Co-Founder and CEO of award winning Fine Jewellery brand FARAONE MENNELLA. Recipient of the Fashion Group International’s 2006 Rising Star Award for Jewelry Design; VicenzaOro 2017 Palladio Award for Best Italian Jewelry Designer, 2020 Alta Gamma's Award. Founder and CEO of AMEDEO, the artisan brand featured by NYT, FT, Vogue, globally recognized as the only authority in the ancient Italian craft’s tradition, having brought Cameos to the status of “design” and objects of desire in the international fashion and design arena; founder with Roberto Faraone Mennella of the acclaimed high jewelry brand Faraone Mennella by RFMAS.
Producer of the award winning Docu-Film “Open Doors” by Pavel Marcano: a heartbreaking, uplifting, eye opening real story about the almost-abandoned mental health hospital in Argentina, and the daily lives of the lifetime “guests” of the institution.
Carlo Pignataro is a Turin-born author, entrepreneur, and corporate-education specialist who has spent the past two decades decoding the psychology of luxury sales for the world’s most discerning brands. Now based in Dubai as CEO of Pignataro & Associates, he advises Gucci, Luxottica, Swarovski, and countless mid- to high-market players on elevating perceived value through client-experience design, sales-cycle optimization, and service-culture training. Carlo distills his research in the best-selling manuals "Sell with Style" and "Serve with Style", and explores the ideas further on his podcast "Lux and Friends", where he hosts thought leaders and industry icons.
Anchored in rigorous research—and enriched by his credentials as an NLP and Non-Verbal Hypnosis master practitioner, body-language scholar, and trained opera singer—Carlo’s methodology blends neuroscience, behavioral psychology, and theatrical flair. Whether speaking on a global stage, designing bespoke training programes, or coaching founders one-to-one, he helps organizations align the value they deliver with the value clients perceive, transforming routine transactions into memorable luxury experiences.
Ever feel like you’re ready for more but someone else just can’t see it? How many times have you been told there’s room for growth, but not given the space to grow?
I once reached out to a recruiter, eager to pivot from my Sales Associate role into management. After years in luxury retail, running Studio Services, coaching team members, and even training managers—I knew I had what it took.
Her response deflated me:
“Amy, I can’t submit you for management positions because you’ve never been a manager.”
That moment stuck with me. Her words weren’t just about experience—they were about limits. Limits she was placing on me. I realized it wasn’t personal. It was likely the way she viewed the working world.
I smiled, nodded, and pretended to agree, but I knew I wasn’t going to stay boxed in as a Sales Associate my entire career.
Ironically, right before that moment, I had the chance to visit Necker Island and meet Richard Branson alongside other entrepreneurs. That experience changed me. I saw firsthand that successful people act on their ideas—they don’t stay stuck in a box.
I took a Sales Associate position at a multi-line store that encouraged creativity and offered true room for growth. (The store owner is one of the most talented stylists.) I saw it not as a step back, but a step forward. I would be surrounded and inspired by talented and successful coworkers.
I showed up every day as my best self. I was promoted to Store Director. I took on styling and shoot production to contribute to the website. With that, I built my own personal styling site. Which led to an in-house styling opportunity with Global Brands Group, where I joined the marketing team.
I made the pivot myself.
When the company sold, I pivoted again. This time into wholesale. Each step might’ve looked unconventional, but every move was forward. It was a step where I could apply my established skillset.
I applied myself. I offered my styling, sales, and my leadership experience.
The perfect opportunity might not look like the perfect job at first. The right candidate might not have the matching job title—yet.
Don’t give up.
Sometimes, there really is room for growth.
As demands for sustainable practices grow, the luxury fashion industry finds itself at a crossroads—pioneering innovation while grappling with the weight of long-held tradition and prestige. Consumers are no longer just asking for change; they are demanding it: Consumers call upon industry leaders to take decisive action to pave the way for lasting, meaningful progress.
