The year is almost over, and if you dream of working in fashion, I know you’re probably already thinking about next year.
Maybe 2027 is the year you finally land your first fashion internship. Maybe it’s the year you switch careers. Either way, the same question keeps coming back: where do I actually start?
I know that feeling well, because I’ve been there. I broke into fashion with an internship at Alexander McQueen, with no fashion experience, a management engineering degree and no connections, and worked inside Yoox Net-a-Porter and Kering. And for the past 10 years, I’ve been mentoring fashion enthusiasts just like you with Glam Observer, helping thousands of students, recent graduates and career switchers land their first role in this industry.
So today I want to break down all the steps you should take to break into fashion in 2027, from choosing your direction to sending the applications that actually get answered.
Why I Still Believe This Is a Good Moment to Break Into Fashion
First, a little confession. I don’t really like the pessimistic voices around this industry. You know the ones: “fashion doesn’t pay,” “fashion is toxic,” “fashion is not a good place to build a career.” I’m the optimistic fashion girl, and I’m proud of it. I’ve had a beautiful experience working in fashion, and I’ve watched thousands of my students build careers they love.
Are there things that don’t work in this industry? Of course, just like in every industry. Luxury is slowing down, and fashion is going through some big shifts: creative directors changing houses, groups reorganizing, AI changing the way people work and the way they apply.
But changes are normal! Fashion has always reinvented itself. It’s literally the job of this industry to change, season after season.
And here’s the part I really want you to hold onto: you are the future of this industry. The people who will run the brands, write the magazines, plan the collections and lead the teams in ten years are the students and career switchers reading this right now. Yes, you.
So I want you to walk in optimistic. Not naive, optimistic. Because the industry will look like the people who build it. If you come in with curiosity, energy and the belief that things can be better, that’s exactly the fashion industry you’ll help create.
Complaining about fashion won’t change it. Working in it will.
That’s the kind of candidate I want you to be.
This year too, I’ve watched my students get offers while everyone around them was saying it was impossible. What they had in common wasn’t luck or connections. They didn’t wait for the market to get better. They got ready while everyone else was waiting.
So here’s what I want you to do.
Step 1: Start With Internships, But Pick Your Direction First
If you’re a student or a recent graduate with little or no experience, your first move into fashion is an internship.
And this is true whether you studied fashion or not. Fashion graduates need internships too. So if you’re worried you’re starting behind because you don’t have a fashion degree or any experience, you’re not. You’re starting from the same door as everyone else. And yes, you can get into fashion without a fashion background and without experience.
There are internships in:
- Marketing
- Digital marketing
- Social media
- Buying
- Merchandising
- E-commerce
- Design
- Trend forecasting
- Supply chain
- Business analysis
- Product management
- Product development
- PR
- Events
- Styling
- Editorial
- Graphic design
…and the list goes on.
The fashion industry is made of so many possibilities and so many different companies you can work for (it’s exactly how I start the Break Into the Fashion Industry course, by walking you through them).
So the problem isn’t a lack of opportunities. The hard part is choosing the one that’s made for you. I know it’s hard when all the opportunities sound sooo exciting!
You don’t need to decide your entire career right now. But you do need to pick one or two directions, max. Buying, styling, journalism, PR, marketing: choose.
Knowing your role tells you what to highlight, whether to put your communication classes before your Photoshop ones, and how to build an application around the job instead of one that just talks about you.
When I was starting, I was drawn to the management side of the industry (and I also loved the editorial world, which is why I’m writing to you right now!). So I targeted buying, brand management, marketing and merchandising.
And then I landed an e-commerce internship at Alexander McQueen.
You might be thinking: “Wait, that’s none of the roles you were targeting.” Exactly. And this is a lesson I want to share with you, because most careers in fashion are unknown to people outside the industry.
E-commerce wasn’t on my radar at all. But when I read the job description carefully, I loved the activities. It was a mix of marketing, digital, buying and merchandising, plus the operational side of running an online store. I was an online shopper myself, and I could see where fashion was heading, with more and more people buying online. It felt perfect for me.
So here’s how you should approach it:
Decide your roles before you touch your resume.
I know it’s tempting to start by building your CV. Resist it. Once you know the roles you’re going for, you can tailor your entire application to that career path, and not to “fashion in general.” Plus, when you start from your resume first, you end up making it ABOUT YOU, and not about what the company wants. And this is a mistake.
