Michelle Darlow

Michelle Darlow, now a proud graduate of the University of Derby, studied BA Hons Fashion Studies, a decision that proved to be a pivotal moment in her career journey. Her story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of leveraging opportunities to build a successful career in the ever-evolving world of fashion and media.

Early dreams and the start of her journey

From an early stage at the University of Derby, Michelle was determined to break into the fashion industry, though her journey wasn’t typical. Michelle recalls "I always wanted to be a stylist, and my dream job was to work for a magazine," While she notes that she wasn’t necessarily the natural-born designer that many of her peers were, her passion for styling and drive led her to a career path in fashion.

The degree program allowed Michelle to gain real-world experience through a year-long placement with exposure to industry professionals and the chance to hone her skills. She took full advantage of this opportunity, interning at various magazines, including, The Times Magazine, Grazia, and The Sunday Mirror. Michelle acknowledges that this hands-on experience laid the foundations for her career.

Breaking into the fashion world

After completing her placement year and graduating from Derby, Michelle’s hard work paid off, moving into her first job in the industry as a fashion assistant at Celebs on Sunday magazine for The Sunday Mirror. She worked hard in this role and soon progressed to being the fashion stylist for the publication, which she describes as her dream job at that time. Including high-profile shoots with celebrities like One Direction, Ricky Gervais, and Emma Bunton from Spice Girls. She also made her first international trip to Saint Lucia, where she styled actress Michelle Keegan.

As the fashion landscape evolved, so did Michelle’s career. "It was the heyday of magazines," she reflects, noting how magazines were a primary source for fashion inspiration. She became a pivotal figure in her team, and as the media world continued to shift, Michelle moved to leading the fashion and beauty team at Reach PLC, the company that encompasses various brands such as OK! Magazine, New Magazine, Mirror and Express titles. This change brought about new challenges and opportunities, particularly in adapting to the digital age.

Adapting to digital and the rise of social media

As the media industry embraced digital transformation, Michelle’s role continued to evolve. With the rise of online content, her team began producing fashion and beauty articles for platforms like Mirror.co.uk and Ok.co.uk. The shift to social media and influencer marketing has had a profound impact on the way content is created and consumed. Michelle explains.

A key milestone in Michelle's career came during the pandemic when Reach PLC merged, she was appointed Group Fashion and Beauty Director. One of her proudest achievements was launching the OK! Beauty Box, a successful e-commerce project that generated substantial revenue for the company. Collaborating with well-known figures such as Lisa Snowdon and royal makeup artist Hannah Martin, Michelle helped shape the future of online content and commerce at Reach PLC.

Navigating change and finding resilience

Throughout her career, Michelle has been faced with many challenges, including the shifting dynamics of the media industry, budget cuts, and changing consumer habits. Despite these obstacles, she has continued to thrive, noting "Fashion is a tough industry, it’s fun, but you have to be resilient. And my friends and colleagues from Derby have been a huge support system throughout the years."

Michelle often reflects on her time at university and the lasting friendships she formed, particularly with fellow alumni who have also made remarkable strides in the fashion industry.

"We all supported each other through the tough times, and that camaraderie has lasted for years."

Looking ahead

Now working as the Editorial Commercial Content Director at Reach PLC, Michelle is focused on leading her team through the next phase of digital transformation. Her role covers a blend of editorial and commercial responsibilities, where she focuses not just on producing high-quality shopping, fashion, and beauty content but also on driving revenue through affiliate articles and partnerships.

Looking to the future, Michelle is optimistic about the potential for creative careers in fashion but acknowledges the changing landscape.

"It would be more difficult to have the same type of career I had, with the same budgets and glamour. But there’s still room for creativity and if anything with the shift to social media, I would say there are more opportunities with huge revenue potential".

Michelle’s journey from the University of Derby to leading fashion and beauty content at Reach PLC demonstrates the power of perseverance, creativity, and adaptation. Her story is a valuable lesson in seizing opportunities and constantly evolving to stay ahead in an industry that's always changing.