16 years experience in the apparel industry, specifically in corporate fashion environments (not retail).
Every company has been toxic. I’ve seen it all. Sexual / Verbal abuse, Labor law violations, ADA violations, copyright infringement, favoritism, discrimination (weight, age, race)…you name it.
The industry will take advantage of you, it’s a well known fact. So negotiate your contract accordingly. Be ready to work 2x as hard if they concede to your pay requirements. Do not disclose if you have a child, do not disclose your age, do not disclose any outside obligations - If you want to be seriously considered. Appearance, aesthetic and complete compliance is highly valued, regardless of position or experience. Even with all this advice, you’ll still be fired immediately for any number of reasons, including but not limited to: being viewed as a threat to someone higher up, becoming pregnant, having a medical issue, having a family issue, having a grievance…
These are just facts as I see them…I am not bitter or angry and definitely not “thin-skinned”. The pandemic has given me the opportunity to reevaluate my priorities and see if a different industry is willing to see my potential and transferrable skills. Currently I have a serious, Commercial Sales Manager offer in negotiations, for a Hydroponics company…tbh it feels really scary. “Growing Pains” I suppose.
Side Note: We can boycott the bad actors, but the entire industry was built off of exploitation. Institutions like OTIS, FIDM and State level college programs push the fashion industry’s creative and “professional” attributes while turning a blind eye to the more undesirable realities co-existing. Things will improve when 1) Enough people leave the industry (like me) 2) Schools can’t produce new candidates 3) The people AND government start holding them accountable thru judicial proceedings (also me) and social shaming.
BCBG was toxic during the reign of a particular previous Chief Creative Director and a few years afterward (particularly when new management arrived). The comments, egos, disrespect, unethical practices, lack of humility, and scandals were enough in number I could write the next the Devil Wears Prada, except I would call it the Devil Wears Celine. For example, meetings with her would start anywhere from 9 AM to 11 PM (always on call and you had to be on the list for the day which still wasn’t a guarantee) and last a couple of hours. A solid couple of months resulted in the pattern of starting design meetings after 8 PM (sometimes due to poor time management and others due to facials and hair cuts). They expected true devotion and long working hours while always sending emails reminding everyone to take time for themselves and be stress free. It was highly structured with cliques within each department. She also would make teams of people perform for her on Halloween and her birthday which involved forced dance routines and singing in addition to the work loads of the employees. She was nice, however, to a select few, but even then.
My only hope is that the previous Creative Director may one day be nicer to the employees of the company they work for in the future. It seems many on top forget just how vital the bottom is for them to stand so high on top. This is unfortunately true in most, if not all, industries it seems.
Although highly negative in many aspects, I appreciate my time with the company as I learned a lot throughout the decade I was there in various roles, and there were some amazing people who worked at the company. I have developed many friendships from working there!
I believe it may have calmed down at the moment since the company has again restructured. The management has changed hands again, but it is unknown at this time if things are for the better.
definitely- too much politics above manager levels, and between divisions all different way of running it confused/disorganized its employees, and on top of it, make each division against/compete each others…
America Apparel left L.A. because of a huge amount of lawsuits, sweatshop labor, illegal immigrants in the sweatshop labor, and more. Not to mention ridiculous prices for “a cotton tshirt” or “skater skirt”.
Where’s the lie? This place is still a revolving door. Thank goodness the toxic people that I use to work with no longer works there. The only one left might be the lady you see when they give you your walking papers. I post about that later as right now I would like to enjoy me meal.
Perry Ellis- Rafaella Division. This was my last job in the Fashion Industry. I was in the industry for 30 years, so please, ask me anything. I won’t hold back.
This was suppose my retirement job but had to leave after two years.
Everyone was toxic except my boss who was fired when they decided to restructure.
I quit when I did not get a cost of living raise. It was given to the assistants that did no work and were eventually fired because the didn’t do any work. Stared at their phones all day. Everyone at the company approved my “excellent performance” raise except the Owner of the company who had never met me. He said that I made enough money. My salary was way below the standard as someone with Senior level and experience. A manager begged to get me the 3% raise, but I still quit several months later after the management abuse continued. Our team went from 20 to 6 people due to layoffs and firings and people quitting.
Has anyone worked for a great company? I’ve been in the Industry 30+ years and have tried to transition out several times however always go back to apparel because it was the best option pay wise. I’m in LA and the horror stories about toxic apparel companies are legendary. I feel there has been some improvement over the years with real HR departments, better safety regulations and changes in what employees will tolerate, however reading through this thread is appalling. It’s more reason to get out while I’ve still have the drive/energy to pivot to something else. I have worked for several family owned companies that were dysfunctional however not in a mean, toxic way- just your basic disorganization and flying by the seat of your pants problem solving. The work life balance sucked though, 12-14 hr days, plus email in the evenings/weekend. The posts on the Schmatte have not been encourgaing about remaining in the Industry for veterans or the people newer along in their career paths.
