Q&A WITH JAE

I'm always excited to talk about my love for the fashion industry, so when I was asked to be interviewed by an aspiring fashion student, I was beyond thrilled! I mean, let's just keep it real, who doesn't enjoy talking about themselves?? I think that's how blogs were conceived. Blogs give people who love to talk a platform and they somehow make our nonsense seem more relevant. Anywhozies, back to what I trying to say. See, that's what happens on here. No rules to follow and no one to tell you to shut up! Jaelyn Rosales is her name and fashion is more than just a game. She is SERIOUS about fashion and her style is truly inspiring. She isn't afraid to step out of the box and set her own trends. She sees fashion as way to express herself and let me tell you, take one look at her and you would be interested in anything she has to say. See, that's the beauty of fashion, you can make so many different statements without saying a single word.


JR: What is a normal day to day schedule for this job?

BMC: It depends on what I’m working on... An average day in the life of a personal shopper/stylist can vary from meeting with a potential client to discuss which of my services will help them achieve the look/style they desire. Or, I could be meeting a client at the mall for a personal shopping session. I could also be prepping for a photo shoot or fashion show. Pulling looks and fitting models. I also manage to fit in posting on my blog at least once a week. 

JR: What qualities do you need to have? 
BMC: You definitely need to be confident in yourself and your skills. You have to have good time management and be able to multitask. You also have to be able to adapt to change quickly. Be ready for the unexpected to happen at any moment, because a life in the fashion industry is ever changing!

JR: How would you go about starting your own clothing company? 
BMC: I would definitely do my research and partner with people who have started their own successful clothing companies from the ground up. Ask them if you can intern for them, and learn as much as possible. Keep track of the positives and the negatives. Write all of your concepts down. Always seek advice from people whose work ethic you admire. 

JR: What would you say the most exciting part about this job is? And why? 
BMC: The most exciting part of being a personal shopper is seeing my clients transform and become confident with their own individual style. The most exciting part about being a stylist is being able to meet and work with talented individuals who share the same creative passions as I do. (Photographers/Designers/Makeup Artists/Hair Stylists/Models).

JR: How did you figure out that this is what you wanted to pursue in? 
BMC: I had the amazing opportunity to work for Ralph Lauren from 2003-2009. I always had a passion for fashion from a very young age, but working for one of the best brands in the world made me realize how much I was destined to be in this industry. 

JR: What types of advancements are there for this career? 
BMC: There are many different paths to choose from when it comes to a career in fashion. It all depends on where you live, who you know, and the experience you have. 

JR: How do you go about your wages  and hourly rate? 
BMC: Personally, I try to compete with other local personal shoppers by staying affordable and appealing to a broader range of clientele. 

JR: Do you see this job changing a lot in the future? 
BMC: As I mentioned before, I learned early on in my career, that the fashion industry is ever changing. You just have to be prepared for the unexpected and be flexible. 

JR: What type of advice would you give a person going into this type of work? 
BMC: 1. This is a thank-less job. So you have to truly be passionate about this industry in order to survive. 2. Be  flexible. Never get to comfortable. 3. Stay true to yourself. Never compromise your style in order to climb the fashion ladder. 4. ALWAYS put your best effort in any job you do. Even if it’s a non-paying job. You never know who you will meet and this industry is small. People will remember you!

JR: Is it easier to get a job at a clothing store having this type of experience? 
BMC: Yes. But your look and personality won’t hurt either ;)

JR: Is there anything you would want to see different in this line of work? 
BMC: I think I would like to see more gratitude and praise among my peers. We need to support one another and not always try to be in competition. There is enough work to go around!

JR: If you could, would you change your career choice? Why or why not? 
BMC: The only thing I would change would be my college choice. I wish I would have been told to pursue my passion, instead of attending a four-year university. I would have loved the opportunity to attend a fashion or art school instead. I think it's crucial for parents to encourage children to follow their dreams instead of the ones they have for them.



Thank you Jaelyn for the interview and best of luck with all your endeavors! You are the future of fashion! xoB