Getting your dream job in the fashion industry no longer just depends on interest in the industry or an impressive CV. According to Luis Lara Arias, an international consultant specializing in retail and strategy, companies today are looking for far better prepared profiles. They should have real industry knowledge and the ability to understand the business from the inside out.
With a career spanning companies such as Marks & Spencer, The Walt Disney Company, Inditex and Pronovias, Lara Arias has spent years observing the evolution of recruitment processes. He analyzed which skills have become essential for entering the industry. “When I started, it wasn’t that difficult to work in the fashion industry,” he explains, adding: “Companies were looking for more generalist profiles. Today I feel that specialized training is necessary and many companies value previous experience in sales on the floor.”
This article is part of ‘The Do’s and Don’ts’, a series by FashionUnited. It brings together insights from industry experts to analyze the most common successes and mistakes in important business decisions in fashion from a practical perspective.
An increasingly competitive sector
According to Lara Arias, one of the most important changes in recent years is the professionalization of the industry. Fashion is no longer an area where mere interest is enough. It has become an industry that requires specific preparation. “Today, many companies require some type of specialized training,” he notes.
In his role as an associate professor at fashion business school ISEM, Lara Arias says many companies use these academic institutions as direct recruiting channels. “Big brands come to these schools for interviews. It’s a gateway into the industry,” he explains.
But beyond training, he insists on another important point: understanding how the business works.
The importance of starting a career in the store
Although many candidates aspire to positions in corporate headquarters or in strategy, Lara Arias says the point of sale is still one of the best places to learn how a fashion company works. “You have to stay close to the market and really want to understand what customers think,” he says. “And that happens by working in the business.”
He doesn’t see retail as any less valuable. Instead, he argues that in-store experience helps professionals understand key aspects of the business – such as consumer behavior, product flow and communication with headquarters.
“I always say that the key to success lies not only in big data, but also in small data,” he explains. “All the information you gather from observing customers in the fitting room or seeing what clothes they buy is extremely valuable.”
The Dos
For Lara Arias, knowledge of the sector is essential. “You have to read specialist media every day and know what’s happening in the industry,” he says.
Retail experience remains one of the most valuable assets for companies.
“In companies like Inditex, the business drives everything that happens at headquarters,” he explains.
Degree programs with a focus on fashion can open doors at large companies.
For junior profiles, LinkedIn has become a strategic tool. “It is the ideal platform to develop thinking and demonstrate knowledge,” he says.
Lara Arias recommends identifying early on which business area is most attractive: for example product, retail, purchasing, finance or international expansion.
The don’ts
One of the most common mistakes is not keeping up with what’s happening in fashion.
“There are people who want to work in fashion and have no idea what’s going on in the industry,” he warns.
Viewing work in business as “inferior” can limit career growth.
“In companies like Inditex, the base is the top,” he summarizes.
Although many candidates dream of working for renowned labels, Lara Arias recommends prioritizing experience and long-term career building. “The important thing is to get into the industry and build a solid career,” he explains.
Companies also evaluate candidates’ potential, curiosity and ability to think critically.
“’Not knowing what I want to do in the company’ is another common mistake he sees among young professionals.”
What should candidates consider?
For Lara Arias, entering the fashion industry requires a combination of education, experience and observation skills.
Beyond an interest in brands or trends, he believes it is essential to understand how the industry works in depth. This ranges from relationships with customers to the commercial dynamics of the business.
He also highlights the growing importance of personal branding as a differentiator. “One of the first things a company does before hiring is to look at your LinkedIn profile,” he explains. “If valuable content can be found there, that person will earn brownie points.”
Another important aspect is developing patience and a long-term vision. According to Lara Arias, your first job doesn’t necessarily have to be with a dream brand, but it can become a platform for learning and growth.
Real cases
Throughout his professional career, Lara Arias has observed how major fashion companies develop talent from junior profiles to leadership positions. According to him, many people who hold strategic roles in the industry today started their careers in stores or through specialized training programs.
From his experience as a manager and professor, he knows that companies particularly value people who understand the business from a holistic perspective. You should also show a constant willingness to learn.
He also highlights that specialized business schools are increasingly acting as direct links between students and international companies. This makes it easier to access career opportunities in the industry.
Most important insight
Entering the fashion industry today requires much more than just an aesthetic affinity or an interest in trends.
In summary it can be said:
Companies are looking for profiles with curiosity, business knowledge and the ability to build a long-term career.
Luis Lara Arias’ final reflection sums up his vision for starting a career in the industry: “You need curiosity, the willingness to work hard, and the humility to start from the bottom. Because in fashion, the bottom is often the top.”
- He is an international consultant specializing in retail, strategy and fashion company expansion. With degrees in business administration and law, he began his career in consulting before moving into retail at companies such as Marks & Spencer and Walt Disney. He later worked at Inditex as an international director and was involved in expansion and franchise development projects in various markets. He then joined Pronovias as Retail General Manager and led international store openings in cities such as New York, London, Paris, Milan and Tokyo. He currently runs the consulting firm Retalent, advises investment funds and fashion companies and teaches at specialized fashion business schools such as ISEM. He is also the author of books focusing on retail and commercial strategy.
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