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The Digital Beauty Revolution: 2023's Most In-Demand Roles

The beauty industry has undergone a transformative revolution, creating exciting opportunities for professionals with a flair for technology and a passion for beauty. The demand for digital beauty experts has skyrocketed, driven by technological advancements and the changing preferences of consumers. Here are some of this year’s most in-demand roles that offer a chance to shape the future of beauty.

Beauty Data Analyst - Decoding Consumer Insights

In the age of big data, beauty brands are leveraging consumer insights to drive innovation and enhance their offerings. Beauty data analysts play a pivotal role in deciphering consumer preferences, behavior, and trends. Their expertise lies in analyzing vast amounts of data from digital platforms and online interactions, providing valuable insights that guide product development, marketing strategies, and overall brand success in the digital realm.

Social Media Beauty Strategist - Mastering the Art of Digital Engagement

Social media has become the epicenter of beauty conversations and trends. Social media beauty strategists are adept at crafting impactful campaigns that resonate with online audiences, driving engagement and brand loyalty. They possess a deep understanding of various social platforms and the latest digital marketing tactics, enabling them to create compelling content that leaves a lasting impression on beauty enthusiasts worldwide.

eCommerce Beauty Manager - Navigating the Digital Retail Space

As eCommerce continues to flourish, beauty brands require skilled e-commerce beauty managers to navigate the digital retail landscape successfully. These experts oversee online sales channels, optimize product listings, and strategize promotional activities to boost online visibility and drive sales. By harnessing the power of digital marketplaces, eCommerce beauty managers play a critical role in reaching a broader consumer base.

Seize the Digital Beauty Frontier

The digital beauty revolution is here, and it's an exciting time to be part of this ever-evolving industry. As technology continues to shape the beauty landscape, digital beauty experts are at the forefront of driving innovation and change. As the industry evolves, we are here to guide aspiring professionals through these transformations. With our extensive network, expertise, and commitment to connecting talent with beauty companies, we can help individuals find their desired roles in the digital landscape.

Our dedicated team is here to support and connect you with the best opportunities in the fashion, home, and beauty industries. Together, let's navigate the digital era and embrace the future of beauty.

References: 

Career Spotlight: Behind the Seams of the Fashion Industry  

The fashion industry is a multifaceted and dynamic realm that offers a wide range of exciting career opportunities. Behind the scenes, professionals work diligently to bring fashion to life and drive the success of brands and businesses. If you’re thinking about a career in the fashion industry, these are a few positions you may want to consider!

Fashion Design:

Fashion design is a dynamic field with immense creative potential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of fashion designers is projected to grow by 3% over the next decade, resulting in new opportunities for aspiring designers.

Fashion Merchandising:

Fashion merchandising plays a pivotal role in driving sales and maximizing profitability for fashion brands. The Fashion Retail Academy reports that merchandisers are highly sought after in the industry, with strong demand for professionals who can analyze market trends, develop product strategies, and curate collections. This field offers a diverse range of career paths, from merchandise planners to retail buyers, with competitive salaries and room for growth.

Trend Forecasting:

Trend forecasting serves as a valuable tool for brands to stay ahead of the curve. The Global Trend Institute highlights that trend forecasters contribute to the industry's success by identifying emerging styles, colors, and consumer preferences. This data-driven field requires a keen eye for observation, research skills, and the ability to interpret cultural, social, and economic factors influencing fashion trends.

Fashion Marketing and Branding:

Fashion marketing and branding are integral to building brand awareness and driving consumer engagement. According to the Fashion Institute of Technology, professionals in this field play a crucial role in developing marketing strategies, managing brand image, and leveraging digital platforms to reach target audiences. With the growth of e-commerce and social media, there is a rising demand for skilled fashion marketers who can create impactful campaigns and foster brand loyalty.

Fashion Journalism and Public Relations:

Fashion journalism and public relations contribute to shaping the industry's narrative and maintaining strong brand reputation. The Fashion Careers Guide highlights that professionals in these fields can work as fashion writers, editors, publicists, or media relations specialists. With a deep understanding of the industry and excellent communication skills, fashion journalists and PR specialists play a vital role in disseminating fashion news, conducting interviews, and promoting brands to a wide audience.

The fashion industry presents many opportunities for individuals passionate about creativity, analysis, and effective communication. From the growth of employment opportunities for fashion designers to the demand for trend forecasters and marketing professionals, there is ample room for career growth and success. Our team is committed to supporting aspiring professionals in navigating these opportunities!

