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Blogpost

Pivoting from Fashion to Tech — and Redefining Success Along the Way

September 12, 2025 5 min

Written by

  • Mariana Oliveira
    Mariana Oliveira

Chapter

  • Introduction
  • Pivoting from fashion to tech
  • Knowing when to let go
  • Well-being at work
  • From Apprentice to Social Media Manager
  • Looking ahead

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Inside Subvisual

If you had told me a year ago that I’d be writing social media posts about decentralized finance, I would’ve laughed and gone back to obsessing over seasonal trend reports. My career began in fashion—first in an agency handling PR for brands, and then on a luxury e-commerce platform, where I wrote copy designed to make people want to click “add to cart.” It was glamorous in theory, but eventually, the sparkle started to fade.

Fast forward to today: after a 10-week apprenticeship at Subvisual, I officially joined the team as a Social Media Manager, a role I wouldn’t have pictured for myself not long ago. This is the story of how I pivoted (yes, Ross Geller meme included), learned when to let go, and discovered that mental health is just as crucial as any KPI.

Pivoting from fashion to tech

For about three years, fashion marketing was all I knew. It was where I saw myself growing professionally and where I was the most comfortable. But, as they say, all good things must come to an end (not that I believe this 100%, but you get the idea).

At the beginning, I loved what I was doing. My job was writing about expensive and exclusive pieces that I could only ever imagine owning. I learned about an industry that excited me and offered good career prospects.

However, after two years of doing the same tasks repeatedly, enduring company-wide restructures, acquisitions, and leadership changes, I started to burn out. The job that first excited me was now dull and felt meaningless. I felt like a robot. I didn’t feel valued. So when waking up in the morning to go to work started feeling like a chore, I knew something had to change.

After careful consideration, I decided to leave a job that I used to love. I didn’t have anything else in mind, but I knew that was my opportunity to let go and start fresh somewhere else.

Subvisual’s opportunity came around two months later, first as a 10-week apprenticeship. At first, I was scared of making the change. I was afraid of not being good enough or not liking the industry. But that’s the beauty of the Apprenticeship program at Subvisual. You get to have hands-on experience, work on actual projects, and see if you’re a fit.

Fashion copywriting was instinctive: short, punchy lines meant to spark emotion and capture trends. Moving into tech marketing at Subvisual was a completely different challenge. Instead of describing seasonal trends and fabric choices, I was learning to write about developer-first tools, Web3 products, and open-source communities.

But beneath the jargon and complexity, I found something familiar: storytelling. Whether it’s explaining a new DeFi protocol or curating an engaging social post, the core of my work is still about making ideas accessible and meaningful.

Knowing when to let go

Pivoting away from fashion wasn’t a failure. I now see it as evolution. Holding onto one version of my career out of fear would’ve meant missing out on growth. Instead, I’ve learned that adaptability is a strength.

My apprenticeship showed me that skills are transferable. What changed isn’t my talent, but the context in which it is being used. Letting go opened the door to discovering how far my skills could stretch.

It also helped me redefine what “success” means. For a long time, I equated it with sticking to the plan I had envisioned when I was younger. But life is rarely a straight line. Embracing change has shown me the strength of trusting myself as I step into the unknown. This journey has taught me that my career isn’t confined to one industry but is shaped by my adaptability and eagerness to grow with every challenge I face.

Well-being at work

Of course, transition isn’t always smooth. The learning curve is often steep, and imposter syndrome can hit hard. There were moments I questioned whether I belonged in this space—whether I could keep up with concepts like liquidation bots, tokenization, and DePINs.

What helped me most was the support system at Subvisual. Constant check-ins, mentorship, and the freedom to admit when I didn’t understand something gave me room to grow. I’ve been able to recognize that worth isn’t just about productivity. Prioritizing mental health alongside deadlines has been key. By setting boundaries, sharing my challenges, and focusing on progress rather than perfection, I’ve transformed my perspective for the better.

In fashion, the pace was relentless, and it often felt like there was no space to pause. At Subvisual, I discovered that taking a step back to recharge isn’t a weakness. It’s what makes sustained creativity and focus possible. That mindset change has been one of the most valuable lessons from this journey.

From Apprentice to Social Media Manager

Ten weeks later, my apprenticeship ended, but my journey at Subvisual didn’t. I officially stepped into the role of Social Media Manager, a position that allows me to keep learning while shaping the way Subvisual shows up in the world.

It is a natural continuation of everything I explored during the apprenticeship: bridging the gap between technical depth and approachable storytelling, while also bringing a sense of creativity and personality to our social presence.

This role challenges me to think strategically while remaining grounded. I get to experiment with formats, test different ways of engaging our community, and push myself to translate complex technical topics into content that feels both human and exciting. It’s precisely the kind of challenge I was craving when I decided to pivot.

Looking ahead

This whole experience has been a reminder that growth rarely looks like a straight line. I didn’t abandon fashion; I carried forward the lessons it taught me and found a new way to use them. Storytelling, clarity, and creativity are still at the heart of what I do. The difference is that now, I’ve learned how to adapt them to new contexts and other challenges.

The biggest lesson? Careers aren’t linear, and that’s more than okay. What matters is being open to change, prioritizing your well-being, and trusting that your skills can evolve in ways you might not expect.

As I continue this journey at Subvisual, I’m excited not just about the projects ahead but also about the perspective I’ve gained. I’m still writing stories, just no longer about handbags or high heels.

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