I had an interview in the front office of GIII.
The guy looked at my portfolio and offered what he thought was a fair salary on the same Couches in the welcome Area. No HR was ever involved. Then he emailed me For several Weeks asking why I thought I should get more money. I didn’t even follow up. It was completely unprofessional so I knew it was better to let my severance package run dry rather than taking a job there!
I felt that at the interview where the “black” recruiter said to me “sis let me give you some advice” explaining to me that I would have to do extra because they don’t let too many of us in. She thought I was cute enough and well dressed so she asked for a digital copy of my portfolio to be sent to her, read receipt showed it was opened but I never heard back and was glad. She explained that although my background was in apparel and that’s what I came in for, that morning she thought I would be suitable for an accessory role because of my background in approving trims. Although this was a long time ago She continued on as a VP of HR. Through discussions with others, she had a history at GAP Of doing the same thing. She was very appearance driven and I heard she also would comment to anyone who didn’t fit the Perceived appearance of the company about losing weight or fixing teeth prior to the next interview.
If I could tell my 17yr old self NOT to do the garment industry I sure would. Because now here I am all these many years later companies have closed on me, positions have been eliminated, bankruptcy, job ghosting, over qualified or under qualified, age/ race/ family, religion (and so on) discrimination, asking for MBA with 5yrs experience for a NON manager position and so fourth is utterly ridiculous. At this point I need to continue to support myself and family for a good 10 more years.
Thank god u don’t have to worry about that.
Garment everyone as closed … buildings are empty. All the stores are gone another Casualty is steinmart with more to come.
Sad time
EXACTLY!!! Luckily I’ve taken the time to learn multiple different programs and have been applying to non-fashion jobs because FUCK THIS. Later in my life if I still want to do fashion I can always find a way back in… Also love the name. I haven’t seen my family in over a year because of this damn pandemic.
Thanks jasonvorhees7, Covid19 really sucks for us all. I personally know 2 people that have passed away from this one being my 105yr old grandmother. I’ve been brushing up on my draping skills and baking skills. I’m hoping one of the 2 fields will lead down a new pathway, even if it’s just posted YouTube videos and getting private clients again.
Stay as long as you can! If you’ve read any of the “ageism” topic, you’ll see that anyone in our age group has been pushed out. I haven’t seen my salary since. Put your money away and continue the path you’re on. Do it for all of us!!!
The ageism happening in our industry is horrific.
I went through a very painful situation a few years ago where I was hired as a SVP of sales for a new footwear company. They used my knowledge and connections to get the company off of the ground then turned around and told me they were doing away with my senior role, couldn’t afford to pay me. Flash forward to a month later and I see in WWD they hired a much younger CEO and account manager to run the business. It was devastating and extremely unprofessional. Blatant ageism and to this day they have the nerve to tout themselves as “women supporting women business. Far from the truth!
I have spent much of my career in home fashions and have had some great experiences. The industry changed, however, and Fashion and home are both plagued by the same issues now. Too often employees are seen as Disposable, unless they are part of a management clique that protect each other, and ageism is blatant and common practice. Senior talent is hired then asked to ‘mentor’ junior people, and fired after they’ve trained their replacement. Abusive managers are now commonplace, and HR often buries complaints and fires the victims. When there is an HR department.
It’s condoned when we are told how to modify ourselves- be humble, dress like a millennial- in order to placate the insecure and inept managers that hire us because they want our experience and skills so they can take credit for our work. I’ve worked for terrific people, some younger & some older, and they have all been confident, talented, and collaborative.
When a manager claims age is the issue - fitting into the culture - It’s their excuse. They are unable to manage and lack the skills they need to do the work.
I’ve managed teams. It’s about Competency and attitude.
When you treat people with respect, and learn from each other’s strengths, it’s all good. Egos and insecurities never work.
The business has paid a steep price; product is bland, poorly made , it’s about quantity not quality, and there’s no time or reason to create design that is truly compelling to the consumer.
I am grateful for the friends I’ve made, travel around the world, and the opportunities where I was able to make product that sold well and gave pleasure to consumers.
I believe that we will see some entrepreneurs see the opportunity to create well made, thoughtfully designed goods that rely on e-commerce and a discerning customer. New trends will emerge, new companies will be formed. People will shop again at some point in the near future. I hope people will support companies that have a conscience.
That’s an awful story. I went through a similar event at our company Christmas party. The person was promoted up from a department that had nothing to do with where I was, and was given the Director title I was promised. She toasted her good fortune with me, saying how excited she was to work with me, and asked if I was given the title, knowing I wasn’t. She watched me carefully from afar before she moved up, even sent in a spy to butter me up and ask questions on how I do what I do, show my files, put them on share drives… I was let go at the end of the month. Funnily enough, she had the gall to contact me years later to work for her. I feel your pain. The “women supporting women” thing is BS. It’s cat-eat-cat out there.
