In Coveted Careers, we ask people who have dream jobs how they got to where they are—the highs, the lows and the biggest lessons along the way.
Roopal Patel knows the 'I need to have this right now' feeling while shopping all too well—it's a crucial part of her job as the SVP of Fashion, Fashion Director at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. Having built a career out of her knack for spotting the next "It" item before anyone else, she's nailed down the perfect formula over the years: putting herself in the shopper's shoes, keeping the importance of highlighting emerging brands in mind, and referencing themes and patterns from the current season's runways.
With a deep love for fashion that started at a young age, Patel started her career with humble beginnings in retail. Over the course of her career, she navigated her way up from working in-house at luxury retailers like Moda Operandi to starting her own consulting firm, RPC, to landing her dream career at Saks—all while taking a few risks that paid off majorly along the way. Ahead, she shares how she got to where she is and what it really takes to break into and make it in the competitive, ever-changing fashion industry (hint: don't overlook Instagram as a personal branding tool).
Courtesy of Sandra Semburg
Describe your upbringing and background:
RP: "I have loved fashion since I was a little girl. I grew up in Long Island and have lived in NYC for 30 years now. I was always enamored by fashion. I would watch the latest fashion shows from Calvin Klein, Gianni Versace and Donna Karan on 'Style with Elsa Klensch' on Saturday mornings growing up. My first job was folding sweaters and sweeping floors part-time at Urban Outfitters while I was in college. It was the starting point of my career, and it was when I realized that my dreams of being in fashion could be a reality. I worked my way up with jobs at Bergdorf Goodman, Club Monaco, Style.com, Neiman Marcus, Moda Operandi, launching my own consulting company, RPC, and then joining Saks as Fashion Director in 2015."
What was the biggest risk you took professionally—and how did it pay off?
RP: "The biggest risk I took was starting my own consulting company, RPC, in 2012. I didn't plan it, but it came together very quickly after my time at Moda Operandi. I learned so much from having my own company. I did not know what would happen, there was no guarantee it would work, but I took a leap of faith. I had the opportunity to work with different types of clients with different needs: Loewe, CFDA, Farfetch, JOOR and W Hotels. It taught me to think outside the box, be strategic and versatile at the same time and go with the flow because things can change in a minute. You have to find the solution in the moment and do what is best for the client. Taking a chance on having my own company is something that I am really proud of."
As the SVP of Fashion at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, what does a “typical” day look like for you (if one even exists)?
RP: "I don’t really have a typical day at the office. It’s not a 9 to 5 job. I can start at the office for meetings with the team, then head out to a market appointment, review a collection with the team, head to the next appointment, stop by a new designer’s studio, have tea with a colleague, go to more meetings, an event in the evening, and then home. It is always changing depending on the season. It can be the fashion month marathon, which is six weeks, or post-season review—which includes working with the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund, new designer scouting and regrouping with the team."
Did you have any mentors throughout your career?
RP: "I've been fortunate to have incredible mentors who have guided me along my path. They have all been super supportive of my work and believed in me. There is a long list of mentors at different stages of my career—Linda Fargo is my fashion office sister, and we worked together during my time at Bergdorf Goodman. She always encouraged me to think outside the box and be curious about the things around me. She sees the magic in everything and encourages me to look beyond just the surface and dig deeper.
Candy Pratts Price taught me a lot during my time as a market editor at Style.com. She was always thinking ahead. It was never just about the fashion—it was about culture, the experience, luxury and style. Robert Burke is one of the chicest men I know. Robert has been a mentor and one of my dearest friends throughout my life. I am always inspired by how he sees the global luxury landscape and brings that to the customer.
I am forever grateful to Marc Metrick for taking a chance on me to join Saks Fifth Avenue as Fashion Director. Marc has always been very supportive of me and how I work. It is a gift to have someone be supportive of my process and let me be me. As a creative, that is hard to find in the corporate world, but Marc has been a constant source of support for me."
Courtesy of Sandra Semburg
What’s your process for identifying what’s going to be the "It" item or trend each season?
RP: "It's a process, and a story, that comes together as we go through the fashion season. I always have a starting point that begins in my mind and develops as I see the collections in New York, London, Milan and Paris. The 'It' items always evoke an immediate emotion for me, and it is love at first sight. The item causes desire, excitement and the 'I need to have this right now' feeling. I think if I have that feeling, the customer will too."
How do you balance trend forecasting with championing emerging designers, especially designers of color?
RP: "They go hand in hand. The trends come from the designers' work and creativity. It is finding the connectivity and bringing the designer's vision to our customers. I have always been passionate about emerging talent. They are the next generation and it is important to work with them, mentor them and grow their business. Now more than ever, we need to support these talents so they may flourish."
What advice would you give someone trying to break into fashion today?
RP: "I would suggest identifying how you want to contribute to the fashion industry. How do you want to make your mark? Be clear about that as you begin your search. It is important so you can begin to lay out the strategy for finding your dream job."
What pieces do you consider essential for your workwear wardrobe?
RP: "I don't have a 'traditional' dress code. [My role] allows me to experiment with fashion trends that I am excited about and gives me visibility across all of the collections and trends, so I can play a little and experiment with my wardrobe. It can be minimal one day, romantic the next or even colorful and vibrant. I have a mix of my favorite pieces on rotation."
You've built a sizable following on your personal Instagram. How important do you think it is to cultivate your online presence for anyone who wants to work or grow a career in fashion?
RP: "It is very important to have an online presence. It is a place for your followers to learn more about you, your style and what interests you. I don’t post as often as I should, but when I do it is because I am excited to share that moment with my followers. It feels authentic to me and my life."
What are three pieces every person should invest in, regardless of trends?
RP: "A great dress is a must! I don't think it is one color; I have a few. A great LBD, a red dress and a white dress. It can be used as a standalone piece or layered up or down. Everyone needs one luxe bag that is timeless and classic. It’s an investment piece that you will have forever. A piece of jewelry that is personal and that you are connected to. I don’t wear a lot of jewelry, but the pieces I wear have meaning to them."
