Vickie Keeble is a Style Director at matchesfashion.com – a luxury fashion retailer with 11 London stores, an international online presence and an on-going range of exciting initiatives; from own-brand magazines to pop-up stores.
She is responsible for directing and editing the styling across all areas of editorial, both online and print; as well as coordinating fashion shoots alongside the Editor and a variety of leading designers, photographers, models and hair and make-up artists.
Vickie Keeble, Style Director at matchesfashion.com
Read how Vickie got into the fashion industry, how she got to where she is now and what her tips are if you’d like to get into the fashion industry:
Q 1. Why did you decide to work in the fashion industry and how did it start?
I wanted to be a fashion designer since I was 10 years old! I clearly remember the day I started drawing clothes designs. Everything from then on was geared towards being a fashion designer. I completed art and fashion GCSEs, a BTEC and then my Fashion Design degree. I realised during my degree course that I didn’t want to be a designer anymore, I still wanted to work in fashion, but I had no idea that there was any such job as a stylist! After a career break, travelling the world as an Air Hostess, I returned to a career in fashion via work experience at ELLE magazine.
Q2. What was the turning point in your career?
I think there have been several! The big one was going from being a fashion intern to a fully paid fashion assistant for ELLE Girl magazine. The fantastic Editor at the time, Sarah Bailey (now at Red magazine) believed in me and guided my career. Everyone should be generous in mentoring and giving time to people starting out.
Q3. What does a typical day for you look like at Matchesfashion.com?
Every day is different! As I oversee the fashion aesthetics across all channels, my day can include spending time in the photo studio directing the styling team in there, signing off product for the weekly issue, mood boarding ideas for shoots, meeting photographers and agencies and attending sales meeting for the business. I love the variation of my role and the mix of departments I work with.
Q4. How can applicants make sure they stand out from the crowd?
I think a clear, honest CV that is on one page. In an interview I look out for a warm positive, personality and a candidate that is happy to try their hand to anything. You can spend years doing certain tasks in a role that you don’t like but it’s important to always give 100% and not to moan!
Q5. What key skills do you need to get into the fashion industry?
Flexibility to keep changing and growing (as fashion does), an ability to talk (and listen) to anyone. It sounds like a cliché but it’s important to have a huge love and passion for fashion! Long hours and little pay at the beginning is hard and a focus and passion keeps you going!
Q6. Do you have any motivational words for students aspiring to make it in this very competitive fashion industry?
Positivity, focus and motivation to keep going! We spend a lot of time at work and it’s important to love your job, be gracious and lovely and work hard! Also, I think my degree in Fashion Design opened doors but actual on-the-job work experience was more beneficial to my career progression.
Interested in a career in Fashion? Find out more about MATCHES FASHION at www.matchesfashion.com or visit the jobs section at www.matchesfashion.com/careers. You can follow Vickie Keeble on twitter.