As the second-largest contributor to global carbon emissions (up to 8%), the fashion industry's commitment to sustainability is not just an ethical obligation—it's a matter of survival. To put this in perspective, fashion emits roughly the same amount of greenhouse gases per year as the entire economies of France, Germany, and the UK combined.
Consumers are paying attention. According to the National Retail Federation, between 50% and 75% of shoppers would pay more for sustainable products, and 62% of young consumers actively seek out brands that align with their environmental values. The message is clear: sustainability is no longer an option—it's the future of fashion.
Over the last few years, the industry has seen both established and emerging visionary brands undertake this mission. By championing circular fashion and implementing bio-based materials, visionary designers are revolutionizing how we think about fashion. It’s no surprise that the industry's push to introduce new and singular trends has created a surplus of waste among consumers and fashion brands. It was estimated that consumers waste around $460 billion on clothing items they no longer wear. In comparison corporations could save up to $500 billion in reduced losses alone if they adopt a circular economic model.
“Our industry holds a responsibility, and it needs to rise to the occasion… Luxury should be more timeless in its design. It should last your entire lifetime… Resale, the afterlife, the next life, the rentability—luxury is where that happens.”
– Stella McCartney
Setting the bar high for the industry, several emerging designers have built their brands around sustainability.
Founder of Melke, Gage partners with KOCO in India which works to provide financial independence to women. 50-60% of her SS25 collection incorporates deadstock using sustainability to fuel her creativity. She recently presented five looks with Hidden Valley Ranch at NYFW, reflecting her quirky, Midwestern roots.
Brooklyn-based, Greer uses natural dyes and deadstock for vibrant pieces sold online and in NYC as part of a local circular supply chain. He was chosen to collaborate with TheRealReal to upcycle damaged inventory into a summer solstice–inspired collection.
Mexico City native Campillo sources natural local materials, in partnership with small family-owned suppliers, ensuring fair value wages. His collections celebrate Mexican heritage and earned him a place as a 2025 LVMH Prize semi-finalist.
Known for melting and collaging materials into couture looks, Shevelev’s work has appeared on major celebrities and in exhibitions like The Met’s "In America: A Lexicon of American Fashion." She recently won a TV competition hosted by Julia Fox, incorporating sustainable materials and dyes.
As sustainability becomes a priority, fashion brands are hiring accordingly—adding roles across departments to champion these values. Procurement, operations, and merchandising all contribute to building a greener fashion future.
Featured roles:
Know any emerging designers making an impact on the industry? We’d love to feature them. Reach out to share their stories!
If you’ve ever typed “how to get into the fashion industry” into Google at 2 AM, you’re not alone. So many people dream of turning their passion for fashion into a career, but they don’t know where to begin. The good news? It’s more accessible than you think and no, you don’t need a fashion degree to get started. Whether your interest is in design, marketing, retail, or even finance, there are more ways get a career in fashion than ever before. This guide will walk you through real, achievable steps to help you land your first (or next!) role in fashion.
There is so much more to the fashion industry than you might think—it’s not all about designing clothes. There is a world full of creative, strategic, and operational roles available. Before you start applying for jobs, take a moment to figure out what excites you most.
Here are a few areas to research:
If you are not 100% sure yet, that’s okay. Start by researching roles on Brobston Group to see what sparks your interest.
You never know who someone knows! It’s important to keep your bridges open and build your network because referrals are gold when it comes to landing a job in any career path!
Don’t wait until you meet every qualification. If you’ve been wondering how to get a job in fashion, remember this industry rewards passion, creativity, and boldness over perfection.
Where to find fashion jobs:
Pro Tip: If you’re really passionate about a brand, send a personalized cover letter that highlights your admiration for their aesthetic, values, or designs.
Fashion interviews often focus on creativity, problem-solving, and trend awareness. Don’t wing it—prep well:
The fashion industry may seem exclusive, but there’s space for anyone willing to show creativity, resilience, and dedication. Whether you’re just starting out or transitioning from retail, every step you take brings you closer to your dream role.
So take that first step today!
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