Why hello there, this post has been SO highly requested for around about 3 years now. I've covered this topic before, in a pretty hefty post, around 4 years or so ago, but I thought it was about time I did an updated post, with a similar story, but I guess a slightly different angle now I'm 25 and well into my career in the fashion industry. Interning is something I am EXTREMELY passionate about, it's something I would urge anyone who wants to break into the fashion industry or any creative industry for that matter, to do as it's a fantastic way to grow as a person, to gage exactly what you want to do, to meet new people, develop new skills and of course add another section to your CV.
Soooo interning, the scary old world of interning; Specifically interning in fashion.
We've all see The Devil Wears Prada, a film that I think any fashionista about to dip their toe into the industry would worry the fashion world is like.
Well, in parts it is, and in other parts I'm sure it's even worse. However, I'm not here to scare you or to put you off, I want you all to dive head first into the world of fashion and to embrace each and every aspect of interning, whether that be nailing how to make the perfect cuppa, sharpening your sewing skills or mastering the art of reading a map whilst delivering LFW invitations across London, your life as an intern is about to change you forever.
Change you in a very good way might I add. You'll leave your 1 month, 3 month or even year long placement feeling ready to take on the industry. You'll have learnt a lot about yourself, about your skill set and what you want to achieve in life and in my experience, my year long stint as an intern set me up for everything I have achieved today.
So, without further ado, here's a look into my own experience as an intern and some things I learnt along the way. Grab a coffee and maybe a biscuit or two, or bookmark this post for later, it's a hefty one.
Let's start from the beginning.
I studied textiles at GCSE and A Level, and introduced a course in photography at A Level too.
I then went onto study Fashion Communication and Promotion at The University of Huddersfield, a course that endeavoured to explore all that goes in to the promotion of fashion, whether that be PR, marketing, journalism, styling, photography, trend forecasting, the works; this course was a juicy one and I was ecstatic to have received a place and get stuck in.
I enjoyed almost every aspect of the course and did pretty well in all modules whilst maintaining the typical "party girl" persona of a university student, I really loved uni!
In our third year there was an optional "sandwich route" which meant if you wanted to, you could take a year out from studying and head out into the big, bad world of fashion. This was what initially attracted me to the course at Huddersfield University; there were other courses of this ilk at the time at UCLA, LCF and Nottingham, however non that offered the sandwich degree.
I knew, even before starting uni, that I wanted to intern.
I knew that it would be the making of me and that it would make bagging the dream job at the end of it, that little bit easier. So I set to work applying for internship after internship, browsing websites such as fashionworkie.com and speculatively sliding into emails praying that I'd be noticed.
My first internship was at House of Holland, something I'm extremely proud of as I'm sure you already know by now. House of Holland has always been a brand that I've adored, I love their use of colour and prints, I love Henry and I love the "cool girls" in which they dress, it was a brand I was DESPERATE to intern at so I went at applying in a different way when my initial email went ignored.
I did some research and found that Henry Holland's favourite sweet (at the time) were Jelly Beans. Lord knows how I found that kind of information, perhaps in some form of interview, but the important thing was that I did my research and I found that small piece of information that I could use to my advantage.
I printed out my CV and popped it in the post with a packet of Jelly Beans in tow. A week later I had an email thanking me for my CV and of course the Jelly Beans and inviting me down to London for a trial day. I was over the moon that my stalking tactics had worked and allowed me to stand out in a sea of similar CV's.
My mum and dad kindly paid for my train and I headed down for my trial day, which I thoroughly enjoyed and on completition was asked to come back in the summer for a month long internship.
This, might I add, was two years before I was to embark on my full year in industry, it was the summer after finishing first year, something I think was pivotal in, making that whole placement year that little bit easier to bag a years worth of internships.
After the month long summer placement in which I assisted with the AW12 LFW show, they confirmed that they'd love to have me back for 3 months when my placement year eventually begun... HURRAH!
