Why Internships Matter
In fashion, experience often trumps qualifications. An internship can be the difference between sending applications into the void and having doors open for you. More than that, internships help you understand what you actually want from your career—sometimes ruling out paths is as valuable as finding them.
Finding Opportunities
Where to Look
University careers services: Westminster's careers team maintains relationships with fashion employers and posts opportunities regularly.
Company websites: Major fashion houses and retailers post internships on their career pages. Set up alerts.
LinkedIn: Follow companies you're interested in and engage with their content. Many opportunities are shared before formal postings.
Industry events: Fashion weeks, trade shows, and networking events are where relationships form.
Direct outreach: For smaller brands, a thoughtful email can work when no formal programme exists.
Timing
Fashion works on different schedules:
- Retail: Often recruit year-round but peak before busy seasons
- Fashion houses: May align with collection cycles
- PR/Marketing agencies: Recruit around major campaigns and fashion weeks
- Summer internships: Applications often open 6+ months ahead
Start looking earlier than you think necessary.
Application Strategy
Your CV
Fashion CVs can be more creative than corporate ones, but clarity matters most:
- Lead with relevant experience (even part-time retail counts)
- Highlight technical skills (software, making skills)
- Include a link to your portfolio
- Keep it to one page
Cover Letters
Generic applications get generic results. For each application:
- Explain specifically why that company
- Reference recent work or campaigns you admired
- Show you understand their market position
- Be enthusiastic but professional
Portfolio
For creative roles, your portfolio may matter more than your CV. Ensure it's:
- Easily accessible (website or PDF)
- Tailored to the role if possible
- Current and well-curated
Making the Most of It
Getting the internship is just the beginning. Here's how to turn it into a career advantage:
First Week
- Learn everyone's names
- Understand the company structure
- Ask about priorities and how you can help
- Set up systems to track what you're learning
Throughout
Be reliable: Turn up on time, meet deadlines, double-check your work. Basics matter.
Stay curious: Ask thoughtful questions. Show interest beyond your immediate tasks.
Take initiative: Once you understand expectations, look for ways to contribute more.
Build relationships: Be friendly with everyone—the assistant today may be the director in five years.
Document everything: Keep notes on projects, save examples of your work (with permission), collect feedback.
Before You Leave
- Ask for feedback
- Request a reference letter
- Connect on LinkedIn
- Express genuine thanks
Paid vs Unpaid
The fashion industry has been criticised for unpaid internship culture, and things are changing. Know your rights:
In the UK: If you're doing real work that would otherwise be done by an employee, you're entitled to at least minimum wage. "Shadowing" is different from working.
What to consider: An unpaid week of genuine work experience may be worthwhile. Months of unpaid labour is exploitation.
Westminster's position: We encourage students to seek paid opportunities and connect students with employers who pay fairly.
After the Internship
Stayed Connected
Send occasional updates to supervisors you worked with. Share relevant articles. Congratulate them on company successes. Stay on their radar.
Reflect
What did you learn about yourself? What environments do you thrive in? What would you do differently? Internships are data points for your career decisions.
Apply What You Learned
Bring insights back to your university work. Real industry experience enriches academic projects and shows future employers you can apply learning.
Common Questions
How many internships should I do?
Quality matters more than quantity. Two or three meaningful experiences are better than numerous superficial ones.
What if I can't afford unpaid internships?
Focus on paid opportunities, shorter experiences, or part-time retail roles that build relevant experience.
Should I intern at a big company or small brand?
Both have value. Big companies offer structure and name recognition; small brands offer broader responsibility and closer mentor relationships.
Your career is built one experience at a time. Each internship is a chance to learn, connect, and move closer to work you love.
