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One year ago, Jonathan Anderson walked into Dior. And the entire industry has been watching him ever since.

He was named creative director of Dior Men on April 17, 2025, taking over from Kim Jones.

Then on June 2, 2025, LVMH did something it hadn’t done since Monsieur Dior himself was alive: it handed him everything. Menswear, womenswear, haute couture. One designer, one vision, one of the biggest houses in the world. The first single creative director across all divisions in nearly 80 years.

Anderson is now responsible for ten Dior collections a year, on top of six for JW Anderson and two with Uniqlo. Eighteen collections annually. The only designer doing numbers like this in recent memory was Karl Lagerfeld.

Since then, he has delivered four major Dior debuts in under twelve months. Menswear at the Invalides on June 27, 2025.

Womenswear on October 1, 2025, opened by an Adam Curtis film and a giant inverted pyramid, with reworked Bar jackets, denim minis, and the bow he’s making a brand signature.

Haute couture at the Musée Rodin on January 26, 2026 — a cyclamen-laced collection inspired by Magdalene Odundo’s ceramics.

His sophomore womenswear show in March 2026, a Fall collection that walked through the Tuileries with flouncy Bar jackets, oversized suiting, and water lily motifs.

And last night in Los Angeles, his first Cruise show at LACMA, staged among vintage Cadillacs and film noir fog, with Anya Taylor-Joy, Al Pacino, and Miley Cyrus watching from the front row.

What’s interesting for us, watching from inside fashion, isn’t just whether the clothes are good ( and btw they are). It’s the strategy. For years, the conversation in fashion has been about creative directors as auteurs — one genius, one vision, one house. Anderson is doing something different, he is not just designing Dior, he is operating Dior.

This is the part the next generation needs to internalize.

When Dior interviews you for a junior role in the studio, in merchandising, in marketing, in communications — they are no longer looking for someone who "loves fashion."

They are looking for someone who can hold all of those layers in their head at the same time, the way Anderson does. The reason he got handed the entire house is that he proved at Loewe he could think like a CEO and a designer simultaneously. Eleven years to grow that brand from €230 million to over €1 billion. That is not just an aesthetic achievement, it is a business one.

And understanding the fashion industry under this layer is what will make you a successful fashion professional.

Dior contributes roughly 14% of LVMH’s operating profit. Sales fell from €9.5 billion in 2023 to €8.7 billion in 2024 and kept sliding through 2025. HSBC is now forecasting 10% sales growth for Dior in 2026 — a “V-shaped recovery,” the key bull case inside the entire group. Anderson is not being judged on whether the clothes are beautiful. He is being judged on whether he can move a multi-billion euro brand.

So when I look at his first year, I am not asking the question other editors are asking is this the new Dior aesthetic. I am asking the question YOU guys in my community, aspiring to get into fashion, should be asking — what does it take to be the person trusted with €9 billion of someone else’s brand?

The designers being handed the keys to the biggest houses right now are the ones who can think across every function of the business. That is the shift. And it changes what you should be building toward, no matter what role you want inside this industry.

If you feel like you want to be part of this world, I’m doing a free webinar where I’ll teach you how to break into fashion. Save your spot here!

What (else) happened in the industry this week?

LVMH sold Marc Jacobs

On May 14, 2026, LVMH announced it had sold the Marc Jacobs brand to WHP Global and G-III Apparel Group for $850 million. WHP and G-III are splitting the deal 50/50, each putting up $425 million.

Marc Jacobs himself is staying on as creative director.

LVMH had held a majority stake — 80% — since 1997, the same year Marc Jacobs became the first-ever creative director of Louis Vuitton. The relationship lasted nearly thirty years.

A few things to know about the buyers. WHP Global is not a luxury house. It is a brand management company. Its portfolio includes Vera Wang, Rag & Bone, G-Star, Express, Lotto, and Toys ‘R’ Us. The business model is licensing — they own the trademark, they license it out to manufacturers and retailers, they collect royalties. G-III is an apparel manufacturer that produces Donna Karan, Karl Lagerfeld, and licensed product for Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. Together, they will run Marc Jacobs as a licensing-driven brand, not as a heritage luxury house.

Marc Jacobs as a brand does roughly €600 million a year. Profitable. Healthy. But inside LVMH Dior is at €8.7 billion and Louis Vuitton at over €20 billion.

Kering announced layoffs at Alexander McQueen — and Italian unions are striking

If you read the Marc Jacobs story and thought it might be a one-off, here is the second half of the same picture.

On the other side of the luxury industry, Kering — the group that owns Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, and Alexander McQueen — is going through its own restructuring. The new CEO, Luca de Meo, took over last year and immediately put the group’s smaller brands under review. He has now publicly told McQueen, Brioni, Ginori 1735, and Pomellato that they have two years to return to profitability. His exact words: “To be a luxury brand, you need to make money. Otherwise, I eject them from the system.”

The first cuts are already happening. Alexander McQueen announced 54 layoffs in Italy, out of 181 total employees. That is nearly one third of the brand’s workforce gone in a single round. Italian unions called a national strike across all Kering Italy companies for May 20, demanding the layoffs be withdrawn and that management actually explain the “ReconKering” reorganization plan, which has not been shared with employees.

Marc Jacobs at LVMH. Alexander McQueen at Kering. Same week. Two of the biggest luxury groups in the world are doing the same thing at the same time. They are sorting their portfolios into two piles — the brands that print money, and the brands that don’t. And they are letting go of the second pile, either by selling it (Marc Jacobs) or by cutting it until it works (McQueen).

This is no longer one company making a strategic decision. This is the industry making one.

The fashion career path you were sold five years ago assumed that mid-sized luxury brands would always be there, always hiring, always training the next generation. That assumption is being rewritten in real time. The brands that hired you out of fashion school in 2020 are not the same brands that will hire you in 2026. Some of them are being sold. Some are cutting a third of their staff. Some are being told to fix themselves in 24 months or disappear.

So when you are deciding where to apply, where to intern, where to build your career — pay attention to which brands are growing and which brands are on a list. Read the financial press, not just the runway reviews. Look at who their parent company is and whether that parent is investing in them or quietly preparing to sell them as this will affect your position somehow.

Cannes officially started and fashion already stole the spotlight

The 2026 Cannes Film Festival has officially begun and as always, the red carpet quickly became fashion’s second runway.

Among the first standout looks: Demi Moore in Gucci and jury member Ruth Negga in Jonathan Anderson’s Dior Haute Couture, a hammered green satin gown with delicate embroidery details that instantly caught everyone’s attention.

What happens when fashion becomes art?

Following the sparkle of the Met Gala, the Costume Institute officially opened its new exhibition, Costume Art.

The exhibition brings together more than 400 objects, creating conversations between fashion and art across centuries. Cristóbal Balenciaga’s sculptural creations stand next to classical sculptures, while Alexander McQueen’s visionary designs meet Flemish paintings.

Louis Vuitton announced that Cruise 2027 will be presented at The Frick Collection in New York, marking the first time the museum's galleries will host a fashion show. The partnership also launches a three-year cultural collaboration between the house and the institution.

A reminder that fashion is increasingly asking to be viewed not only as something we wear, but as something we study.

Valentino now has his own coin

Yes, you read that correctly.

To celebrate Valentino Garavani, Italy introduced an official commemorative coin available in gold and silver editions.

The coin won’t enter circulation, but its symbolic meaning is powerful. It recognizes Valentino’s contribution not only to fashion but also to Italy’s image around the world.

Probably one of the most literal ways of saying that a designer’s legacy lasts forever.

The CFDA invests in fashion's next generation

Good news for emerging talent.

The CFDA announced a record $1.5 million scholarship fund for fashion design students across the United States as it celebrates its 30th anniversary.

Partners include Carolina Herrera, PVH Foundation and Bezos Earth Fund, reinforcing a growing commitment to supporting the next generation entering the industry.

Disney enters the Formula 1 world

Disney and Formula 1 are expanding their partnership ahead of the 2026 Montreal Grand Prix.

Following capsule collections and pop-up experiences launched over the past year, the collaboration is now growing with new F1 Academy products, Disney x Formula 1 collections and additional retail launches.

Quick Fashion Updates

• Thom Browne officially joins the Milan Men's Fashion Week Spring 2027 calendar.

• Manolo Blahnik will receive the Sue Saunders Award for Excellence at the 2026 Cordwainers Footwear Awards.

• Chanel strengthens its relationship with the art world through a new partnership with Dia Art Foundation.

• Burberry returned to profitability and reported positive growth, signaling that its turnaround strategy may finally be working.

• Condé Nast appointed Murray Clark as Head of Editorial Content at British GQ, where he will oversee the title's editorial vision across all platforms.

Nice Things 💖

Dior Cruise 2027

What to read this week 📕💫

You dream of working in fashion but don’t know where to start, especially because you don’t have experience?