Then start searching for your dream internships based on the roles you have chosen.
Use keywords like “fashion PR internship,” “marketing internship” or “design intern,” or use the department filters on the career sites.
But read beyond the job title.
Open the job descriptions of nearby roles too. You might discover a role you didn’t even know existed, just like I did, and realize it’s exactly what you want to do.
If you’re still unsure which role fits you, check out the Break Into the Fashion Industry course because I’ll guide you in Module 1!
Step 2: Know Where to Find the Opportunities (Hint: Not Only on Job Boards)
Most people stop at the job boards. They look at the career sites of the big names, Dior, Vogue, Louis Vuitton, and that’s it.
But there are so many other ways in. Learning how and where to find the best opportunities in fashion is critical, and it’s one of the things that most separates the candidates who get in from the ones who keep waiting.
Go Beyond the Application Portal
Online applications are necessary. But in 2027, they’re not enough. Here are some of the “hidden” ways into fashion.
Email brands directly and ask about internships, even when nothing is posted. This works more often than you think.
Email the professionals you admire, like stylists, editors and art directors. Many of them need interns and assistants.
For example, if you’re aiming for marketing:
“I recently decided to learn more about the different careers in fashion and the work behind them, so I completed the Fashion Internship Simulator, working on projects across marketing, PR, styling and editorial. The one that fascinated me most was the marketing project: I developed a retail activation strategy for Saint Laurent Rive Droite, from the event concept and target audience to the media plan and KPI projections. Practicing the role from home made me realise how much I love building experiences around a brand’s codes, and that this is the direction I want to take. I’d love to contribute to projects like this in your marketing team.”
Messages like these show you didn’t apply randomly. They show you already think like someone in the department.
Cold outreach isn’t desperate. It’s proactive. And proactive candidates always stand out.
Follow people in the industry on social media. They often post when they’re looking for interns and assistants, and those posts disappear fast.
Use LinkedIn actively, not just as an online CV. Make your LinkedIn profile match your direction: same focus as your resume, your portfolio linked, a clear headline. If a recruiter checks you (and they’re checking more often now), they should immediately understand who you are and what you want to do.
Use internal mobility. Groups like LVMH, Kering and Condé Nast own many brands, and once you’re inside one, moving to another gets much easier.
I go deeper into all of these strategies in my Break Into the Fashion Industry course. Not ready for the course yet? Start from my free masterclass.
Look Beyond the Big Names
The fashion industry is so much bigger than the brands everyone applies to.
There are showrooms, agencies, online retailers, and all the brands that sit inside the big groups. The people who understand this get in faster, and then move from one company to the next.
And if you love the business side of fashion, don’t only look at ready-to-wear and leather goods. Jewelry, eyewear and beauty are the categories that grew this year while others slowed down as from the latest LVMH report. These companies are still hiring merchandisers, buyers, marketers, e-commerce specialists, CRM managers and data analysts. And many candidates ignore them because they feel less “glamorous” than a runway house.
That’s exactly why you shouldn’t.
I’m not telling you to give up your dream brand. I’m telling you that your first role is the door, not the destination. A merchandising internship at a jewelry house teaches you the same skills as one at a fashion house, and it can be your way into the same group.
Step 3: Start Applying Earlier Than You Think
Fashion companies hire up to 6–8 months in advance. Right now, in October, spring 2027 internships are already open. And before you’ve even taken down your Christmas tree, the summer ones will be online too.
The best internships fill up fast. As I always say, fashion internships get a wave of applications in the first 48 hours after they’re posted.
So if you’re aiming for an internship in 2027, the right moment to prepare is now, in the autumn of 2026. Not in April.
Set up job alerts on the career pages of LVMH, Kering, Prada, Condé Nast and the brands you love, and check them every week. This is especially important for six-month internships in Europe, which in many countries can start at different points in the year. Being early is a real advantage.
(This is also why, inside Break Into the Fashion Industry, we give our students a dashboard of the best fashion jobs and internships that we personally update every Monday. So you never miss that 48-hour window.)
Step 4: Learn How Fashion Works, Then Specialize
You don’t need a fashion degree to work in fashion. But I’m sure you don’t need to hear from me that this doesn’t mean you can sit still.
