Down But Not Out:

Surviving In An Industry On The Brink.

The fashion industry has taken a hard hit in 2020. It seems almost weekly a new headline informs us that yet another fashion brand has succumbed to the effects of the pandemic on the retail market. While it’s fairly safe to assume the mega-wealthy owners of these corporations are weathering the storm just fine, the reality is thousands of people across the globe aren’t so lucky. We wanted to hear first hand from some of the industry professionals directly affected by the fashion downturn. British high street designer Abigail Williams shares her story…

Abi, you’ve been a womenswear designer in the fashion industry for over 7 years, tell us how the pandemic has affected your career this year?

The fashion industry has changed. Many retailers, including the ones I’ve worked for, have a huge number of brick & mortar stores and that just isn’t the way consumers shop anymore. People now shop online from the comfort of their own homes for convenience and availability, so many companies were struggling even before the pandemic. 

“After being at the new company for 6 months I was made redundant along with a small group of others, due to Covid-19.”

This year has been particularly challenging for me. I relocated to a different city for a job opportunity towards the end of 2019 as I wasn’t happy in my previous job and was fed up of trying to get a promotion internally. This meant I moved away from my partner, friends and a place where I had started my career as a womenswear designer. After being at the new company for 6 months I was made redundant along with a small group of others, due to Covid-19. This was no surprise to me as most retailers suffered significantly due to lockdown and lack of footfall in their stores. But I also feel it was an opportunity for companies to re-structure their teams or get rid of those they didn’t really want - well it seemed like that was the case where I worked.

What knock on effects has this had on your day to day living situation?

After being made redundant and with no jobs available or offices open in the fashion industry, I had to look for a way to pay my rent. I was fortunate to secure a job at my local supermarket, as a visual merchandiser for groceries - I’ve been working there since. 

My day to day living is very lonely and isolated. I live with my landlord which has meant my partner hasn’t been able to visit. He recently choose to move back with his parents short term until he knows his job is safe and I can get a job back in London. This has meant we haven’t seen each other much since March 2020 (only 4 times from March-October). As you can imagine this has been difficult and a real test to our relationship. The only light in all of this, is that I have my sister and her family near by who I see once or twice a week. Other than that I don’t really know anyone here.

How was the transition from fashion designer to working in a grocery store?

Initially the thought of going back into a retail store was unsettling and made me feel anxious. I felt like I was taking a step back in my career. This quickly changed into me realizing I had to do whatever it took to keep an income coming in. It was in the height of lockdown and it became a real struggle to get a job in London. It was also an opportunity for me to take a step back and reflect as I’ve not been really happy in the fashion industry for the past few years.

I’ve now been at Sainsbury’s for 6 months. I work with a great team and they have been so understanding with my situation, I’m so grateful to have a job. But I’m ready to get back into the creative world again. I really miss it and am striving to find a womenswear or childrenswear company that holds similar core values to me- integrity, trust, honesty, freedom, equality and a fun, ethical working environment.

“Mentally I’ve found it extremely hard and exhausting, constantly thinking and worrying when will I find a job and also be back living with my partner and start planning our future.”

The pandemic has also had a crippling effect on many people's mental health, how have you found ways to keep yourself busy during this time?

I keep busy by working 10 hour shifts 4 days a week, in-between that I’ve worked on graphic design freelance work, portfolio updates and job applications. Since lockdown I signed up with zoom workout classes, which has been amazing, keeping up my energy levels and meeting people local to me. I’ve also wanted to work on my own small range for the past few years, so recently started to work on this. Like many of my friends, they have also started creating their own small businesses since the pandemic, which is incredible.

Mentally I’ve found it extremely hard and exhausting, constantly thinking and worrying when will I find a job and also be back living with my partner and start planning our future.

Have you learnt any new skills from this that may benefit you and your career in the future?

Since lockdown I have re-evaluated my career and wanted to learn something new as a back up plan, but still stay creative. Since then I have been working hard to expand my graphic and digital design skills, using training courses online and speaking to a friend within the industry to gain more knowledge. I have worked on a digital portfolio showing different platforms, creating wireframing and prototype using adobe XD, ensuring UI and UX principles are considered.

The job market is highly competitive right now with so many fashion professionals currently unemployed or on furlough, how has your job search been different this time to previous job searches?

The pandemic has really affected any chance of fashion professionals to be successful in securing a job. A few months ago people were getting made redundant left, right and centre as businesses struggled to keep afloat. Not to mention the fact that no offices were open. This went on for months and it’s only now that things are starting to pick up with job opportunities, but it’s still not where it should be.

“Don’t give up! You’re not alone and this doesn’t define your future.”

Most recruiters don’t get back to you, some contact you directly for them then not to even respond and it’s a dead end. A lot of them say I’m not successful for interview stage or that I’m over experienced. It’s a constant knock back and extremely difficult to stay positive and upbeat.

What advice would you give to anyone that finds themselves in a similar situation?

My advice would be, Don’t give up! You’re not alone and this doesn’t define your future. Be open to other opportunities, and work on alternative careers or plan B. Don’t be proud to take a demotion in a role or pay cut. Talk to others in your industry, see how they are finding it. Finally be thankful for what you have, focus on that and know the right thing will come to you .