William Brobston spent 15 years in the luxury retail industry, holding leadership roles with European and American luxury apparel & fine jewelry brands.
Recognizing the growing need for retail management, leadership, and recruitment solutions, in 2017 William launched Brobston Group. Since inception, the firm has worked with world renowned clients in the global fashion industry.
How to Get Into the Fashion Industry
By Kristin Horner
How to Get Into the Fashion Industry
If you’ve ever typed “how to get into the fashion industry” into Google at 2 AM, you’re not alone. So many people dream of turning their passion for fashion into a career, but they don’t know where to begin. The good news? It’s more accessible than you think and no, you don’t need a fashion degree to get started. Whether your interest is in design, marketing, retail, or even finance, there are more ways get a career in fashion than ever before. This guide will walk you through real, achievable steps to help you land your first (or next!) role in fashion.
Get Clear on What You Want to Do
There is so much more to the fashion industry than you might think—it’s not all about designing clothes. There is a world full of creative, strategic, and operational roles available. Before you start applying for jobs, take a moment to figure out what excites you most.
Here are a few areas to research:
- Design & Production Development – Sketching, fabric sourcing, creative collections.
- Marketing & PR – Managing brand campaigns, social media, influencer outreach.
- Merchandising & Buying – Choosing what gets sold and predicting trends.
- Retail and Visual Merchandising – Styling in-store experiences and client engagement.
- Production, Logistics, and Corporate Roles – Behind-the-scenes to support the stores.
If you are not 100% sure yet, that’s okay. Start by researching roles on Brobston Group to see what sparks your interest.
Gain Experience (Even If You Don’t Have a Fashion Degree)
- One of the biggest misconceptions is that you need a fashion degree or “connections” to get hired. Not true. You just need experience, and there are a lot of ways to get it.
- Start in Retail: Many of the top fashion professionals got their start on the sales floor. You’ll learn about products, trends, styling and most importantly – how to connect with customers.
- Intern or Volunteer: Reach out to local designers, boutiques, or stylists. Offer to help at fashion events, on-set photo shoots, or behind the scenes.
- Freelance Projects: Create content for brands, assist on styling projects, or start your own fashion blog or TikTok.
Build a Resume That Speaks Fashion
- You don’t need a resume filled with fashion names or brands to make an impression. What matters is how you present the experience you do have.
- Tailor It: Use job-relevant keywords like “clienteling,” “trend research,” “visual storytelling,” or “client interactions.”
- Show Results: Instead of saying “helped customers,” say “Drove 25% increase in repeat purchases by delivering personalized service.”
- Add a Skills Section: Tools like Shopify, Adobe Illustrator, Canva, or TikTok can give you an advantage. Don’t forget soft skills like Communication, Leadership, Team Collaboration, and Problem-Solving.
Network Like a Pro
You never know who someone knows! It’s important to keep your bridges open and build your network because referrals are gold when it comes to landing a job in any career path!
- Utilize LinkedIn: LinkedIn reported recruiters spend 3x more time on your LinkedIn than your resume. Make sure your profile stands out. Connect with professionals in your target field and post industry-relevant content to build credibility.
- Attend In-Person Networking Events: Use sites like Eventbrite to find events. Even if it’s not specific to fashion, it’s great practice for meeting people and expanding your network.
- Informational Interviews: Reach out to people in roles you admire and ask for a 15-minute chat. These can lead to great advice—or even job opportunities.
Develop Fashion-Specific Skills
- Online Learning Platforms: Courses from Coursera, MasterClass, and LinkedIn Learning can help you grow your expertise.
- Creative Software Skills: Tools like Adobe Illustrator, Canva, or Shopify give you an edge.
- Trend Awareness: Follow fashion weeks, emerging designers, and key industry updates to stay sharp.
Apply for Fashion Jobs (Even If You Don’t Tick Every Box)
Don’t wait until you meet every qualification. If you’ve been wondering how to get a job in fashion, remember this industry rewards passion, creativity, and boldness over perfection.
Where to find fashion jobs:
- Brobston Group
- Business of Fashion Careers
- WWD Careers
- LinkedIn Jobs
- FashionUnited
Pro Tip: If you’re really passionate about a brand, send a personalized cover letter that highlights your admiration for their aesthetic, values, or designs.
