The job description for a fashion writer encompasses many qualifications, skills and tasks. These writers provide editorial content for print and electronic media such as magazines, newspapers, trade journals, television shows and websites. They might also be required to attend fashion shows in cities all over the world, to visit the offices and production facilities of fashion designers, to meet with public relations agencies, to conduct interviews with designers and models, to meet with fashion merchandisers and buyers, to visit modeling agencies, to attend trade shows and to participate in fashion shoots. They might also research fashion trends and maintain up-to-the-minute news and information on the constantly changing fashion market. A fashion writer also must maintain an extensive database of contacts within the fashion industry.
A fashion writer might work as a corporate employee for a magazine, a newspaper, a trade journal, a website, a public relations firm or a television show or as an in-house writer for a fashion designer. He or she also might work as freelancer who sells articles to various publishing venues. In some cases, a writer might team up with a photographer or videographer to develop feature articles and conduct interviews with designers, models, magazine editors and other fashion industry professionals. The writer then must market the stories to editors and producers in the appropriate fashion media venues.
To work in a corporate position, a fashion writer might be required to have a bachelor's degree or masters degree in fashion journalism, design, marketing, or merchandising. Degrees in fashion are offered by fashion academies, art institutes, design colleges and vocational schools. A person in this position also must be familiar with textiles and accessories; fashion design terminology, such as the names of various garment styles and construction methods; and fashion designers, both historical and contemporary.
A position as a fashion writer might also require previous experience in the fashion industry and a portfolio of writing samples. To gain this experience, many writers work part-time in a related field while going to school. Many also participate in an internship program with a corporation in the fashion industry.