The fashion industry is often seen as a promising industry by young and eager creative minds. Even more so now that the local fashion industry is growing ever-so-quickly while adapting to new technologies and trends. In this series, TFR interviewed Tentry Yudvi Utami, a fashion journalist and stylist at Nova (online), who is very keen on sharing her perspectives on surviving the industry.

TFR: How was it going into the fashion industry in the beginning for you?

Tentry: My career began in 2015 in Okezone as a fashion journalist. At first, I didn’t know what to do and where to go. Back then, I know I’ve always cared about my appearance, so I thought ‘how hard it could be,’ but after doing it for three months, it was very difficult. How should I describe pieces of clothing while giving them life in my articles? I should talk not only about the colors, but also the trends, cuts, and all the technical details. So I began to learn from others’ reports until one day, I was dispatched for a fashion show.

TFR: Reporting for fashion show is a lot of work, especially for a newbie. How did you do that in the beginning? How did you pay attention to all the details under such short momentum?

Tentry: It was very hectic and fast-paced. During that time, photographs helped me a lot. What I did back then was taking pictures, then I studied them, trying to find the connection between one look and another. However, since the fashion terms were still alien to me, I only wrote about them using simple, common terms.

TFR: How did you manage to learn about all those details and technicalities?

Tentry: I made friends with senior fashion workers who helped me through it. When I went to fashion shows or events, I asked around a lot and I was not ashamed to do that. I had to, because back then, if I couldn’t manage to produce a good article, my boss wouldn’t publish it no matter what I’ve done to get the story. My boss wanted me to have a proper comprehension on what I do and that’s what I was aiming for. My first experience with haute couture was Sebastian Gunawan’s show and I didn’t even know how to work with that. So during that time, I hanged out a lot with other media workers and tried to learn as much as I could from them. It took about a year until I grasped fashion terms.

TFR: In the first place, is it your passion to do fashion?

Tentry: At the beginning, I didn’t realize that it is. I was in a transition phase during that time, so I didn’t notice even though I’ve always cared about style and beauty.

TFR: How did your family and friends react to your decision of becoming a fashion journalist?

Tentry: My family was supportive about it, and the supports became even more apparent after two years being in the field when I began sharing about my work more actively on social media. At that point, I’ve already made my own voice in the industry. It is interesting because a lot of things going on in the fashion industry are against my sense of humanity, but as I got to know more, I learnt how each person in the industry strives. The struggle is real.

TFR: Where does it go against your sense of humanity?

Tentry: Basically, it is a mean industry. No one will take you seriously or even glanced your way when you show up in tees and jeans. There will be unwanted critics. Thus, to get into it, you should always look on-point, even if you’re only a fashion journalist. That was when I start to pay more attention to my self-branding and, by doing that, the industry began to be aware of my presence.

TFR: What do you think about our local fashion scene?

Tentry: Most of it consists of followers. It’s like most people are heading to the same direction. It’s difficult to find uniqueness in the scene, especially when we’re talking about the modest trend. There’s also this tendency that it’d somehow boost the popularity of a brand when they manage to hold a show abroad. Thing is, over there, you will always stand out for how different you are being, but here…everyone else is doing exactly that. However, seeing how we’ve progressed today makes me feel very optimistic. The industry is now moving to a more diverse direction. More body types are involved, people with special needs started to get catered, more social movements like #MeToo are getting the spotlight in the industry.

TFR: So, you’re saying that the industry is growing to be more socially aware?

Tentry: Yes, and I think there will be more in 2019. You see, in this economy, I don’t think we can survive if we keep on talking about business this, business that. Finding muse in, often, personal issues and pouring them into fashion works would be great, as it raises the emotional and sentimental values of the brands.

TFR: Talking about social issues, you are also keen on campaigning body positivity and self-love, which might clash with how it goes in the industry conventionally. How did it go?

Tentry: Now that I’m a fashion stylist at Nova, I can start applying my beliefs in my work. I can make models look as fierce and as beautiful as they are by asking them to be themselves, to be comfortable with themselves, and creating a work space where everyone involved can feel comfortable and be themselves. I did projects on these issues with my friends, one of them is Intan Kemalasari (@kemalasari), and it makes me so happy that I can deliver this message in the fashion industry.

TFR: Now, what is the best part of being a fashion journalist?

Tentry: Being a fashion stylist today. Learning about the business and the prospect of the industry, the struggles of being a fashion photographer, a model, a designer. All those, I learnt from being a fashion journalist and I am grateful for that.

TFR: Lastly, any advice for anyone who wants to be a fashion journalist?

Tentry: If you have no interest in fashion, don’t. If you do, by all means, go for it. Dive deep. Being a fashion journalist can open up more opportunities for you in the industry, which can be of use for your career development too. Also, make sure to actively network with everyone from all segments in the industry, because networking is what helps you be heard in the industry.