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What Would You Do?
The fashion industry is a very curious place to be. Everyone has heard – and probably used – the expression ‘small world’ at some point, but I’m not sure you really appreciate just how small the world can be until you’re in such a specific industry.
The rather tricky part about the fashion industry (particularly in Australia) is that not only does everyone know everyone, but as Heidi Klum puts it, ‘one day you’re in and the next you are out’. Logic then (to me, anyway) would say it’s a very good idea to always behave with the utmost professionalism and kindness to anyone and everyone you meet. After all, tomorrow they may be very powerful, very influential and very much a person you need to know.
So what then are you supposed to do with people who behave childishly, immaturely and unprofessionally?
The temptation when you run your own show is to let them have it. Tell them they’re tools. Refuse to ever to business with them again. Generally go to town on their asses. The problem with this strategy however is that this person may very well be tomorrow’s next big thing. And do you really want someone in that sort of position feeling unfavourably about you?
Equally, you don’t want to become a pushover. But an assertive person can easily get a reputation as an asshole if only one side of the story is relayed to a third party.
So what would you do? Treat ‘em mean, keep ‘em keen? Keep your own little black book of folks you’ll never deal with again? Or attempt to air kiss your way to success?
This is a recurring issue in this scene. Personally I write them off. It’s easier. I don’t make a scene, I don’t attempt to destroy their world, I just don’t work with them again.
It’s a shame, but creative industries seem to attract really unprofessional people, and we’ve all had to work with them at some stage. It’s easiest if we just do as we were taught in primary school and walk away from the situation.
They MAY later on become “somebodies” but if they behave badly then the odds are against it.
As with most things in life, the answer lies somewhere in-between. – Enjoy
I used to avoid conflict and be super nice to everyone. I still do/am except I will stand up for myself now and professionally and politely tell someone where they’ve gone wrong. And I’ve found being assertive has actually worked out for the better most times!
Also I think the Australian fashion industry needs a lift; we need NOT to accept average, dodgy quality, etc in all aspects to get us to a world class industry. I think calling people out when they haven’t delivered what they promised helps this. Don’t run a smear campaign or anything just tell them, and if anyone else asks your opinion of them try to be honest and objective; it’s the only way we’ll learn whose genuine and talented!