A raw piece on the tension between creative ambition and financial survival — internships, freelance life, or unpaid labor in fashion.

Almost everyone dreams of it: stepping into the elevator, the doors opening, and seeing them milling about like a herd. "Where's the beauty product?" "Who saw the invitation to this week's fashion show?" or "Get the car ready, we're going to assist a photoshoot." These are familiar phrases in the fashion world. A world that's accessible but complex to turn into your life's work. These days, I see more fashion enthusiasts who want to turn their hobby into a job. And don't be fooled, I do too. I dream of waking up, wearing my best outfits, and seeing what's on my agenda. Should I write an article about a specific topic today or go backstage to report on the atmosphere? Unfortunately, this isn't my reality.

The Myth of the Dream Job

We turn to our passions or hobbies as a source of income. The mindset: if I work hard enough, I'll succeed. But often, that's not the case. The struggle between creative ambition and financial survival is significant. Many of us (and I'm speaking about myself and those around me) have expenses: car insurance, life insurance, rent, children, and more. You're responsible for a lot. Is it wise not to work and instead focus on turning your hobby into a career? Because let's be honest, to break through truly, experience is often required, and sometimes, it’s not. This blog post will be very personal, offering insight into THE dream job and its consequences: burnout, freelancing, and self-doubt.

Internships Are Not Currency

My story of how I fell in love with fashion is simple: a shared interest with my sister sparked my journey in learning and understanding fashion. It's straightforward, but it's not a big deal. Sometimes, it can stay simple. I didn't pursue that interest much during my teenage years. Why? I didn't know how to start and lacked a network (because I didn't know the word yet) to get noticed. But in my early 20s, I began a new program, a program where I could expand and develop my passion for storytelling: Communication PR. By the end of my school years, I was allowed to intern. I chose an internship close to my heart, one where I could combine all my passions. In short, it was a fashion internship.

Unfortunately, my program prevented me from interning for over two months. My internship experience felt mixed. It was at one of the top communications and PR agencies in Flanders. They work with some of the biggest lifestyle and fashion brands imaginable and maintain strong ties with stylists, journalists, and more. I can't complain about them. However, I can describe how I performed my tasks. It started off quietly: writing press releases, searching for clippings online. You know, the usual. But personally, I didn't find this enough. I saw my other interns going to photoshoots and events, and was left with the "leftovers".

I had fun, but I wasn't completely satisfied with my work. In the back of my mind, I kept thinking, "I should be grateful that I'm doing my internship here," but I still couldn't prove myself, even though I knew I had more to offer. This also sheds light on internship prospects, especially in fashion. I was fortunate enough to work at my student job and still receive money in my bank account. Others don't have this luxury. Many do internships and can't take other jobs because the internship requires too much of their energy. The problem is that almost all internships are unpaid, so you end up earning nothing at the end of the month. Gaining experience is valuable, but it doesn't pay the bills.

But by gaining internship experience, can't you secure a permanent contract in the fashion industry? Most people do internships, and if they excel, they get a permanent position. Meanwhile, you're working for free during that time. In today's economy, it's almost impossible to work without pay. The idea of offering an internship for free is also outdated. People work hard to complete assignments, articles, and tasks, so why shouldn't they be compensated? Ultimately, those individuals fulfill their assigned tasks.

Freedom or Free Labor?

The instability of freelance life in your twenties—Besides internships, there's also the freelancer phenomenon. It involves being self-employed without a permanent contract and working on assignments for various clients. I haven't freelanced myself. I might consider my blog as a form of freelancing, but I do it for myself, not for someone else's commission. Freelancing has its advantages and disadvantages.

Pros

Freedom
You choose your own assignments (and clients)
Varied work
Control over your income

Cons

Uncertain income
Long nights
You have to find clients yourself
Possible lack of social interaction

As I see it, this creates instability in freelance life during your twenties. On the one hand, you enjoy a glamorous existence: recording sessions, collaborations, client meetings, and research, but there's also a hidden side. You often work late into the night to finish that one piece of content. Plus, there's no social security, so you must handle your pension, insurance, and other benefits. Can this make you happy? Most say yes, but others say no. Negative thoughts can quickly take over. The fashion world is already complex, especially when dealing with impostor syndrome or burnout, two emotional burdens I've experienced. It's hard to escape, and I'm only 27. Seeing my peers succeed in the world I aspire to be part of brings up strong emotions.