In this article, I’ll break down exactly, step by step, how to break into fashion without experience in 2026 — even if you have no connections, no fashion degree, and no prior background in the industry.

I’ve been in the fashion industry for 10+ years now, working inside companies like Alexander McQueen, Yoox Net-a-Porter, and Kering, and now running the Glam Observer Academy, where over the past years I’ve helped thousands of students, recent graduates, and career switchers break into fashion from completely different backgrounds.

So let’s begin. Click here and read more!

WANT TO BREAK INTO FASHION?

What to watch this week 💫🎥

How to get a job in fashion without experience 2026 step-by-step

Fashion Profiles to follow this week

Benjamin Bruno, stylist

Murray Clark, head of editorial content GQ British

Want to break into fashion?

Explore our best-selling online fashion courses!

Break into the fashion industry course: learn step-by-step how to apply for fashion jobs and internships, build your CV, cover letter, Portfolio, LinkedIn profile, prepare for job interviews and build connections. Secure your position in fashion even if you have no experience!

Excel for Fashion Course: learn the skill that is most frequently tested during job interviews!

Forward this email to your fashion friends :)

Giada Graziano, Inside Fashion Editor in Chief and Glam Observer Founder

Giorgia Angelica Ferronato, Intern at Glam Observer

Follow us on Instagram @glamobserver

Read our website: glamobserver.com

Interested in advertising in Inside Fashion or posting a job offer to reach 40,000 fashion enthusiasts? Email us at newsletter@glamobserver.com

Monday, 11 May, 2026

Happy Monday!

This month, it’s so full of new possibilities. Identify the right one for you, and prepare your portfolio and CV as well as possible.

You need to start building your future in fashion as soon as possible.

As always, we want to make sure you are following the right steps to start your dream job as quickly as possible.

This month, there are over 10 new internships at Cèline ready for you! Take a look and prepare your profile!

This week alone, we have found over 130 new opportunities. If you want to join the fashion world and stop dreaming, now is the perfect time, whatever role you choose.

As usual, there are many new opportunities in each fashion capital, including New York, London, Paris, and Italy.

Need help applying? Check out this free webinar and the Break into the fashion industry course. Happy application!💗

Here is your list with all the links to apply:

NEW YORK

1. CONDE NAST, Senior Director, Commerce Media

2. CONDE NAST, Director of Video Content

3. CONDE NAST, Executive Editor, GQ

4. CONDE NAST, Performance Social Media Designer

5. CONDE NAST, Performance Media Specialist

Read more

Thanks for reading Inside Fashion! Subscribe to receive it each week in your inbox.

Subscribe now

Happy Friday!
May 08, 2026

Fashion had its biggest cinematic moment of the year this week.

The 2026 Met Gala transformed the steps of the Metropolitan Museum into a living exhibition, with celebrities interpreting the theme “Fashion Is Art” through references to painting, sculpture, cinema, and performance. But beyond the red carpet spectacle, the entire industry seemed to move in the same direction: fashion as storytelling, heritage, and artistic expression.

From Miu Miu bringing immersive performances to Shanghai to Dior’s sailing-inspired Dioriviera universe, and from Versace’s nostalgic campaign imagery to Gucci celebrating the timeless Flora motif, this week proved that fashion is no longer just about clothes — it’s about creating.

Here’s everything that happened in fashion this week!

What happened in the industry this week? 💛

Fashion Is Art: Inside the Met Gala 2026

This year’s Met Gala perfectly captured fashion’s growing connection with art and performance. The theme, Fashion Is Art, inspired celebrities to turn the red carpet into a visual narrative, with many looks directly referencing paintings, sculptures, and cinema history. Emma Chamberlain wore a hand-painted Mugler gown inspired by Van Gogh’s The Garden at Arles, by Miguel Castro Freitas.

While Gracie Abrams referenced Gustav Klimt through reflective textures and rich embellishments. Sabrina Carpenter, dressed by Jonathan Anderson for Dior, delivered one of the most talked-about tributes of the night with a corset made from original film strips of Audrey Hepburn’s Sabrina.

Miu Miu Heads to Shanghai With “Tales & Tellers”

Miu Miu continues to position itself at the intersection of fashion, art, and performance. Under the direction of Miuccia Prada, the brand announced the third edition of Tales & Tellers, its immersive site-specific installation and live performance project, taking place at Shanghai’s historic Exhibition Center on June 6 and 7.

Conceived with artist Goshka Macuga, curator Elvira Dyangani Ose, and director Fabio Cherstich, the project reinforces Miu Miu’s ability to create experiences that go far beyond traditional fashion presentations.

Dior’s Dioriviera Sets Sail Under Jonathan Anderson

Dior unveiled a new chapter of its Dioriviera universe with Jonathan Anderson’s first beach collection for the house.

Inspired by illustrator Christian Bérard, a close collaborator of Christian Dior, the collection blends heritage references with a playful summer energy through sailing-inspired pop-ups and immersive resort experiences across 19 destinations worldwide.

New Creative Chapters at Louis Vuitton and A.P.C.

Luxury brands continue to invest in personalities capable of shaping culture beyond fashion itself. Louis Vuitton named Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu as its newest ambassador, reinforcing the industry’s fascination with athletes who embody authenticity, individuality, and Gen Z energy. Liu’s playful personality and fearless approach perfectly align with Nicolas Ghesquière’s vision for the house.

Meanwhile, A.P.C. announced Ludivine Poiblanc as its new artistic director, marking a fresh era for the French label. Known for her work as a stylist and creative consultant, Poiblanc will redefine the brand’s visual identity while staying connected to the minimalist DNA that made A.P.C. iconic.

Heritage Never Goes Out of Style: Versace

Versace leaned into nostalgia with its Versace Obsessed La Vacanza 2026 campaign photographed by Steven Meisel.

By mixing legendary supermodels, archival imagery, and a new generation of faces, the campaign created a dialogue between past and present while reaffirming the unmistakable visual identity of the house.

At a time when many brands are searching for direction, Versace proves that heritage remains one of fashion’s most powerful tools.

What’s Happening at GANNI?

GANNI quietly entered a new phase this week following the exit of CEO Laura du Rusquec, with interim executive Hans Hoegstedt stepping in. The news arrives after years of repositioning the brand toward “progressive luxury,” including higher price points and a stronger Paris Fashion Week presence.

The conversation now revolves around identity. As Vogue Business pointed out, many consumers simply “want GANNI to be GANNI” again.

Nice Things 💖

Kering Highlights Gucci Flora

Gucci spotlighted the history of its iconic Flora print, created in 1966 for Princess Grace of Monaco and still relevant today thanks to constant reinterpretation by successive creative directors — most recently Demna for Winter 2026.

What to read this week 📕💫

10 Fashion Terms You’ll Hear in Your First Internship (and What They Actually Mean)

When you start your first fashion intrnship , whether it’s in PR, buying, merchandising, or editorial , one of the first surprises is realizing that the people around you seem to speak a totally different language.

You’ll hear your manager ask to “follow up on the pulls,” someone in merchandising mention “the sell-through report,” and a PR assistant remind the team to “respect the embargo.” And you’ll probably think: Wait, what?

So, I’ll decide to decode 10 real terms you’ll hear in your first internship, explain what they actually mean, and show you which departments use them and how they’re applied every day inside fashion companies. If you want, you can read the full article here!

WANT TO BREAK INTO FASHION?

What to watch this week 💫🎥

I Work in Fashion, is The Devil Wears Prada 2 realistic?

Fashion Profiles to follow this week

Laura du Rusquec, CEO of GANNI

Jonathan Anderson, Creative Director of Dior

Want to break into fashion?

Explore our best-selling online fashion courses!

Break into the fashion industry course: learn step-by-step how to apply for fashion jobs and internships, build your CV, cover letter, Portfolio, LinkedIn profile, prepare for job interviews and build connections. Secure your position in fashion even if you have no experience!

Excel for Fashion Course: learn the skill that is most frequently tested during job interviews!

Our Premium Newsletter

Want to go further and enhance your fashion industry knowledge?

Receive fashion industry fundamentals and the latest fashion jobs and internships straight to your inbox?

Upgrade to our paid newsletter for just 4.91€/month.

Upgrade for the full experience

When you sign up for our paid newsletter, you get the analysis of behind-the-scenes of the fashion industry (and the fashion career advice you can take from it), case studies, and the Fashion Jobs Date with the latest jobs and internships!

If you take one thing from this week, let it be this:

Fashion is becoming more strategic, more connected, and more culturally driven than ever.

And if you want to work in this industry, you need to start looking beyond the surface.

Because the real work in fashion happens behind the scenes.

