Faction Skis aka The Faction Collective’s Post

A must-watch discussion about the current state of the fashion industry from SHOWstudio The panelists touch upon very important topics, such as the latest collapse of MATCHES and freelancer rates. And one of the most significant questions asked was, whether internships should be paid. It is no-secret that in fashion industry, unfortunately, interns are still mostly not paid, especially styling interns. Personally, I believe that the world is changing and with it, the industry needs to adjust accordingly and evolve rather than continue the same practices as it was 20 or so years ago. Of course, on occasion it may be that it won’t be paid, but things like travel costs and food should be covered. And this would happen only to someone who lives in London, or any other major fashion hub. To hear an industry professional state, that if they went through it all - having 2 jobs and doing unpaid internships, the upcoming stylists too, have to go through it, is quite dystopian to me. So, I wonder, what is your opinion of unpaid internships? Should they cease to exist? https://lnkd.in/e2tQYR8h #fashionindustry #fashioninternship #fashiondiscussion

"Be curious and ask a thousand questions": that's what Elena Pancaldi (graduate of the Specializing Master in Fashion Tech) suggests to future students. In the video, she tells us more about her experience. At POLI.design, she became a designer capable of working in the field of sporty clothing, sportswear and competitive wear. She recommends the Master's also because of the internship experience, which allowed her to put into practice what she had learned during classes. Find out more about the didactic program: https://bit.ly/3R2lug8

In the world of retail and fashion buying you are only as good as your last season .... staying relevant and innovative requires a commitment to continuous learning and personal growth. Whether you're just starting out in your career or have years of experience under your belt, embracing new knowledge, skills, and perspectives keeps you sharp, adaptable, and forward-thinking. Be open to learning opportunities – this will help you to stay current with industry trends and best practices and cultivate a mindset of curiosity and resilience that will propel you forward in your career. #TheDesignDirective #fashionbusinessadvice #fashionbuyer #fashionstrategy #retailstrategy #fashionconsultancy #fashionbusiness #fashionknowledge #kidswearbuyer #fashionconsultant #keybuyerskills

I am excited to share one of my first financial models! 👟📈 Adidas is a global sportswear powerhouse, renowned for its iconic three-stripe design. Their products, ranging from footwear to apparel and accessories, cater to a diverse range of sports and lifestyle enthusiasts. I've created a detailed 5-year financial projection to explore their future potential during my internship at AlphaStone Equities. ⚠️ Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. #financialmodeling #adidas #sportswear

Here's another one of my tech pack for a denim women's jeans for my internship. The pant features panels and cargo pockets, reminiscent of the y2k era #DenimFashion #TechPack #WomensWear #FashionDesign #CreativeProcess #FashionIllustration

An intern became the CEO of Nike. The best athletes at Nike might just be the ones working for them. Elliott Hill’s 36-year journey illustrates this perfectly. His career is a testament to perseverance, consistency, and vision. Starting as an intern in 1988, he rose to lead one of the most iconic brands in the world. Here’s how he did it: - Started small: Intern and Apparel Sales Representative. - Adapted: Evolved through various leadership roles in sales, brand, and consumer experience. - Led with vision: Prioritized athletes and innovation at the heart of Nike’s mission. - Embraced the long game: 36 years of loyalty, growth, and leadership. There’s only one way to reach the ultimate role: Start where you are and never stop. Success is a marathon. Get your Nikes and just do it.

