q I want to be a fashion designer as I am creative, and interested in fashion and the latest trends. But I also like business management. How do I choose between these two? Is there any way to incorporate both in a single career?
Pursuing a career that combines fashion design and business management is not only possible but also offers many exciting opportunities. Studying fashion design can give you the technical skills and creative freedom to develop designs, understand fabrics and explore styling. On the other hand,a background in business management will help you with essential skills in marketing, finance and strategicplanning.
Business roles in the fashion industry — such as in brand management, product development and fashion marketing — demand a blend of creativity and business acumen. Many universities offer programmes in fashion business, fashion marketing and fashion merchandising, which could give you exposure to both fields. Alternatively, you could pursue a degree in one field, like fashion design, and take a minor or additional courses in business management, or vice versa.
Combining both skill sets can open doors to roles such as fashion brand strategist or retail buyer. You could even think about launching your own brand, where you’d manage both the design and business aspects. Your passion for creativity and an understanding of business canset you apart in a field that values both.
Plan it out
q What does an event planner do? Do they just organise parties and birthdays, or is there more to it? Is it worthwhile pursuing a career as an event planner?
If you choose this career, you will be coordinating corporate conferences, weddings, product launches, concerts and exhibitions. This involves creating event themes, arranging logistics, managing budgets, booking venues, coordinating with vendors and handling last-minute issues. The job requires strong organisational, communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills. Event planning could be a great fit provided you enjoy a vibrant, ever-changing environment. Keep in mind, though, that it means working irregular hours, weekends and even holidays.