Ace the Interview
Fashion interviews often focus on creativity, problem-solving, and trend awareness. Don’t wing it—prep well:
- Interview Prep Coaching: Book a mock interview session to get real-time feedback and polish your performance.
- Research Common Questions: Practice answers and rehearse in front of a mirror to improve body language and confidence.
- Prepare Smart Questions: Ask about the interviewer’s experience, brand culture, and expectations for the role.
Embrace Rejection (and Keep Going)
- Rejection is Normal: Don’t take it personally. Keep refining your approach and learning from each attempt.
- Focus on Growth: Every experience—from working retail to volunteering at shows—is building your skillset and portfolio.
Final Thoughts
The fashion industry may seem exclusive, but there’s space for anyone willing to show creativity, resilience, and dedication. Whether you’re just starting out or transitioning from retail, every step you take brings you closer to your dream role.
So take that first step today!
5 Tips For Writing A Stand-Out Fashion Resume
ByStart with a strong summary.
The summary is the first thing a hiring manager will see, so it's important to make a good impression. Use this space to highlight your most relevant skills and experiences, and explain why you are the best fit for the job.Use action verbs.
Instead of simply listing your responsibilities, use action verbs to describe your accomplishments. For example, instead of saying "assisted in the design process," try "collaborated with the design team to create innovative fashion collections."Customize your resume for each job application.
It's important to tailor your resume to the specific job you are applying for. Research the company and the job requirements and make sure your resume showcases the skills and experience that make you the best fit for the role.Use industry-specific language.
In the fashion industry, it's important to show that you are familiar with industry terminology and trends. Use industry-specific language and buzzwords to demonstrate your knowledge and passion for the field.Include any relevant education or training.
If you have a degree in fashion design or have completed any industry-specific courses or training, be sure to include this information on your resume. This can help to set you apart from other candidates and show that you are dedicated to your career in fashion.Consider hiring a professional resume service.
If you are having trouble creating a stand-out fashion resume, you may want to consider hiring a professional resume service like Brobston Group. These services specialize in creating resumes that are tailored to the specific needs of the fashion industry, and they can help you craft a resume that is sure to get noticed by top employers.*I hope these tips are helpful in creating a stand-out fashion resume. With a well-written and targeted resume, and the help of a professional resume service like Brobston Group, you can increase your chances of getting noticed by top employers in the fashion industry.*
Please Hire that Overqualified Candidate
By William BrobstonSo you have an "overqualified" candidate interested in your open role? Congratulations!! What a great opportunity to exceed the value you were seeking to acquire. But now you have all these questions and concerning thoughts about the candidate. Maybe it would just be easier to look for a more traditional fit: someone who will be excited for more money, growth, and who will have similar experience to the existing team. But before you decide to pass, I'd like to take a moment to advocate that you give the next overqualified candidate you find an opportunity to convince you it will work - because the benefits of hiring an overqualified candidate can be enormous. It's common for employers to make many of the below assumptions: - They won't be happy earning less money - They won't be happy with a more junior title - They won't be happy with fewer direct reports, requiring you to be more hands-on and have less support - They won't assimilate into a more junior team - They won't be happy reporting to someone who may have less experience than you Since each person is in a different place in their professional life, it's worth exploring the candidate's feelings about each point instead of making assumptions. I suggest these goals of that exploration: Does the candidate effectively demonstrate their humility, while explaining what their professional objectives are, and making their case that none of these 5 points is a factor for them? So you've explored these questions and the candidate has convinced you they are not a factor? Why should you hire them? Because they can significantly benefit the company. - A candidate that demonstrates humility, competence, confidence, and collaborative abilities is a winner. - Their professional maturity will be contagious and will benefit their more junior colleagues. - Their hire will likely stimulate professional growth in their supervisor - as they now will learn how to manage a team-member with different strengths. - Since they will likely be older than the team average, they will increase diversity in your workplace - a goal of most organizations at this point. Diversity drives creativity and can enable new solutions to old problems. - The company will be the beneficiary of their skills and years of experience. - They are a bargain! *They have all the skills and experience required for the role, expressed a strong interest, and are perfectly happy with the title and compensation. Hire them!*
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