How I Got Here: The British Fashion Council’s communications executive on finding success abroad
IMAGE VIA @emilypowick/Instagram
WORDS BY DAISY HENRY
“Happy to be here, easy to work with.”
Have you ever stalked someone on LinkedIn and wondered how on earth they managed to land that wildly impressive job? While the internet and social media might have us believe that our ideal job is a mere pipe dream, the individuals who have these jobs were, believe it or not, in the same position once, fantasising over someone else’s seemingly unattainable job.
But behind the awe-inspiring titles and the fancy work events lies a heck of a lot of hard work. So what lessons have been learnt and what skills have proved invaluable in getting them from daydreaming about success to actually being at the top of their industry?
Looking for a new 9 to 5? Head to our Careers page for new listings daily.
Welcome to How I Got Here, where we talk to women who are killing it in their respective fields about how they landed their awe-inspiring jobs, exploring the peaks and pits, the failures and the wins, and most importantly the knowledge, advice and practical tips they’ve gleaned along the way.
This week we hear from Emily Powick. Born in Melbourne and based in London, Emily is living what countless fashion girlies would consider the dream: working as a Communications Executive at the British Fashion Council. A quick scroll through her Instagram puts her in the company of Rihanna, ASAP Rocky and Alex Consani, attending coveted events like London Fashion Week and rubbing shoulders with the best established and emerging designers. At face value, her career is the source of envy.
View this post on Instagram
Though she’s long had a love for fashion, Emily started by climbing the ladder in a corporate firm. It wasn’t until the pandemic that she really felt the tug towards a more creative role and applied for her master’s degree in Strategic Fashion Marketing at the London College of Fashion. “I was 24 and up until that point, I had no fashion work experience, only ambition and blind optimism that I would somehow make it work,” she says.
Through her course, Emily scored a PR role with up-and-coming designer, Chet Lo, and interned at The Times, before landing her current role at the British Fashion Council. Too often we hear comparisons of a career in fashion to The Devil Wears Prada, painting the industry as spiky, competitive and dog-eat-dog. But in Emily’s experience, the stereotypes don’t quite apply. Working alongside a range of professionals in different creative fields, she’s found the industry to be welcoming and full of opportunities.
But she concedes the fashion world moves at lightning speed. Emily’s day-to-day changes regularly and quickly, based on the project or event she’s working on. Before one project wraps up, she’s already moved on to the next.
View this post on Instagram
Hi Emily! Tell us a little about who you are and what you do.
I’m the Communications Executive at the British Fashion Council. I’m very lucky to work with the cream of the crop of the UK’s fashion scene, including lead roles in London Fashion Week and The Fashion Awards.
Take us back to when you were first starting out. Did you study to get into your chosen field, or did you start with an internship and climb the ladder?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had an avid and ardent interest in fashion but due to the limited opportunities in Australia and a lack of self-belief, it wasn’t something I imagined for myself. I put the idea on the back burner and took a more traditional route. For my undergraduate degree, I completed a Bachelor of Arts at The University of Melbourne, majoring in psychology and media and communications. To supplement my studies, I worked as a retail sales assistant and completed an internship at a local PR agency.
I officially started my career in a communications role as a graduate in a corporate firm. I worked my way up to a consultant and was writing and pulling together communications across audit, consulting, risk and tax topics. While the experience at this firm was invaluable and set me up professionally, it didn’t align with my interests and I was seeking something more personally fulfilling.
View this post on Instagram
During the pandemic, I had a lot of time to reflect. After years of denial, I accepted that I was creative and needed to explore that side of me. I applied to and was accepted into a master’s degree in Strategic Fashion Marketing at the London College of Fashion and in September 2021, I made the big and scary move to London amid Covid lockdowns. I was 24 and up until that point, I had no fashion work experience, only ambition and blind optimism that I would somehow make it work.
While completing my master’s degree, I scored a part-time Press and PR coordinator role with the up-and-coming London designer, Chet Lo. Everything snowballed from there – I then went on to intern at the Fashion Desk at The Times before landing my current role at the British Fashion Council.
View this post on Instagram
That’s incredible. What challenges have you faced getting to where you are now?
I’d be lying if I said that moving overseas and making this career pivot didn’t come with its fair share of challenges and a hefty dose of imposter syndrome. Moving overseas during a global pandemic was a logistical nightmare, with far more hurdles than a move like that usually involves. Melbourne’s lockdown restrictions meant I couldn’t properly say goodbye to friends and family, which was incredibly difficult because I had no idea when I would see them again.
On top of that, I had to face the daunting reality of starting my career from scratch with no guarantee I would succeed. Although I’ve sacrificed a lot to pursue a career in fashion (like missing precious time with loved ones and living an ocean away), I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s been hugely rewarding and there have been countless learnings and pinch-me moments.
View this post on Instagram
What do you want people to know about your industry?
Interning is key to getting your name out there and creating a launchpad for your career. In my experience, finding job and intern opportunities in fashion is more laidback and informal compared to other industries. While it might not seem like it, cold emailing brands (particularly emerging ones) and organisations about internships can take you far. But full transparency: interning in fashion (especially in London) is usually unpaid, so having a side hustle will be required as you get started.
What’s the best part about your role?
In my role, I have a great deal of autonomy and plenty of opportunities to develop my writing, branding and communication skills, which are all areas I’m passionate about. I thoroughly enjoy the dynamic nature of my role and the variety of projects and events I get to work on. No day is the same and as soon as one project or event wraps up, I’m straight onto the next. I’m also very lucky to work with an incredible group of people who are intelligent, hardworking and inspiring.
View this post on Instagram
What would surprise people about your role?
Building on my earlier point, the most surprising aspect of my role has been the incredible and kind people I work with. In any industry, you’ll likely encounter people you don’t always connect with, but it’s far from The Devil Wears Prada stereotypes people usually assume. However, the industry is so competitive and challenging to break into that only the best and brightest succeed. I didn’t expect this going in and I’m truly grateful for the wonderful friendships I’ve made.
What skills have served you well in your industry?
Things move quickly in this line of work and the most useful skills I’ve developed are a keen eye for detail, strong organisation and the ability to think on my feet. Also, being able to take things on the chin. Nothing is ever as personal or serious as it seems.
View this post on Instagram
What advice would you give to someone who wants to be in a role like yours one day?
Resilience and humility are key. This industry is not for the faint of heart, and as many have said before me, it’s much less glamorous than it appears. I’ve met plenty of people starting off in the industry who think they are above the work required in an entry-level fashion role. And while yes, you will undoubtedly be given tasks that you are overqualified for, this is unfortunately the harsh reality and it’s worthwhile keeping your expectations in check.
Your work will often consist of late nights, administrative tasks, coffee runs, tight deadlines and budgetary constraints – prepare to be humble and resilient, especially as you’re starting out and the rewards will come.
View this post on Instagram
What about a practical tip?
When starting, I recommend observing and listening for the first few months rather than jumping in full throttle. While it’s important to be diligent, it’s equally crucial to learn from your co-workers and upper management to gauge best practices and properly learn the ropes. This puts you in the best position to cultivate valuable and strategic ideas. And not so much a practical tip but more a practical mindset: ‘happy to be here, easy to work with’! These are words I live by.
Keep up with Emily here.
Liked this? You’ll love these...
