So I’ve been sitting on this interview for a minute, but figured it’s well past time to dole out some more career advice in my Breaking into Fashion section!
Today’s subject is fashion editor and stylist, Peju Famojure.
The editor has worked for WWD, Interview, Marie Claire, Glamour, Teen Vogue, Vogue Italia, French Vogue, German Vogue, and more, styling and doing market research for the high end glossies.
The Bronx, New York native attended Tufts University, with a major in Public Health and Child Development, and had hopes of becoming a medical doctor. She says, “Fashion just kind of happened for me. Once I realized the almost criminality of the healthcare system (which was my initial career goal) I started exploring other career options. Being over 6ft tall with a little personal style, people always assumed fashion was an interest of mine. So I thought to myself, maybe this is one of those moments when someone is trying to tell you something.”
She landed an internship at W magazine, and fell in love. She expounds, “I liked the fast paced environment and the fact that every few weeks we were on to the next thing. I even noticed a similarity between science and fashion; you can create, criticize and discover in both industries. It’s this weird synthesis of ideas and execution.” Her internship led to a full time permalance market position, then on to numerous glossies, working with Steven Meisel and Lori Goldstein for Vogue Italia, and styling Solange and Beyonce Knowles for Complex magazine.
See some of her work below:
For those who want to break into the world of editorial styling, she says, “I can only dole out the advice that has proven much success to many: intern. How can you be apart of something when you have no idea if you would even like it? An internship is the easiest way to test the waters. It’s an exercise and commitment, but a short lived one. Just enough for a taste of what’s to come or what’s possible.”
For people of color, she says, “From what I see now, there are lots of interns that look like me or would consider themselves people of color but after that short stint, the numbers fall hard. It’s a small world and I think honestly that many subconsciously think they can’t diversify it, it’s too big a battle to fight so in turn just work with the current system. It sounds so serious but it honestly is a big problem. Outside of that, it also isn’t the most financially easy world to navigate, its a labor of love.”
She continues, “For the millennials, we are experiencing a individualist charge never before seen, a burning spirit of entrepreneurship with little to no start up capital. It’s amazing how social media has facilitated creating personal brand identity and recognizing it as your best asset. Then others can see it the same way through all your social media channels. Who needs someone to cosign your talent? You just show it. If you build it, they will come has never been realer.”
In closing, she says, “Be patient. Learn your craft. Stay prepared.” Amen!
Follow Peju on Instagram @PejuFamojure and see more of her work at PejuFamojure.com.
What do you think?
As an aside, I know so many amazing people, I’m about to start hunting them down for more interviews. The goal is one per week. Is there any particular industry you’re interested in Breaking Into?
Smootches!
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