The following conversation will sure gives you giggles, but more importantly a general view of what it's like to be a #Visualista :-)

 

"-So what do you do?

- I work in fashion. 

- So you're a model? - No. - A fashion designer? - No. - Then you are an editor? - No. - So you are a stylish? - No.

- So you don't work in fasion, then?

- No, I do. I'm a Visualista.

- What on earth is a Visualista?

- It means I work as a visual merchandiser, I make things look pretty, and presentable.

- So you're a decorator?

- No.

- Then what's the difference between the decorator and the merchandiser?

- I'm on my feet all day long, I basically kill myself lifting manequines that's weight more than me, and climbing in small spots where I get discustingly dirty. Or, sometimes I stand on top of things that noone in their sane mind would stand on top of or they kill themselves. I fold, I hang, I coordinate, I bend, I lift, I get hurt a lot, the long and short of it is a merchandise.

- So you work in construction?

- Well sometimes, yes. But mostly I work in retail.

- So you work retail hours?

- Well...yes.

- So you work on Sundays?

- No.

- I'm confused. So when do you work?

- I work when the retail stores are opened or even sometimes when they're closed. Sometimes I come to work earlier and stay much later, I work alot of over nights, but sometimes I work none. Sometimes I even have to travel, and after 3 airline transfers and 14 hours in the air, I must work immediately afterward through the night in an 8-hour shift or more. I have been known to work sometimes over 60 hours in a 4-day work week.

- So you get paid alot?

- No I get paid sh*t.

- So then why do you do it?

- I love fashion.

- So you must get great perks like free passes to fasion shows and meeting celebrities.

- I've never been to a fashion show, or met a celebrity.

- So why do you know so much about fashion, then?

- I just do.

- I'm confused...

- I have a flair

- A flair?

-Yep.

- I'm not even going to ask...

-That's good, it's easier if you don't.

- So it must be fun work when you get to be creative and work in fashion all day?

- It is, but sometimes it's not.

- Please explain.

- Well anyone who is creative  has their own particular creative taste and everyone who works in fashion has their own fashion taste, point of view and oppinion. Therefore, there has been many of times I have worked in the same project three, four or five times.

- Because you kept making mistakes?

- Nope. Because usually, but not always,I have many bosses who's creative, too. This causes many problems, like: having to change something a hundred times before everyone agrees and re-consider it right.

- So, let me get this right: you work in retail but you don't, you have a nornaml work schedule but you don't, you get to travel and see the world but you don't get to enjoy it, you have many bosses all disagreeing, and, are never happy. Also, you get paid sh*tty but don't care, you make things look pretty but you get dirty.

- So far yes, you are correct.

- And you have a "flair"?

- Damn straight.

- So why exactly do you do this line of work?

- Because I love it.

- How can you love something that gives you basically no perks, pays horribly and wears you out everyday you go to work.

- I'm not sure, I just do,I love being a Visualista, and I would never wanted to be anything else.

- Okay. I guess I just have to say goodluck to you, then.

- Thank you."

 

Written by: Holly Hunt-Kix

Edited by: Ena Ahn