Breaking into the Fashion Industry with No Experience
Thousands of fashion enthusiasts wake up every day dreaming of landing their first job in fashion. However, the job search can quickly become overwhelming as the fashion industry appears exclusive and difficult to enter—especially without experience.
But here’s the truth: it is possible to start your fashion career from scratch. Everyone—top designers, stylists, photographers, buyers—began their careers with little to no experience. If they did it, so can you.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the exact steps to break into fashion, dispelling myths, and sharing the best strategies to help you land your first fashion internship or job.
This is not an easy industry, so be prepared for a lot of hard work and perseverance.
Common Myths About Getting a Job in Fashion
Before diving into the strategies, let’s debunk two common myths that stop many aspiring fashion professionals in their tracks.
1. “You Can’t Work in Fashion If You Didn’t Study Fashion”
This is completely false. Many fashion professionals working in PR, marketing, styling, buying, and editorial did not study fashion. Fashion brands value skills and experience over formal education. While designers typically study fashion-related fields, even in that case, there are exceptions.
2. “You Need Experience to Get a Job in Fashion”
Fashion companies prioritize experience over education, but everyone starts somewhere. If you’re struggling to find entry-level roles, you might be making mistakes in your job search.
So, how do you gain experience when you don’t have any? Let’s dive into the first crucial step: internships.
Why Fashion Internships Are Essential
It is nearly impossible to get a full-time job in fashion without at least 6 months to 1 year of internship experience. No company will hire you full-time without some hands-on industry experience.
How to Gain Fashion Internship Experience
- Apply for multiple internships. Fashion companies post more internship opportunities than full-time jobs, and many do not require prior experience.
- Internships don’t have to be consecutive. You can build experience through several short-term internships at different brands.
- Start early. If you’re still in school, intern during summer breaks or take part-time internships alongside your studies.
- Non-students can still intern. Some internships require school credit, but many are open to graduates and career changers. Always check the job description.
Therefore it is important to read carefully the job description and requirements of each fashion internship before applying. If an internship is only open to students and you are no longer in school, find the next one.
Even though I’ve just said that companies publish fashion internships quite often, getting one is not so simple because of the competition in this industry.
Now I want to tell you something that I hope you will carry with you forever. In a competitive industry such as fashion, you cannot wait for opportunities to knock at your door. Whether you are at the beginning of your career or later, you have to get out there and build your name. Be resourceful. If you use unconventional strategies that impress recruiters, you win!
For more guidance on securing your first internship, check out this article on how to land a fashion internship.
How to Secure Your First Fashion Internship
Build a Strong Fashion Resume and Cover Letter
Your resume and cover letter must be tailored for each role. Avoid using generic applications. If you’re applying for a creative role, having a fashion portfolio is also essential. It’s super important that these documents are fitted to each job, so don’t write them today and use them for all the jobs, but tweak them every time.
Learn how to create a fashion portfolio for different careers
Use Unconventional Strategies
Email recruiters directly: Reach out to hiring managers, editors, or stylists instead of waiting for job postings.
Apply spontaneously: Don’t wait for job listings—send speculative applications to companies you admire.
Leverage networking: Connect with fashion professionals via Instagram and LinkedIn.
Do not just wait for your favorite company to publish an internship or job online, but apply spontaneously. Students of my online course have seen amazing results using this strategy as they have impressed the recruiters.
Join my free masterclass to learn more about these unconventional strategies to break into fashion.
Alternative Ways to Gain Fashion Experience
If you can’t secure an internship immediately, explore these options to build your experience:
1. Work Backstage at Fashion Week
Fashion brands hire dressers and assistants for short-term backstage jobs during fashion shows. This is an excellent way to gain hands-on experience and start networking. Click here to learn more about how to volunteer backstage.
2. Write for Fashion Blogs and Magazines
If you aspire to be a fashion editor, start your own blog or contribute to online fashion magazines.
3. Assist a Stylist
If you are interested in becoming a fashion stylist you need to start from this. Reach out to professional stylists and offer assistance for photoshoots or styling sessions. Even short experiences like these will make your resume stand out.
Each experience, even the smallest and shortest, will bring you one step closer to the fashion career of your dreams.
Networking: The Key to Breaking into Fashion
Building your fashion network is essential. When you are at the beginning of your career in fashion, you have zero experience and most likely zero connections as well. In fashion, most of the jobs are assigned through word of mouth. So whether you are still studying or have just graduated, if you have decided to start a career in fashion, you cannot fail to start building your own fashion network.
How to Network in Fashion
- Use LinkedIn & Instagram. Connect with fashion professionals, assistants, and fellow interns.
- Engage with industry insiders. Comment on their posts and build relationships before asking for opportunities.
- Attend fashion events and masterclasses. Being present in industry spaces will help you make valuable connections.
Build genuine and not only interest-based relationships and when the time is right, then you can ask.
How to use LinkedIn to land a job in fashion
Work Ethic and Mindset for Success in Fashion
Take Every Opportunity Seriously
Even small tasks like running errands, organizing samples, or steaming clothes contribute to your growth. Everyone in fashion started from the bottom.
It takes patience and above all a strategy in place to see results. Do not apply for a single internship and wait for the company’s call. Apply for 10 internships every day until you get the job. Results come from the actions we repeat daily and constistently, not from something we do once.
