I’m going to be honest with you. Interning in the fashion industry is not easy. It’s a world that thrives on glamour and glitz, but behind the scenes, there are lots of long hours and hard work to be done.
However, if you want to work for one of the most prestigious brands in town (or even get your fashion label off the ground), it can all start with that internship so don’t be afraid to take up this opportunity!
If you’re interested in becoming an intern for one of these top-notch companies then firstly, good luck! You may need some guidance along this journey too, so here are 16 tips on how to become a fashion intern:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Understand the Fashion Industry: Familiarize yourself with different aspects of the fashion industry, including design, merchandising, and marketing, to identify your areas of interest. |
| 2. Build a Strong Portfolio: Showcase your creativity and skills through a well-curated portfolio, demonstrating your ability to contribute to the fashion world. |
| 3. Network and Seek Opportunities: Attend industry events, career fairs, and connect with fashion professionals to discover potential internship opportunities. |
| 4. Prepare for Interviews: Be prepared for fashion internship interviews by researching the company, dressing professionally, and showcasing your passion for fashion. |
| 5. Show Initiative and Learn: Once in an internship, take initiative, be proactive, and absorb knowledge from experienced mentors to make the most of your learning experience. |
1. Find Your Niche
When you begin your search for a summer internship, you need to figure out where your passion lies. If it’s styling, or maybe designing or maybe it’s all of them!
Being an intern means getting your feet wet in different areas of fashion and finding out what part of the industry you enjoy most.
For example, maybe you love working with models but hate being on set so much that it makes no sense for you to pursue a career in photography.
Or maybe being surrounded by people who are constantly shouting about “clothes” makes all the senses go haywire and therefore makes styling seem like a nightmare.
Whatever niche appeals to you, make sure that it is something specific enough for others to recognize as well (i.e., don’t say “I want to be involved in fashion,” because what does that even mean?).
You’ll also want to focus on one area at first since internships can be very demanding; if they’re all equally as hard then there’s no way anyone could complete everything assigned without burning themselves out right away!
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2. No Experience? No Problem
If you don’t have any experience in fashion, don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to get your foot in the door. One option is to volunteer at a local boutique or clothing store.
This allows you to learn about retail and customer service while building up your resume. Another option is interning at a publication like Vogue or Elle though they may require more experience than other publications.
These opportunities give interns exposure to high-profile editors and designers who might be willing to write recommendations for them down the road (and also look great on a resume).
Either way, interns must take initiative by asking questions when they need clarification about tasks or procedures at their workplace this shows employers that you’re ready for bigger responsibilities and willing to go above and beyond when necessary.
3. Put A Portfolio Together
Now that you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to put together a portfolio. If you can afford it, hire a professional photographer and make some killer images.
It will be worth it in the long run (and if your parents are willing to pitch in financially, this might be an excellent way to ask them for money). Otherwise, use free resources like Unsplash or Canva they have tons of free images and templates that you can use!
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4. Network, Network, Network
If you’re wondering how to become a fashion intern and make it in the industry, there’s one thing you can do that will carry more weight than anything else: network.
Networking is the key to success in any field, but especially in fashion. It’s the most important thing you can do when trying to find a job or get promoted within your current position.
Networking is also an effective way of finding mentors, who may be able to help guide your career path or offer advice on how best to move forward with your goals and aspirations yourself.
5. Apply, Apply, Apply
As the saying goes, “the more the merrier.” More internship applications you send out mean more chances of finding an internship that fits your needs.
Sending out a cover letter and CV for each application is also a good way to ensure that you are applying for positions in which you would be happy working. This will help ensure that your resume speaks directly to the needs of each employer listed on paper.
If at all possible, tailor both your resume and cover letter to the position being advertised by each company or organization you apply to (even if they say otherwise).
Tailoring allows you to show off exactly how well suited for the job you are and can present yourself as someone who understands what they do and why it matters two important considerations when looking at potential employees!
6. Make Sure You Have The Right Skills
As a fashion intern, you’ll be working in an office environment. This means the most basic level of professionalism is required. If you’re applying for a position at an established company, your resume will likely be reviewed by multiple people before it reaches its final destination.
Make sure there are no spelling errors on your resume and avoid using slang or casual language (e.g., “OMG” instead of “oh my goodness”).
In addition to having great communication skills, interns should also possess some technical skills like design software and Photoshop (or other photo editing software).
Of course, these aren’t mandatory requirements if they’re not listed in the job description but they can help boost your chances of being hired after graduation!
