Lisa (37): “As a creative in fashion, money has never been a driver for me.”
Lisa (37) traded her freelance existence for a permanent job at fashion magazine Vogue. Work has always been her passion. And asking money for your passion? You don’t – agrees the creative world. ‘I was lucky to have any work at all.’
- 37 years
- Married, 2 children
- Was first a freelancer
- Head of Digital at Vogue
Murderous competition
‘I was very happy as a freelancer. I got into it while studying, that’s how it goes in this industry. You start with one client, then another, and they help you get to the next one. It’s a snowball effect. When I think back, I was never out of work. Freelancing can be financially challenging, but for me it has never been. I also did jobs with commercial companies, I straightened that out a lot.
In my experience, when you start out in the creative world, whether as a photographer or, like me, as a fashion journalist, it is sometimes common to get little for your assignments at the beginning. You still need to gain experience, I was told, and I was long overdue for a job. Competition is cut-throat – if you don’t take a job because it pays poorly, there are others willing to do it for free.’
Negotiate
‘Money has never been my motivation. I realize I say that from a place of privilege, because when money is not an issue, you usually earn enough. I could have also studied law after vwo, but I deliberately chose this subject. I love fashion, love writing. My family does not work in the creative world, but they always encouraged me to follow my heart.
When I went into payroll, I did negotiate my salary. I wanted to earn more than I did with my freelance work. Not only because I felt I was entitled to it with my expertise and experience, but also because I was giving up some of my freedom. I wanted to be compensated for that. I also build up a pension now, which I never did as a freelancer. I know it’s not wise, but my gut says it will be okay.
Fashion World
‘In retrospect, I find it quite strange that I was paid so little at the beginning. It is really that culture I experienced, although it is changing. I spoke to a freelancer the other day who is ten years younger than me. He is absolutely not going to work for free, he told me. I am a professional, was his argument. I would never have dared to say that at his age. A few years ago, the hashtag #ooknietbijdebakker went viral. You don’t ask a baker for free bread just because his store just opened, do you? So should it be in the fashion world.
As a creative, it is difficult to negotiate salary or compensation at all. Creative work is very close to you, so any price feels like a value judgment on yourself. And a rejection hits three times as hard. It’s not the easiest world, that fashion world, but I feel right at home there.’