Forward this email to your fashion friends :)

Giada Graziano, Inside Fashion Editor in Chief and Glam Observer Founder

Giorgia Angelica Ferronato, Intern at Glam Observer

Follow us on Instagram @glamobserver

Read our website: glamobserver.com

Interested in advertising in Inside Fashion or posting a job offer to reach 40,000 fashion enthusiasts? Email us at newsletter@glamobserver.com

Monday, 04 May, 2026

Happy Monday! And happy new month!

This month, it’s the perfect time to start your journey in the fashion world! It’s so full of new possibilities. Identify the right one for you, and prepare your portfolio and CV as well as possible.

You need to start building your future in fashion as soon as possible.

As always, we want to make sure you are following the right steps to start your dream job as quickly as possible.

This month, there are over 20 new internships at CONDE NAST ready for you! Take a look and prepare your profile!

This week alone, we have found over 115 new opportunities. If you want to join the fashion world and stop dreaming, now is the perfect time, whatever role you choose.

As usual, there are many new opportunities in each fashion capital, including New York, London, Paris, and Italy.

This week, I’m also hosting a free masterclass where I’ll teach you the 4 formulas fashion companies expect candidates to know! Register here!

Need help applying? Check out this free webinar and the Break into the fashion industry course. Happy application!💗

Here is your list with all the links to apply:

NEW YORK

1. CONDE NAST, Manager, Creative Development, Teen Vogue

2. CONDE NAST, Senior Product Manager, GQ & Pitchfork

3. CONDE NAST, Principal Product Manager, Front End Platform

4. CONDE NAST, Commerce Media Designer

5. CONDE NAST, Senior Associate, Designer, Global Brand Licensing

Read more

Thanks for reading Inside Fashion! Subscribe to receive it each week in your inbox.

Subscribe now

Happy Friday!
April 30, 2026

From Chanel choosing Jacob Elordi as the new face of Bleu de Chanel, to Gucci reopening Palazzo Gucci in Florence under Demna’s vision, it was a week of image, strategy, and storytelling.

Meanwhile, Fendi confirmed Maria Grazia Chiuri’s couture debut in Rome, Chanel topped the latest Lyst Index, and yes... The Devil Wears Prada 2 is officially here.

If you want to start understanding the true fundamentals in the world of fashion, take part in my next free masterclass. Excel is the most tested skill during interviews, especially for internships at big luxury companies such as LVMH (Dior, Louis Vuitton..) and Kering.

In this free class, you’ll learn the 4 formulas fashion companies expect candidates to know! Register here

Here’s everything that happened in fashion this week!

What happened in the industry this week? 💛

Palazzo Gucci Reopens in Florence

Gucci officially reopened Palazzo Gucci in Florence, unveiling a new cultural concept designed through the lens of Demna.

Located in the historic Palazzo della Mercanzia, steps away from the Uffizi, the space is now much more than a boutique. It includes exhibitions, storytelling rooms, archive-inspired installations, immersive cinema spaces, and experiences celebrating Gucci’s 105-year history.

This matters because luxury brands are increasingly investing in experiences rather than just products. Gucci understands that heritage can become one of its strongest competitive advantages.

Maria Grazia Chiuri’s First Fendi Couture Show Will Be in Rome

Fendi confirmed that Maria Grazia Chiuri’s debut couture collection for the house will be presented on July 9 in Rome.

The decision feels deeply personal and highly strategic. Chiuri is Roman, and Fendi is one of Rome’s most iconic luxury houses. Holding the show there immediately roots her new chapter in authenticity and emotion.

It also continues Fendi’s tradition of spectacular Roman couture moments, from the Trevi Fountain show to collections staged near ancient monuments. Couture plus Rome plus Chiuri’s return to a house where she began her career is a strong narrative.

Chanel Is the Hottest Brand in Fashion Right Now

The latest Lyst Index ranked Chanel as the hottest brand of the quarter, followed by Saint Laurent and Dior.

What’s interesting is that Lyst updated its ranking system to measure three things: Desire, Demand, and Discovery. In simple terms, not just who gets attention, but who converts that attention into searches, purchases, and long-term relevance.

Chanel’s rise under Matthieu Blazy suggests the market is responding quickly to his creative direction.

Meanwhile, Gucci was one of the biggest movers in the ranking, showing strong momentum around Demna’s debut.

The luxury competition is heating up.

TIME 100 Includes Key Fashion Figures

TIME released its 100 Most Influential People of 2026, featuring names across entertainment, culture, and fashion.

Included were Matthieu Blazy, model Anok Yai, and stars like Dakota Johnson and Zoë Saldaña.

Why does this matter? Influence today goes beyond sales. Fashion now moves through culture, celebrity, media, and digital conversation. Being relevant outside the runway is part of modern success.

Jacob Elordi Is the New Bleu de Chanel Ambassador

Chanel officially named Jacob Elordi as the new ambassador of Bleu de Chanel, the house’s flagship men’s fragrance line.

This is a strategic image move. Jacob Elordi represents the exact type of masculinity luxury brands are leaning into right now: polished but relaxed, aspirational but accessible, strong presence without trying too hard.

For Chanel, fragrance remains one of the most powerful gateways into the brand. Not everyone buys couture, but many enter the Chanel world through beauty and fragrance. Choosing the right face matters.

The campaign launches this May, and expect it to dominate both fashion media and social media.

Alaïa Opens First Boutique in Thailand

Alaïa opened its first boutique in Bangkok inside Central Embassy mall.

The minimalist store reflects the house’s elegant identity and signals confidence in Thailand as an emerging luxury market.

This is another reminder that luxury growth is increasingly global. While Europe remains symbolic, many brands are investing heavily in Asia’s next wave of consumers.

Alaïa continues expanding carefully, focusing on fewer but highly strategic flagship spaces.

Valentino Extends Couture Through Publishing

Valentino unveiled Specula Mundi, a limited-edition book connected to Alessandro Michele’s couture collection.

Launching in Los Angeles, the project includes photography by Mark Borthwick and transforms the runway collection into a collectible art object.

This is important because modern luxury is no longer only about garments. It’s about creating worlds people want to enter, collect, and emotionally connect with.

Nice Things 💖

Chanel Cruise 2027 in Biarritz

Chanel staged Cruise 2027 in Biarritz, where Gabrielle Chanel opened her first boutique in 1915.

For his first Cruise collection for the house, Matthieu Blazy returned to one of Chanel’s most meaningful locations. The collection mixed French workwear references, seaside elegance, tweeds, fluid silks, stripes, sequins, and practical travel accessories.

This is exactly what strong creative leadership looks like: using history without becoming trapped by it.

The show also proved how Cruise collections have evolved into some of the most important storytelling moments in luxury fashion.

Double C and Basque stripes on silk twill, kinetic skirts in knitted raffia and silk. All about colours and movement.

Cruise 2026/27 collection
Matthieu Blazy for CHANEL

What to read this week 📕💫

What the Devil Wears Prada 2 shows about what’s like working in fashion today.

WANT TO BREAK INTO FASHION?

What to watch this week 💫🎥

10 Fashion Terms You’ll Hear on Day One of Your Job (interview) and What They Actually Mean

Fashion Profiles to follow this week

Maria Grazia Chiuri, FENDI’s artistic director

Matthieu Blazy, Chanel’s artistic director

Want to break into fashion?

Explore our best-selling online fashion courses!

Break into the fashion industry course: learn step-by-step how to apply for fashion jobs and internships, build your CV, cover letter, Portfolio, LinkedIn profile, prepare for job interviews and build connections. Secure your position in fashion even if you have no experience!

Excel for Fashion Course: learn the skill that is most frequently tested during job interviews!

Our Premium Newsletter

Want to go further and enhance your fashion industry knowledge?

Receive fashion industry fundamentals and the latest fashion jobs and internships straight to your inbox?

Upgrade to our paid newsletter for just 4.91€/month.

Upgrade for the full experience

When you sign up for our paid newsletter, you get the analysis of behind-the-scenes of the fashion industry (and the fashion career advice you can take from it), case studies, and the Fashion Jobs Date with the latest jobs and internships!

If you take one thing from this week, let it be this:

Fashion is becoming more strategic, more connected, and more culturally driven than ever.

And if you want to work in this industry, you need to start looking beyond the surface.

Because the real work in fashion happens behind the scenes.

Forward this email to your fashion friends :)

Giada Graziano, Inside Fashion Editor in Chief and Glam Observer Founder

Giorgia Angelica Ferronato, Intern at Glam Observer

Follow us on Instagram @glamobserver

Read our website: glamobserver.com

Interested in advertising in Inside Fashion or posting a job offer to reach 40,000 fashion enthusiasts? Email us at newsletter@glamobserver.com

I was 14 when the first one came out, and it was one of those movies that sparked my obsession with this industry. The outfits, the offices, the impossible pace, the feeling of being part of not just any industry, but fashion.

