How to find opportunities in the fashion industry while studying

Over the past two years, I’ve learned that finding opportunities is less about waiting for them to appear. It's more about being prepared, staying organised and putting yourself out there. Here are some of the things that have helped me gain experience while balancing university.

Finding London Fashion Week opportunities

One of the easiest ways to find opportunities working backstage is by following the London Fashion Week schedule. As soon as the official schedule is released, start emailing designers rather than waiting until the last minute.

Top tip: have a draft email prepared and then personalise it for each brand. Don’t send one generic email to everyone and always include the designer’s name and tailor it to their work. Mention your availability, attach your CV and portfolio, and explain why you’re interested in working with their team.

I also recommend creating a spreadsheet or even keeping a page in your notebook to track every brand you’ve contacted. Tick off each application, note the date you emailed them and whether you’ve received a reply. Once you start contacting multiple designers, it’s surprisingly easy to lose track.

Don’t just apply to one brand because it’s your favourite. Always have backup options and apply widely. Every opportunity teaches you something different, and every designer works in their own way. You may end up working for a brand that isn’t your personal aesthetic, but that’s often how the fashion industry works. Every experience helps you develop new skills and gives you a better understanding of how different teams operate.

What working backstage is really like

Working backstage is exciting, but it’s also physically demanding. Be prepared to spend most of the day on your feet, constantly steaming garments, organising outfits and helping with very quick model changes before they walk onto the runway.

The environment is extremely fast paced, so you need to stay calm, pay attention and react quickly. Every second counts, and teamwork is essential to keep everything running smoothly.

One thing that surprised me was how important presentation is. Backstage, the dress code is almost always all black. It isn’t about fashion - it’s about professionalism and making sure you don’t distract from the collection. Comfortable shoes are also essential. Even though it’s Fashion Week, you’ll probably be walking, standing or even running around for most of the day, so practicality is much more important than wearing fashionable shoes.

Interning with designer teams

If you’re looking for a longer internship or placement rather than just Fashion Week, one of the best approaches is to email designers around two or three months before Fashion Week begins. Many designer teams start preparing collections well in advance. This is a good time to introduce yourself.

The London Fashion Week website is a great place to find participating designers and their brands. Looking at previous schedules can also help you understand roughly when applications are likely to open each season.

Another place I highly recommend is Instagram. Many independent designers and smaller fashion brands advertise opportunities through their social media. Working with smaller teams often means you’ll work much more closely with the designer, giving you the chance to learn new skills and take on more responsibility than you might in a larger company.

Be prepared to do a variety of tasks. Some days you’ll be helping with fittings, steaming garments, packing collections or running errands. Being adaptable and willing to help wherever you’re needed is one of the best qualities you can have as an intern.

Networking is just as important as the placement

One piece of advice I wish I’d followed sooner is to network whenever you have the opportunity. If you’re working backstage or on a photoshoot, don’t be afraid to ask people for their Instagram or LinkedIn once the day has finished. Fashion is a surprisingly small industry, and many future opportunities come from people you’ve worked with before.

Don’t be afraid to mention that you’re open to future opportunities. If people know you’re reliable and enthusiastic, they’re much more likely to think of you when they need an extra assistant or intern.

Even if there’s no immediate opportunity, you’ve made a valuable industry connection.

After you’ve finished a placement or internship, ask if they’re happy to provide a recommendation or reference. You can also include the experience on your CV and portfolio, helping to strengthen future applications.

Things I wish I’d known before applying

Looking back, one mistake I made was not asking practical questions early enough. If an internship or Fashion Week role doesn’t mention whether it’s paid or whether travel expenses are covered, don’t assume they’ll bring it up themselves. It’s completely professional to ask before committing, especially if you’ll be travelling regularly or balancing the role with university.

Many student opportunities are unpaid, particularly during Fashion Week, so it’s important to know exactly what you’re committing to before accepting an offer. Being clear about expectations from the beginning helps both you and the designer.

Learn more about Fashion at Kingston University as well as available help and support from our Placements team.