Today, October 6th marks exactly five months since I joined Inditex(Massimo Dutti) as a Sales Assistant. This milestone inspires me to keep working harder and to reflect on the journey that brought me here. After finishing the first semester of my master’s program, I was determined to find a part-time job. I applied to several positions and finally landed an interview with M&S Food. I thought this role would be a great opportunity to learn about the brand, its operations, in-store marketing, and supply chain management. I arrived two hours early for the interview, excited to observe how the store could improve customer experience. The interview went well, but I soon discovered the role involved less about branding and more about early shifts moving delivery boxes. Despite the disappointment, I stayed hopeful, but when the rejection email came, I was crushed. Instead of staying idle, I took action—walking into every restaurant in Kingston with my CV in hand. That night, I found a part-time job as a scullery assistant. It was tough, with 10-hour weekend shifts, but I stuck it out. After 1.5 months, I was thrilled when my manager suggested training me for the shop floor. Around the same time, I applied to the Inditex Talent Centre for a Sales Assistant position. On the day of the interview, I took a deep breath and visualized myself as a tiger—ready to fight for my place. Despite feeling a bit intimidated by the stylish candidates around me, I confidently answered the question about what makes Inditex brands stand out: their efficient supply chain and just-in-time production strategy. A few hours later, I received an email confirming my success, and soon I joined Massimo Dutti at their Oxford Street store in London. Recently, I requested a transfer to Kingston to accommodate my second semester at the university. Now, as I approach graduation and look toward future marketing roles, I’m excited to embrace new challenges and see where this journey takes me next! #CareerJourney #SalesAssistant #InternationalStudent #HardWorkPaysOff #RetailExperience #GrowthMindset #MarketingStudent #MassimoDutti #Inditex #CareerDevelopment #JustInTime #SupplyChainManagement #MarketingJobs #LondonLife

Most important lesson I learned in my first two weeks as an intern at adidas: When it comes to progress in your job, optimal, efficient and high expectations are silent killers if not managed well, as they did for a bit in my case. For more context, I am an incredibly high achiever, which worked well in 90% of cases. To be successful with high goals, you need processes and habits that flourish your energy, learning and work so you can focus on what is essential. Switching to a 9-5 was an exciting experience that forced me to adapt my processes to a new environment. However, I hurried a bit. Trying to be optimal, efficient and learn everything ASAP to prove valuable fast was about to be my failure in this case. Instead of learning the ins and outs slowly and surely, I tried my optimal route in an environment in which I was not familiar and with a huge learning curve (almost 75 years of history behind Adidas, I definitely can't learn it in two weeks). I made significant progress but missed some important "whys" and "hows". In a multinational company where teamwork is more than essential, those are non-negotiable. Unlike me, take your time. Walk slowly and observe the details of the environment, especially when you are unsure and it's something totally new. Slow and consistent progress, in this case, is better than efficiency and optimal when you don't even know what has to be efficient and optimal. Observe more than you think is needed, then choose the right way for the specific situation. Don't just go for the path you're used to, even if it yielded the best results until now. Make a habit to always remember to observe. P.S. Props to adidas and my team for providing the environment and making it as smooth as possible; it was a great experience.

"From starting as an intern in 1988 to retiring in 2020, and again coming back as a CEO in 2024" Mr. Elliott Hill serves as a role model for aspiring interns who dream of achieving the same heights he did. Mr. Hill began his career at Nike as an Apparel Sales Representative intern. Following two years in this role, he transitioned to the sales team and quickly ascended through the ranks. By 1998, he was appointed Director of the Team Sports Division, a role he held for two years. Then the Vice President of EMEA Sales and Retail, where he served for three years. Shortly after, he was promoted to Vice President and General Manager of USA Retail. Then to Vice President of USA Commerce just a year later. After more than 17 years at Nike, Hill took a break of about a year before returning to the company as Vice President of Global Retail. He held several key positions, and within seven years, he was promoted to President of Geographies and Sales. He then served as President of Geographies and Integrated Marketplace, and subsequently as President of Consumer and Marketplace. He then undertook several roles such as board member, board president, senior advisor at various companies. He also founded a company in the US. In September 2024, the global sneaker and sportswear brand announced him as the CEO. The CEO change comes as Nike is struggling to turn around its business. Since December, the company has been cutting costs, including eliminating some jobs, as it aims to save $2 billion in the next three years. Analysts have said that the company leaned too hard into selling sneakers directly to customers instead of through retailers. As he takes the reins, the company hopes to leverage his insights to navigate the changing market dynamics and regain its competitive edge. #Nike #ElliottHill #BusinessStrategy #CEO #dedication #perseverance

Interesting read!!