I remember thinking: this is it, this is what I want to do every day.

Yesterday I sat in the theater with a completely different perspective.

First of all, because of the job I do, watching it was technically work. The teenager in me who loved the first movie was a little nervous — hoping not to be disappointed, because we all know how much buzz this sequel has generated.

The press tour was huge. I live in Milan, and even my neighbor sent me the link to apply as a comparsa in the movie: “you’d be perfect for this.” (The shy person in me — and the busy one — couldn’t bear standing in line for hours, so I said no.)

Then the filming days came and Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep were here, in Milan. Then the premiere, the Rinascente pop-up, the personalized Starbucks coffees, the Runway Magazine activations everywhere. You know I felt this movie.

I went to the theater alone. 6:30pm. Like I was actually working. I sat down and just hoped it would be as good as the first one — because the first one is iconic, and the expectations were sky-high. But I knew it had to be different. Because well… now I’m in. And fashion is different.

Lights down, 20th Century Studios logo, goosebumps. Already.

But I didn’t leave the theater with the same emotion as the first movie. Let me explain — because it’s not what you think.

As soon as I got home I had this strange feeling that I just wanted to rewatch the first movie. Even though I know it by heart. Maybe I wanted something lighter, funnier. Maybe I wanted the dream version again.

Watching the sequel, more than 10 years into my own career in fashion, hit completely differently.

Was the first movie too fictional? Or was the industry actually like that back then?

I was too young to be inside, so I genuinely don’t know — some people who lived it say it was exactly like that, others say it was exaggerated. But now I am inside, and I have my own perspective on what’s real and what’s not. So I watched this new movie with very different eyes.

(And I’m honestly curious — if you’re a student who is not yet in the industry, what was your perspective? Tell me in the comments.)

Honestly? This new movie represents the fashion industry much more realistically.

Does that mean it’s less fun than the first one?

Probably yes — if you’re watching it as a comedy, and less as a documentary.

But if you’re reading this article, you want to work in fashion. Which means you’re watching with both eyes: one as entertainment, one as someone spying inside what this industry actually looks like today.

If what made you laugh in the first movie was Miranda throwing her coats on her assistant’s desk — well, spoiler: in the sequel, Miranda has to hang her coat herself because HR said she’s not allowed to do that anymore. If you were expecting that same sarcasm, it’s gone. But from a work perspective, you might actually be happier that the job is no longer about catching coats or finding the impossible Harry Potter manuscript for your boss’s daughters.

The movie shows the changes happening in fashion. And if you want to work in this industry, you cannot ignore how the industry is positioned today.

Years ago, Miranda had all the power. In this new movie, Irv calls and hires Andy without Miranda’s approval. And that detail — small as it seems — represents reality. Miranda in 2006 could move oceans. Now she has to act within constraints. The empire she rules is half the size it used to be. The print issue is gone. The shoots are compressed. The billionaires are circling. HR is writing rules. And her new assistant is setting boundaries that would have been unthinkable in 2006, when no one could tell Miranda what she could or couldn’t say.

Here’s what I want you to understand: fashion companies are organizations.

Realistically, there isn’t one single person who decides everything — especially in the big ones. There’s structure. There are systems. There are rules. This new movie represents what the reality of a big-structure company actually looks like — and if you want to be in fashion, that structure and that hierarchy are things you need to understand before you walk in.

I once believed Miranda really did have all that power. That an editor-in-chief at the time really could decide everything. But once you actually work in fashion, you understand something the first movie never showed you: magazines are not just pages of pretty photos and shopping suggestions. They are businesses. And like any business, they depend on funding, investors, and revenue streams.

Editorial power today is deeply connected to financial power.

And that changes everything — from creative direction to hiring decisions to the future of the publication itself.

This is exactly what the second movie shows.

It shows how the industry has evolved: magazines going digital and struggling to find new revenue streams, an icon like Miranda who can no longer fly first class because of budget cuts, the Vogue World–style live events becoming the new way magazines stay relevant, and the new job title everyone aspires to — no longer editor-in-chief, but global head of content.

(Which, by the way, is a real, existing title — and the most important shift in fashion media you should know about.)

It shows how the entire journalism field is being rewritten by the digital transition. Slower budgets, faster turnarounds, new metrics for what “success” even means.

The sequel also makes very clear something the first movie never bothered to: most big fashion magazines don’t operate alone. They are part of bigger publishing groups. Vogue, GQ, Vanity Fair, Architectural Digest, Glamour, Allure, Wired, Bon Appétit — all part of Condé Nast. Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Town & Country, Esquire — all part of Hearst. And the group level has enormous power over what happens at any individual magazine.

In the first movie, it was all about Runway. In the sequel, we see there’s something bigger behind it. We see Irv’s son — clearly representing the publishing-group level — wanting to sell the company, and how risky that is for a single magazine. We see how a rich man could buy the publication and decide what gets published.

It immediately reminded me of the rumors about Jeff Bezos and Condé Nast.

Whether those rumors are true or not, the fact that these conversations exist at all tells you everything about where the power has moved.

We also see how important advertisers still are. A poorly handled article ruins the magazine’s reputation. A major brand like Dior asks for things in return for their ad spend. Cover stories and editorials are dictated by forces that go far beyond the creativity of any one editor or photographer.

This is the industry. And if you’re trying to break in, you need to know it.

Beyond the obvious — print decline, billionaire owners, advertiser power — there are three more things this movie quietly shows that I think matter even more for anyone trying to enter the industry right now.

You don’t need to be “creative” to have a career in fashion

Andy comes back to Runway as features editor. Not as a stylist. Not as a fashion editor. Not as someone with an “eye.” She comes back because she’s a journalist — someone who can write, investigate, structure a story, hold a publication’s editorial integrity.

Her path back into fashion has nothing to do with having a sense of style.

This is the part nobody says out loud: you do not need to be a creative person to build a career in fashion.

The industry needs writers, editors, project managers, marketers, data analysts, e-commerce specialists, supply chain experts, finance people, lawyers, HR leaders, sustainability strategists, retail operations, CRM managers, performance marketing specialists, content producers, community managers. None of these roles require you to be the next Phoebe Philo. None of them require an “eye.” Many of them don’t even require a fashion degree.

If you love this industry but you’ve spent years thinking I’m not creative enough to belong here — please stop telling yourself that story. Fashion companies are companies. They need every kind of professional that any other industry needs. The difference is just that they happen to sell beautiful things.

The first movie sold us the idea that to belong in fashion you had to be a Miranda or a Nigel — visionary, taste-driven, born with style. The sequel quietly corrects that: Andy is back, and she is not creative in the fashion sense. She’s competent in the editorial sense. And that’s enough.

If you’re analytical, structured, strategic, organizational, numerical, operational — there is absolutely a place for you in fashion. In fact, there’s a bigger place for you than there’s ever been, because as the industry becomes more corporate and more complex, it needs more of these profiles, not fewer.

Fashion is finally open to people without the “right” qualifications

This is the part I want you to really hold onto, because it’s the most optimistic message in the entire movie, and the one most directly relevant to anyone who has ever felt like an outsider looking in.

The first movie made it very clear what it took to belong in fashion. Miranda told Andy to her face: you have no style or sense of fashion. The implication was brutal — there was a right kind of person to be in this industry, and Andy was not it. The unspoken qualifications were taste, a particular aesthetic, the right schools, the right city, the right last name, the right look.

The sequel doesn’t say any of that anymore.

Look at the world the sequel paints. Andy comes back not because she fits a mold, but because she has a skill. The new assistant has boundaries and isn’t there to be molded into a Miranda clone. The power is more distributed, the rules are being rewritten, and the gatekeepers no longer have the same grip on who is “allowed” to be in fashion.

This is the most important thing the movie shows for those who want to enter the fashion industry, and it’s also exactly what’s happening in real life:

You no longer need the standard qualifications to make it in fashion.

You don’t need to come from Milan, Paris, or New York. You don’t need a famous last name. You don’t need to have grown up surrounded by Vogue archives. You don’t need a Central Saint Martins degree. You don’t need the “look.” You don’t need to have known you wanted this since you were 5.

Ten years ago, those things were obstacles. Today, they barely matter.

What matters is that you can execute, that you understand the industry well enough to add value, and that you stop waiting for permission. The doors that used to be guarded by a small group of people who decided who belonged are now opening from a hundred different directions — through brand-side roles, through digital, through content, through independent platforms, through skills that didn’t even have job titles five years ago.

If you’ve ever held back from pursuing fashion because you thought you weren’t the “type” — this is your sign. The industry the first movie sold us, the one where Miranda decided who deserved to be there, is gone. The industry that exists today is more open to outsiders than it has ever been.

And honestly? That’s the best news this movie gives us.

So… Should You Still Want to Work in Fashion?
Yes. More than ever.

