Negin Nia (she/her) is a writer and producer who is focused on community stories involving lifestyle, fashion, and business. Her work has appeared in outlets and magazines such as The Globe and Mail, CBC News, and the Montecristo Magazine.