Fascinating and competitive, the fashion industry is also one of the largest sectors in the world, making it difficult for junior candidates to approach. And yet, with the right strategy, you will find it an open, stimulating environment where many different personalities are given the perfect opportunity to shine.
Fashion is so much more than an industry. For those who have made it their life, it is something they feel within their bones. But it doesn’t mean they innately know everything about it, understand every trend before it even emerges, or can secure any job they wish without putting in the work. The passion must translate into genuine interest and research.
Be curious about the fashion industry and seek out information to stay on top of its ever-evolving landscape. A good way to cultivate this crucial knowledge is to watch videos on YouTube or fashion-related documentaries, listen to podcasts, and follow several brands on social media. Become an avid reader of The Business of Fashion, Vogue Business, Drapers, and other key platforms. This will help further your comprehension of the market offers, recruitment trends, average salaries for various types of fashion industry jobs, the most promising career paths, and more.
Question and analyse everything you see, from the colours brands use for their logos to the order in which new creations are introduced on the catwalk, to how outfits are laid out in the stores. As you begin to familiarise yourself with the richness of this landscape, you will move closer to where your heart belongs, be it luxury, sportswear, lifestyle, etc.
Jobs in the fashion industry are highly diverse, so it is crucial to identify your true calling. While they all have fashion at their core, the areas of expertise that make up the sector call upon highly specific human capital. You should know the unique challenges those niches present, and how to approach this specialised demand based on your qualifications.
There is something powerfully iconic about the role of fashion editor. Individuals who achieve this mid- to high-level position are the voice of the industry, curating content for magazines, newspapers, shows, websites, and social media. Their narrative shapes the image of the company they work for. Fashion editors are writers at heart, but the job also requires a collaborative mindset, as they often work closely with other writers and editors, designers, photographers, and more.
Many fashion editors have a background in professional writing or journalism, though it is possible to start out in other fashion industry jobs, such as advertising, merchandising, or designing, and specialise in writing along the way.
This lesser-known fashion industry job is for born creatives with a knack for sewing. Pattern makers convert fashion designers’ visions into real-life clothes, outlining every element of the project to find just the right way to cut and sew the fabric to achieve the desired results. From hand sketches to CAD design, and hands-on draping, pinning, marking, cutting, and sewing, pattern makers master multiple skills and adapt to the peculiarities of every material they work with.
When people think about jobs in the fashion industry, stylist is often the first to spring to mind. But, contrary to popular belief, this career isn’t all about picking out clothes for high-profile celebrities. In fact, the field is so vast that fashion stylists work across various sectors, including music, sports, retail, cinema, magazines, etc. Aesthetic skills are a requirement, but fashion stylists must also excel at communication, and have a good understanding of budgetary constraints and sourcing.
Fashion buyers are decision-makers. They select and purchase merchandise based on price, demand, style, and trends. Buyers need an excellent understanding of all that goes on behind the scenes of the fashion industry, including from a business and finance perspective. Working in concert with design and production teams, they also negotiate costs with suppliers and analyse sales and profits.
Yes, some jobs in the fashion industry are accessible remotely or to those who live in smaller cities. But, by and large, Paris, London, New York, Milan, Los Angeles, Berlin, Tokyo, etc. are where most of the action is. If you have a specific brand in mind, find out where it makes the most sense for you to go. Chanel, for instance, is currently headquartered in London but has 40 office locations around the world. Givenchy’s headquarters are in Paris, Nike’s in Beaverton, Oregon, and Ralph Lauren’s in New York.
Moving offers no guarantee. However, it does place you on the path of unexpected opportunities and shows potential employers your determination and flexibility.
In fashion, a CV is like a business card. Whether you wish to apply for internships or permanent positions, this key document will serve as a foundation for your application. Your mission is to make a stellar impression, as recruiters likely won’t spend more than 30 seconds skim-reading the document.
If it is relevant to the position, put together a portfolio to showcase your experience. It should reflect your skills while highlighting elements that make you a suitable candidate for the fashion industry job you are applying to. Be sure to always keep digital and printed versions on hand.
As for the cover letter, it should be specifically aimed at the company you are approaching. Generic cover letters are easy to spot and don’t reflect positively on a candidate. Instead, highlight persuasive reasons you decided to reach out to this company in particular and emphasise your motivation and what makes you the right person for the role.