The dream available today is, I think, better. More realistic. More accessible. More open to people like me — and like you — who didn’t grow up in the right city, with the right last name, with the “right” sense of style.

Does it mean is easier? Unfortunately, not, it’s still very competitive but with the right strategies you can make it!

If reading this is making you realize that the career strategies you are using to apply for fashion jobs and internships need a serious update — that’s exactly why I created my free webinar. I walk you through what works to stand out in fashion nowadays.

You can save your spot here!

Xoxo,

Giada

Most people are stuck because they believe a course is necessary in order to get an internship. But here is the real catch: the internship is the experience they need to get the experience that internships require. You need experience to get experience, and nobody tells you how to break that circle.

So let’s break it down properly.

First, Let’s Break the Biggest Myth: You Do Not Need a Fashion Degree to Work in Fashion

Before we even get into courses versus internships, I want to address something that comes up in almost every conversation I have with students, and it is holding a lot of people back.

The belief that you need a fashion degree to work in fashion.

Think about it this way. The only industries where you absolutely need to have studied that specific subject are medicine, engineering, and law. Obviously you cannot become a doctor without studying medicine. But fashion is not one of these industries.

Some of my friends studied law and became buyers. Many of my students studied history, art, or communications and now work in fashion marketing. Most fashion buyers and merchandisers I know do not have a buying or merchandising degree, but studied economics. And most stylists? They have an innate sense of style and visual thinking that no school gave them.

When I got my first job at Kering, I walked in expecting my colleagues to have all come from fashion schools, after all, we are talking about one of the world’s biggest luxury groups, and in that office I was working alongside the teams of Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Brioni… But nobody had a fashion degree. Most fashion graduates end up in design departments. Everywhere else in the business, the industry hires people with traditional degrees in economics, communications, management, marketing, and beyond.

So if you are thinking about doing a master’s in fashion because you believe your current degree would not be enough for the industry, let me be honest with you: that is not a good reason to do it.

I always tell my students this: if you want to do a fashion course because you genuinely love the subject, the lessons excite you, and you want that specific knowledge, yes, do it. Education is never wasted when it is done for the right reasons.

But if you are doing it because you believe a fashion degree will magically open the doors of the industry, it will not. And here is something that surprises people when I say it: inside my Break Into the Fashion Industry course, around 70% of my students are fashion graduates from top fashion schools. They went through the degree, they got the diploma, and they are still stuck trying to figure out how to actually get hired. A degree alone, no matter how prestigious the school or how expensive the master’s, without the right strategy, portfolio, and application approach, will not get you hired any faster than someone without one.

I teach fashion courses myself, so I am not about to tell you education is useless. What I can tell you is that what the industry actually values is often different from what you expect. When I interviewed for Alexander McQueen, the recruiter told me directly that they were not particularly impressed by my master’s in luxury and fashion management that was listed on my CV. Do you know what impressed them? Some smaller online courses I had taken on my own initiative. Why? Because those courses, which cost a fraction of my master’s and took far less time, told the recruiter something my degree could not. They showed initiative. They showed a proactive mindset. They showed real, self-directed passion for the industry backed by action.

Society almost imposes on us the idea that a degree and a master’s are the path. But those extra online courses I had taken showed the recruiter that I was not waiting for an institution to hand me knowledge, I was going out and getting it myself. That mindset is what the industry values. It is exactly why I structured Glam Observer Academy the way I did, everything I teach comes back to what the industry actually rewards, based on my own real experience inside it.

So let’s start comparing fashion internships vs fashion courses and which will help you get hired.

What a Fashion Internship Actually Gives You

A fashion internship is genuinely valuable. I want to be clear about that before anything else.

When I got my internship at Alexander McQueen, it changed everything. It gave me real industry exposure, contacts, and the kind of context you simply cannot get from reading about fashion. I understood how a fashion office actually runs,the pace, the tools, the culture, the unwritten rules. I learned real skills: how a fashion company operates, how to work with Excel under pressure, how to communicate with senior team members, how to move inside a creative environment that also operates as a serious business, how everything changes during fashion week seasons…

A fashion internship is also, simply put, your first real work experience in the industry. And I do not know a single person who broke into fashion and went straight into a full-time role without going through internships first — unless they were already senior professionals switching industries. If you spent five to ten years as a marketing manager at a company like Amazon and you are moving into fashion at the same level, then yes, you don’t need internships. But if you are at the beginning of your career, internships are not optional. They are the path, and a course won’t help you skip them.

This is important to understand because it completely changes how you think about courses. A course — even the one from the most prestigious school — is not a substitute for an internship. It never will be. What a course can do is get you ready for the internship, make your application strong enough to actually get one, and give you proof of skills that puts you ahead of other candidates. But the internship itself is still the goal. It is still the experience that opens the doors to everything that comes after.

So even if you complete the most prestigious master’s in fashion management, you will still need to do internships to break into the industry. That is not a flaw in the system, it is how fashion works. The degree gives you knowledge and context. The internship gives you the lived experience and that first line of real fashion work on your CV that everything else builds on.

Beyond all of that, a fashion internship also helps you understand what is actually made for you.

If you are undecided between two or more career paths, doing internships will give you that clarity faster than anything else. You might think you want to work in PR and discover after two months that buying is where you actually come alive. You might dream of editorial and realise you are more energised by the commercial side.

Many people start with a very clear idea of their dream career, and completely change their mind the moment they step inside the industry because the reality was different.

So yes, a fashion internship is valuable. Deeply valuable. The question is not whether to do one indeed. The question is what you need in place before you can realistically get one.

What a Fashion Course Gives You, and What It Doesn’t

I did a Master’s in Luxury and Fashion Management in Milan. I loved it. Being surrounded every day by people who lived and breathed fashion, working on projects with brands, attending industry events, it gave me incredible context and energy.

But I also noticed something during that time, and even more clearly once I started working inside fashion companies: a lot of fashion education is theoretical. You learn the history, the concepts, the frameworks. What you often do not get is preparation for the actual tasks you will face on your first day at work, how to build a sell-through analysis in Excel, how to structure a PR seeding strategy, how to brief a shoot, and how to write a cold outreach message to a hiring manager.

That gap between fashion education and fashion reality is exactly why I built my courses the way I did. The Fashion Internship Simulator came from exactly that thinking: what if students could practice the real tasks of a marketing assistant, a PR assistant, a stylist, or an editor-in-chief before they ever set foot in an office? So that when they arrive, they are not starting from zero, they already know how the work feels.

A good fashion course gives you structured practical knowledge, not just theory, but the real day-to-day tasks of the roles you want to apply for. It gives you portfolio projects you can show recruiters, real work that tells a recruiter far more than a blank CV with a list of skills and no evidence behind them. And it gives you confidence in interviews. When a recruiter asks, “Have you worked on a launch campaign before?” and you have actually built one, even as a simulation, you have a real answer.

What a fashion course does not give you is the lived experience of working inside a brand, real industry contacts, or that first official internship line on your CV.

So Which One Should You Choose?

Let me give you a clear answer for each situation you might be in.

Get experience as soon as possible, even while studying. This is the single most important piece of advice I can give you. Even if you decide to do a course or a degree, intern whenever you can, during the course, during summer, on weekends if possible. When you graduate, you will already be ahead of the majority of other graduates competing for the same positions. Recruiters appreciate real experience above almost everything else on a CV, and the earlier you start building it, the better.

Choose a course when you genuinely want to be in that learning environment,in classes with other students, meeting fashion professors, building knowledge that excites you. Not because you believe that school will automatically place you inside the industry, and not because you think an expensive master’s will do the work for you. Choose it because you want the knowledge and the experience of studying something you love.

If you are applying for internships and not getting results, it’s easy to assume you need more—more courses, more certifications, another line on your CV. And yes, learning new skills, building connections, and having tangible projects to show can absolutely strengthen your profile. But here’s the part most people overlook: a course alone won’t fix the problem if the real issue is how you are applying.

Many times, it has nothing to do with your degree or whether you studied fashion or not. I’ve seen fashion graduates and non-fashion students struggle in the exact same way. The difference is rarely what’s on paper, it’s how that paper is presented. In an industry where recruiters receive hundreds of applications, sending a generic CV or portfolio simply won’t get you noticed.

So the real question becomes: are you positioning yourself in a way that makes recruiters see your potential immediately?

Because if right now you don’t have a portfolio, or your CV doesn’t reflect fashion-specific skills, then yes, building those assets is essential. You can figure it out on your own. Everything is technically available online. But what I’ve noticed after years of mentoring students is that when you try to piece it all together alone, you often miss the industry insights that actually make the difference. You end up guessing, overthinking, or worse, spending months applying with the same strategy that isn’t working.

And time matters more than you think. The longer the gap, the harder it becomes to explain why you haven’t yet broken into the industry.