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7. Make Your Goals Crystal Clear
When you’re looking for an internship, it’s important to know what you want. You should be able to articulate your professional goals in words and numbers. Establishing a clear timeline helps keep you on track and gives you a way of measuring success.
If your internship is only four months long, make sure that there are specific things that need to happen during those four months that have a direct impact on your career path (e.g., “I will have designed three collections by the end of my time here”).
That way, when someone asks about how things are going after two months go by or if they ask questions about what kind of projects you worked on during the first month of your internship.
There will be an answer readily available without needing an explanation as to why something didn’t materialize at this point (or at all).
8. Have A Passionate Personality
You’ve got to be passionate about what you do. You need to show your passion in the work that you do, and this will come through in how well-rounded of an intern you are.
You must have a strong passion for fashion and everything it encompasses, as well as for the industry itself (the designers, the editors, photographers, etc.).
If you aren’t truly passionate about what it is that makes fashion great, then there is no amount of hard work or perseverance that can make up for it.
If this means staying up late at night researching new brands or campaigns to make sure that everyone knows who they are when they walk onto set then do so!
Or perhaps setting aside time each week just to watch runway shows online because those designers could be featured next month in one of your publications then go ahead!
Whatever it takes to show others around you how much this matters; do it wholeheartedly with all your heart.
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9. Don’t Forget The Basics (You Know, The Ones We Use Every Day)
There are many ways to be a great intern, but there are also some common mistakes that will kill your chances of getting hired. Here are the basics:
Be on time for every meeting and event you attend. If you’re late, it shows that you don’t respect other people’s time and can’t manage your schedule (which is a big deal when potential employers have to evaluate whether or not they want to hire someone).
Dress appropriately for the work environment at all times. This means wearing clothes in good condition that fit well and look professional think business casual with jeans being acceptable only if they’re dark rinse denim with no rips or tears.
Keep yourself clean! No one wants to work with someone who looks unkempt, especially if they’re working as a model in an editorial shoot especially since this job requires them to wear expensive clothes while posing for photos!
10. Be Willing To Work Long Hours For Free!
You need to be willing to work long hours for free in the beginning. You may be able to find a paid internship but that won’t happen right away and there are no guarantees.
Be prepared for this by saving up some money before you start so that if it takes longer than expected, or if you don’t get a paid internship at all, then you can still pay your rent while continuing your search.
If possible, try and save up enough money so that you can live off of savings while looking for an opportunity (this could take several months).
11. Be Professional Always; This Means In Your Communication And Attitude
As a Fashion intern, you will be working with people from all walks of life. From designers and models to producers and editors, you need to be respectful and polite with everyone around you. Don’t ever treat your internship like it’s beneath you!
You might be the one asking for an internship or maybe someone suggested that you apply for the job but regardless of how things started, never forget that this is still someone else’s job and they deserve respect just as much as anyone else does!
After all, other interns want this position just as badly as you do!
It’s also important not only to act professional but also to appear that way at all times as well because first impressions matter when it comes down to deciding whether or not someone should hire us on a full-time basis later on down the road (if ever).
For example: if I go into the meeting room looking unkempt then chances are a higher chance that person won’t take me seriously which means a less likely chance e getting hired here long term (if ever).
Even if my portfolio contains amazing work samples taken during school years prior which would’ve made hiring decision an easy decision instead of making a harder decision due to poor performance initially during interview process…
12. Be Adaptable And Flexible With The Tasks In Hand
Being adaptable and flexible with the tasks at hand is one of the key qualities to possess when working as a fashion intern. You will be required to work both independently and collaboratively with other interns, either within your team or across different teams.
Depending on where you are placed, there may be times when you have very little guidance or direction on what your next steps should be.
In these instances, interns need to understand how important it is for them to think independently about how they can contribute to their project(s).
Be open-minded and willing to get involved in new experiences!
13. Stay Connected Online
In this day and age, online presence is incredibly important. Make sure you have a website or blog where you can showcase your work and passion for the industry.
Share your knowledge with others by writing articles on fashion trends and advice (here’s a great example from Fashionista).
If you’re looking to meet other people in the industry, use social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to connect with like-minded individuals.
You should also follow influencers who are inspiring to you they’ll help motivate you throughout your internship journey!
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14. Keep An Eye On Social Media ‘Influencers’ And Designers Who Inspire You
Social media has become a huge platform for aspiring influencers and designers to showcase their work. If you are looking to learn more about fashion design and the industry, start following people who inspire you.
For example, if you find someone on Instagram whose work resonates with your own aesthetic, then follow him or her! This will help keep your creative juices flowing as well as give you a constant reminder of what it takes to be successful in this field.