Supporting articles: 

Unlocking Potential: Tips for a Successful Career Transition to Fashion

Thinking about making a career switch into the fashion industry? The secret to thriving in this dynamic field boils down to having a strategic approach that focuses on effectively showcasing your transferable skills. Check out some valuable tips from our talent matchmakers that can help you demonstrate your strengths and succeed in your fashion career.

Identify Your Transferable Skills

First things first, take a moment to assess your existing skill set. Even if you haven't worked directly in the fashion industry, rest assured that you've gained numerous transferable skills throughout your professional journey. These soft skills can fall into categories like communication, problem-solving, creativity, leadership, and adaptability. The key here is to recognize your strengths and align them with the demands of the fashion industry. This way, you can construct a compelling narrative that highlights the value you bring to the table.

Customize Your Resumes and Cover Letters

When it comes to effectively communicating your capabilities to potential employers in the fashion industry, customization is the name of the game. Tailor your resumes and cover letters to emphasize relevant experiences and achievements that showcase your adaptability, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Shine a spotlight on projects or initiatives where collaboration, deadline management, and attention to detail played a crucial role. Additionally, don't forget to showcase any fashion-related coursework, certifications, or workshops you've completed to underscore your commitment to continuous learning and acquiring industry-specific knowledge.

Leverage Networking Opportunities

Networking is a game-changer when it comes to transitioning into a new field. Seek out networking opportunities within the fashion industry to connect with professionals who can offer guidance and potential job leads. Attend industry events, become part of fashion-focused professional groups (there’s some great ones on LinkedIn), and make the most of online platforms to forge meaningful connections. Clearly articulate your passion for fashion and demonstrate how your transferable skills can contribute to the industry's growth. Actively seek out mentorship opportunities to gain valuable insights and guidance from seasoned professionals.

Pursue Internships and Volunteering

Internships and volunteering can be your golden ticket to gaining invaluable hands-on experience and bridging the gap between your existing skill set and the fashion industry. Look for fashion-related internships or volunteer positions that align with your personal interests. While these roles may be entry-level, they provide incredible opportunities to acquire practical knowledge, develop industry-specific skills, and expand your network within the fashion community. During the application process, highlight your transferable skills and express genuine enthusiasm for learning and making a meaningful contribution to the industry.

Embrace Continuous Learning and Skill Development

In the ever-evolving fashion industry, adaptability and a commitment to lifelong learning are vital for success. Stay up to date with the latest fashion trends, industry news, and technological advancements shaping the field. Make the most of online courses, workshops, and certifications to acquire specialized knowledge in areas such as fashion design, merchandising, marketing, or supply chain management. By demonstrating interest in expanding your skill set, you showcase your dedication to professional growth and ability to thrive in the fast-paced nature of the fashion industry.

By identifying and showcasing your transferable skills, customizing your application materials, leveraging networking opportunities, pursuing internships and volunteering, and embracing continuous learning, you'll lay a strong foundation for success in the fashion industry. As a leading staffing agency specializing in the fashion, home, and beauty industry, Emerging Blue is here to provide tailored solutions that connect talented individuals like yourself with exciting career opportunities. Whether you're seeking roles in design, merchandising, marketing, or other areas within the fashion, home, and beauty industry, we're here to help guide you through the recruitment process.

Referenced:

https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/workplace-talent/how-to-demonstrate-transferable-skills-change-career-fashion-insider-advice/

TikTok Takeover: Today's Hottest Marketing & Hiring Tool

Emerging Blue TikTok Takeover Blog

Among all the social media platforms and channels, there is only one that has taken over like no other: TikTok. With over 1 billion users in over 150 different countries, TikTok has quickly taken center stage and is changing the ways of digital marketing as we know them.

TikTok has established itself not just as a social channel, but as a destination for all things beauty and fashion. The app has sparked and circulated some of the most popular trends in clothing styles, skincare routines, makeup hacks, and more.

Many brands are recognizing the app’s influence on consumer purchasing and have begun incorporating TikTok as a key tool in their digital marketing strategies.

Brands can build off of trends by understanding the wider tendencies they reveal, and tap into specific trends by using them to tell stories about existing products.”

Given the platform’s algorithm, TikTok provides marketers an avenue for reach and engagement. Even without an established following or presence, as long as there is appealing content, audience engagement is bound to follow. This makes TikTok a social media platform with some of the highest engagement rates.

Brands are finding that there are two major ingredients to a successful TikTok campaign: Authenticity + Consistency

As brands continue to evolve their digital marketing strategies, they’ll have to add TikTok to their list of platforms. Through authentic and consistent content, brand deals with influencers, and participation in recent trends, brands can easily fast track to increased awareness, engagement, and creating a larger, loyal customer base.

