Stuck between Corporate Stability and Fashion Ambition — How Do I Make the Pivot?

CAREER ADVICE
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Hey everyone,

I could use some honest guidance from those who’ve navigated the fashion industry a little longer than I have. I have a B.A. in Fashion Marketing & Management from The Art Institute of Atlanta, but I’ve been working at Bank of America for the past several years — mostly in fraud analysis and operations. It’s stable, pays well, and has taught me a ton about data, pattern recognition, and client communication, but it’s definitely not fashion.

For years, I’ve been trying to transition back into the industry — specifically fashion marketing, digital strategy, or styling — but I keep hitting a wall. I’ve updated my portfolio, refined my résumé, and even taken a few creative courses. Still, I’m struggling to even land interviews. I can’t help but wonder if recruiters see “Bank of America” and assume I’m not serious about fashion anymore.

So I’m asking:

  • How do you successfully reposition yourself when your résumé screams corporate, but your passion is creative?

  • What skills or certifications are actually worth investing in right now for someone trying to make that jump?

  • Would you recommend freelance or contract work as a way to break back in — or would that hurt me long-term?

  • And from a hiring perspective, what would make someone like me stand out to a fashion brand, agency, or creative team?

I’m not looking for fluff — I want real, tangible advice from people who’ve done the pivot or have seen others pull it off.
Thanks in advance for any insight — seriously appreciate this space.

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I currently work within the styling space.

Most stylist are freelance/ contract or work with an agency. Those who are lucky enough are able to get hired full time in a photo studio, but they usually work contract first.

I have been fortunate to talk with stylist, photographers, and photo technicians from all walks of life and various ages. The oldest individual probably being in their sixty’s. One thing that I keep on hearing is that this line of work is “not the same” over the last few years. It seems to be a slowly dying art, especially with AI and social media.

Getting into an agency doesn’t seem to be too hard, as long as they have openings. A good portfolio seems to speak for itself, regardless of your previous Bank of America work title. However, there seems to be not as many editorial photoshoots or in house photo studios as a whole.

In terms of skillsets, most on figure stylist have gained experience through mutual friends who have been kind enough to show them the ropes. Many have just learned on the spot. No special certification or schooling required.

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From a job board standpoint, it is important that your resume is geared towards the jobs to which you are applying. After your name, for example, you need to have your generic fashion title. This way the reader is evaluating your resume on YOUR terms, not theirs. Second, your summary statement should all pertain to your fashion experience (3 sentences or less). The summary statement should be followed by a section that has a bulleted list of skills (hard and/or soft skills) or accomplishments.

The idea is to get the reader to look at you as a fashion professional before they realize you spent the last 7 years in a bank. :slight_smile:

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Thanks for sharing this — it’s really helpful hearing from someone already working in the styling space.
I’ve been freelancing through my own styling brand, LabelGod Style Service, but I’m now looking to build more consistent opportunities — whether that’s with an agency or production studio.

From your experience, are you currently represented by an agency or working fully freelance? I’m curious how that structure looks day-to-day — how assignments come in, what the expectations are, and how you keep your calendar steady.

Also, when agencies or studios look to bring stylists on board, what kind of work in a portfolio tends to grab their attention? I’m in the process of rebranding my book and trying to figure out if I should focus more on personal styling and branding content or lean heavier into editorial and on-figure work to look more agency-ready.

Appreciate any insight — trying to be intentional about my next steps in the freelance side of fashion styling.

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Since most of my creative and styling work at Bank of America has been freelance through my personal brand, Label God Style Service, should I include that on my resume even though I don’t currently have a website — just an Instagram page and booking calendar? And given that I’m in the process of rebranding and building a new portfolio, does not having a live website right now make that experience seem less credible or valuable to recruiters?

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Sent you a message. Check when you get the chance.