Fern Mallis – aka “fashion’s godmother” – is a legend in the industry. She’s the founder of New York Fashion Week and the former executive director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Over decades working behind the scenes, Fern has seen it all – from disasters, to demanding personalities, to less-than-friendly behavior. So it makes sense that Fern told us her best piece of career advice is refreshingly simple: Just be nice. Your move, Miranda Priestly.
In this episode, Fern shares:
Her behind-the-scenes look into the fashion world
The origin story of Fashion Week
How she’s thought about reinventing herself and her career
Why she’s never stuck to a career plan
How she got her biggest opportunities by raising her hand
On Being Nice
Fern: We spend a lot of time at work with the people we work with, more than almost anybody else. And nobody wants to be around people that aren't nice. If you're a diva, or you think the world owes you something, or you think that's going to get you more attention, or more clout, or more business, forget it. It's not going to work. People want to like the people that they're working with. And nice goes a long way.
On Networking
Fern: Go to events. Go to lectures and talks, seminars, business conferences. Get out of your apartment and out of your place. Get away from the computer. Get off the phone for ten minutes. The phone is our best and worst enemy. You know, you go in an elevator or a restaurant, anywhere, you used to be able to talk to people. You'd make eye contact. Now you go in and everybody's head is down in the palm of their hand. So you have to make an effort and just do it. You have to be fearless. What's the worst that can happen? Somebody's not nice? So you move on.
Live Smarter
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