During the 3 month placement I worked as the Sales & Buying assistant which was heavily numbers based, not my strong suit I must say. There was a lot of Excel Spreadsheets and inputting data and I really didn't enjoy it. I wanted to be creative, I wanted to style, to photograph, to promote fashion in any way I could, I didn't want to sit at a desk and boggle my brain with numbers. So I spoke up and was able to do 2 days a week doing the things I love with the design team. It was a great placement and a real eye opener into the things I did and didn't want to do in the industry. However, I decided, after 2 months that I was ready to move onto other things. I'd made some amazing contacts which lead me onto my next internship at ASOS.
BLAZER- TOPSHOP, TEE- c/o WEEKDAY, JEANS- & OTHER STORIES (old, SIMILAR), TRAINERS- GUCCI c/o NET-A-PORTER, BAG- YSL c/o NET-A-PORTER, WATCH- CALVIN KLEIN, BEE RING- c/o JULY CHILD
Some key learnings from my first internship is that interning is tough. You work long hours and for zero pay!
I was living in London, renting a friends spare room and I was extremely lonely. I loved getting up to go into the House of Holland studio every day and being surrounded by incredibly inspiring and creative people, despite not enjoying the role I was appointed. However, it was a real eye opener into what it was I actually wanted to do, which I think is something we can all take away from jobs we don't enjoy. It allows us to narrow down the search to our perfect career choice, whilst teaching us some key life lessons along the way.
I also learnt that it is SO important to stand out when it comes to applying for jobs and internships, so if there is something a little extra you can throw into the mix then go for it, my Jelly Beans worked a treat. It might not work for all career paths but those applying for creative roles, I'd 100% recommended giving it a whirl.
Another key lesson that we should all remember is to speak up when things aren't working out, there's no point in dragging things out until the bitter end. You're interning for free, if it's not working then move on. You need to take as much as you can from each internship as it's a year of learning and developing after all. If you're not learning, enjoying or developing in any way then please, speak up and move onto the next... Trust me, there will be a next one.
Working at ASOS was always somewhere I dreamt about working. I loved everything that ASOS offered and really thought of myself as an ASOS girl through and through. I was particularly fond of the ASOS Magazine back then, a carefully and beautifully curated magazine featuring the best that ASOS had to offer, what was new in and what was coming up, interviews with relevant musicians, designers, actors and it was just an utter delight receiving it through my door every other month.
Much to my surprise this internship was actually on the Fashion Desk for the ASOS Magazine, a serious pinch me moment for sure. I was thrilled to have been given the opportunity to be a part of the magazine I'd loved for so many years. I worked with the stylists, prepping for and assisting on shoots, scouting out the perfect pieces for certain occasions or calendar moments and I was completely and utterly submerged with my kinda fashion. It was such a different experience working at a HUGE headquarters such as ASOS HQ in comparison to a small studio like House of Holland, but it all helped with allowing me to learn and to work out exactly the kind of job I wanted once I'd finished university.
I always say that my time at ASOS was my absolute favourite of all my internships as it was just so utterly right for me. It was the perfect brand, made up of like minded people and it just felt right. It was the only internship that I was sad to leave at the end of. However, I left full of new skills, an intensified love of all things styling and with a whole lotta new friends, who kindly allowed me to move onto my next internship at Alexander McQueen.
So now onto Alexander McQueen an internship that I never, ever dreamt of getting and to be perfectly honest an internship I desperately did not want! The rumour mill was awash with horror stories about the treatment of Alexander McQueen interns and I didn't think I was strong enough to deal with it.
However, when I aced the interview and was invited to embark on a one month internship I thought it was worth a shot.
I was appointed as the Accessories PR Intern, a role I was pretty excited about indeed. I was able to book in and out stunning Alexander McQueen handbags, jewellery, scarves and shoes and send them around the world to the most prestigious of fashion press and celebrities, it was SO exciting. The team were truly incredible and I absolutely ADORED each and every day that I spent at the world renowned British fashion house.
However, that wasn't without it's hardships, we were up against the clock every day to ensure that these beautiful, EXTREMELY expensive pieces were securely packaged and shipped to their respective companies and countries whilst also ensuring that the correct pieces had come back to us after having been worn or featured. It was hard work with long days and I remember getting home every night at 9pm completely exhausted and TOTALLY drained.
