#6 sarah harris has advice for young writers, "say yes to everything".
She's iconic. She's Boss. She's been through the biggest changes of Vogue. And this Wednesday, she graced the Central Saint Martins LVMH theatre with her presence.
Earlier this week, Sarah reconnected with ex-Vogue colleague and Central Saint Martin’s (CSM) Associate lecturer, Danielle Radjocin to share some advice for the future generation of fashion journalism.
Originally from Winchester, Sarah’s love for fashion started as a young child. She tells Danielle, “I’ve always loved clothes and was always interested in fashion magazines.” Recollecting a memory, “I would cut out pictures from magazines, and put them together into one thing to make my own magazine”, like most fashion wannabes, along with daydreaming about their Devil Wears Prada fantasy.
Of course, Harris’ dream of working in the fashion world has certainly come true. After moving to London to attend London College of Fashion to study fashion journalism, she got an internship at Tatler which eventually swirled her to the top of the fashion universe, and now her current role as deputy editor at British Vogue. During her tenure at Vogue, she has worked her way up to the #2 spot at the publication all while she established herself as a bona fide fashion star along the way. Known for her minimalist-yet-edgy style and her trademark long, silver mane, she has inspired legions to pursue her bold, contemporary and elegant vibe while she has singlehandedly made it cool for women to keep grey hair (I dare you not to consider it for yourself after seeing her).
When it comes to finding your way in the fashion industry, Harris shared her advice for the aspiring fashion writers in the audience. “It’s easier for you guys, in comparison to 10, 15, 20 years ago. You all got your own platform, you really need to use it.” And it’s somewhat true, unlike back in the day, nothing can get in the way from getting your own experience. After all, without Amelia Dimoldenberg’s ‘Chicken Shop Dates’, she probably wouldn’t have been able to host the Oscar’s red carpet last year. “Brands are desperate for young people who understand the digital landscape because a lot of them don’t understand it.”
“You have to be a sponge to absorb everything around you. You have to read writers you admire and respect. Don’t overcomplicate it, simplify things in fashion, write like you’re talking to a friend”
What about internships? Probably the opposite in terms of it’s attainability. Vogue’s entry level oppurtunities have far changed from Sarah’s early days at the publication. “It’s tricky because Vogue doesn’t do internships just like that anymore, back in the day, you just needed to be on a waitlist, but now we don’t take anyone unless they’re a) university students, b) aged 21 and older and c) we offer mainly ‘fashion assistant’ internships which ARE paid a very low wage, and I think for a 6month period.” Wow, even for an internship, ‘a million girls would kill for the job’. “Before, interns would come through the door once every three weeks, and to get the role, you’d be put on a waitlist, which I think, is better, because it allows more people to have that chance.”
Young writers everywhere, but more certainly in the creative industry just know how important it is to not say no, “any oppurtunity you’re given, just say yes, just go, you might meet someone that could know someone that knows someone”. And my oh my, we all know that’s probably the way a young creative will land their big break. “You have to be a sponge to absorb everything around you. You have to read writers you admire and respect. Don’t overcomplicate it, simplify things in fashion, write like you’re talking to a friend. Humour is very important, find ways to relate to your audience.”
Just after the talk ends, I caught Sarah for a quick chat before she was ushered off to have her photographs taken. What else, other than cold emailing, being persistent and saying yes to everything, can one do? “Have you tried sliding into their DMs?”, “What about sending hard copies of your work to the office?”, “Make it as easy as possible for them to see your work”. In the creative industry, this race is a long one, and to secure that dream job, following up is more than obvious - by no means will they be the ones running after you. But perhaps being so evidently clear as to how much you want this, could be the holy act to get the job. And once you’re there, the feeling of being an embarrassing beg will quickly fade into insignificance.
