All About Internships and Work Experience Placements

[Lee-Sarah]

Hi, I'm looking for an internship in the fashion industry in New York City.
I'm capable of pattern making, have great sewing skills, and a bright young lady

I've had my own fashion shows and my line shown at a charity fashion show also.

 

[katherine]

^ freefashioninternships.com is an excellent resource that has tons of places based in NYC for you to check out.

 

[Cicciolina]

Does a person with a journalism degree have the same chances in getting an internship/job in a fashion magazine as a fashion journalist than a person who has an arts and design related degree?

And what do you suggest to someone who has a journalism degree and wants to focus in fashion to do, before going right away to a fashion magazine? Because I'm going for Journalism major, but working in the fashion area is very appealing to me - I'd like to know the type of experiences that would give me the bases to then be able to pursue a job in a fashion magazine.

Thanks!

Well it depends what you want to do in a fashion magazine. There are people who work in art direction (how the magazine looks), features (they write, as well as commission other writers), then the 'fashion' section which is where they deal with the clothes and are stylists (editorials), market editors, etc.

Magazines aren't really fussed about who you're majoring in, but more about your skills and your experience.

These threads go into more detail and are a worthwhile read if you're interested in pursuing a career in fashion magazines:

So you want to work in fashion editorial?
http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/f90/so-you-wanna-work-fashion-editorial-44297.html

Fashion Journalism
http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/f90/fashion-journalism-34441.html

How to work at a fashion magazine and get to the top
http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/f90/how-get-work-fashion-magazine-get-top-62841.html

jeweledvixen they're still hiring for Spring internships now - thought I've heard some people inquiring for summer around this time. I'd say do it after the new year - about end of Jan, as people may still be away.

 

[tiny]

After much searching and emailing everyone and anyone; I scored an internship with a pr company and I start Monday!!!

 

[Cicciolina]

Yay congratulations!

Let us know how it goes! There's a thread in this forum on PR too.

 

[suri.louboutin]

Hi guys, this is my first post here and, first of all I have to thank everybody who have been posting such helpful informations about internship. I have already found great and very motivative informations.

Second, my real question is: I'm currently taking a degree in political science and international relations (in europe) but what I really want to do is work in fashion industry.

At a first moment, I thought I should apply to a fashion uni but I have no skills at all when it comes to draw (and since I loved politics too, I endorsed for it).

Now, I discovered that intern it's a great way to introduce myself to fashion.

DO you guys think there's any possibility to me to conquer a space as a intern for a designer(at fashion week) or magazine, as long as I'm studying politics?? I really would like to work directly with the clothes/shoes, like organizing a wardrobe, dressing models and this type of things.

Any help for me, please.
thanks in advance

 

[pinksatin]

Yes. I think you have as much chance as anyone else. If you are a hard worker, reliable, etc., that is what an employer is looking for.

As an example, my friend had a PR internship at yigal azrouel and his majors were french and international relations He moved after that to a job in corporate PR (fashion isn't his primary interest, but is is definitely knowledgeable enough to pass and well dressed, but I don't think that's the primary quality you need). You just need to have skills and be dedicated to doing whatever your boss needs and quickly too.

 

[suri.louboutin]

Thanks alot pinksatin. I'm a bit worried about misconceptions, because I'm in politics, and people tend to make conclusion without knowledge about each one.

 

[parkereloise]

I'm sixteen and I know that I want to work in the fashion industry. I live in New York and I've applied for alot of internships but I haven't gotten any because I'm sure you have to get college credit. I try really hard to get contacts and stuff but it just isn't happening. My aunt who works at conde nast (for an arcitecture magazine) said there was nothing she could do for me at least now. I've tried talking to teachers and my mom but they have no clue, I just don't know if I should bother with going to college out of New York City like all my friends are doing because I know there won't be opportunities anywhere else. Should I just go to a college in the city and get an internship when I'm in college and possibly is there anything I can do now? Sorry... I'm just so confused.

 

[BetteT]

Occasionally someone tells us that they got an internship while they were in high school ... but it doesn't happen often. Try smaller local companies that manufacture clothing or retail stores .... things like that. Smaller companies probably don't have the rigid requirements and if they like you, they might take you on for a couple of months. Of course, you'd probably have to find the time during your school day to do this.

In some states they have something like Regional Occupational Programs (ROP) in the high schools which allow high school students to intern in certain businesses in lieu of a couple of classes ... so you might look into that. Do you have counselors in your school who help with things like that?

Also, check this thread ... Fashion Career Building Activities if you are Still in High School which is about other things you can do to build experience to add to your future resume, while you are still in high school. And this one, if you are planning to attend a fashion school in the future ... High School Students, How to Prepare For Fashion School .

 

[parkereloise]

Thanks so much! the horrible thing is i go to this dumb private catholic school and theres no way i could do that thing when you learn a buisness in lieu of classes, that is only for public school even if it wasn't theres no way i could get out of it. but i'll try some smaller companies and check out that thread

 

[e-v-elina]

i find it impossbile to find internships here (sweden), i doubt we even have any. i have emailed so many magazines but i dont even get an answer back which i find to be kind of rude.

 

[Surfbunny]

^ really?check their webpages..they usually have a category called "jobs"

 

[e-v-elina]

apparently they dont :/

 

[Surfbunny]

hm :/ then I'd call and ask?

 

[pinksatin]

parkereloise, I think it's lucky that you live in the city. I am personally envious. If fashion is what you really want, I would definitely stay in NY for college. I would love to go to college there but it's so expensive and I get tuition for practically free in my state of residence which is why I'm not looking to transfer. You will probably be able to find good rates at a public university since you'll have residency for NY state.

When you are finally in college, you can arrange your class schedule to allow weekday time for internships. And you can apply for the fall/winter/spring positions which I think is a huge advantage. I don't know for a fact, but I assume they are less competitive to get than summer ones since less people live in the city year-round and people from all over the country (like me) apply for the summer positions. Plus, living there you will be in town for fashion weeks no matter what. I think this is a tremendous advantage because the academic calendar doesn't allow this for me. I have to always be back in my own state at school. So even if I get a summer internship that has an opportunity to work during fashion week, I can't because I always have to go back home to school at the end of August.

So I would say, count your blessings, you definitely have a few IMO. And yeah, see what else you can do in the meantime per BetteT's suggestions.

BTW, I saw some kind of pseudo-internship (more like "volunteers needed") listing and it was basically just asking for people to hand out magazines (I think it was W or something and I think it was paid!) for a few hours outside the tents at fashion week. I doubt they would care if someone still in high school did a task like that and you'd get to be in the middle of, or at least right outside of the action. I'm sorry but I just looked through a bunch of links and I can't find that listing again right now. Maybe it's in a thread here . . . but anyway, my point is during fashion weeks there is a lot of demand for random jobs and help. Good luck either way! And if you don't get great opportunities in high school, don't worry. Just do good in school and get what you can later.

 

[parkereloise]

thanks pinksatin. i wrote an email to that thing about handing out magazines for WWD outside the tents at fashion week and wasnt responded to yet

 

[gius]

....I live in New York and I've applied for alot of internships but I haven't gotten any because I'm sure you have to get college credit....

Does that mean the company is looking for an intern who will get credits for working there?
Why would they need that?

 

[dior_couture1245]

I begin interning for Rodarte this March!!!!

 

[Deleted member 103203]

^
I am INSANELY jealous of you , I hope you have fun.