The Other Side: Insight from the Fashion Industry with Lindsay Lance
The Other Side: Insight from the Fashion Industry with Lindsay Lance
By: Elena Ossoski
If you ever need to define an industry it-girl, Lindsay Lance is it. Kickstarting her career as an intern with the Public Relations team at Oscar de la Renta, Lance went on to make waves at Missoni and Valentino before heading to the west coast with high-fashion alumni status to her name.
Catching Lindsay Lance during the peak of buying season is easier said than done. I was lucky enough to have a chance to talk with Lance who is currently a Buying Analyst for REVOLVE in between her post-Miami Swim Week meetings.
“I've always been interested in fashion and I guess it came from my mom and getting to go to New York City. When I was a kid, I truly fell in love with the city.”
Lance realized at an early age that she wanted to pursue a career in the fashion industry, so she decided to take fate into her own hands. She took it upon herself to research the careers she loved and proceeded to get involved within her hometown, Cincinnati, as well as through her high school. A fashion camp run by DAAP at the University of Cincinnati, a spot on the Nordstrom Teen Board, and Teen Vogue Fashion University membership were already under Lance’s belt by the time she graduated high school to further her education at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan.
“I was immediately immersed in the fashion world in New York City at only 18 years old. From there, I went out on my own since F.I.T. freshmen were not able to do the school’s internship program. I was so eager to get my foot in the door: I was always watching fashion shows, always posting about different designers, just breathing the industry. I just think that having the drive and true love for fashion is really what gets you to where you want to be in life.”
In Milan, Italy on a work trip with Missoni.
Lance started strong with two internships at Jack Rogers and Oscar de la Renta during her freshman year. During her time at Oscar de la Renta, Lance had a revelation: she had been contemplating transferring out of F.I.T. because she felt like she had already graduated since she was working every day while maintaining a regular course load.
“Oscar was alive at the time so working there was absolutely insane; I would be at work and Anna Wintour, Grace Coddington, and just about any high fashion model you can imagine were in the same room. That was the energy that drove me to keep working towards a career in the industry.”
Missing the football tailgates and Greek life offered at most state schools, she confided in her colleagues about the true importance of attending an art-oriented school.
“My boss and all of my co-workers had gone to state schools and majored in various fields that had absolutely nothing to do with fashion. They told me to do what would make me happiest with my college experience, so I decided to transfer to the University of Cincinnati where I ended up getting a degree in marketing.
I think a lot of people shy away from believing that they can work in the fashion industry because their college doesn't offer a specific program, or they’re ‘stuck in a marketing major’. If you have the drive to do it, it's so easy to taper your major and direct it to go down the path you want to follow in your career.
You make the most of your education, It doesn't matter if you're at Harvard or if you're at Ole Miss: you're going to be the one in the interview chair, showing what you can bring to the company, showing your potential and expressing your interest. Don't ever let your major or your school or anything else think it's going to determine your future.”
Within her first year back in Cincinnati, Lance and her mom Elizabeth Lance decided to open up Leeli and Lou, a boutique catered towards young girls in search of the latest trends.
Lindsay with her mom and owner of Leeli + Lou, Elizabeth Lance.
Lindsay with her sister, Lily Lance, in the 2020 issue of The Scout Guide Cincinnati.
“I used a lot of my free time helping my mom with the store which became a great talking point in interviews as I prepared for post-grad. I’ve let the reins loose a bit since the beginning, but I love being able to see every asset of the industry: retail, buying, inventory, management. It’s such a unique experience and I’m truly grateful for it.”
Leeli + Lou 2019.
Lance moved back to New York City a dived right back into the high-fashion career she had been dreaming about since her years as a young teenager, securing jobs at houses coveted by every fashion-lover including Missoni and Valentino.
From her time at Valentino.
“I had zero connections in the industry; every single job I had resulted from a cold email. If you have connections, that’s great — and you should use them — but they’re not necessary for securing a job.”
In Paris, France on a work trip.
While her personal style is defined by her colliding love for city life and Western dreamscapes, Lance’s tenacity has defined her career thus far: absolutely nothing less than a something-to-write-home-about success. Although she loved every second of life in the city, Lance decided to leave New York for California: a place of comfort and peace that she kept in the back of her mind.
Lance was equipped to excel when she started her next chapter as a Buying Analyst at REVOLVE, simultaneously opening the door to endless opportunities for growth within her career.
“It was a big career move for me because it was exactly what I had studied in college and had been wanting to get into for a while. I'm so happy to be doing something that I know will take me farther in my career. Now that I’m on the analytical side, I get to work with a wide range of brands as opposed to just one.”
As if her work ethic and sense of style aren’t reason enough to gush, Lance leaves us with one last piece of advice that will leave you in awe, admiring her honest heart:
“Do not let your ego ever get the best of you. The industry is not like The Devil Wears Prada — sure there may be a couple of people, but there are rude people everywhere — you will only succeed if you are kind to others and stay true to yourself. Never talk poorly about anyone you work with or anyone period; this industry is connected all over the world, so don’t burn down bridges with negative comments.”
To see more from Lindsay, follow her on Instagram @l_lance.
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