I’m Federica, Milanese by start, Londoner by alternative. It’s exhausting to consider that it’s been nearly a decade since I moved right here aged 18, with no plan past a dream of working in trend. I began from the underside, going from stockroom to buy ground and finally touchdown in visible merchandising, earlier than realising that artwork path was the place my coronary heart actually was. London examined me exhausting, but it surely rewards those who present up, hustle, and keep.
I all the time say that London is to me what New York was to Carrie Bradshaw—solely with out the Upper East Side house or a wardrobe filled with Manolos. My first studio had three drawers and half a clothes rail. Very un–Sex and the City.
My first “real” job was at Prada. Six months in, I used to be a visible merchandiser at HQ, and it was one of the best training I might have requested for. But after five-and-a-half years, I knew it was time to leap into freelancing. Scary? Absolutely. But you may’t construct your dream life with out danger.
The early days had been brutal: late funds, counting cash for lease, ready months for invoices to clear… Freelancing wasn’t about turning into an influencer for me; my bread and butter was consulting for manufacturers. But like so many creatives, I ultimately gave Instagram a attempt.
And wow, what a wake-up name it was. Most of what you see on-line is nothing however a shiny spotlight reel. London is gorgeous, but it surely’s costly, and nobody’s posting their overdue payments. It took seven years of graft earlier than 2023 turned my turning level: my first Dior job, brand-hosting gigs, and press journeys. The recognition lastly got here, however with it, so did the stress.
People like to say there’s “space for everyone” on this business. That’s true, but it surely’s positively crowded. There’s no wage safety, simply hustle and invoices. And let’s be sincere, nobody tells you the way exhausting that’s.
(Image credit score: Future/Getty Images)
I first began experimenting with Instagram again after I labored at Prada, sharing workplace seems to be and carry selfies, lengthy earlier than that could possibly be thought-about a job. Later got here the primary gifted posts; my first “deal” was a pair of footwear price £50—cute, however that was hardly going to pay the payments. Then lockdown modified the whole lot. I shot content material in my kitchen towards the one first rate white wall I had, posting 3 times a day. That’s after I hit 10,000 followers and began to find social anxiousness, comparability, and burnout.
Here’s what I discovered: evaluating your self to folks on Instagram is a dropping sport. What you see isn’t actual—half of creators purchase issues simply to return them after the shoot. No disgrace to them, that is simply the truth. I attempt to maintain it sincere, as a result of no person advantages from solely seeing the highlights.
The artistic life isn’t as dreamy as it seems to be. Even with recognition, the chaos by no means stops; delayed funds, consumer drama, last-minute briefs. You simply get higher at managing it. Behind each “dream trip” or sponsored put up are hours of planning, modifying, and pretending you’ve acquired all of it collectively.
Being a artistic is difficult, unpredictable, and sometimes terrifying, but it surely’s additionally wildly rewarding. You be taught resilience, resourcefulness, and how one can have fun each small win. No Manolos, no champagne lunches, however freedom? That’s priceless.
So for those who’re considering of leaping into this world, do it, however maintain your eyes open. And perhaps maintain that piggy financial institution of financial savings helpful, too. The hustle by no means actually ends, you simply get higher navigating the chaos.
My Top Tips for Budding Content Creators
Be constant. It is perhaps cliché, but it surely’s nonetheless the best possible recommendation you may observe as a way to achieve success, and that is in any discipline.
Stay in your lane. Don’t change who you might be or what you do since you really feel like tendencies are going towards you. It will repay finally.
Build your individual relationships. This is a enterprise like some other, so don’t depend on companies or anybody else to construct your profession—do this your self!