How I landed my job in Fashion Copywriting and why I love it!

Read how Isabelle Turner, landed her dream role as a Junior Copywriter at  Nasty Gal and her tips for anyone wanting to follow in her footsteps!

Isabelle Turner, Junior Copywriter at Nasty Gal

How did you know Copywriting was for you?

I’ve always been drawn to working in the world of fashion, and having a flair for creative writing, I instantly knew that the Junior Copywriter role at Nasty Gal would be the perfect fit for me. Over the years, I’d heard many wonderful things about working at Nasty Gal and Boohoo and knew that my career would benefit greatly from working with, and learning from, some of the best creative professionals in the industry. Even when I was at University, I always knew that I wanted to one-day work for a world-leading fashion empire, so when the opportunity came up to join the Boohoo Group, I simply could not pass on it.

How did you end up getting the job at Nasty Gal?

I was scrolling through LinkedIn one day and saw that Nasty Gal’s Marketing Manager had shared a post saying that they were looking for a Junior Copywriter to join the E-commerce team. Over the next few days, I tailored my CV to the role and sent it directly to the E-commerce Manager – I also decided to include a piece of sample work, to show my understanding of the brand’s TOV (tone of voice). The interview process was fantastic; it was just a one-stage interview, which included a friendly and informal chat, along with a small writing task. However, I knew that I lacked any relevant fashion experience, so prior to the interview I sent another piece of sample work across to the team to highlight my understanding of the brand; demonstrating that I was both proactive and genuinely interested in the role. And it must have worked, because here I am over 18 months later!

What is it like working in the fashion industry?

As cliché as it sounds, every day is different. The fashion industry is constantly evolving and it is all about keeping ahead of the competition and giving the customer what they want. At Nasty Gal, you are working in an extremely fast-paced but rewarding environment; everyone is working towards making the brand the best that it can be and that’s something that definitely bonds the teams together. Working for the Boohoo Group also has its perks, from super cool launch parties to amazing career progression opportunities, to luxury goodie bags, and even throwing their own summer festival— there’s always something going on to show how much they appreciate your hard work.

What are the key skills and attributes needed for the role of Junior Copywriter?

I will start with the obvious of course, writing skills. You also need to have an eye for detail and excellent time management skills, because you will be working on multiple projects; whether that’s new product descriptions, Instagram stories, or invitations being sent to influencers, there’s always something to keep you busy. Also, you’ll need to be capable of building strong relationships with other departments, for example, Buying, Design, and Studio, as at some point you’re going need their assistance in some capacity when writing your copy. Having a genuine interest in keeping up to date with political, cultural, and everyday happenings is also a must-have for any copywriter, because your copy needs to be sensitive and relevant to what’s happening around you. Finally, a big part of being a Junior Copywriter is having the ability to think creatively because sometimes you will have to take a concept and turn it into three memorable words, which trust me, is easier said than done!

What are the highlights of the role?

Since joining Nasty Gal, not only have I had the opportunity to work on some of their fantastic collaborations with Emrata and Cara Delavigne, I have also been fortunate enough to work across the groups other brands including Miss Pap, Warehouse, and Oasis. To a Copywriter, this is really exciting, because each brand carries their own TOV. For example, Nasty Gal is very bold and tongue-in-cheek compared to the others so being able to able to switch between brands has been fantastic, if not challenging at times. Finally, I think the team needs a special mention, because before I joined Nasty Gal, I did not know much fashion terminology and they’ve spent a lot of time (patiently) training us up to be the best that we can be!

What are the challenges?

A massive challenge of the job is trying to be creative ALL THE TIME - whilst being mindful of any sensitive subjects which could offend the customers; for example, last year when L.A had bushfires we would avoid any heat or fire puns to be respectful. We’re constantly trying to keep our copy fresh, relevant, and personal to our customers but it can be hard at times, especially if you’re against the clock or just not feeling particularly creative that day. Some days, it’s all about sitting back, looking at what other brands are doing, and deciding what we can do to differentiate ourselves; whether that’s looking at song lyrics, or carrying out competitor research, it’s all about being motivated to push boundaries with our copy.

Top Five Tips for a Fashion Copywriter:

1. Do your homework – I guarantee that in your interview, they’re going to ask you what you know about the brand, so be prepared.
2. Build a strong network – You never know where your next opportunity is going to come from.
3. Create a portfolio – This is your chance to show off your different writing styles and experience, so make it count.
4. Proofreading your CV – Before you send your application, read over it repeatedly, because there is nothing more ironic than a spelling or grammar mistake in a Copywriter’s CV.
5. Do not stress – Remember it’s ok to have those days where you’re struggling to be creative; just take a break, grab a coffee, and hit refresh.

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