This is why having a clear roadmap changes everything. Not because you couldn’t do it by yourself, but because it helps you focus on what actually moves the needle: building the right kind of portfolio, crafting applications that feel intentional, and positioning your profile like someone who already belongs in the industry.

At some point, it stops being about learning more about fashion and starts being about learning how the hiring process in fashion actually works. What recruiters look for, how they scan applications, what makes them say yes in those first few seconds. That’s the kind of knowledge that changes your results, because it transforms the way you apply, not just what you know.

That is exactly the gap the Break Into the Fashion Industry course was built to close. Not to teach you more about fashion as a subject, but to teach you how to break into it. The strategy, the application, the positioning, the portfolio. Everything a recruiter actually needs to see, structured in a way that makes sense for where you are right now.

What Are the Best Types of Fashion Courses to Take?

Based on my experience inside fashion companies and everything I have seen working with students, there are three types of courses that actually move the needle:

Practical skill-based courses: these are courses that teach you a concrete, specific skill that fashion professionals actually use day to day. Look at your dream role, study the job descriptions carefully, identify the skills that come up repeatedly, and go learn those. Not fashion theory, practical, applicable knowledge that you can demonstrate from your first day in a fashion office.

The best example of this in fashion is Excel. It sounds unglamorous, but if you look at almost any fashion job description, buying, merchandising, marketing, retail operations, supply chain, and even PR, it appears consistently. Fashion teams use it daily to analyse sales data, track product performance, plan budgets, and build reports. When I interviewed for my first internship at Alexander McQueen, I was given an Excel test during the hiring process. My students are still being tested on it in 2026. Learn Excel applied to fashion with the Excel for Fashion Course.

Application strategy courses: Learning how to apply for fashion jobs is just as important as learning fashion itself, if not more.

You can have the right degree, the right skills, and still get ignored if you don’t know how to position yourself.

This is where most people get stuck.

Because the problem is rarely what you know, it’s how you translate that into a CV, a portfolio, and an application that makes a recruiter stop and pay attention.

The right kind of course here doesn’t just teach you more about fashion. It teaches you how to approach the job search strategically, how to tailor your applications, and how to present your experience in a way that feels relevant, even if you’re just starting out. Take a look at the Break into the Fashion Industry Course here if you want this type of course.

Real task practice: instead of learning about fashion theory, you are actually doing fashion work. You complete real tasks, the kind that professionals execute inside fashion offices every day, and you produce real outputs that go directly into your portfolio and onto your CV. Think about what this means in practice. Instead of studying what a PR assistant does, you build an actual influencer seeding strategy for a real brand brief. Instead of reading about editorial, you plan and produce a full magazine issue. Instead of learning the theory of retail activations, you develop one from brief to execution. You walk away with work you can show, explain, and defend in an interview, because you actually did it. The Fashion Internship Simulator is exactly this kind of course.

Fashion Internship vs Fashion Course: Frequently Asked Questions

Is a fashion internship or a fashion course better for getting a job?

Neither is universally better, it depends on where you are right now. If you have no portfolio or fashion-specific experience yet, a practical course that builds real projects is usually the faster path to getting internship offers. If you already have some foundation, focusing on internship applications makes sense. Most people who break into fashion quickly do both, in the right order.

Can a fashion course replace a fashion internship?

A fashion course cannot fully replace an internship because it does not give you real industry contacts, the lived experience of working inside a brand, or the chance to discover what kind of fashion role is truly right for you. But a practical course can replace the need to have an internship before your first internship, meaning it gives you enough proof of skills and portfolio work to compete for positions without prior experience.

Do fashion companies care about online courses?

Yes, if the course produced real portfolio projects and you present them correctly on your CV. A course listed as a bare entry with no supporting detail adds very little. The same course expanded with specific bullet points describing the projects you completed, campaign strategies, PR plans, and editorial concepts, reads as genuine work experience to a recruiter.

How do I get a fashion internship with no experience?

Build portfolio projects first. Recruiters at luxury brands are not expecting entry-level candidates to have worked at five companies,but they do expect to see evidence that you understand the job. Self-initiated projects, course simulations, and structured programs like the Fashion Internship Simulator give you that evidence before your first official role.

What is the Fashion Internship Simulator?

The Fashion Internship Simulator is a structured program inside Glam Observer Academy that puts you through real fashion industry tasks, the same kinds of projects that marketing assistants, PR assistants, stylists, and editorial teams work on inside luxury brands and magazines. You complete real deliverables, build a portfolio, and finish with experience entries you can add directly to your CV.

Should I do a fashion course before applying for internships?

If you currently have no portfolio and your CV has no fashion-specific content, yes, doing a practical course before applying will significantly improve your results. If you already have relevant projects to show, start applying and use a course to strengthen specific skills alongside your search.

Why is fashion education often too theoretical?

Most traditional fashion degrees and masters programmes focus on industry history, brand strategy frameworks, and academic analysis, which is valuable context, but does not prepare you for the practical tasks you will face on your first day in a fashion office. Having done a Master’s in Luxury and Fashion Management myself, and having worked inside fashion companies, I saw this gap clearly. It is exactly why I built the Fashion Internship Simulator, to give students the hands-on task practice that traditional fashion education rarely provides.

Ready to Break Into Fashion?

If this article helped you get clarity on where to start, here is where to go next.

If you want to understand the full strategy,how to build your application from scratch, and approach fashion companies in a way that actually gets responses,join my free masterclass: 3 Powerful Strategies to Break Into the Fashion Industry. It is the same method I used to land my own internship at Alexander McQueen, and that thousands of Glam Observer students have used to get jobs at brands like Dior, Condé Nast, Prada, and more.

If you are ready to go deeper,with step-by-step guidance on your CV, cover letter, portfolio, and interview preparation,the Break Into the Fashion Industry course covers everything in full.

If you want to build real portfolio projects before your first internship,the Fashion Internship Simulator puts you inside four real fashion industry role simulations, Marketing Assistant at Saint Laurent and Miu Miu, Assistant Stylist at Vogue Italia, and Editor-in-Chief, so you have actual work to show recruiters and real stories to tell, even if you have never worked in fashion before.

Monday, 27 April, 2026

Happy Monday!

Stop waiting for the right moment; today, and now it’s the perfect day to start your journey in the fashion world!

You need to start building your future in fashion as soon as possible.

As always, we want to make sure you are following the right steps to start your dream job as quickly as possible.

In NY there are over 15 new internships ready for you! Take a look and prepare your profile!

This week alone, we have found over 100 new opportunities. If you want to join the fashion world and stop dreaming, now is the perfect time, whatever role you choose.

As usual, there are many new opportunities in each fashion capital, including New York, London, Paris, and Italy.

Need help applying? Check out this free webinar and the Break into the fashion industry course. Happy application!💗

Here is your list with all the links to apply:

NEW YORK

1. CONDE NAST, Senior Visuals Editor, Vanity Fair

2. CONDE NAST, Associate Commerce Editor, CNT

3. CONDE NAST, Commerce Producer, CNT

4. CONDE NAST, Executive Assistant

5. CONDE NAST, Senior Digital Media Strategy Executive

Read more

Let’s be honest: in 2026, a CV alone won’t land you the job. It feels a little… outdated. Today’s applications need more than a resume: they need a cover letter, portfolio, and a whole strategy behind how you present yourself (and that’s exactly what I teach step-by-step inside my Break Into the Fashion Industry course and in the Fashion Internship Simulator)

But here’s the catch: recruiters still ask for CVs. In fact, it’s still the first document they scan when they open your application. So the question is not: Should I still send a CV? The answer is yes. The real question is: How do I present my CV so it actually makes recruiters stop scrolling and start paying attention?

In this article, you’ll learn:

• What fashion recruiters expect from resumes in 2026

• 5 golden rules to make your fashion CV stand out

• How to properly write your experiences, projects, and results

• How to treat it like a mini portfolio

By the end, you’ll be ready to build an entirely new resume that gets you job interviews and lands you your dream job in fashion.

How Resumes Worked Before vs. Now

Let’s get this out of the way: formatting, clean design, spelling mistakes — they still matter. You don’t want a recruiter distracted by typos or messy layouts. But those are basics. Everyone already knows them.

But I will say this: What’s changed in 2026 is what recruiters are actually looking for. They want more.

A professional layout? Not enough.
A CV that simply lists your studies and past jobs? Won’t stand out.

They don’t want “nice.” They want “intentional.” Recruiters want to feel, at first glance, that you already belong in their company.

So here are five rules to build a resume that will get you a job in fashion this year (or the next).

Rule N#1: Customize It Like It Was Made for That Company

The most important thing you can do on a fashion resume is tailor it completely to the specific company and role, a generic CV sent to every brand is the fastest way to get ignored.