Nonetheless, my time at Alexander McQueen was truly wonderful, I worked alongside such a gorgeous team of seriously inspiring people and I learnt a hell of a lot in such a short space of time. The team even through me a farewell party once my month was up and treated me to a beautiful Alexander McQueen ring and scarf, both of which I still have and will treasure for the rest of my life!
By this point I was completely and utterly skint. I had not a single penny to my name and I was missing home like mad. I'd been in London for 4 months and had zero social life due to long working ours and three unpaid internships. It was time to move back home and to start at JD Sports; not the most glamorous of brands, and certainly not the kind of place I would daydream about working at, however it was an 8 month placement as the Creative Production Assistant across a number of brands within the JD PLC group and it was paid... FINALLY!
I was back home in Manchester, interning at a HUGE high street giant and on a salary of £12,000 a year. Granted not the biggest salary in the world but this was a PAID internship which at the time was pretty unheard of indeed and I was completely thrilled to FINALLY have some reliable income.
My role at JD Sports was my favourite role of all, as the Creative Production Assistant I was able to work on countless photo shoots across some very different brands within the JD umbrella. My days were spent casting models, creating mood boards, styling outfits for shoots, scouting locations and of course being on set with a truly incredible team. I was in my absolute element work wise, it just wasn't setting my world on fire product wise if you catch my drift.
However, that being said as with all my placements, I learnt SO much during the 8 months I spent at JD Sports and worked amongst the most fabulous of people. I had a really incredible manager who I owe a lot to as she taught me SO much, she pushed me and inspired me to chase my dreams, I'll always be grateful to her.
It's important to remember that it doesn't matter who the brand is that you're working for, it's the role that counts, you still learn so many key skills despite where it is you're working and potential employers want to know WHAT you can do for them rather than WHO you did it for. Mix up your placements to really develop your skill set to the max and show your not afraid of getting stuck in!
And the rest, as they say is history. I went back to university filled to the brim with knowledge and fashion industry experience which really helped with my final pieces of degree work and I went back to university with a brand new blog.
My placement year allowed me to start this very blog right here. It began as a diary for my interning days, "The day in the life of a fashion intern" if you like, where I would explain albeit briefly what I'd been up to that day and what I'd learnt, along with some terribly grainy i-Phone 4 photographs to support. So yeah, you could say I owe my placement year a lot!
And I do, it taught me SO much, it allowed me to grow and learn more about the industry I was so desperate to be a part of, about myself and my skills, it allowed me to start my blog, which I am lucky enough to now call my job and it allowed me to leave university with an incredible job offer.
If you're in two minds about whether interning in fashion is for you then PLEASE give it a whirl, I cannot rave about the benefits enough. Unpaid internships I'm not so fond of, but thats for a different post entirely (if you'd like to see this?) however, at the time, they were all I could get and despite the lack of funds, I am SO thankful that I went for them regardless.
And with that, I bid thee farewell, I truly hope you enjoyed this blogpost as much as I enjoyed writing it and I truly, truly hope it was useful to some of you. If you have any questions at all, please leave them in the comments, on Instagram, Twitter or email me and I'll be sure to answer them in as much detail as possible or perhaps in a Q&A style blog post if there are enough of em!?
Peace Out!
x M
Hi Megan, I loved this post! As a Design graduate I’m very envious that you did a sandwich course, I feel that this should be the structure of all fashion courses as industry experience is vital to getting a real job!! As you well know! I would like to hear your opinions on unpaid internships. I have done a couple already and had to rely on parents for living expenses (luckily I could live back home at the time) and now I’m applying for more internships (unpaid!) and will have to rely on them for rent money as well! Sorry I’m rambling a lot but it just feels like such an intimidating world to be venturing into. I want to do everything I can to one day secure a job in fashion but it’s so hard finding the intern opportunities and the financial strain makes it so much more difficult. Some people don’t have the financial support of family either, making it impossible. So many of my fellow graduates are working dead end jobs just to live. Having said all of this the advice and experience gained on my past unpaid internships has been invaluable… But yeah, would love to hear your thoughts on the subject! 🙂 x
Thanks so much for sharing Claire and I will definitely set to work on a blog post about unpaid internships.
