You hear that networking is important for your career in fashion. And it’s true, it can open you many career opportunities from helping land your first internship to later in your career to change jobs or get other work opportunities. But let’s be honest, when you’re not yet working in fashion, networking can feel like something reserved for insiders, those who are already backstage at fashion week, sipping coffee at the Prada café, or casually chatting with editors on set.
But the truth is, every connection in fashion started before someone was “someone.”
I didn’t grow up surrounded by stylists, editors, or designers. I built my network from scratch, one message, one email, one conversation at a time. And you can too.
Networking before you even work in fashion isn’t about pretending to belong. It’s about becoming part of the conversation early,showing up with curiosity, genuine interest, and the courage to connect.
So let’s talk about how to do it in a way that doesn’t feel forced, awkward, or obvious.
1. Learn to Network Without Asking for Anything
This is one of the biggest mistakes I see aspiring fashion professionals make. They think networking means messaging people to ask for a job. But networking in fashion starts long before that.
You need to build relationships before you need them.
If you reach out to a stylist, editor, or PR assistant with “Hi, are you hiring?”, it’s unlikely you’ll get a response. But if you message them with something personal, specific, and genuine, you’ll immediately stand out.
Try something like:
- “I saw your latest shoot for Vogue Italia. The way you balanced commercial pieces with editorial styling was so clever. It really stood out among recent issues.”
- “Your talk at Glam Observer on brand storytelling was such a refreshing take on marketing. I saved a few of your quotes to revisit later.”
- “I read your interview on Business of Fashion about navigating early career challenges in PR, and it really resonated. I’m also starting, and I appreciate your honesty.”
- “I’ve been following your work at Prada, I love how your team communicates luxury in such a modern, accessible way. It’s inspiring to see how brand tone can evolve.”
See the difference?
These messages show you’ve paid attention. They make the person feel seen, not used.
Your goal right now isn’t to get something. It’s to learn something.
And that’s how authentic relationships start in this industry.
2. Use the Digital Runway to Your Advantage
If fashion week is the physical runway, then Instagram and LinkedIn are your digital ones, and they’re completely free to access.
Follow your favorite brands, editors, stylists, buyers, and PR professionals. But don’t just scroll, interact. Comment on their posts with insight, not emojis. Share campaigns you admire and explain why. Repost stories that inspire you and add your perspective.
This is one of the fastest ways to be noticed.
A few years ago, one of my students shared a post analyzing a Dior campaign on LinkedIn. She tagged the brand’s marketing team and wrote two short paragraphs about what she loved in the storytelling. A few days later, someone from Dior’s Paris office replied to thank her, and that message turned into an informational chat that led to an internship.
That’s how you use the digital runway wisely.
You don’t need thousands of followers. You just need to show your voice.
3. Build Connections Through Curiosity Projects
One of my favorite ways to network, especially when you’re not yet in fashion, is to create what I call curiosity projects.
Instead of waiting to meet people, create something that makes them curious about you.
Start a mini blog, newsletter, or Instagram/TikTok series where you share your thoughts on collections, analyze campaigns, or spotlight industry professionals. You don’t need a big audience, you just need consistency and a point of view.
You could even interview someone in fashion:
“I’m working on a small digital project exploring new voices in fashion marketing, and I’d love to feature your perspective.”
You’re no longer asking for help; you’re offering visibility. That’s a completely different dynamic.
That’s how I started Glam Observer. It was a curiosity project born from wanting to learn about the industry when I didn’t know anyone yet. It opened doors I didn’t even know existed, and your project can do the same.
4. Turn Online Engagement Into Real Conversations
Once you’ve been engaging online for a while, it’s time to take things a step further and start conversations.
You can send a short, thoughtful message like:
- “I really enjoyed your panel on digital storytelling at Fashion Revolution. The part about connecting analytics with creativity made me rethink how campaigns are built.”
- “I’ve noticed how you’ve grown from an intern to a PR coordinator in just a few years, that’s so inspiring. I’m at the beginning of my fashion journey and really admire your path.”
- “I saw your name in the credits of the new Fendi campaign, congratulations! That project was beautifully executed.”
Messages like these show respect, curiosity, and initiative.
They don’t ask for anything, yet they leave a lasting impression.
Remember, networking isn’t about collecting names; it’s about being remembered for the right reasons.
