What makes a great mentor?
After decades in the fashion business, Tamara Mellon has a firm idea.
A mentor should be honest, accessible and completely candid, she said. “It’s incredibly important to pass along learnings from failures and successors,” said the co-founder of Jimmy Choo and founder and chief creative officer of her eponymous brand. “My big career mistake was not having mentors.”
The executive said that women rising in the industry today must immerse themselves in the history of fashion, while surrounding themselves with a strong network.
“Put yourself in the mix by working a variety of jobs to meet new people. Sometimes in life it’s not about what you know, but who you know.”
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Another one of her golden rules has been to learn from her missteps.
“I haven’t let failure define me,” she said. “You have to believe in every decision you make and allow yourself to try again.”
A version of this article appeared in the June 3 print issue of FN, as part of the “Women Who Rock” special section. On June 5, FN and Two Ten Footwear Foundation honored these women at a live event in New York City.