I had to rely on the support of my parents too, until I got a paid internship and the strain it had on them and me was really awful indeed. It’s SO hard at the time but hopefully it will pay off for you all.
Good luck with everything Claire and if you need any advice etc then please drop me a line.
I’ll be back with the follow up post on unpaid internships soon xo
Wow Megan, I really loved this post (as always lol)! So inspirational and motivating to work hard and literally build your own career path.
Although I am not working in fashion or following any path to be someday I could relate to your story so much. I work in the hotel industry, which is very different to fashion but they have two things in common: experience is everything and its very hard work. I interned in London a year ago and I can’t stress enough how much I’ve learned and developed as a person.
My question might be a bit off topic but I was just wondering, what advice would you give if someone does not really want to start a career in fashion but make it a real hobby? I’ve been interested in fashion my hole life but I’m kinda hesitant to start a blog because blogs are soooo professional these days (which I love) and I don’t know if I could live up to my own standards haha.
Thanks for sharing your success story! Would love to hear your thoughts xx
Marlena I’m so so glad you enjoyed this post and that you can relate to it despite our careers being very different, that is so awesome to hear.
I didn’t realise that within the hotel industry you did internships, wow. You really do learn something new every day. I’m SO glad your internship experience was a positive one like mine, you really do learn so much!
HAHA living up to your own standards is tough, I struggle with it every day. But, if you’re using your blog as a creative outlet and as a hobby then just role with it and enjoy it. I sometimes wish my blog was still my hobby as it was SO fun to do whatever came into my head that day, rather than now booking in with photographers etc etc. Enjoy it babe, your voice is a unique one so you should totally run with it! x
Hi Megan, I really enjoyed reading this post. It is so interesting to read about the experience you gained to get to where you are now, you are very lucky that you have always known that it was fashion you wanted to get into. After getting a degree in film and media and then a diploma in journalism I’m still figuring out what I want to do really but would love to get into fashion somehow in the future.
I’m always really impressed with your fashion knowledge and it would be great if you could do a post/video on the industry jargon you use or terms for different materials and cuts? x
Thanks gorgeous girlie, I’m so glad you enjoyed this post!
Yeah, it’s funny, I’ve wanted to be in the fashion industry since I was a little girl, but I imagine it must be difficult (and VERY normal might I add) to not be 100% sure on the right path for you. But you’ll get there girlie, thats the beauty of the journey, you learn so much from it!
x
Hey Megan, this post is EVERYTHING. I’m literally right in the middle of applying anywhere and everywhere for as many internships as possible, but with a family that can’t really afford to help pay for my living expenses and due to me living no where near London, I’m really struggling to work out how it would even be possible for me to realistically do any internship I’d love to do. I did an internship with Heat magazine last summer, but I had to literally beg my friend for a place to stay during my time in London- unpaid internships suck. I’d really love to hear your thoughts on them in a separate post. That’s why my blog has become such an important way that I can showcase myself/my skill set to potential employers, because all I need is a camera and my laptop haha! Hope you’re good x
Ahhh Madeleine I’m SO glad to hear that this post has helped. Good luck with bagging an internship that is right for you babe. The whole working for no money but often needing to head to London to bag an internship is such a pain, but yes, sleeping on friends sofas and asking family members for their support is a great way to kick things off. Where do you live if you don’t mind me asking? It seems that there are many more internship opportunities outside of London now so was wondering if you could think of another (cheaper) city to intern in? xo
I’m currently at uni in Birmingham – and literally, fashion/journalism-wise, there are v few opportunities *cry* so London seems to be my best bet at the mo 🙁 x
Hey Megan, thank you so much for taking the time to write this post! I’m definitely gonna be using some of your tips in the near future! Love youu <3
It’s my pleasure Isa, I’m really glad it’s helped xo
Very interesting to read about your fashion intern experience. The only internship I ever did was for a teaching position and I had to do that to get my state teaching certificate…I actually enjoyed it. As interns we have the perfect opportunity to learn because we are expected to do so- if we are polite and respectful, it is not that hard to find opportunities to learn.
