Chatting with Katie Sapp of Teen Vogue

TV‘s Fashion Assistant talks about starting her fashion editorial career in the closet.

What is a typical day for you? Does one exist? Ah, rarely do I have a day that is same as the last, but every single day starts with checking emails on my phone as soon as I wake up. I am constantly communicating via email with PR firms, our editors, stylists, etc. Everything is very fast paced, so it’s important I answer everyone in a timely manner. My job consists of coordinating sample pick-ups from PR firms and fashion houses, shipping trunks and packages around the world for shoots, and returning samples when the shoot is finished. It’s a lot to juggle!

Fashion assistants are known to be extremely organized and detail-oriented; how do you stay on top of things? Lists, lists, lists! I have a binder that I literally write down everything in: pick-ups, returns, notes about requests, etc. As each task is finished I cross it off with a highlighter. It’s super important to be thorough and to always triple check yourself. Each night I go through my binder at least once to make sure everything for the day is complete. I would be lost without it!

What are the essential habits and skills you think everyone at a fashion magazine should possess? Be decisive, be dedicated, and have a positive attitude. It’s important to be able to think on your feet. Our workdays can be chaotic and you need to be able to make the smartest decision in a short amount of time. With that said, sometimes the going does get tough, but if you stay focused and dedicated you will go far. Never give up! And that’s where the positive attitude comes in. I can’t stress enough how magnetic positive energy is. And let’s be honest – fashion is meant to be fun!

What is a favorite published piece that you’ve contributed to? I’ve recently starting contributing to our website in my spare time. I just did an outfit story of five looks for every kind of Valentine’s Day date (it’s only one month away, people!). It’s nice to have the website as a creative outlet. I really enjoy piecing together outfit stories in my free time. I loved this Valentine’s story because it was a bit of a challenge. I did my best to make it festive, but not too festive.

What is your dream job? My dream job is, of course, to become a fashion editor. Being the fashion assistant at Teen Vogue is just one more stepping stone on the path to my ultimate goal.

What can you not work/live without? I couldn’t work/live without my awesome team of freelance assistants in the closet. They are my partners in crime! I rely on them so much, and they always complete each task with a positive attitude and a smiling face.

Heels: Mandatory or optional? TOTALLY optional; especially here at Teen Vogue! We love a good sneaker, and we have a colorful shoe wall full of Converses to prove it.

What is an industry pet peeve of yours? Hmm, tough question! Not exactly a pet peeve, but when we have jam packed day with a run-through and packing trunks, it’s stressful getting all the correct pieces in on such a tight time crunch. I really wish I could have a few more hours in the day sometimes!

Twitter or Instagram? Instagram all the way! It’s so prevalent in our industry. It’s your chance to let your own creativity shine. But not to say I don’t love Twitter as well–it’s an easy way to read up on the latest news, and to get a good laugh when someone tweets something witty. Follow me! @katiemsapp.

Do you have any advice for people trying to break into fashion publishing? Be strong and confident but always remember to treat people with respect. Making strong connections with people in the industry is crucial! Intern as much as you can, maybe snag a freelance position to get yourself started, and interview with as many people possible.

What word/phrase/motto do you live by? A smile goes a long way!