Sometimes, I wonder if I should have pursued freelancing—I might have succeeded. However, my health needs a lot of care, I have personal issues to resolve, and I’m working on building a future with my partner. Freelancing isn't enough to cover all expenses, so I started my blog. It’s a space where I can blend my storytelling and fashion passions and find fulfillment. Am I doing this for money? Not really, since it’s all free. I’m my own employer, but that reduces my sense of impostor syndrome by 10% because I know this is just the beginning, and I will succeed.

Rent Is Still Due at the End of the Month

You might read this, or not. But I'm writing it for you. I'm breaking the fourth wall for the umpteenth time because this part is essential. For those in your 20s, working for free in the fashion industry and living independently, let me be your big sister for a moment. First of all, I'm incredibly proud of you. You're doing something close to your heart that fulfills you and turns your dreams into reality. Keep going even when no one tells you to. I want to ask: Are you okay? Would you like some help or a listening ear? Because it can get very lonely very quickly. You probably have moments where aesthetics and struggle collide: going to photoshoots or assisting your boss during fashion week, but at the same time, you're thinking about your dinner with only bread and cheese in the fridge, or work events, shoots, or content creation without real compensation. You want to prove yourself and show those who didn't believe in you that they were wrong.

You present a different version of yourself online, while your real friends know you suffer. I'm not saying you're not alone; everything will be okay. Because, in the end, it might not work out. I want you to put yourself first, not just your passion. You're starving yourself for a position you might get. Do you want to aim for the highest position? Go ahead, I'll be on the sidelines cheering you on, but if it doesn't work out, it's also a sign that the position or job wasn't meant to be. Don't assume everything will go wrong just because I'm negative. NO! I want you to succeed, but I also want you to think about yourself. You shouldn't be ashamed if it doesn't work out; you're worth it, not the job.

Is It Worth It? Maybe. Some Days.

Don't forget why you're doing this. Small victories, like reposting your content on TikTok or getting an article in Vogue about your work. There's an undeniable joy in being seen, doing what you love, and feeling it resonate with you. That emotional reward is real. But let's not ignore that the path is often tough, underpaid, and invisible. Working in a field you love offers a unique kind of high: the thrill of being in the room, having your ideas echoed, and finally being recognized in a space you once admired from afar. It's the validation you sought as a student, the small moments that make long hours worthwhile. However, this doesn't erase a harsher reality: unpaid internships in your twenties often mean funding someone else's dreams while your bills pile up. Passion may open the door, but it doesn't pay rent, cover groceries, or ease the mental strain of feeling trapped between gratitude and exhaustion.

The Fashion Dream Is Rigged. Let’s Say It Out Loud.

The truth is, we need systemic change.

Paid internships shouldn't be a privilege; they should be the norm. Unionization and fair freelance pay aren't radical ideas but essential protections for creative workers. The fashion industry runs on the energy, vision, and unpaid hours of young people, especially those without financial safety nets, and it's long past due for that to change.

Why does this conversation matter?

Too many talented people are being pushed out before they get a real chance. Gatekeeping keeps the industry exclusive. Quitting doesn't mean failing sometimes; it's about surviving. Fashion should be accessible, not reserved for a select few.

We need less glamour associated with the grind and more support for the people doing the work. Let's build a culture that values care over influence, transparency over perfection, and solidarity over scarcity.

We're not lazy. The system is broken.

And we're not competitors, we are the community that will change it.

For the Ones Still Dreaming

It's okay if you need a break. It's okay to take a regular job. You're still an artist. I work as a Service Advisor at a car dealership, which is a regular job. I don't despise it because I love what I do. However, my regular job allows me to pursue my dreams and see my victories step by step. Survival isn't failure; it's reality. You're not the unpaid labor of someone else's dream. Your work matters and it should be appreciated.

With much love, your big sister

Alexia

In your 20s: Passion Doesn’t Pay Rent (Yet): Chasing Fashion Dreams in Your Mid-20s