In a job seekers’ market, TikTok can also be used as a recruiting platform. Many brands have shifted their use of TikTok to recruit summer interns or digital marketing related positions. By advertising these jobs through catchy reels with a link to the job application, brands have been able to take advantage of TikTok’s evolution as a creative alternative to the traditional job board or application/hiring process. “TikTok has already recognized its potential as the next big jobs platform, launching a #TikTokResumes pilot program” in 2021.

 Another trend to note is that candidates have been using TikTok as a way to showcase their creative work. For positions in the creative or artistic fields, TikTok can be an extension to potential candidate’s portfolio, providing brands with a clearer understanding of a person’s real time work.

Whether you’re a brand marketing a product, a hiring manager seeking talent, or a candidate showcasing your portfolio, TikTok demonstrates its ability as a tool to be used by nearly anyone and everyone in the workplace.

Articles referenced:

The Power of Brand Storytelling

Emerging Blue Blog

Brands are rediscovering the power that lies in their unique narratives. Following the pandemic, many fashion and beauty brands invested into marketing efforts that directly drove online sales. But in a time when the shock of the pandemic has now passed, many are recognizing the need to bridge the gap between brand building and driving sales. The solution? Brand storytelling.

Instead of seeing the two strategies as mutually exclusive, now “brands see a balance between these two styles of marketing as the key to long-term success”. Incorporating unique origin stories and brand values into marketing efforts not only garners greater trust and loyalty with customers, but can also establish a stronger stamp of brand DNA in an ever-evolving marketplace.

In addition to the appeal to consumers, brand storytelling helps to attract candidates. Most people seek out a career that they are passionate about. Share with the world the brand’s story, vision, values, and the ultimate mission. Some of the biggest and most successful brands have achieved their success because of their commitment and dedication to their roots.

Nothing compares to the feeling of finding the perfect candidate who aligns with your brand DNA. If you’re hiring and looking for candidates who resonate with the story of your brand, we are here to help. Connect with our team today.

 

Related Articles: Forbes, Entrepreneur, & Marketing Insider Group

The Digital Shift: Catering to Online Consumers

Emerging Blue Influencer Marketing

It is not news that the digital age has remarkably changed the consumer shopping experience. In the past several years, thousands of brands have developed eCommerce platforms to accommodate the desire for convenience by consumers. In addition to the ease of online shopping, there are several factors that have contributed to this shift, but a few stand out in particular:

  • The pandemic: With health concerns associated with in-person shopping during the pandemic, many consumers turned towards online shopping for more convenience and peace of mind.

  • Increased social media usage: Brands are utilizing popular social media outlets, such as Instagram and TikTok, to market their direct-to-consumer businesses on platforms regularly used by their digitally savvy consumers.

  • Celebrity & Influencer endorsed marketing: Collaborations with celebrities and influencers are a great way for brands to reach desired consumers. When given referrals by trust social figures, consumers are more likely to desire and purchase a product. 

Many of the biggest brands in fashion, home, and beauty have capitalized on these trends to build their highly successful and robust eCommerce platforms.

A notable brand with a highly established direct-to-consumer business is Fenty Beauty. Fenty Beauty has successfully integrated customer centric strategies while positioning celebrity and founder, Rihanna, as the face of the brand.

A key to Fenty Beauty’s success is their product personalization strategy with campaigns like ‘Beauty for All’ and their ‘Show, Don’t Tell’ marketing philosophy. The brand’s commitment to creating inclusive product for all people has been widely accepted celebrated by the beauty industry.

Fenty has also collaborated with many beauty influencers who promote their products on their social media channels including YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

If your team is growing your direct-to-consumer business, our team has a wide network of eCommerce talent who are actively seeking new opportunities. Connect with our team here, or reach out to us at info@emergingblue.com

Related Articles:

Genderless Fashion: Inclusivity in the Apparel Industry

Genderless fashion

We were so excited to see genderless fashion make an appearance at New York Fashion Week 2022 as it shines a new light on inclusivity in the apparel industry.

Gender-fluid brands are taking great strides to make the apparel industry more inclusive. By creating apparel for all people, despite gender identity, these brands are providing options that better suit and represent their employees and customers. You can check out a few of the amazing gender-fluid collections at TomBoyX, Sans Gêne, ClHu, and The Phluid Project.

According to GET Phluid, an across-industry leader in corporate education, companies with long-term commitments to LGBTQIA+ inclusiveness outperform others in their sector. Not only is more representation better for employees and customers, but it has clear benefits for companies including improved financial performance, stronger innovation, less attrition, and a more engaged workforce.

