Meet Caitlin Harrison, aged 28 and PR Account Manager with Steeledrum Public Relations, we asked Cailtin a few questions to give you the inside word on how to get a great job in PR! Listen up!
Did you always know you wanted to be in Fashion PR?
No, I wanted to be a Sports Psychologist and then a Journalist - I never even crossed my mind to make a career out of fashion!
What was your first job in fashion?
I worked in retail while I was studying then I got a job in despatch (folding dresses) for an up an coming fashion designer in Brisbane
Do you have a qualification? If yes, is it related to the role you have now?
Yes, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Masters in Journalism
Can you run us through the steps you took in gaining the role you have now?
After getting a job folding dresses for a Brisbane Designer, I was promoted to Fashion & Media Assistant, the PR and Marketing Coordinator due to my qualifications in Journalism. Part of my job as her in-house PR was coming to Sydney to show the new range to all the fashion editors. I used the office of our Sydney sales agent to show the ranges and she shared an office with Steeledrum PR. I got to know Vanessa Steele, the owner of the business and got talking about me potentially moving to Sydney. Vanessa was looking for a full time staff member and I was looking for something new and exciting. I left Brisbane in April 2007 and started working as an Account Manager for Steeledrum.
What is the highlight of your job?
We have a beautiful office full of gorgeous clothes and when I come into work everyday I get to combine something that I love - fashion, with something I'm good at - communicating!
What is your one piece of advice for people looking for a Fashion PR role?
Be prepared to start at the bottom - work in a store, work in despatch, work on the front desk of any fashion-orientated business. The fashion industry is based heavily on contacts - talk to people in the industry and be willing to put your hand up for any job. Its much easier to get the job you want once you are in the industry.
Who is your icon in the fashion industry and why?
She doesn't work in fashion so much anymore but I really look up to Mia Freedman (former Editor-in-Chief of Cosmo, Cleo, Dolly etc). Mia Freedman was the editor of Cleo by age 25, she set herself goals, knew what she wanted and worked extremely hard to get them and never lost sight of who she was in an industry that is notorious for being superficial. She was also never afraid to try and trend! I love a girl that experiments with fashion!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Still working in fashion pr - hopefully with Steeledrum! I would like to branch out to home wares and more lifestyle products too. I think if you have the right contacts and a hard working attitude (who ever said fashion was glamorous surely didn't work in the industry) you can have a very long and successful career in fashion!
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