So after choosing your dream role, it’s time to go deeper and build the knowledge that makes you the candidate they want to hire!
You should have at least a basic understanding of how this industry works. And the good news is that it doesn’t take years. You can take an online course that teaches you how fashion works and, in one weekend, understand the industry better and have material for your resume and cover letter that backs up your passion with real knowledge, initiative and proof of action.
A general overview of fashion is a great start.
Then you need the skills and knowledge that are specific to the career you want to pursue:
- Designers need sketching, CAD and sewing
- PR and marketing need to understand press releases, product launches and events
- Buyers and merchandisers need Excel and the industry KPIs
- Editors need to practice their writing, every single week
- Stylists need to master the practical side of the job, like sample management: requesting pieces from PRs, tracking them and making sure they go back on time
Fashion loves fresh talent. But it especially loves people who invest in themselves and keep growing. That’s the mindset recruiters are looking for.
If you want to start with the management side of fashion, I created the Fashion Industry Advent Calendar so you can learn something new every day.
And in this article, I share where to learn about fashion: courses, books and documentaries that keep you knowledgeable.
Step 5: Master the Unglamorous Skills
I know. You didn’t dream of fashion to open a spreadsheet.
But I did an Excel test during the recruitment process for my first internship at Alexander McQueen, and my students are still being tested on Excel in 2026. Buyers analyze sell-through. Merchandisers plan assortments. Marketers track campaign results. E-commerce teams monitor performance every single day.
From what I see in job descriptions and in my students’ interview processes, Excel is still one of the most requested skills across fashion internships and entry-level roles.
Creative people who understand data are rare. Be that person.
If you want to learn the exact formulas and reports fashion companies test you on, my Excel for Fashion course was built for exactly this: passing the Excel test in your fashion interview.
Step 6: Study the Industry Like a Strategist, Not a Fan
When I was trying to break into fashion, I thought loving fashion was enough. It isn’t, and it never was.
Before you send a single application in 2027, I want you to understand how the fashion industry works from the inside.
Here’s a habit I recommend to all my students: read the quarterly results of the big groups. LVMH, Kering, Prada, Hermès. They’re free, they’re public, and they’re published on their corporate websites every few months. You don’t need a finance degree to read them. Just look for three things:
- Which divisions and categories are growing
- Which markets are growing or slowing down
- What the company says it’s investing in next
Why does this matter? Because it completely changes your conversations in interviews. And recruiters can feel the difference.
Step 7: Build a Strong Resume, Cover Letter and Portfolio
Whatever path you choose, to apply for fashion internships and entry-level positions you need three documents: the resume, the cover letter and the portfolio.
And before you say it:
- Yes, you can build strong ones without experience.
- Yes, you need all three, even when they’re not requested.
- And yes, you need a portfolio even if you want to work in marketing, buying, PR or editorial, not just styling or design.
This is also where choosing your role first pays off. Each career in fashion has its own set of skills and keywords. A PR internship might ask for knowledge of Fashion GPS and strong communication skills, while a buying internship will want to see your Excel.
Pay Attention to AI
Everyone has a polished resume now. Everyone has a well-written cover letter. Because everyone is using AI to write them.
LinkedIn’s CEO, Dan Shapero, said recently that job seekers are sending around 30% more applications than before the pandemic, which makes it harder for recruiters to understand who can actually do the job.
Think about it from the recruiter’s side. Hundreds of perfect-looking resumes. Same structure, same phrases, same tone.
So how do they choose? Two ways.
1. Documents that don’t sound AI-generated. Write your resume and cover letter yourself, starting from the job description, so they reflect your real thinking and your real voice. In my free masterclass, I break down an example of a strong cover letter that doesn’t sound like AI, and that recruiters remember even when the candidate has no experience.
2. Proof. In the age of AI, anyone can fill a resume with nice words. But a list of skills with nothing behind it is just buzzwords. Where did you learn that skill? In a course? In a project? In a past job? If a recruiter can’t see where a skill comes from, you’re out. That’s why, when you build your resume now, you need to back up each skill with proof: a course or an experience.
Having a portfolio, even if you’re not a designer, is also fundamental nowadays. A portfolio shows the recruiter how you think and how you work. It’s the one thing AI can’t fake for you, because you have to be able to talk about every page of it in an interview.