Also according to GET Fluid, 77% of Generation Z claims that a company’s diversity and inclusion policies are a determining factor for their choice of employer. Moreover, Gen Z and millennials will soon make up the majority of the workforce and are deeply passionate about inclusion.

Vans sets a great example for cultivating inclusivity in the workplace. In 2022, Vans donated $200,000 to three organizations that are all dedicated to uplifting the voices of the LGBQIA+ community. The brand also empowered three artists of the community to express their individuality through their own artistic collections that can be seen here.

Check out these resources that can help you to best cultivate inclusive hiring practices, educate your team, and offer support to organizations who uplift underrepresented communities.

Our team provides recruiting, HR, and employer branding support to help your team achieve a positive and inclusive company culture. Connect with us here or at info@emergingblue.com.

Leaving Ghosting Behind this October

Emerging Blue Blog

With Halloween right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to remember the large impact that ghosting can have on both candidates and your business. Leaving a candidate hanging can send a louder message than a rejection. According to a study shared by LinkedIn, “40% of candidates said that if they don’t hear back from a company they’ll never apply to it again.” Not only does ghosting your candidates leave them feeling confused, but it can also affect your brand’s image and long-term growth.

A good practice to help ensure that no candidate feels left behind, is to implement a follow-up strategy. Rather than leaving your candidates feeling spooked, you can strategize a plan using these three easy steps:

  1. Be upfront about the volume of applications you receive.

  2. Quickly let candidates know if they are not a match and not being considered.

  3. Encourage your candidates to apply to other roles now, and in the future.

  4. Offer advice and guidance to help them with their job search.

If your team could use support managing your candidates, our team can help. Connect with our team, learn more about our EB 360 solution, or reach out to us at info@emergingblue.com.

eCommerce for All: Making the Online Experience More Accessible

Emerging Blue Diversity and Inclusion Accessibility

In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we’re bringing a spotlight on the ways eCommerce can be made more accessible.

Many brands and retailers “miss out on millions of potential customers when they don’t design websites to be accessible to shoppers who use assistive technologies or rely on a keyboard to navigate online.” In fact, 15% of the world’s population experiences some form of disability. According to the Baymard Institute, 94% of the largest eCommerce sites can be challenging or even impossible to navigate for people with disabilities.

More and more people are choosing to shop online. With such a rapidly growing surge of online shoppers, there have been increased demands for brands and retailers to seriously invest into their e-commerce businesses. Such efforts include:

  • Diversifying your team

  • Providing visual alternatives

    • Descriptive alternative texting caters to users with disabilities, especially those with visual impairments. This feature provides accurate and descriptive alternative text for images, form fields, and page descriptions to be read aloud to the user.

  • Differentiating links from surrounding text and backgrounds

    • Links are crucial to navigating around a site. By providing descriptive titles and adequate contrast ratios for links, users with disabilities can better navigate the site.

  • Enhancing keyboard navigability

    • For users with mobility impairments who rely on a keyboard for site navigation, having all-site functionality operable on a keyboard can be a gamechanger.

At Emerging Blue, we are constantly striving to uphold our commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion with all hiring and employment practices. Our goal is to both embody and coach our clients on creating inclusive environments in which all candidates and employees are treated with respect.


Read more about our DE&I commitment on our About page and on our Blog.


Under The Influence: A New Era of Digital Marketing

With ever changing marketing trends, apparel brands are always adopting new strategies to remain relevant and competitive in the industry. For direct to consumer and eCommerce brands, the majority of marketing is conducted online through various digital platforms. The societal power of social media has created an entirely new space for digital marketing known as influencer marketing.

Influencer marketing is when brands partner with nano or micro-celebrities with large social media followings to promote their products on their personal platforms. This new marketing strategy has been adopted by many brands, especially in the fashion and beauty industries, due to its proven effectiveness and affordability.

Influencer marketing is a great strategy for brands with target consumers of Gen X and millennial age. With a consumer base nearly engulfed in social media, brands are able to meet their target customers right where they are, on the platforms that they use daily. In addition to the ease in reach, influencers tend to have more personal and meaningful engagements with their audiences compared to bigger name celebrity counterparts. When influencers promote a product to their niche community of followers, their audience tends to trust their opinion as if it were coming from a friend, and thus are more likely to purchase said product. According to Shopify, “61% of consumers trust influencers’ recommendations–more than 38% who trust branded social media content.”

Another attractive feature of brand deals is their affordability in comparison to the cost of traditional platforms and resources used for advertising. In the long run, partnering with influencers has proved to be more cost effective in comparison to other paid media tools. The influencer marketing industry is booming at a worth of $13.8 billion and doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.

