Finding my place in fashion translation
Find out how mentorship and networking are helping Millie Rice-Jones turn a passion for languages and fashion into a career in translation.
Alongside my passion for languages, I have always been captivated by the fashion industry, but it wasn’t until I joined the ITI Community that I discovered the exciting career of a fashion translator - a profession I didn’t even know existed but one that I now aspire to.
After the most beneficial and rewarding four years at the University of Exeter, during which I had the opportunity to work in Florence and study at the Università di Padova, it seemed the natural progression for me was to study an MA in Translation Studies.
Now at the University of Cardiff, professors and guest speakers always stress the importance of joining professional organisations and networking with other translators in the industry. For a long time, I did not know how to build a career combining my love for translation with my love for the fashion industry until a professor at Cardiff University introduced me to the ITI Beauty, Fashion and Luxury Network.
As a student, it can certainly be daunting to reach out to a seasoned professional in the industry. Despite this, I found it extremely beneficial as I received positive and detailed feedback including clear guidance on the next steps to becoming a successful translator. I was honoured to be offered a mentorship, led by professional translators Laura Jones and Victoria Porter-Burns, both coordinators of the ITI BFL Network. It has been one of the most formative experiences for me as a translation student entering the industry, but I must emphasise that such a mentorship is not a service that the ITI BFL Network offers.
My mentorship consisted of weekly translation submissions from French and Italian, focusing on topics that I absolutely love - like fashion articles, blogs and product descriptions. Each translation required in-depth research and a thorough analysis of the source text, covering industry trends, terminology, as well as the brand’s specific tone of voice to ensure the translation would resonate with the target audience. Through this research and analysis, I started building a comprehensive collection of fashion-specific terms, which made it easier to apply them in future translations.
Juggling the mentorship with university deadlines wasn’t always easy, so I had to plan my time carefully and coordinate with my mentors to find the best times for submissions and feedback. This experience really helped me develop my time management skills and emphasised the importance of professionalism in maintaining industry-standard work - things I would not have grasped through my university course alone.
The mentorship not only helped me refine my approach to translation but also provided insights on how to navigate the profession in a real-world context. Translating a French fashion blog, I encountered content that did not align with modern perspectives on body image and inclusivity, particularly regarding women and societal expectations. This raised important questions for me as a translator: How would I approach this as a professional in the field? Would I have the option to change the content in my translation, or should I opt not to translate it at all?
I learnt that clients and brands each have their own approach, shaped by their unique culture. For example, the UK is more progressive when it comes to body image and inclusivity, especially fashion and beauty brands that target Gen Z customers. Laura suggested tailoring the translation to suit a British audience and contacting the client about the certain terms or attitudes that might not be culturally appropriate or even tolerated in the UK. Reflecting on this, I realised just how important it is to think about the context of each translation I approach, considering cultural differences and how they shape the message I’m translating.
As a member of the ITI BFL Network, I attend valuable webinars on industry-specific topics free of charge, helping me to stay up to date on the latest trends and best practices in the field. One of my favourite webinars discussed the fashion industry’s sustainability challenges. Hosted by Amelia Twine, founder of Sustainable Fashion Week, the webinar explored how we as citizens can make impactful changes by adjusting our fashion and shopping habits to help build a more sustainable future. As someone passionate about sustainable fashion, I decided to write a summary article, hoping to spread the word beyond our community about this important topic.
In addition to this, while I’ve always focused on translation as a skill, attending a webinar on fashion copywriting made me realise there are new opportunities in the industry that I hadn’t previously thought about. Hosted by Lucy Thorpe, the webinar focused on the ins and outs of fashion copywriting, whether it’s crafting brand identity, writing technical product descriptions or tackling more specialised content. As a translation studies student, I am now excited to explore the potential of fashion copywriting in the future, thanks to the valuable opportunities provided by the network.
As a member of the ITI BFL Network, you’ll also have access to a CPD bursary scheme for those who need a bit of financial help to attend relevant events, with the added bonus of sharing your experience with the network afterwards. You can tap into peer support through the network’s forum, where fellow members are always happy to help. Plus, you’ll have access to a variety of online resources and a database of professionals working in the beauty, fashion and luxury fields, which is a fantastic way to connect and expand your network.
As a translation student entering the industry, this mentorship has been a pivotal experience. It has provided me with practical skills, industry-specific knowledge, and a network of professionals that I know will continue to be an incredible resource as I build my career.
