StitchnPost | When you were making the decision to start your career within the fashion industry, did you have a specific position in mind?
Allison | Yes, I wanted to be a personal shopper. I created my own business and had private clients for almost two years, then I was hired by Dayton’s. I worked for Dayton’s | Marshall Field’s | Macy’s for almost three years.
StitchnPost | Do you currently work in a fashion position that works with customers?
Allison | I am a sales associate with dugo an independent women’s boutique in the Galleria mall in Edina MN. We specialize in special occasion dressing. I write and design the e-newsletter and write any other marketing copy needed, I also do a bit of modeling for the store and style clients daily. I have worked at dugo for almost five years. The most important insight I want to share is this: when working with clients in a fashion capacity, spend the most amount of time listening to the client and only after you identify the problem, then provide the solution using your skills as a fashion professional.
Stitchnpost | In your opinion, what is the Minneapolis fashion scene like for recent graduates wanting to advance their careers in the Twin Cities?
Allison | Welcoming! We have a small but mighty community, and everyone wants everyone else to succeed. I encourage new graduates to ask for help and follow through on offers extended to them.
StitchnPost | Have you experienced any challenges that you would like to share having worked within such a competitive industry as fashion?
Allison | My biggest challenge has been keeping myself stuck at a certain level of success in my career because I was afraid of failing at something new. I regret not having the guts to make the right decision for myself and instead of making decisions to help the company I was working for and keeping my job secure. I’m afraid this answer isn’t in the spirit of the question but I really haven’t had competitive challenges in the traditional sense because everyone in Minneapolis really is supportive of each other. It’s a unique situation that I don’t think exists anywhere else. As for advice for someone facing the same challenges, I can only think of recommending therapy?