If you’re hoping for a career in fashion, you might want to consider becoming an authenticity expert. An authenticity expert monitors and reviews inventory in second-hand stores, online resellers, rental services, and museums amongst many other areas to confirm the authenticity of products and their brands. They do this to enable buyers and consumers, in general, to safely buy and or experience previously owned designer fashion.
In order to be a successful authenticity expert, you will need to be passionate about fashion, have an eye for identifying the real from the fake, and possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
If this sounds like your kind of career, continue reading to hear all about the job role of an authenticity expert.
In relation to the second-hand market, an authenticity expert has the following roles and responsibilities.
All in all, it is down to the authenticity expert to distinguish real from fake and confirm the authenticity of products. Many companies hire authenticity experts purely for weeding out the genuine from the ingenuine.
When people shop second-hand designer stores, they want to know they are buying a genuine product. It is your responsibility as an authentication expert to verify a product’s authenticity. Whether it is a Hermes handbag or a Rolex watch, it is down to you to determine which products are legitimate and which ones aren’t.
If you want to succeed as an authenticity expert in the second-hand market, here are the skills you will need to possess.
While the salary depends on your location and employer, authenticity experts in the field of second-hand clothing can expect to earn a salary of £30,000 to £50,000 per year.
Once again, this will vary depending on you where you live and who is hiring you. Some companies may pay a lot less, while others may pay a lot more.
Do you like the sound of the authenticity expert job role? It is indeed an exciting and dynamic position, and a role that truly makes a mark in the fashion industry. However, you will need to work hard to land a role as an authenticity expert. Here are some tips for helping you pursue this career.
In order to be able to authenticate a product, you will need to have a thorough understanding of fashion as a whole, as well as designer goods. That’s because it’s your job role to identify real products and fake products. Gaining a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as fashion or textiles provides you with a lot of foundation knowledge to help you understand the field and impress employers.
Like with most job roles, experience is key for impressing employers. After all, employers want to know that you know what you’re doing and that you can add value to their company.
The best way to get experience is to either get an internship with a fashion company, work closely with a mentor, or actually work for a company – starting from the bottom. Most importantly, get your foot in the door some way or another. Besides helping you stand out on your CV, you may also gain some very valuable contacts who will be fundamental in progressing your career.
Anyone who owns several Louis Vuitton bags should know the difference between a genuine Louis and a fake one. If you want to be a successful authenticity expert, you will need to know the difference. Since it will be your responsibility to authenticate a product, you’ll need to be able to distinguish the difference using senses like smell, touch, and sight.
Different brands and designers have different authenticity marks, too, which you can verify when examining their work. These marks can include everything from stickers to labels, stamps to engravings.
Spend some time learning about the various brands and designers, and invest time into analyzing what makes their products authentic.
The most effective way to land your dream job role as an authenticity expert is to create an impressive CV packed with your skills and experience. You need to show the employer why you are the best person to hire. From education to internships, work experience to skills, make sure you include everything an employer needs to know.
Make sure it’s also designed well to show off your flare for aesthetics. This is still a career in fashion, after all.
Connections in the fashion industry are always useful when pursuing a career in fashion. Even if you’re looking to become an authenticity expert in the second-hand market, it’s useful to know people in the field who can guide you, mentor you, and recommend you.
You can easily network at in-person events or online via social media platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn. Remember to always stay friendly and professional. Show off your best side every time you meet someone.
Becoming an authenticity expert in the second-hand market is definitely attainable for most people. Provided that you hone your knowledge in designer brands and products and gain some experience in the field, you should be able to land your dream job role as an authenticity expert.
Like with most jobs, be prepared to start from the bottom and work your way up the ladder. You may not get your dream job straight away.
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