Creative Directors working in the fashion industry are responsible for overseeing the design of apparel. In this article, Mandy gives us further insights into her chosen field.
Mandy is a Creative Director and Fashion Designer, and she gave us a sneak peek into her day-to-day life so we could learn about her career in the fashion industry.
Mandy is also the Store Owner of Miss Happ, a vintage-inspired fashion brand with a retail store on Cape Town’s Long Street called Retrospective. Mandy’s decision to follow a career in fashion was an easy one for her to make, as from a young age she was already playing dress up. However, her decision to establish her 50s/60s inspired fashion brand was a choice that Mandy says was definitely influenced by her father. “I was attending vintage car shows from my teens, and grew listening to stories from his childhood in the 50s and 60s.”
"Don’t be afraid to introduce new ideas or new product lines,
if you don’t try you’ll never know."
It was during a trip to Las Vegas for her previous company
that Mandy was inspired by what she says were companies that turned their
passion for vintage style into business. “I
didn’t look back,” Mandy says. “I did
research and saw that there was a modern culture that celebrated the Retro
lifestyle called Rockabilly. There was finally a name to the style I loved!”
Following her trip, Mandy launched her clothing
brand Miss Happ in 2009.
Creative directors who work within the fashion industry are responsible for overseeing the design of apparel. They can either work as art directors for high-end fashion magazines or as creative directors of a fashion design company. “I am 100% involved in all aspects of my business; be it design, graphic design, the running of my factory, social media and marketing or styling of our various photoshoots in the studio,” Mandy tells us.
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Although Mandy has been in the fashion industry for over 20 years, she says it was only later in her career that she decided to follow her true passion – designing vintage inspired clothing. “I was becoming despondent with the commercial fashion industry and was tired of designing clothing that I myself would never wear. Mandy says that she loves that her chosen career gives her the opportunity to express herself in what she wears every day. “I can take my passions and make them my business.”
To those who would like to follow in Mandy’s footsteps, she offers the following advice: “Always evolve and look at new ways to grow your business. Don’t be afraid to introduce new ideas or new product lines, if you don’t try you’ll never know.”
In addition, Mandy says that it is important to work hard in order to stay ahead of the pack. “Get as much experience as you can in your chosen field, get that internship, do that job shadow, speak to people you admire and look up to.”
Lastly, Mandy says, “Always try to stay focused and remember why you started out doing what you love. Love what you do. It will shine through in your work!”
If you’d like to be featured in this Instagram series, send a mail to editor@careers24.com, telling us about yourself and your awesome job, and we’ll be in touch!
