BUSINESS
Unpacking Fashion Media:
An Interview with Diana Pearl of The Business of Fashion
By: Alessandra Zurini Edited By: Bella Gallus
Diana Pearl, the Senior News and Features Editor at The Business of Fashion, talks about her early career, taking opportunities, and the legacy she hopes to leave in the industry.
Breaking into the industry can be difficult and nerve-racking. As many of us begin to think about graduation and starting a career post-grad, we will find ourselves relying on skills like networking to start the job hunt. Speaking with industry professionals can give you insight into the rapidly changing world of media. Syracuse alumna Diana Pearl, the Senior News and Features Editor at The Business of Fashion, has advice for emerging journalists navigating the media landscape.
Pearl is from Chicago, Illinois, and graduated from Syracuse University in 2014. Since graduating, she’s written for multiple publications like Vogue, People, Adweek, and now The Business of Fashion. Reflecting on her experiences, Pearl shares that one of her most memorable articles comes from her high school newspaper.
Her senior year, there was controversy about the production of the show Rent, and Pearl, the newspaper’s arts and entertainment editor, had the instinct to cover it for a story. This moment made her realize journalism was the right career path for her.
Every year, two schools in Pearl’s neighborhood would collaborate on the play using actors from both districts. During her senior year, the hosting school favored their actors over her school. She saw how it was affecting her friends and felt compelled to tell the story. The story caught traction and was even brought up at a PTA meeting. Pearl saw the chain reaction she created and it solidified her passion for storytelling.
“I ended up doing this big two-page spread. It got a really positive response. I feel like that was such a high and seeing how my words created that kind of response, I've been chasing that ever since,” Pearl said.
Pearl remained involved in journalism through multiple internships and freelancing while she was at Syracuse. Pearl emphasized the importance of doing that early work to learn skills relevant to her career now. However, she had her fair share of doubt about the industry.
“My first year of college, I did a bunch of full-time freelance stuff. That contract ended sort of unexpectedly. I was a producer and they got a new content management system. The position got eliminated. I had always been someone who knew my next step and that really threw me for a loop. It definitely taught me you can't have your whole identity be wrapped up in your work,” Pearl said.
Pearl also spoke about knowing your worth as you move up in the industry, emphasizing the importance of doing the “unsexy things” by choosing a stable job over the glamorous one right away. She believes you can combat burnout by spending time somewhere you can grow, mentioning how critical edits are for growth and learning how to communicate a story effectively. She assured aspiring writers to not be discouraged by heavy editing when they first enter the industry.
“We're all going to make mistakes and it's very rare that you're going to file a draft, and it's going to be perfect. You should want to get edited. I think sometimes especially younger writers can feel if they get edited more intensely, it's a reflection on them or their potential,” Pearl said. “Sometimes you're just not going to jive with a particular editor. Try not to take it too personally. They're just doing their job. Use it as an opportunity to learn and grow, but also know when it's the right time to stand on your convictions and not back down.”
Growth in the industry also comes from work in the field. With internship deadlines fast approaching and a small media job market, it can be difficult to remain composed. Pearl explained that jobs can come out of nowhere when you least expect it. Keeping yourself open to new opportunities and experiences that you may have ignored in the past is key to attracting that golden opportunity. Your dreams may change over the course of your professional life and embracing that progression will help you learn what you need in a career. Pearl's advice is simple yet effective.
“Calm down, especially coming out of Newhouse and you're in this real environment that just pushes you to be the best you can be and be successful. I think that I felt very hungry to do so much at a young age. Opportunities to do great work will come if you raise your hand, be vocal, be active, and make known what you want to do,” Pearl said.
The industry is tough and can feel impossible to crack. By putting in the work, even small things will yield big opportunities. Through her jobs, Pearl has had some unforgettable moments. She has attended the Met Gala, covered her favorite British Royals content for People Magazine, and more. One moment she would love to relive is the Ralph Lauren fashion show in the Hamptons.
“I've had some really amazing experiences in my career and I feel really lucky. Something that was cool that definitely felt like a forever experience was last fall. I went to the Ralph Lauren show out in the Hamptons. I got to see Christy Turlington and Naomi Campbell walk. Then, they did this whole reconstruction of the polo bar and I was sitting and I could see Ralph Lauren and Jill Biden sitting there having dinner. That was just one of those experiences where I was like, ‘Okay, this is so cool, pinch me!’” Pearl said.
Looking to the future, Pearl wants to leave a legacy of respect. One of her favorite parts of her job is mentorship. She explained that being a mentor is incredibly fulfilling and she has so much passion for supporting new writers on her team throughout the beginning of their careers. Pearl said she wants to be remembered as a good manager and someone who helped people grow by having an impact on them. She also highlighted how valuable it’s been to help writers blossom and find their place in the industry.
“I definitely want to be respected and have my talent and my skill be respected. Something that's important to me is I'm not just a writer, I'm an editor. I manage a team of six right now, and there's one girl I've managed for four years. Watching her grow from a baby, 22 years old, just out of college, someone who had never really written a journalistic article before, to now, someone who gets big stories and covers big events. Watching her grow and excel has been really rewarding,” Pearl said.
Finding your passion and making a career out of it is special. A job you love will make waking up every morning easier. Internship season is intimidating with thousands of applicants all applying to the same dream job. Rejection is frustrating in any capacity, but it helps to look at it as redirection to an even better opportunity. Take every chance, opportunity, and experience that knocks at your door because it only takes one to change your life.