I love your outfit and how you styled that graphic tee….awesome sneakers.
Thanks Ivana, so glad you found it interesting!
And yes, you’re absolutely right about the opportunities internships can give to us.x
Hey Megan, thank you so so much for writing this post!
I’m currently looking for an internship after my first year and it’s just so hard to find something. This really motivated me to try me best to find something. Definitely gonna use your tips and take your advice. Xx
Ahh Alex it’s my pleasure, I’m SO thrilled that you enjoyed reading it!
I’m SO glad it’s given you a bit of motivation to keep at it and find something. Have you checked fashionworkie.com? Thats a really good website, they also have a great twitter account. I also find speculatively emailing is a great way to find an internship that may not have been advertised et.
Good luck babe xo
This must’ve been the first blog post in a long time that made me care more about the written part of it than the beautiful imagery. Although I am not going to study fashion at university, it is so inspiring and encouraging to read about someone else’s experience, and obviously your hard-earned success! I completely agree that it’s so important to gain as much experience as possible, that simply taking a course at uni isn’t enough, and that you should always push your own boundaries to stand out.
Thanks for sharing this and prepping me mentally for when I start my journalism course at university in September! xx
Ohhh Annie thank you so much, means a lot that you enjoyed this post!
Good luck with your journalism course girlie, you’ll be awesome x
Hey, as some one who is still in college but has wanted to be in the fashion industry all her life this post was so interesting. Now I know that if I attend uni I should look for a course that has the sandwich option, thanks for that info. Your story is my dream as Asos is one of my all time favourite brands and Alexander McQueen is a designer I have been obsessed with ever since I saw the Savage Beautt e exhibition in London. Have you got any advice in picking what fashion course to do at uni, there are so many to choose from. Haha I wish you could experience a little bit of each then pick your fav xx
This was super insightful Megan – I missed out on long-term placements as I didn’t go to uni but worked in a few studios and it’s a great way to learn what areas of your chosen career suit you, and even if it’s not the right environment (i.e. I photographed frozen chicken) the skills all help!
Lauren x
Britton Loves | Cruelty-Free/Vegan Beauty • Lifestyle • Photography
This post was THE perfect post for me to read! At the minute I’m in my ‘gap year’ (I hate to call it that as I had no choice but to take it) and my mind is a mish mash of worrying about the future and what I’m going to do. Since I was little I always knew I wanted to be in the fashion industry, no joke I wrote a biography of myself in Year 5 planning my life to be a famous designer and photographer, I just love it! I also did Textiles at GCSE & A Level along with Photography and my plan was to go to the University for the Creative Arts down in London to study Fashion Management and Marketing. I was so set on doing that and had everything planned out but having had a year out to re-evalute things I’m just no sure! I hope it’s okay if I ask you a few questions.
Would you say going to University helped you get the internships or did you know anyone interning without being at Uni? Part of me is now questioning whether I should go or go but nearer home, I don’t know!
Is the process of getting an internship just like getting a job?
Would you recommend your course at Huddersfield? My original plan was going to LCF, I got the offer and after visiting decided it was definitely not my vibe. I did want to move far away from home but now wonder whether going somewhere like Huddersfield/Manchester/Leeds would be just as beneficial as they’re all fairly local.
Finally do you think a degree is necessary in the fashion industry?
Honestly you are such a big inspiration to me as the path you’ve gone down is very similar to want I want, I love these posts as I feel sometimes the fashion industry doesn’t feel accessible to those on the outside so it’s really helpful hearing in!
(You also look amazing in this look, that pin stripe with the green is fab!!!)
Lucy Jane | Infinity of Fashion
This post was amazing!! I’m in my final year at uni after finishing my sandwich / placement year in September! This has inspired me to continue to work hard these next few months so when it comes to graduation I can look for trying out different internships before figuring out what I truly want to do. A really insightful post and really interesting to here about other peoples perspectives of interning!
Ahhhh Chloe thats so awesome! I’m thrilled that you found this post useful and inspiring!
Amazing that you’ve completed your placement year, how did it go? Congrats girlie!
