Finding a job
As previously mentioned there are many different areas within the fashion industry and work can be varied so some thought as to which area(s) you are particularly interested in will help you to target your job search.
On this page you will find employers to consider in the industry, key job search resources, information about going freelance and top tips to secure employment in the fashion sector!
Employers that recruit in the fashion sector
- High street retail outlets
- Supermarket clothing labels
- Couture designers
- Film/TV costume designers
- Magazines (fashion journalism)
- Fashion houses
Key fashion jobsites (by sector)
- Drapers – Jobs board with the capacity to upload a CV and create your own profile.
- Retail Choice – Searchable website with a variety of opportunities in the retail sector from the UK's top retail companies.
- Fashion United – An independent international B2B fashion network operating worldwide, information includes news and jobs sections showing current opportunities in retail management in the fashion sector.
- Retail Human Resources plc – Caters for the full range of retail jobs including managers, buyers and merchandisers working for many of the leading names in retail.
- The Textile Institute – promotes professionalism in all areas associated with the textile industries worldwide.
- Technical Textiles – Keep up-to-date with all the latest developments in materials, technologies, processes, patents and research, market and company news.
- Drapers – Jobs board browse job functions to find relevant current opportunities.
- British Fashion Council – Supports and promotes the British fashion industry, includes a news section
- The Stage – Searchable jobs board with a wide variety of theatre jobs and jobs in the entertainment industry including backstage, offstage and performer vacancies. Opportunities include roles in wardrobe and costume design.
- Design Jobs – Jobs board aims to reach designers in the UK looking to work in a creative design studio, has a board dedicated to jobs in fashion.
- Fashion Jobs – Fashion jobs board, use search criteria to find current job opportunities.
- Creative opportunities – The University of the Arts London's jobs and internships website opportunities open to all, jobs and paid internships, part-time work, freelance contracts and full-time opportunities.
- ScreenSkills – A professional network for creative people; website has a searchable sector specific jobs board with current jobs and internships
Useful social media feeds
Check out the following fashion social media feeds for news and information about current projects and to tap into the hidden jobs market.
Going freelance
If you're considering working on a freelance basis or starting your own business, our Student Start Up team is on hand to offer support, guidance and resources to you for up to five years after graduation. Working for yourself can be a difficult undertaking, but can offer the creative freedom to create your own brand or produce your own projects. Find more information on our Student Start Up team webpage.
Other useful resources for exploring freelance work are;
- Creativeboom – Top tips on how much to charge for freelance work and some helpful links to some of the UK’s leading
Top tips for finding a job in fashion
- Keep up to date with fashion news and trends by following the professional bodies on twitter, this information might help you identify opportunities to network and tap into the hidden job market.
- Keep your online job search flexible as some employers might use different titles to describe the same job role.
- If you are keen to focus on a specific sector within fashion, check out the specialist websites for these areas for current vacancies
- Most companies have a X (Twitter) and/or Facebook account (see above), register with them as this is often a place where new opportunities are posted and where you can keep in touch with their current activities.
