How to Secure Your Summer Internship in Fashion
An honest, unfiltered guide from someone who's walked the path and wants you to thrive.
Written By Sacha Milazzo-Mercier
The fashion industry is full of dreamers and you might be one of them. Whether you’re a student navigating your degree, a recent graduate eager to step in, or someone looking to pivot toward a more creative, purpose-driven career, there’s one crucial stepping stone that can open doors, shape your path, and fast-track your growth:
The summer internship
I’ve seen what a single internship can do. It launched my own career. And over the years, I’ve watched countless young talents transform their futures by seizing the right opportunity at the right time, not because they had a perfect résumé, but because they had the right mindset and the courage to start.
In this article, I want to give you more than just tips. I want to share a clear, honest, and inspiring roadmap. One that will help you not just find an internship, but secure one that truly sets the stage for your fashion journey.
If you're studying, recently graduated, or looking to pivot into fashion, now is the time to act. Summer internships are your opportunity not just to fill your résumé, but to truly begin your story in this industry.
Why Internships Are the Gateway
Let me start with this: You don’t need experience to get started. You need strategy, skills, and heart.
Internships are the entry door. When companies look for interns, they’re not expecting a full résumé. What they do care about are two things:
Your transversal skills : the talents that cut across departments.
Your attitude : your curiosity, your drive, your enthusiasm.
What do I mean by transversal skills? Think languages, MS Office (yes, Excel counts!), communication, software knowledge, even your creative instinct. If you're a designer, that might include Adobe, 3D mockups, or making tech packs. But if you're into PR, it could be writing, organization, or social media savvy.
Let me share my story: I studied clinical psychology, not fashion. Yet while doing my Master's in HR in Milan, I secured an internship at Louis Vuitton. Why? Because I had interviewing skills, spoke fluent French and English, and showed a clear desire to contribute. That internship turned into a two-year contract and the foundation for my entire career.
So hear me when I say this: you can do the same.
Strategise Your Search: Map Your Opportunities
By the time you start your internship hunt, you should have an idea of the direction you want to go. But here’s the thing: stay open.
Fashion internships are rare and competitive. You might want to work in styling, but maybe a social media role will give you the communication skills you’ll later need in PR. Maybe you dream of being a buyer, but start in retail operations and learn the mechanics of sales from the ground up.
Here's how to begin:
Create a list of target brands you admire, big and small.
Explore multiple paths that build relevant skills.
Use LinkedIn smartly : look up professionals in your dream roles and see what internships they did. Reverse-engineer your path.
And please, don’t only focus on big names. I’ve seen the most incredible careers begin at small suppliers, at startups, at places where you get your hands dirty and learn by doing. These companies may not be glamorous, but they offer you room to shine, grow, and lead projects.
Where to Find Internship Opportunities
Let’s talk logistics. Where do you find the right roles?
Here’s where you can go beyond LinkedIn:
Specialised fashion job boards: these platforms are often more accessible for brands than LinkedIn so you might find gems others miss.
Company career pages
Cold outreach
Build a Strong, Authentic Profile
Now let’s talk about your application.
Most students feel a sense of panic here : “I don’t have experience!” But remember what I said, it’s about attitude and transferable skills.
You can include:
Volunteering
University projects
Freelance gigs
Clubs, hobbies, personal initiatives
If you run a blog, help your cousin’s boutique with Instagram, or styled your friends for shoots, that matters. Tell the story of your real potential.
And in fashion, we value the visual. That’s why I recommend:
A simple, factual CV
A focused, personal cover letter
A presentation, even a small visual deck that shows your perspective
A portfolio (if applicable)
I've seen students create mock brand strategies, merchandising plans, trend boards, even store visit reports. And you know what? One student landed a job after sending me a presentation I hadn’t even asked for. That person is now an HR manager in a major luxury hospitality brand.
Another? Camilla Ottaviani . She was still in university when she asked to intern with us. Her curiosity, her heart and her willingness to learn stood out. She started with us at Glowth Academy, then went on to Armani, and now she’s the Social Media Manager at The Attico, where she led comms for their very first show.
She created that story. You can create yours, too.
Prepare for the Interview: It’s About Attitude
When you get the interview, show up prepared. Not perfect, but prepared.
Know the brand.
Know the role.
Come with thoughts, questions, even ideas.
If there’s a video interview, don’t hit record until you’re ready.
Larger groups may include:
Excel or language tests
Video interviews
Assessment centers
If you need help, Glowth Academy is here. We run mock interviews, have templates, checklists, and even an entire Launch Your Career course to walk you through the process. But above all, remember this : we don’t choose interns based on experience. We choose them based on energy, potential, and willingness to grow.
Final Words: Take Ownership of Your Path
You deserve a career that excites you. But you have to make the first move. That means starting today:
Build your list.
Polish your application.
Reach out.
Believe in what you can offer.
The best time to apply is now, most summer internships run June to September, and the search peaks between January and March. But even beyond that window, keep going.
We created Glowth Academy because we believe in people like you. Our free membership gives you access to resources, templates, community, and guidance. All made with love. All tested by experience.
I’ll leave you with this: your dream job isn’t a fantasy, it’s a path. And your summer internship is the first step. Take it.