After all, social media is all about curating an image of yourself that attracts followers and followers is everything when it comes to gaining exposure for any business venture (especially one like fashion).
After following this person’s account for a while and feeling inspired by their content creation process, see how he or she got started in the world of fashion design.
Is there anything particularly unique about his/her experience? What were some key steps taken along the way? What kinds of resources did he/she use when starting? How did he/she gain exposure the first time around?
15. If You Want To Stand Out, Step Out Of The Box When It Comes To Your CV And Cover Letter
You may be thinking that this step is unnecessary, but it’s not. The truth of the matter is that competition for internships in fashion is intense and fierce, so you need to do anything and everything in your power to stand out from the crowd.
To that end, you should make sure your CV and cover letter are as unique as possible after.
It’s one thing to get an internship at a company where everyone looks exactly alike but another altogether when you show up looking like a completely different person than anyone else on their team!
Simply put: If you want to succeed in this industry and especially if you want to become famous within its ranks then your CV and cover letter must be as unusual as possible.
16. Share Your Love Of Fashion Online By Starting A Fashion Blog Or Vlogging About Your Favourite Brands And Accessories
If you’re a fashion lover who has a passion for blogging, why not start blogging about your favorite brands and accessories? A blog or vlog allows you to share your love of fashion with the world.
You can also use these outlets as a way of promoting yourself as an aspiring designer so that when you apply for internships and jobs in the future, these platforms will showcase your work.
17. Create A Website Where You Can Display Your Portfolio For All To See (And Maybe Even Get Some New Clients)
If you want to be taken seriously as a fashion designer, you need to have a website to display your work. This way, potential clients can see what type of work you do and contact you directly if they’re interested in hiring you.
Many people start with free websites like Wix and Weebly because they are easy to use and don’t require any technical knowledge on the part of the user.
However, once your site starts getting more traffic than expected or has become too large for these platforms’ capabilities (or maybe both), then it might be time for something more robust like Squarespace or WordPress.
18. Fill Up On Coffee Before Every Job Interview…And Drink Loads Of It During Each Shift! (But Not Too Much With This Tip) 😉
One of the most important things to keep in mind when it comes to becoming a fashion intern is that coffee is your friend.
As long as you’re not drinking so much that it gives you a headache or makes you jittery (or worse!), coffee can make you feel more alert and give your energy levels a boost.
When I was at IMG, I used to consume about three cups of coffee every morning before heading to work, which helped me stay focused and motivated throughout my internship!
Coffee can also be used as a social tool it’s one of those things everyone enjoys drinking together during breaks and after lunch hours, so if there’s ever any downtime between projects while on set or at another job interview location, just order yourself some coffee!
However…
It should also be noted that if something seems too good to be true then it probably is;
This goes particularly well with advice regarding interns who want nothing more than being handed their dream job without even having had one interview yet there are no shortcuts when it comes outta here!
Conclusion
We’re excited for you to start your journey toward finding an internship in the fashion industry. If you found this article helpful, be sure to check out our other posts on how to break into the fashion industry and how to write a cover letter that will get noticed!
Further Reading
What Does a Fashion Intern Do?: Learn about the roles and responsibilities of a fashion intern, gaining valuable insights into the fashion industry.
How to Become a Fashion Intern: A Step-by-Step Guide: Follow a comprehensive step-by-step guide to kickstart your journey as a successful fashion intern.
How to Succeed as a Fashion Intern: Discover essential tips and strategies to thrive and make the most of your fashion internship experience.
FAQs
What qualifications are required to become a fashion intern?
To become a fashion intern, you typically need a relevant educational background, such as a degree in fashion design, merchandising, or a related field. Additionally, having a strong portfolio showcasing your creativity and skills can increase your chances of securing an internship.
How do I find fashion internships?
You can find fashion internships through various channels, including online job portals, company websites, career fairs, and networking events. Additionally, reaching out to fashion industry professionals and using social media platforms can also lead to potential internship opportunities.
What skills are essential for a successful fashion intern?
Successful fashion interns possess a range of skills, including creativity, attention to detail, time management, communication, and a willingness to learn. Proficiency in design software and an understanding of current fashion trends are also valuable assets.
How can I make the most of my fashion internship?
To make the most of your fashion internship, be proactive and show initiative. Seek feedback, take on additional responsibilities, and network with industry professionals. Use the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and build meaningful connections.
What are the potential career opportunities after completing a fashion internship?
Completing a fashion internship can open doors to various career paths within the fashion industry. Depending on your interests and strengths, you may pursue roles in fashion design, merchandising, styling, marketing, or production, among others.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.