HUGE good luck on everything my lovely x
This was such an interesting read and has come at just the right time for me! I’m currently doing an unpaid internship as part of my university course and although it’s not a whole sandwich year (only 3 months) it’s already been so eye opening after 2 weeks. Leaving the house at 7.30 and getting home at 8 every day and coming back with less money than i had before isn’t the most ideal situation being a broke student, but after reading this, its great to hear that it will be worthwhile and open doors for me. You’re so right when you say it has made you into the person you are today, and i’m excited to see where mine takes me too!
P.S I am interning for a brand called House of Sunny which i actually think you’d look AMAZING in, if you haven’t heard of them already Megan!!! Especially their new Spring collection, think crazy wide leg polka dot/ striped culottes, one shoulder gingham tops and an insane boxy sheer blouse! Deffo not sponsored (i’m unpaid for crying out loud), just think you would loveeeee.
Emily xx
Oh Emily, I’m so glad this has spurred you on further with your internship journey and I’m SO excited that you’re working for House Of Sunny, I do love that brand! Good luck with everything gorgeous and please stay in touch, I’d love to hear more about your fashion journey! Lots of love xo
Hi Megan,
This was such a good read. I was wondering if you could offer me some advice on how to get into the fashion industry when you have literally no experience! I am a primary teacher and for years have wanted to get into fashion but been too scared to start all over again! I can’t afford to do another degree but any advice on what else I could do to start a fashion career besides this would be amazing. I’m willing to do anything to finally live out my dream!
Thanks so much! x
Interning is the best bet to gain experience. However, I’m sure that isn’t all too doable being a teacher and all so instead why don’t you start a blog? It’ll scratch your fashion itch, put you out there and potentially lead to exciting things in fashion? What do you think? x
Amazing blazer and beautiful shoes 🙂 I love every outfit you put together and I really love your videos 🙂
Kisses from Serbia 🙂
http://www.ivanasworld.com
I’m currently in my final semester of Fashion Promotion and Communication at Southampton Solent and although I interned at Hello! Fashion Monthly magazine last summer and am due to intern at Skinnydip in May – part of me does wish I had chosen a course that offered a placement year. However, my course does require us to complete 100 hours of work experience.
Internships really are the only way to get into the industry, in my opinion.
vishal Thanks for sharing here I read your review so intresting.I hope you give a useful topic.
Hi Megan,
I am reading your blog post about interning at Alexander McQueen because I have a one month internship with the Digital Communication and PR department this June. I wanted to ask if you had any other tips for me as I really want to impress them and make sure I get the most out of my experience. Is there anything I should research before going in there? Also what did you wear to work? I’m a newbie at this !
Thanks
Emily
Hey Megan! I can’t even explain how useful this post is for me, as in less than 2 weeks I’ll be interning for House of Holland for the summer! I live in the North East & go to Northumbria University, so the venture down to London for the summer is both nerve-racking and super exciting (I’ll be sofa-surfing between friends and family for the duration because accommodation is SO EXPENSIVE)! I understand the role you got with the company wasn’t for you, but I would LOVE to hear more about your time there and also a post on unpaid internships would help!
Thanks so much!
Milly x
OMG MILLY CONGRATS! SO exciting! Are you buzzing? Nervous? Ahhh you’ll be amazing!
Let me know how it goes babes xo
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Hi Megan, I hope you are well! I cannot describe how much relief I have from just reading this post. It has given me hope that I may one day be able to conquer the fashion world. I am a hard working 17 year old girl and I’m up for giving anything a try, although I often struggle to see through the negative paths. I am thinking about starting a fashion Industry but haven’t got a clue how I would respond it that sort of environment and whether I would like it or not. So reading this post has given me courage to try and explore and dive into the new world of fashion. I have always been a creative soul so I hope I just wouldn’t find an internship too restricting. I’ve also been repeatedley starting and giving up on multiple blogs. I feel like I just need the courage and support to delve into something new. If you could offer any advice on what platforms you used to start your blog it would be much appreciated. I’ve never come across a blog so honest like this and I won’t lie it has inspired me to start writing again ! I can’t appologise enough for my dyslexic rambling but thank you for the inspirational read !