The smartest way to catch a recruiter’s attention in 2026? Make your CV look like it could have been printed straight from their own HR department. That means no generic “one-size-fits-all” CV. If you’re sending the same resume to Chanel, Zara, and Farfetch — you’re already blending into the crowd.

I know, you will say “I don’t have the time to build 20 different versions of the resume”. Bad news: you will probably never stand out. So what do you chose? Keep sending 50 generic applications and waste your time? Or build 5 personalized ones that actually stand a chance?

Yes, it takes more time. But it also makes you unforgettable.

Claim the job title now.

Write your headline as if you were already in the role you apply for:

• “Marketing Internship at Dior”

• “Assistant Buyer at Prada”

• “Visual Merchandising Internship at Louis Vuitton”

• “Editorial Assistant at Vogue US”

It’s bold — and that’s the point. You’re showing recruiters exactly how you see yourself.

Mirror their job description.

If the posting mentions “trend research, data-driven analysis, and market reports” — those words need to be in your CV. Recruiters (and applicant tracking systems) scan for exact matches. Don’t paraphrase too much; speak their language.

For a full breakdown of which keywords to include and how to structure each section, see the complete fashion CV guide.

Brand your layout.

Take subtle inspiration from the company’s visual identity. If you’re applying to Hermès, use a touch of orange. Applying to Balenciaga? A minimalist black-and-white palette works better. Even adding the logo tastefully in the header can show your extra care for the company.

Inside my Break Into the Fashion Industry course, I walk you through all the rules to make an unforgettable resume that will WOW recruiters – with templates!

Rule N#2: Quantify Your Fashion Experiences, Even Small Ones

Quantifying your experience, even small projects, immediately makes your CV more credible and easier for recruiters to evaluate.

Luxury recruiters in 2026 are tired of vague lines like “helped with daily tasks.” Instead, they’re impressed when CVs turn even small fashion-related experiences into measurable impact.

Instead of writing:
“Assisted in sample management during fashion week.”

Write:
“Tracked 120+ samples across 8 Vogue Italia looks with 100% on-time returns during internship simulation project.”

Or instead of:
“Worked retail at Zara.”

Write:
“Increased sales by 15% through styling suggestions and upselling, developing customer service skills applicable to luxury retail.”

Rule N#3: Translate Creative Work Into Business Language

Translating creative work into business language shows recruiters you understand that fashion is not just creative expression, it is commercial strategy.

Luxury recruiters see endless CVs filled with lines like “designed a collection” or “styled a photoshoot.” What makes you stand out in 2026 is showing you understand that fashion is not just creative expression — it’s creative strategy with business impact.

Here’s how to reframe common student or self-initiated projects:

Instead of writing:
“Designed a capsule collection for a university project.”
Write:
“Developed a 6-look capsule collection inspired by Louis Vuitton’s travel heritage, integrating sustainable textiles and projected cost per unit for small-scale production.”

Instead of writing:
“Styled an editorial shoot.”
Write:
“Styled a 6-look editorial inspired by Dior FW25 silhouettes, creating a visual narrative aligned with brand DNA. Produced a deck linking the shoot concept to consumer trend reports for Gen Z luxury shoppers.”

Instead of writing:
“Created social media content.”
Write:
“Produced 10 TikTok concepts inspired by Prada SS26 collection, with projected KPIs (reach, engagement, CTR) based on competitor benchmarks.”

Instead of writing:
“Worked on visual merchandising project.”
Write:
“Designed a window display concept for Louis Vuitton Cruise collection, highlighting heritage monogram pieces alongside new season leather goods. Proposed traffic flow strategy to increase dwell time.”

Instead of writing:
“Made a fashion trend mood board.”
Write:
“Built a trend deck analyzing SS26 runway themes, connecting archival references to future consumer demand. Presented as a mock buyer report for Net-a-Porter.”

Why recruiters love this:
It shows you don’t just create — you think like the teams inside Dior, Vuitton, or Prada: balancing aesthetic, brand heritage, and commercial impact.

Rule # 4: Treat it like a Mini Portfolio.

Treating your CV like a mini portfolio, with proof-of-work projects linked directly, sets you apart from the hundreds of text-only CVs recruiters receive every day.

Most people wait until the cover letter or the job interview to show passion or motivation. Big mistake. Recruiters might never get that far if your CV doesn’t first convince them.

Moreover, if you think that on average, 500 resumes are submitted for the same fashion job/internship, and recruiter spends on average 3 seconds on each, you want to grab attention fast beyond the “nice business card” effect.

In 2026, the winners are those who think like hiring managers and show evidence before they’re asked – and across different platforms. Show directly on the resume that you’re not just passionate about fashion, but you’re already doing the work.

How?

Create proof-of-work projects — even if no one hired you yet – and mention them in your CV. If your work experience section has been empty or “too short” – you’ll thank me

Examples of one-day projects you can start right now –— and how to present them in your resume as experience:

Assistant Stylist for a Day: Style a look, source pieces, and build a pull letter just like a stylist prepping a Vogue Italia shoot.

How you can write it on your CV:
Internship simulation for Vogue Italia I Break into the fashion industry course
I stepped into the role of a stylist assistant working on a fictional editorial shoot for the magazine. I assisted with:

• Moodboard interpretation brand and designer research

• Look curation

• Drafting a pull letter

• Sample tracking.

Please refer to my portfolio to see my work.

Editor-in-Chief for a Week: Build a fictional Vogue issue or your own mini magazine on Canva — just like the real editorial team.

How you can write it on your CV:
Editorial Internship Simulation I Break into the fashion industry course
I built an entire mini magazine using AI:

• Planning the theme

• Curating the cover

• Selecting the masthead

• Building editorial and advertising pages.

See my full work in my portfolio.

Marketing Assistant for a Day: Plan a retail activation event for Saint Laurent limited edition Le 5 à 7 bag.

How you can write it on your CV:
Marketing Internship Simulation at Saint Laurent I Break into the fashion industry course

I was tasked with contributing to the planning and execution of a high-profile retail activation at Rive Droite to launch the limited-edition of Le 5 à 7 bag. My tasks included:

• Crafting the event mood board

• Conceiving the in-store flow

• Developing the limited product strategy

• Building the competitor analysis

• Curating the guest list.

Please refer to my portfolio to see my work.

And just like that, you have something to show beyond “fashion enthusiast.”

Inside the Fashion Internship Simulator, I guide you in detail through those 3 internship-style “simulations” with 4 portfolio projects where you actually work as an assistant stylist, marketing/PR exec, or editor-in-chief for a day. Recruiters will love those.

• No previous fashion knowledge or experience required.

• All you need is a laptop and an internet connection — I’ll guide you step by step.

Rule #5: Show you’re a (Multi) Skilled Professional

In 2026, most people don’t study one thing, work in the same field, and stay loyal to a single company until retirement anymore. Careers are fluid. Companies pivot. Roles evolve. Which means skills evolve too.

That’s exactly why recruiters in fashion now seek multi-skilled professionals — people who can bring creativity, strategy, digital know-how, and problem-solving together.

Make no mistake: Your CV should first reflect the skills mentioned in the job description aka those that fit the role the most. But truth is, it’s not just about what you can do today, but how versatile you’ll be tomorrow. Secretly, it’s what every company wants: not just a person who can do A, B, C, but also who knows D, E, F. They expect more and you have to be prepared for more.

Therefore, think of a CV not just as a document you build in response to a job description, but a “I can do an extra more”: add a few extra transferable skills in the skills section, present them in your personal intro or under hobbies, or create an entirely new section called “Other added value I can bring to the role” or similar.

Even if you don’t have big-name internships yet, you can still demonstrate value. Don’t underestimate part-time jobs, university projects, volunteer work, or even those portfolio projects we talked above — the skills transfer.

Transferable skills fashion recruiters love to see in 2026:

• Communication skills → from writing sharp product descriptions to pitching PR ideas.

• Analytical skills → spotting trends, using sales or engagement data to inform decisions.

• Digital fluency → familiarity with tools like Excel, Canva, Shopify, Google Analytics, or social media platforms.

• Project management → meeting deadlines, organizing samples, or coordinating shoots.

• Creativity → whether in styling, content, problem-solving, or campaign ideas.

• Adaptability & speed → fashion moves fast; recruiters want people who can keep up.

• Collaboration → thriving in team settings, especially across different departments.

• Attention to detail → critical for tasks like merchandising, copywriting, or styling.

Skills are just as important as experience in 2026, and it’s time to acknowledge it.

Inside Break Into the Fashion Industry, I’ll show you exactly how to turn your CV into a skills-focused resume — so you already look like a professional recruiter can trust.

The 2026 Fashion CV Formula

So what does the CV that gets you hired in fashion in 2026 actually look like?

• Tailored to the company — it looks like you already work there.

