Student Merchandising & Design Association: Industry Interview: Erin Porter

We at SMDA wanted to begin interviewing professionals within the fashion industry, starting with the retail sector, in order to provide an inside look at what a career in fashion can realistically look like.

To start things off, we caught up with the lovely Mrs. Erin Porter, an Austin, Texas native and graduate in fashion merchandising of The University of Texas. She got her start at the Lilly Pulitzer store in Austin, Texas as a part-time sales associate; from there, she worked up to the position of store manager in Austin and was then promoted to their retail location in Charlotte, North Carolina, which is one of the company's highest volume stores. After two years in Charlotte, Erin and her husband, Matt, made the move back to Austin; she is currently happily managing the Vineyard Vines store at The Domain in Austin. Below, find some of her insight into the industry, as well as a few pictures of her adventures thus far. Be sure to follow her on Instagram (@erinelizabethporter) to keep up with all of her fashionable happenings.

SMDA: Tell us about your personal sense of style. How has it evolved as you’ve gained experience in the fashion industry, and how has this impacted other aspects of your life as well?

EP: My personal fashion sense is drawn from my love of the glamour and styling of post-war America (1945-1964.) I am drawn to feminine, printed dresses, red lipstick and pearls. This summer, I helped my father with the task of cleaning out my grandparents’ home. It was incredible, as if time had stood still since they purchased their house in 1955. My Grandmother’s kitchen was a treasure trove of kitschy dishware and appliances complete with retro starburst contact paper lining her cabinets! My memories of my Grandma always involve her being dressed up with fabulous costume jewelry. My Grandmother sewed her own dresses and would make my Grandpa matching neckties out of the excess fabric.

I know she took a lot of pride in how she dressed, and I have followed in her footsteps and believe there is an art to the act of dressing. Believe it or not, there have actually been a few studies conducted that show some of the subtle ways in which clothing influences others’ impressions of us. My favorite professor in college always encouraged us to dress up on test days because she said it gave you more confidence to do well.

SMDA:Where could we find you outside of work?

EP: You will most likely find me with a camera around my neck, bothering my cat or husband. Photography is a hobby I learned from my mother; it’s something I know I will enjoy for the rest of my life. We take for granted how lucky we are to be able to capture and preserve memories with our current technology. The most important tip I have learned about photography is self-editing and deleting the majority of photos I take. It’s more meaningful if you choose 1 or 2 photos of a special day rather than dumping your entire photo library onto your social media page.

You may also find me at home curled up on the couch watching reruns of Bewitched. I am obsessed with the costuming from the series. Samantha Stephens, played by Elizabeth Montgomery, was one of the original ‘60s television housewives. Her style is so classic- shift dresses in all different shapes and colors. I would swap wardrobes with her in a heartbeat!

I am also fortunate to live in the Live Music Capital of the World in Austin, Texas. My husband and I enjoy venturing downtown to listen to new music. My iPod is currently playing Leon Bridges’ album. We just saw him play at the Austin City Limits music festival. He is a Texas native who sings soul and gospel. He is definitely worth checking out, if you like 1960s rhythm and blues.

SMDA: Travel is such an essential aspect of inspiration within the industry; describe to us a little about a favorite vacation and how fashion played a part in that.

EP: My husband and I have definitely caught the travel-bug. In the last year I have visited 18 different states and traveled to France and England. Travel (and reading!) makes you a well-rounded person, which is something I strive for daily. I have traveled to Paris twice, and both times I was swept away in the romance and charm of the city. Every woman should own a pair of black ankle pants, ballet flats and a printed silk scarf (a la Audrey Hepburn.) In Paris you can get away with wearing the same all black outfit every day, and only change your accessories. Oversized dark sunglasses also add to the glamour.

SMDA: Can you tell us about when you realized you wanted to work in fashion? Have you ever considered going into different sectors of the industry or have you always been sure of working in the retail front?

EP: My cousin, Katie Brannon, was my biggest influence to study fashion in college. She was two years older than me, and really paved the way for me to pursue something none of my friends from high school were studying. I’m pretty sure Katie and I both just aspired to be like Rachel Green, from Friends.

