Many people working in the fashion industry don’t earn enough to cover a decent standard of living, especially in the four fashion capitals that are consistently ranked among the most expensive in the world. Designer and trend forecaster Draven Peña says she was able to accept the job at a New York fashion brand because she was living with a friend’s family at a rent discount. Her salary would not have been enough to cover basic living expenses and student loan repayments otherwise. She took on student loan repayments because her family couldn’t support her financially. Still, Peña considers herself “lucky” to have landed the job.
With few lucrative opportunities in the industry and lifestyle pressures, many are making retirement plans. “A lot of people realize after a few years in their career that they need a change,” says TikTok user Park. “No matter how much you love fashion, it doesn’t give you stability. Most people find it difficult to buy their own home, upgrade their lifestyle, get into a long-term relationship, or save money.”
Fashion is a highly individualistic industry, with many sacrificing their appearances, relationships and interests to succeed. However, focusing on the individual rather than the collective only exacerbates the fashion industry’s culture of overwork. If individuals continue to tolerate fatigue rather than working together to find solutions, the risk of mass burnout and turnover will limit the success of systemic change in the industry.
When work feels like it’s taking over too much of your life, people often think the solution is work-life balance. But this elusive concept is wrong, says Subira Jones, founder of consulting firm The Fireproof Career. Instead, people should aim for work-life satisfaction. For example, if an idea comes to you at 2 a.m. one night and you have to write it down before you go to bed, or if you’re working late but enjoying your work, you’re not going to feel as bad about it as you would if you were constantly setting yourself up for failure with a never-ending list of habits you want to change.
“The idea of work-life balance is like walking a tightrope — it’s exhausting and you always feel like you have to run from one side or the other,” she says. “Work-life satisfaction is a much more realistic goal.”
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Data analysis by Amy Betts and Jane Pickard.
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