5. Attend Fashion Events as a Learner, Not a Spectator
You don’t need front-row access to start being part of the fashion world.
Fashion events are everywhere, and many are online.
If you don’t live in Milan, Paris, London, or New York, you can still participate digitally.
Look for:
- Online talks hosted by museums like The Met, V&A, or Palais Galliera.
- Public webinars by Fashion Revolution, LVMH, or fashion schools such as Marangoni, Parsons, FIT, Glam Observer
- Virtual panels on LinkedIn or Eventbrite with editors, recruiters, or creative directors.
- Digital networking events, portfolio reviews, or live Q&As, such as the ones we host at Glam Observer.
Whenever you attend one, go with one goal: to connect with at least one person.
You can message them afterward, saying:
“Hi [Name], I attended your session on sustainability in luxury marketing today. I really liked your point about how storytelling drives perception; it gave me a new way to think about brand communication. I’d like to connect to keep learning from you.”
You don’t need to live in a fashion capital to start showing up in the right spaces. Curiosity, not geography, is what builds connections.
6. Use Cold Emails as a Networking Tool (Not Just for Job Applications)
Cold emailing is the best strategy I teach to my students to break into the fashion industry. I teach it to request direct jobs and internships, but these cold emails can also be sent to open doors to conversations, mentorship, and even opportunities.
Example of an email to network in fashion:
Subject: Inspired by your career in [field]
Hi [Name],
I recently came across your profile while researching [company or project]. I’m at the beginning of my fashion journey and was really inspired by how you [specific detail, for example: grew from an intern to PR coordinator at Dior].
I’d love to learn from your experience and wanted to ask:
– What helped you get your first opportunity in fashion?
– What skill do you think makes the biggest difference in fashion (PR/marketing..)now?
Thank you so much for sharing your insight; it truly helps those of us starting.
Best,
[Your Name]
See the difference?
Instead of asking if they can answer your questions, you ask them directly. It’s respectful, efficient, and makes replying easier.
This small change can double your response rate and turn one cold email into a warm connection.
7. Ask for Informational Interviews
Most people don’t realize how powerful informational interviews are in fashion.
They’re not about asking for a job; they’re about asking for insight.
An informational interview is a short, informal conversation with someone working in the role or company you dream of joining. The goal is to learn how they got there, what skills actually matter, and what advice they’d give someone starting.
And here’s the secret: people in fashion love talking about their jobs. They just need to feel that you’re genuinely interested, not just trying to use them to get in.
These conversations don’t need to be long. Even a ten-minute chat over coffee or Zoom can give you valuable clarity and perspective.
And here’s why they matter more than you think:
- You get insider knowledge that no online article or masterclass can give you: how teams actually work, what hiring managers really value, and how different departments connect.
- You make an impression. When someone takes the time to speak with you, they remember your curiosity and initiative. That’s how you plant a seed for future referrals.
- You gain confidence. Hearing real stories from real professionals helps you stop feeling like an outsider. You realize everyone started where you are now.
I remember when I was starting, I didn’t even know what an informational interview was. I was just curious. I’d email people saying, “I love your work in fashion e-commerce, what’s a typical day like for you?” And those conversations shaped my understanding of what roles even existed.
Today, I see the same transformation in our Break Into the Fashion Industry students, once they start asking for informational interviews, everything changes. They go from feeling invisible to being remembered.
If you send even two of these messages this week, you’ll be ahead of 90% of aspiring fashion professionals who never ask.
8. Treat Networking Like a Long-Term Investment
Remember, networking before you even work in fashion isn’t about pretending you belong or isn’t about asking for jobs or internships.
When you network authentically, through curiosity, consistency, and generosity, something amazing happens: people start reaching out to you.
The people you admire today could be your colleagues tomorrow.
They’ll remember your name from a comment, a post, or an email. And that’s when doors start opening even without asking.
If you’re ready to take this further and want to learn how to reach out to recruiters, build your network, and position yourself as a standout candidate, we teach it step-by-step inside our Break Into the Fashion Industry course.
It’s the same strategy I used when I had no contacts, no fashion degree, and no experience, and it’s helped thousands of students go from outsider to insider, too.
So start today. Send that first message, attend that webinar, share that post.
Because the best time to start networking in fashion isn’t when you already work in it, it’s before.
Want to learn more? Enroll in the Break into the fashion industry course or start first from my free webinar.
