Henneberg, Susan. Fashion Careers.

Henneberg, Susan.  Fashion Careers. Capstone Publishers     2017  64p   $31.32      ISBN 978-1-51570-4897-7  elem/ms      Nonfiction  VG   

For those interested in a fashion career, this is a must-read book. It broadens the scope of careers that are available in the fashion industry, including display designer, fashion designer, makeup artist, photographer, writer, retail buyer, stylist, marketing/PR, costume designer, and boutique owner. Each chapter features a day in the life, education needed, salary range, the value of unpaid internships, and strong entrepreneurial/business skills. There are plenty of color photos illustrating a person at work. The quotations presented in fact boxes are hard to read, as the pink background and only-a-shade darker fine-lined print do not provide enough contrast. The publisher even promotes its own fiction series, Chloe by Design, in the chapter on fashion writing!  The upbeat feeling throughout the book (with words like "fun", "exciting", and "glamour", and references to top  designers and brands) is tempered with facts about the hard work, the long hours, and the need to develop a social-media presence and do networking, as many jobs are freelance. For those beginning to explore careers in fashion, there is solid advice, as long as the reader takes in the consistent caveat that most people start as interns at low pay and must work very hard to advance to more exclusive jobs.

The series Behind the Scenes includes four books that look at jobs in industries  (fashion, movies, music, and professional sports) that are more behind-the-scenes but can still get you “in the door”. They include information on a day in the life, educational requirements, and salaries, as well as great photos. Grades 3-9.

Summary: Designing clothing is not the only fashion career. This book looks at ten careers related to the fashion industry -- listing personal characteristics important to the career, a day in the life, educational requirements, salary, and tips on making it in the fashion world. Grades 3-9.    

Careers in Fashion                                                      --Lois McNicol