Click the links below to learn more about influencer marketing.

https://www.glossy.co/sponsored/how-top-dtc-and-e-commerce-brands-are-responding-to-the-shifting-creator-economy/?utm_campaign=Grin&utm_medium=Homepage&utm_source=Polar

https://digiday.com/marketing/a-cost-effective-option-why-dtc-brands-are-believing-in-micro-influencers/

New York Fashion Week Fall '22

Emerging Blue NY Fashion Week Blog

Last week was a busy one for our clients, particularly for those who attended Manhattan’s semi-annual New York Fashion Week. This year’s events showcased a combination of both new and returning trends, including florals, bright yellows and pastels paired with brown, blazers, bustiers, boldly belted waists, and more. We loved watching the spotlight hit new brands who are focused on creating gender-neutral and size-inclusive fashion, like Private Policy, Eckhaus Latta, and Ester Manas. It was also an immense pleasure to support our client, 7 For All Mankind, as they made their first ever debut at NY Fashion Week.

More on NYFW Fall ‘22 at the links below.

https://www.vogue.com/article/nyfw-trends-fall-2022

https://fashionista.com/2022/02/new-york-fashion-week-fall-2022-trends

https://hypebeast.com/2021/9/new-york-fashion-week-spring-summer-2022-trends-gender-unisex

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/09/style/ester-manas-paris-fashion-week.html

Behind the 'Screens' Look at Online Shopping

Emerging Blue Digital eCommerce

While online shopping, options are endless. As long as you have a phone, laptop, or desktop at your disposal, you can shop conveniently from almost anywhere. eCommerce has completely reshaped the retail sector as we once knew it.

Whether it’s the introduction of advanced product features, faster shipping options, or better customer service, improvements are constantly being made to enhance the online shopping experience. We’re seeing changes every day in this new form of retail, and behind each new feature is a team of people who bring it to life.

eCommerce isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. If you’re looking for your next career move, you may want to consider one of the thousands of job opportunities in this rapidly expanding industry.

Learn about some of the hottest jobs in eCommerce right now

Check out the DTC and eCommerce jobs we’re hiring for.

Making Responsible Fashion a Trend: Insight from our Industry Expert

Emerging Blue - Sustainable Fashion

We are so fortunate to have Recruiting Account Director for Fashion, Pooja Sachan, on our EB team. With over 20 years of experience in apparel design, technical design, and product development, we asked Pooja to discuss her perspective on the fashion industry as well as her opinions on sustainable fashion. This is what she had to say:

Be Right with the TIME and you will be right with the TRENDS!

In today’s world where trends and styles change by the second, we all must take some time and think.

What is right for us? What is good for us? Will this be right for our planet and the next generation? Will this be good for our planet and our future generations?

 As a mother, I want to let my kids know that life is full of opportunities, and we should make something great out of every experience! Together, we can fight adversity and find the cool, creative, happy side of life, despite the pain of dealing with extreme hardships. I want to tell them not to let our trials and tribulations define us, but to have hope and find beauty!

 As a designer, I was fortunate enough to study and work with some of the amazing people in the industry and be inspired to create garments that are beautiful both inside and out. Not just good-looking designs is what makes a brand, but it’s the joy, love, and connection with people and nature that life gives it life!

With my last brand, we aspired to design with a purpose… To make you feel good, do good, & be good.

For 20 years I have continued to work in the industry, and am fortunate to represent and partner with brands that are defining, understanding, and making responsible fashion a trend!

My very first project as a Fashion Recruiting Account Director with Emerging Blue was to work with the Creative Director at Bolt Threads to help him grow his team of designers. As I dug deep to understand the company and their Brand DNA, I grew more and more in love with it!

Bolt Threads is “A BRAND INSPIRED BY NATURE. DESIGNING FOR THE FUTURE.” They are a ‘material solutions company with nature as [their] inspiration.’ and they ‘invent cutting-edge materials for the fashion and beauty industries to put us us on a path toward a more sustainable future.’

‘Through innovative collaborations with world-class brands and supply chain partners,’ Bolt Threads is on a mission to ‘create way better materials for a way better world.’

Their recent collaboration with brands like Stella McCartney, Lululemon, and Adidas makes it very real and available to masses!

I love their vision:

We envision a world where we don’t have to deplete or pollute our forests, oceans, and rivers to benefit from nature’s secrets.
— Bolt Threads

Read more about Bolt Threads and their sustainable mission here.

Also, check out this great video on sustainability in fashion.

Emerging Blue - Pooja Sachan - Fashion

Pooja Sachan

If you’re interested in connecting with Pooja and learning more about her recruiting experience for apparel design, technical design, and product development, please reach out to us at info@emergingblue.com.