How to Get a Fashion Industry Internship

There are many routes into the fashion industry through internships.

If you want to work in the fashion industry, a good first step is a fashion internship. You'll be working long hours for little or no pay, but you'll be well on your way to an exciting fashion career.

Instructions

1. Start with who you know. It's a sure thing you know someone working in fashion, even if they're working retail at Banana Republic. They might be able to help you find the contact details for head office.

2. Look beyond your favorite fashion designer. You can get valuable experience working in retail, manufacturing, import/export, and at trade shows. These internships might not be as glamorous as working in designer fashion or at a casting agency, but they're a great first step.

3. Tidy up your resume. Do you have any skills that make you a great fashion internship candidate? Have you attended fashion school, or learned how to make your own clothes? Did you take accounting in community college? Are you organized, with experience as a personal assistant or TA? Write it down!

4. Know the lingo. Make sure you're up to date with the fashion world before you go to interview. What's in style right now? Who are the big designers? Can you name a couple of stylists, photographers, advertizing agencies, and models? Talk the talk and you'll impress in the interview.

5. Look the part. If you want to work in fashion, you have to be fashionable! Try to dress for the environment you'll be working in. You don't need to wear a suit for an interview at Betsy Johnson, for example.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't give up. It takes patience to get a fashion internship.

References

• Free Fashion Internships: Listings