SMDA: Describe the internship you participated in while you were in school at UT. How did it prepare you for working in the fashion industry?

EP: When I was studying at The University of Texas, I was a four-year member of the University Fashion Group. In March of 2008, I was one of the members who was chosen to travel to California to work at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Los Angeles. We worked with the PR firm People’s Revolution, and helped with the behind the scenes and front-of-house tasks. It was an eye-opening experience because most aspects of fashion week, and the fashion industry in general, are not glamorous. We helped to steam and prep garments for the runway, dress models backstage during the shows, assist with guest check-in at the front, and most importantly stayed out of the designers’ way. It takes a lot of hard work to make fashion shows seems effortless. Knowing your way around a garment steamer is imperative for our industry!

SMDA: What advice would you give your undergraduate self as you prepared to graduate and work within the industry?

EP: Brand Culture is an incredibly important aspect of your daily life in the retail industry. You need to make sure that your personal values are inline with those of the company you are considering. You should ask yourself honestly if you feel you can be a genuine representative for that designer or brand.

SMDA: Can you describe a time when you felt discouraged or challenged within retail? How did you deal with this situation and what do you feel it taught you?

EP: It’s very easy to feel discouraged when managing a team of part-time retail associates who have not committed their career to retail, and feel like their position is just a stopgap for something bigger/better or simply different. I have learned that although not everyone on my team may share my passion for perfectly folded stacks of sweaters or how therapeutic steaming dresses can be, it is my job as a manager to make them “professionals.” I am in charge of teaching part-time associates the importance of being a contributing member to the success of a business. No matter what they may want to do after college, they need to know the basics of business to be successful. Accountability, respectfulness, and hard work go a long way.

SMDA: When interviewing potential associates, what are some of the essential qualities you look for? Do you have any interview tips to share, and is there anything that is a definite turn off to you during an interview?

EP: For me, a well-designed, thoughtful resume is a critical portion of a candidate’s application and interview. There are many templates available online that you can use to shape yours; you can also check with your advisor for advice on what you should include in a professional resume.

A candidate should also have sufficient knowledge about the company during the interview. They need to know the history of the brand and should definitely be able to speak to any major newsworthy happenings within the company.

Finally, always come prepared with questions to ask. I would honestly prefer you to ask about my cat rather than to say that you don’t have any questions about the opening. Show interest and enthusiasm by inquiring about expectations, challenges, and training for the position.

SMDA: Working in any sector of the fashion industry can be both mentally and physically demanding; what advice do you have for balancing both a successful career and social/personal life?EP: Living and believing in the power of a positive mental attitude is the best advice I have for balancing both. PMA is the philosophy that having an optimistic disposition in every situation in one’s life attracts positive changes and increases achievement.

I also think owning a pair of comfy slippers that you can change into once you get home and off your feet is crucial. My favorites are the Wicked Good Moccasins from L.L. Bean.

SMDA: What is your advice to those of us just starting out in the industry? What would you say are key strategies to moving up within a company, and what qualities do you believe can give you an edge when vying for a promotion?

EP: Acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses, and utilize your manager as a mentor. Your manager was hired to coach and train a strong, capable team. If you are interested in moving up within your company make sure you are vocal about this to your direct supervisor. It’s also imperative that you understand what your areas of opportunity are and work on them daily. You should have an opportunity during the company’s review period to discuss your achievements and goals. I have always felt so proud of my role within the store, and it made me feel good when members of my team wanted to grow into my position. We should always be striving for the next career milestone, and no one wants to feel that they have reached a plateau without a chance for growth or new challenges in the workplace.

SMDA: What would you say is the biggest misconception about individuals working within the fashion industry? How have you combatted this throughout your personal career?

EP: I think the most common misconception about retail is that the pay is low. The truth is there is a wealth of opportunities to develop fulfilling and successful careers in retail. It is true that starting salaries are low, but this is reflective of many industries. There are many benefits to working in retail, including flexible schedules and discounts on merchandise. I also think the best part of working in retail is being surrounded by beautiful clothes all day.