How To Get A Fashion Internship

Of all the queries we get about the fashion industry, the question we hear the most often is: how do I break into the business? Fashion internships, of course, are the most effective way as they’re easier to land than paid gigs and you can walk away with contacts and experience that will shape your career. But many are wondering, how to get a fashion internship? 

Rhonda says: Fantastic-fabulous website! It zings! I’m that person I read about in your blog. The one whose current field is totally different to fashion. What advice did you give her to transition into fashion interning?

Thanks for reading, Rhonda! Internships aren’t as easy to come by as they once were, but if you do some digging, the opportunities are still out there. It may take some time and persistence to get there, but if you are diligent and strategic, you can absolutely land the internship of your dreams.

Whether you want to work in fashion media, styling, buying, or copy writing, an internship is a great way to get your foot in the door and start building the foundation for a promising career.

Now it’s time to take the first step! Read on for how to get a fashion internship:

Network — and Nurture Those Relationships!

Nowhere is the saying “your network is your net worth,” truer than in the fashion business. As an editor, I received hundreds of resumes via job websites so when it came time to sort through the daunting pack, applications from people who were referred and who I had actually met rose to the top of the pile.

Networking at fashion mixers, panels, career fairs and events is the best way to build your contact list and get your name out there! Nurture those relationships so when it’s time to look for a fashion intern, your contacts think of you. Having worked in the business for five years, I’ve learned this is the best way for not only internships, but jobs.

Many of the freelance opportunities and job offers (yes, job offers in a bad economy!) I’ve gotten are through relationships I’ve fostered all the while. Which brings me to my next point: don’t just collect business cards for the fun of it. Stay in contact with the people you’ve met via networking through lunch and coffee dates and regular emails. Nothing’s worse than someone who only reaches out to you when there’s a job or internship opening. Building your contacts and relationships is an ongoing job—one that doesn’t stop once you’ve landed your dream gig.

Blind Emailing

Don’t be afraid to blind email a contact. That’s how Glamazon Andrea (aka Ferocia) landed an internship at fashion bible, Women’s Wear Daily, I kid you not. Again, as an editor, I have a folder of emails I’ve received with resumes for interns. And when it comes to hiring, I go through that folder first.

It’s a great tactic to get on an editors’ radar. Don’t be discouraged if they don’t respond (even when I don’t reply, I keep it on file!) or if they send you through the traditional channel (i.e. job website). It’s worth the try for the editor that does respond, even if all he/she does is set up a lunch date. Because that means you successfully created a contact.

Apply Through Internship and Corporate Websites

Of course, the traditional way to pursue an internship is via job and company websites. There are a ton of internship websites you can use to learn about and apply to programs. Here’s a short list:

–Freefashioninternships.com
–Ed2010.com (Fashion Editorial)
–StyleCareers.com (Search entry level/Intern)
–Mediabistro.com
–Indeed.com (Search intern)
–Craigslist.com
–Monster.com
–Internqueen.com

Also, don’t forget about corporate websites! Be sure to apply directly at the publication or designer’s site as well (I also get job listings sent daily to my email address).

Be sure to apply the traditional way via websites — and then network and email so your name moves to the front of the list.

Hope this helps. Good luck on landing your dream fashion internship!

Kisses,

Glamazon Jessica