Fast-Paced Networks: How Various Forms of Social Capital Impact the Career Outcomes of Fashion Models

• In Event: 571 - Section on Economic Sociology Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 10. Social Networks in Job Searching and Career Trajectories

Abstract

In today’s creative economy, social capital is understood to play a crucial role in enabling the creativity and careers of individuals in an ever-changing environment. But what kind of networks—formal, informal, or other forms—are the best-suited for this type of context? To answer this question we look at the networks that sustain fashion models’ careers. Using a unique comprehensive dataset of fashion models’ profiles and careers between 2000 and 2010, as well as in-depth ethnographic material, we distinguish between networks that can be formal (being affiliated to agencies), informal (belonging to national groups), or transitory (being in fashion shows). Each of these three types of networks has an important, yet distinct, impact on the ability of fashion models to reach the top of the fashion industry—curvilinear (inverted U) for formal relations, positive linear for informal, sigmoid for transitory networks made of disposable ties.

Authors

• Frederic Clement Godart, INSEAD

• Ashley E. Mears, Boston University