A hot shot in his own right, Rob Carter is in a career that most could only dream of.  He is not a rapper, actor, or athlete. He is a corporate man working for a powerhouse fashion brand which is a staple in our global culture. Rob Carter is an 8 year veteran at Gucci, acting as the Operations Assistant where he oversees merchandising and client services efforts.

He is an alumnus of SUNY at Old Westbury where he studied American Studies. In his role at Gucci, Rob wears many hats and works with several departments to elevate brand recognition, enhance the company’s reputation with new and standing clients, and maintain a consistent flow of operations. Although his position entails him to work with stylists, celebrities, and publicists it is the direct interaction with clients which Rob enjoys most.

“I get to deal directly with that client who has wanted a Gucci bag all her life, and paid for it.  So it means something to her.  When you connect with those people, you can feel the love for the brand and there’s a certain sense of pride that it brings.  So the biggest joy I get is not with the celebrity or stylist, but with the clients who come in on a day to day basis,” says Rob.

In recent years, Gucci’s marketing efforts have targeted a wider demographic, making it a leading cross cultural elite brand relatable to the modern everyday person. Gucci works with a wide range of pop culture influencers including Chris Evans, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, and James Franco. However, it is their work with icons in the hip hop community in particular that has helped elevate the Gucci brand to a wider demographic for apparel products including sneakers, belts, and sportswear,  While doing so, Gucci has excelled in maintaining their image and reputation with their standing client base, a challenge many evolving brands face today.

For next spring Gucci will showcase a sophisticated yet romantic and classic line.  For women, we will see bright colors, lots of floral prints, and flowing garments exuding a confident and sexy appeal.  The men’s line will consist of tailored suits, bold colors like olive and brown, and wools, giving off a classic yet modern and edgy feel.

For aspiring designers trying to break into the industry, Rob advises that utilizing your local support systems and becoming your brand are key elements to establishing a fashion career.

“The people who will promote your brand are people you deal with everyday. A lot of times people look for that one big celebrity or try product placement. Your biggest supporters will be your friends and your family.  Have something that connects to people, and just pass them out.  Let’s say you’re designing t-shirts.  Take that t-shirt, wear it every day.  People will begin to notice.”

Rob continues, “Be innovative, be persistent, do not give up, and stay true to your vision for what you want your brand to be.”

When I asked him what was his definition of a hot shot, he simply stated “Everything I do I leave my stamp on it.  A hot shot is someone who takes what they have and make it their own.”

Robert Carter is also a long time friend of HYGL and we salute you

Credit: Crème Magazine – by Jessica Thorpe