The Reality of Working in Fashion – Is the Dream Dying?
For many, the allure of working in fashion has been a dream come true—a career filled with glamour, creativity, and the chance to shape trends that define the cultural zeitgeist. However, behind the scenes, a growing number of fashion professionals are starting to question whether the industry’s promises are truly worth the sacrifices it demands. As pressures mount and dissatisfaction grows, it seems that the dream of a fashion career may no longer be what it once appeared to be.
The Glamour Versus the Reality
Fashion has long been a symbol of aspiration. Many individuals have been captivated by the idea of walking the glamorous runways, styling A-list celebrities, or participating in high-profile campaigns, but the industry’s reality is not always as glitzy as it seems. More than ever, fashion professionals are revealing the cracks in the industry’s image—especially as long hours, intense pressure, and inadequate compensation take their toll.
Freepik | nightunter | Working in fashion is plagued by significant stress, long hours, and limited financial rewards.
Recent reports have shown that while the fashion world is still filled with aspirational moments, it also harbors deep issues. The workforce is under significant stress, grappling with long hours, limited financial rewards, and an increasing lack of work-life balance. This constant hustle has led to widespread burnout, particularly as the industry grapples with systemic problems like discrimination and overproduction.
The Rise of Industry Discontent
In March 2023, Law Roach made waves by quitting his high-profile role as a celebrity stylist at the peak of his career, citing the “politics, lies, and false narratives” that often define fashion work. His exit is far from an isolated incident. This summer, a group of UK-based celebrity stylists formed the first union in the sector, pushing back against years of systemic inequalities. Recently, designer Tremaine Emory also resigned from his post as creative director of Supreme, citing “systemic racism” within the brand as a key factor in his decision.
These high-profile exits have shed light on the increasing discontent among those working in fashion. What was once regarded as an inspiring field fueled by creativity and innovation is now confronting the harsh reality of systemic issues that limit individual success and impede the industry’s overall progress.
A Workforce in Crisis
The fashion industry, notorious for its demanding culture, has long required significant sacrifices from its employees to maintain a facade of success. A Vogue Business survey from June 2023 shed light on the harsh realities faced by fashion professionals. With over 600 respondents, the survey uncovered common complaints such as long hours, low pay, and limited career growth opportunities. Many participants expressed disillusionment, as the glamorous image of the fashion industry often clashed with the day-to-day challenges they encountered.
Key Findings From the Survey
1. Overwork and Underpayment
Fashion professionals often face grueling work hours with little financial reward. Many struggle to balance their work and personal lives, leading to burnout and stress.
2. Excessive Travel and Overproduction
The fast-paced nature of the fashion industry, driven by rapid trends and constant travel, creates an unsustainable work environment. Overproduction not only harms the environment but also pushes employees to their limits.
3. Discrimination and Inequality
The fashion industry continues to grapple with issues of sexism, racism, and ableism. People of color, in particular, face challenges that limit their career advancement compared to their white counterparts. Additionally, those who don’t conform to the industry’s narrow beauty standards often find themselves marginalized.
The Impact of Systemic Issues
Freepik | Fashion industry’s relentless pursuit of innovation often compromises rest and well-being.
Working in fashion has become increasingly challenging due to the industry’s unsustainable practices, which are driven by overproduction and overconsumption. As companies push for growth and higher profits, the demands placed on employees continue to escalate. The constant pressure to create innovative collections and surpass past seasons leaves minimal time for rest or personal well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic has only amplified these challenges, resulting in heavier workloads and tighter deadlines.
Consequently, many workers face significant mental health issues, burnout, and job dissatisfaction. This has led to a growing concern about whether the fashion industry’s demanding work environment is sustainable, particularly in terms of balancing personal life, financial stability, and mental health.
The Shift Toward Greater Awareness and Advocacy
Fashion professionals are increasingly speaking out against the industry’s unsustainable demands. From the rise of grassroots movements like union formations to the phenomenon of “quiet quitting,” workers are taking action to address their frustrations. They are demanding systemic changes that focus on well-being, fairness, and a more sustainable work culture.
Key Movements in the Fashion Industry:
1. Unionization – The formation of unions by stylists and other fashion professionals is a growing trend. These unions aim to protect workers’ rights, push for fair wages, and combat discrimination.
2. Quiet Quitting – A quiet resignation from the industry’s toxic culture is emerging. Workers are withdrawing from the hustle culture without making a dramatic exit. This trend reflects a larger dissatisfaction with the status quo.
3. Resignations and High-Profile Exits – Designers, stylists, and executives are increasingly stepping down from their roles, citing toxic work environments, discrimination, and lack of respect for work-life balance as driving factors.
These movements signal that the once-unquestioned allure of fashion careers is now facing a reckoning. If the industry hopes to retain talent and keep pace with demands for sustainability and diversity, it must undergo significant change.
A Changing Definition of Success
Traditionally, the fashion industry equated success with fame, glamour, and wealth. However, as workers reevaluate their priorities, a new definition of success is emerging. This modern perspective emphasizes personal well-being, job satisfaction, and ethical practices. Instead of solely climbing the career ladder, individuals seek roles that align with their values, offer fair compensation, and promote a balanced lifestyle.
Many fashion professionals now prioritize contributing to a positive work culture and making a meaningful impact over chasing traditional markers of success like prestige or high-profile collaborations.
The Future of Fashion
Freepik | Fashion firms must ensure worker well-being for a sustainable future.
To avoid a mass exodus of talent, the fashion industry must address the systemic issues that are driving workers away. The focus must shift from overproduction and unsustainable growth to creating a more inclusive, supportive, and sustainable environment. This includes tackling issues of discrimination, ensuring fair compensation, and prioritizing the mental health and well-being of employees.
Key Changes for a Sustainable Future
1. Embracing Diversity and Inclusion
Fashion must prioritize true diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) to reflect the diverse world it serves. This includes addressing racial, gender, and ability-based disparities that continue to plague the industry.
2. Sustainable Production Practices
Overproduction and overconsumption have led to environmental damage and worker burnout. Shifting toward more sustainable practices can help mitigate some of the industry’s negative impacts.
3. Work-Life Balance and Fair Compensation
Companies must prioritize the well-being of their employees, offering better work-life balance, reasonable hours, and fair pay to ensure a sustainable workforce.
Without these fundamental changes, fashion risks losing its most talented workers, stalling innovation, and perpetuating the burnout culture that threatens the industry’s future.
Can Fashion Evolve?
Fashion has long been associated with the pursuit of beauty, creativity, and aspiration. However, as the industry confronts its internal struggles, it’s clear that the dream of working in fashion needs to be reevaluated. The industry must evolve—focusing on sustainability, diversity, and the well-being of its workforce—if it is to remain relevant and attract the next generation of talent.
The shift toward a more ethical, inclusive, and balanced fashion industry may be the only way to prevent its workers from abandoning the dream altogether. With significant change, fashion could not only survive but thrive, benefiting both its workforce and its consumers.