Be Consistent and Proactive
- Apply to at least 10 internships per day until you land one.
- Follow up on applications and emails.
- Show dedication and reliability at every opportunity you get.
Final Thoughts: Your Fashion Career Starts Today
Fashion is competitive, but those who are persistent and strategic succeed. Start with internships, explore alternative experience-building opportunities, network effectively, and take every task seriously.
For this to happen, it is necessary to work hard, be responsible and reliable, and handle every task, even bringing coffee, with the utmost precision and seriousness. From the moment you set foot in the company, whatever role you are playing, you are building your reputation within the entire fashion industry, not just in that company.
Although from the outside fashion seems a large industry, in the end, everyone knows each other. To establish a great relationship with everyone and be the one to recommend.
Want more tips? Register for my free masterclass here.
Additional Resources
- How to Volunteer at Fashion Week
- Top Skills Fashion Recruiters Look For
- How to Get a Job at Vogue
These are some of the great ideas to start your fashion brand. But the hardest thing I believe is when you set the parameter to beat your competitors. Women shirt are so on trending these days.
I really love fashion but lost my passion for designing and l just look at them now on pinterest
I love what you did above regarding information in getting in to the fashion industry because I would have never thought all I need to do was to get internship and that I would even stand a chance
I’m scared that I would put all my afford for something that will not guarantee me a future so thank you
Well said and a good constructive advice on how to get started with a fashion career
Discover the finest collection of women’s clothing and accessories at Serenity Fashion Boutique. Shop now for quality branded clothes at affordable prices.
I started my career as a HAIRSTYLISTS and had a 6 month internship back in my 20s. I showed up to my training took a flight to the east coast to begin BRAND Training to become a Brand ARTIST and Educator for my division Northern California (2013) A once in lifetime opportunity to become a formal educator for a huge Brand Redken .I was 20 years Old when I had my first child and 21 when I had my second. I finished the training continuously working juggling my new career with my new family became overwhelming. My Opportunity to work for Redken vanished.I know now I was too young and ripe to begin to take on this role.now at the age of 37 I’m much more confident in who I am. I believe In God and that Alone is a decision and discussion that had to be made for me to move forward professionally and theoretically. If I wanted to be one of the top Redken Artist and Educators I couldn’t fake any of my moral ethics, you have to be fit in a spiritual way to live an authentic life. I knew in my heart my lifestyle was not clean that there were parts of me I was embarrassed about. I declined and ended my job as a Redken Artist in 2014. I didn’t known why then but I knew it was over …. now I’m 37 Iat 30 I got serious about my health and religion in 2018 . I made a declaration to myself , “I believe In God” Began a search and study in theology reading and writing all the books of the law
Genesis Exodus Numbers Laviticus Deuteronomy .
I Also began jogging, Running the lake on the weekends. Everything was coming to climb I didn’t quit, I got stronger and stronger and bagn running cross country on the weekends .whenever I had enough time to run 3 or 4 hours and ran every morning “I’m going to beat the sunrise”!
I went back to school when I was 32 this time for Fashion. My degree is still in progress.
I have worked on my own collection Of haute couture scrap throws.
Materials #1 Jeans levi (any brand)
Old dance costumes are great scraps ! children’s clothing! .
. It’s all about handmade quality. Heathen and kings Im really into History. Religious History, Battles ,Warriors ,Heathens, right and wrong Fighting for Valhalla. Handmade Quality .
I scrap Colors and pieces from our past mended holding it all together needle and thred ,handmade by me Bonnie Brook. Haute couture throws making feelings Of Happiness!
Watching Film is a great gateway into history. That’s the second part of my major.The Relics of History is very interesting when we are talking about fashion and whats current. With all the vintage rage In the stores … .
ON MY FIRST GO I ADDED HAND MADE ROSSES TO MY DAGHTERS POT THROW . I ADDED HAND SEWN SQUARE IN A VARIETY OF COLORS FRONT AND BACK. THEN A HAND SEWN STAR ON EACH SQUARE FRONT AND BACK. 3XL T SHIRTS FOR TASSELS ON THE ENDS . THE T SHIRTS TASSELS ADD CHARACTER! HAND MADE ROSSES PLACED ON BOTH ENDS MADE BY HAND!
THE COLOR OF MY ROSES BEAUTIFUL GEM TONED BRIGHT PINKS TORQUISE INDICO BLUE AND VIOLET PURPLE GOLD WITH BLACK ..STITCHED IN GOLD SEQUIN AND TOOL TO ADD SOME SPARKLE .
THE MORE ! THE MORE ! THE MORE !
EMBELISHING THE FRINGE TASSELS AND ROSSES I WAS ABLE TO SCRAP BY HAND 10 OF THESE THROWS IN A YEAR.
READING THIS ARTICLE HAS DEFINITELY GIVEN ME SOME COURAGE AND IDEAS TO GET AN INTERNSHIP AND TO NOT GIVE UP ON MY FASHION AND HISTORY MAJOR. (ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY) IM STILL A LICENSED HAIRSTYLIST (2006)WORKING ON HAUTE COUTURE THROWS(2020) .
MY FUTURE I HOPE IS IN FASHION WHERE I CAN WORK WITH A TEAM OF INDIVIDUALS ON NY THROWS AND MORE.