Whether it’s on LinkedIn, Instagram, via email, or in person, never hesitate to contact people whose work you admire and who could answer some of your questions. Expanding your connections and building a strong network is one of the most important things you can do in the fast-paced environment that is the fashion industry. The good news is that thanks to social media, engaging with other professionals is easier than ever before.
Communicating openly with people will also lead to deeper, more meaningful working relations as you find commonality with those whose outlook matches yours. Use these connections to cultivate a network of individuals who recognise not only your skills and capabilities but also your human qualities. When the time comes, they will be glad to lend their support, knowing that their help will be returned.
Even Coco Chanel began her impressive career as a humble seamstress.
While the fashion industry is rich with people from countless different walks of life, stories, and backgrounds, most come by their experiences the same way: by starting from the bottom. Every career in the fashion world has its corresponding internship, designed to help newcomers gather the knowledge they need.
Whether it’s in the editorial sphere, design, marketing, advertising, PR, finance, merchandising, buying, management, photography, or event organising, intern or assistant positions are a wonderful way in. If you are still at a stage where you are exploring career paths, these “trial runs” that range from a few weeks to several months will give you a sense of what to expect in various settings. You may be offered a full-time job at the end of a particularly successful internship, or continue accepting new missions until you find the one that “clicks”.
Keep in mind that while you will find internships advertised online, brands may be open to unsolicited applications. Don’t hesitate to reach out to companies you would love to work for and request an internship in the department that best matches your qualifications. You can also email a specific person within an organisation, such as a stylist whose work you admire or an editor at your favourite fashion magazine.
Even the greatest names in the fashion industry didn’t have a straight path to their dream careers. Before Christian Diorbecame the icon he is today, he owned a small art gallery and sold sketches to designers.
What may seem like a detour at first could be your opportunity to learn more about yourself, fashion, and where you want to take your career. By remaining open, you will build your knowledge and develop a stronger understanding of your own place within this unique space.
As in many other fields, patience is everything and time and effort are investments that always pay off.
While paid internships and positions are the only way to thrive in the fashion industry in the long term, volunteering is also a good option for those looking to kickstart their career. One of the best places to do so could be at a Fashion Week, as a backstage runner. That said, even volunteering at a charity shop, sorting and pricing garments could add credentials to your resume.
From learning communication skills to teamwork, problem-solving, working under pressure, and even leadership, the range is enough to impress potential employers. And let’s not forget about the networking opportunities!
Whether it’s an Instagram or TikTok account, a blog, a podcast, or a YouTube channel, sharing your interests online can be a great way to build your portfolio. You could cover the latest fashion trends, share your own designs, create outfits (and reference the clothing used by tagging the brands), attend fashion events and post about it… Building a subscriber base will help you catch the attention of brands you may wish to collaborate with or work for as an employee.
From marketing and e-commerce to design, styling, production, merchandising, buying, luxury, and more, Beyond Talent specialises in finding qualified talents for senior positions across the entire fashion industry. Our intimate understanding of what employers are looking for in a recruit allows us to steer candidates in the right direction and help them land the position of their dreams.
Researching potential jobs in the fashion industry can be daunting, and evolving within that sphere requires specialised know-how. Working with us means you’re not on your own. Instead of creating job site accounts, skimming through the ads, and trying to pinpoint the offers that best align with your qualifications, you can trust our experts to match your skills with the ideal position.
As fashion headhunters, we enjoy a negotiation power that no individual candidate could match. We’re here to help you identify your true worth and tailor your counter-offers so you receive the salary, benefits, and bonuses you deserve.
Our expertise allows us to save you precious time and be optimally reactive whenever a new opportunity opens up. We watch and manage your job search round the clock, ensuring the ideal job finds you the minute it is posted.
Finally, and perhaps more importantly, fashion brands work directly with us and trust us to put the perfect candidates in front of them, often not publishing their offers on any job platform. We know managers personally and help them fill the positions privately, sending dependable candidates their way.
Beyond Talent
Fashion Recruitment Agency
Specialising in Senior and Executive recruitment for the luxury fashion, lifestyle and beauty industries worldwide.
Head Office Address
20-22 Wenlock Road, London, N1 7GU
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