- If you want to work in marketing, build a launch plan for a brand you admire.
- If you want PR, create an influencer seeding strategy.
- If you want styling, translate a moodboard into full looks with a sample tracking sheet.
- If you want editorial, produce a mini issue with a theme, a masthead and an advertising strategy.
Then take it one step further:
- Add hyperlinks directly in your resume, so the recruiter can open your project in one tap. You’re not telling them you can do the job. You’re showing them.
- Film a video cover letter. It’s far more memorable than a written one, and very few candidates are brave enough to do it.
If you want a structured way to build these projects, that’s exactly why I created the Fashion Internship Simulator, where you complete real projects as a Marketing Assistant at Saint Laurent and Miu Miu, Assistant Stylist at Vogue Italia and Editor-in-Chief. And inside Break Into the Fashion Industry, I show you step by step how to build all three documents.
Step 8: Apply at Volume, With Strategy
Breaking into fashion is still a numbers game at the beginning. I recommend at least 20 applications per week, around 3 per day, Monday to Friday.
But volume only works with strategy. Twenty generic applications will get you twenty rejections. Twenty tailored applications, each with a resume built from the job description, a short cover letter that answers why you, why this brand, why now, and a portfolio that proves your skills, will start getting you interviews.
You need both. Volume gives you chances. Strategy makes each chance count.
And please, don’t let rejections define you. When I started, I sent applications the “normal” way and kept getting rejected, even after adding a master’s in luxury and fashion management to my CV. When I changed my strategy, I applied to three internships and got three offers.
The problem was never my potential. It was my approach. And the same is probably true for you.
Your 2027 Fashion Career Starts Now
The industry is changing. Creative directors are moving, groups are restructuring, and AI is reshaping how people apply. But every one of these changes creates a need for people who can adapt, learn fast and get things done.
Is it easy? No. Fashion is competitive, and it will stay competitive. But with the right strategy, it’s absolutely possible. I’ve seen it happen with thousands of students, many of whom started exactly where you are right now.
So don’t wait for January. Your 2027 starts today.
Ready to Start Your Fashion Career in 2027?
🎥 Start free: Join my free fashion career masterclass, where I walk you through the strategies that actually work to stand out in fashion right now, including where to find the opportunities most people miss.
🎓 The full method: Break Into the Fashion Industry, my complete step-by-step program to choose your direction, build your fashion resume, cover letter and portfolio, and land your first internship or job, even with no experience or connections.
💼 Build proof before you apply: The Fashion Internship Simulator puts you through 4 real fashion projects (Marketing, PR, Styling, Editorial) so you walk into interviews with a portfolio, not just passion.
📊 Pass the Excel test: Excel for Fashion teaches you the exact spreadsheets fashion offices use and test you on.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breaking Into Fashion in 2027
Is 2027 a good time to start a career in fashion? It’s a more selective time, not a closed one. Luxury fashion and leather goods slowed in 2026, but categories like jewelry, eyewear and beauty retail kept growing, and companies going through creative and strategic transitions still need people who can execute. Candidates who prepare properly still get hired.
Can I break into fashion in 2027 without experience? Yes. Internships exist precisely for people without experience. What you need is proof of your skills: a portfolio with projects aligned to the role, a resume built from the job description, and the practical skills fashion offices test, like Excel. You can become a strong candidate from home. Need guidance? Check our courses here. +
Do I need a fashion degree to work in fashion? No. Outside of design departments, fashion companies hire people with degrees in economics, management, communications, marketing, law and many other fields. I studied management engineering. What matters is showing you understand the role and can do the work.
When should I apply for summer 2027 fashion internships? Start preparing now. Fashion companies often hire several months in advance, and internship recruiting has been moving earlier, with Handshake reporting that it now peaks in early fall. Set up job alerts on the career pages of the companies you’re targeting and apply within the first 48 hours of a posting.
Should I use AI to write my fashion resume? I don’t recommend it. Recruiters are seeing more and more applications that look the same. Write your resume and cover letter yourself, and use AI to research companies and practice interviews instead.
Which areas of fashion are growing right now? Based on 2026 results, jewelry has been one of the strongest categories across groups like LVMH and Kering, along with eyewear and beauty retail. Look at these alongside traditional fashion houses when you plan your applications.