• Measurable impact — no vague responsibilities

• Creative expression backed with strategic and commercial impact

• Backed by proof — mock projects, simulations, or fashion week analysis.

• Packed with skills — showcasing your full potential.

FAQs about Fashion Resumes

Q: How long should the resume be?

A: The resume should fit into 1 page – especially when you are at the beginning of your career. Keep it short and sweet to make it easier for the recruiters to scan it.

Q: How many jobs should be on a resume?

A: You should list only the experiences and responsibilities that are relevant to the position you apply for (even 1 or 2 will do, internships included). If you don’t have any work experience, it can be replaced with online courses or personal projects.

Q: Can I send the same resume in every application?

A: No, it should always be customized for a specific role and company, and contain the necessary keywords from the job description.

Q: How to build your Fashion CV when you don’t have experience?

A: It’s okay to have a short resume when you are looking for your first fashion internship or job. If you don’t have any work experience yet, add any relevant online courses you took, school, volunteering, or even personal projects you did at home, or freelance work.

Q: What skills should be added on a resume?

A: Add at the top of the skills section the skills that are relevant to the position (they are always mentioned in the job description.) Then you can follow up with other technical, soft, or transferable skills that can be useful for the role and showcase the added value you can bring.

A resume is not just a piece of paper. It’s a mini-portfolio. A statement. Proof that you think and act like someone already inside the industry.

Make companies feel special. Show proof before you’re asked to. Present yourself as a skilled professional – not a newbie and mere fashion enthusiast.

If you’re serious about breaking into fashion this year, join my Break Into the Fashion Industry course. You’ll not only get CV templates and portfolio guidance, but also internship-style projects that recruiters can’t resist, and that you can proudly add to your resume.

Simulators, where you can create your portfolios and gain experience, are included in the fashion internship simulator. Just like a real internship, you’ll work on brand campaigns, lookbooks, and media plans. Enroll now!

Want to understand the most common mistakes that stop fashion resumes from getting noticed? Read this: 5 Most Common Resume Mistakes in Fashion.

Monday, 20 April, 2026

Good morning and Happy Monday!

Monday is the perfect day to start your journey in the fashion world. It’s important for your career path that you start building something serious now.

As always, we want to make sure you are following the right steps to start your dream job as quickly as possible.

Saint Laurent has opened a full internship program for this summer! Saint Laurent is looking for passionate talents to join the Maison. The internship positions available start on September 26, last 6 months, and are based in Paris.

Take a look and prepare your profile!

This week alone, we have found over 90 new opportunities. If you want to join the fashion world and stop dreaming, now is the perfect time, whatever role you choose.

As usual, there are many new opportunities in each fashion capital, including New York, London, Paris, and Italy.

Need help applying? Check out this free webinar and the Break into the fashion industry course. Happy application!💗

Here is your list with all the links to apply:

NEW YORK

1. LORO PIANA, Marketing and PR Intern (Summer 2026)

2. LORO PIANA, CRM/VIC Intern (Summer 2026)

3. BULGARI, Compensation & Cost Controlling VIE

4. CONDE NAST, Senior Manager, Retention Marketing, Commerce

5. CONDE NAST, Sales Associate, Fashion & Luxury

Read more

Thanks for reading Inside Fashion! Subscribe to receive it each week in your inbox.

Subscribe now

Happy Friday!
April 17, 2026

The first weekend of Coachella just wrapped ❤️‍🔥

And once again, fashion took center stage.

From Sabrina Carpenter, who performed in five custom Dior looks, to Hailey Bieber’s vintage Dior moment at the Rhode pop-up, and Kendall Jenner’s effortless total white, the festival confirmed what we already know:

Fashion doesn’t just follow culture.

It builds it.

But beyond the desert, this week was also about something deeper.

What happened in the industry this week? 💛

Coachella confirms fashion’s cultural power

From the stage to the crowd, Coachella 2026 became a full fashion moment.

Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and even rumors around Taylor Swift kept attention high, while brands activated across the festival with pop-ups and experiences.

This is not just about outfits. It’s about visibility.
Festivals have become one of the most powerful platforms where fashion, music, and community merge in real time.

Kering unveils its transformation plan

At its Capital Markets Day in Florence, Kering introduced “ReconKering”, a strategic roadmap to reposition the group in a rapidly evolving luxury market.

The focus?
Reignite desirability, strengthen execution, and build a more disciplined and agile operating model across its Houses, from Gucci to Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta.

This is not just a business update. It’s a reset.
In a more competitive and uncertain market, even the biggest luxury groups are rethinking how to stay relevant.

Pedro Pascal becomes Chanel ambassador

After dominating red carpets and front rows, Pedro Pascal is now officially part of Chanel’s universe.

This signals a clear shift.
Luxury is investing more in its menswear identity, blending cinematic appeal with brand storytelling to reach new audiences.

A new exhibition celebrates Queen Elizabeth II’s style

“Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style” opens at The King’s Gallery in London, showcasing over 300 pieces from the monarch’s wardrobe.

From her wedding dress to her coronation look, the exhibition offers a deeper look into her image and its evolution.

American Eagle proves the power of celebrity campaigns

The brand saw its stock rise after launching a second campaign with Sydney Sweeney.

This tells us something important.
In a crowded market, strong faces and clear visual storytelling still drive attention and results.

Hermès continues to invest in craftsmanship

Despite global uncertainty, Hermès opened its 25th leather goods factory in France.

A bold move.
While others slow down, Hermès doubles down on production and long-term vision.

Because in luxury, control over craftsmanship is everything.

Massimo Dutti pushes into premium territory

With a new Paris pop-up dedicated to its Limited Edition collection, the brand is clearly moving upmarket.

The space blends fashion, design, and culture in an immersive experience.

Another example of a bigger shift.
Even brands within fast fashion groups are evolving toward lifestyle positioning and experiential retail.

Moncler redefines its seasonal strategy

With the “Have a Puffy Summer” campaign, Moncler is expanding beyond its winter DNA.

Through global activations, pop-ups, and immersive installations, the brand is building a year-round relationship with its audience.

This is key. Fashion is no longer seasonal.
Brands are working to stay relevant 365 days a year.

Made in Italy invests in the next generation

A new documentary by Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana highlights the importance of craftsmanship education and training.

Luxury brands like Fendi, Valentino, and Dolce & Gabbana opened their academies to showcase the transmission of savoir-faire.

Vintage couture reaches new heights

At a Bonhams auction in Paris, archival pieces by Balenciaga, Schiaparelli, and McQueen far exceeded expectations.

Some designs sold for up to 19 times their estimated value.

This reinforces a growing trend.
Fashion is becoming collectible, cultural, and increasingly valuable over time.

Nice Things 💖

The McQueen Manta 2026 – a campaign captured by Tim Walker

A clash of the elemental and urbane. Sculpted silhouettes in light reflective metallic leather.

What to read this week 📕💫

If you want to get a job in fashion, you are probably already familiar with some of the most iconic names in the industry: Dior, Chanel, Prada, Vogue. These are the companies most people think of first when they imagine a fashion career.

But the fashion industry is a full ecosystem. It is made up of dozens of different types of companies, hundreds of brands, and thousands of career opportunities that most people never even consider.

One of the biggest mistakes I see when working with students who want to break into fashion is narrowing the job search to a handful of dream brands and missing an enormous range of opportunities that could get them into the industry faster.

This guide covers every type of fashion company you can work for, what careers each one offers, and how to think about which is right for you.

WANT TO BREAK INTO FASHION?

What to watch this week 💫🎥

Every Type of Company You Can Work for in Fashion (Most People Miss Half of These)

Fashion Profiles to follow this week

Seán McGirr, creative director of Alexander McQueen

Luca de Meo, CEO of Kering

Want to break into fashion?

Explore our best-selling online fashion courses!

Break into the fashion industry course: learn step-by-step how to apply for fashion jobs and internships, build your CV, cover letter, Portfolio, LinkedIn profile, prepare for job interviews and build connections. Secure your position in fashion even if you have no experience!

Excel for Fashion Course: learn the skill that is most frequently tested during job interviews!

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If you take one thing from this week, let it be this:

Fashion is becoming more strategic, more connected, and more culturally driven than ever.

And if you want to work in this industry, you need to start looking beyond the surface.

Because the real work in fashion happens behind the scenes.

Forward this email to your fashion friends :)

Giada Graziano, Inside Fashion Editor in Chief and Glam Observer Founder

Giorgia Angelica Ferronato, Intern at Glam Observer

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Interested in advertising in Inside Fashion or posting a job offer to reach 40,000 fashion enthusiasts? Email us at newsletter@glamobserver.com

These roles are at the core of how fashion companies make money, decide what ends up in stores, and understand what customers actually want.

But just like with marketing vs PR, many of you are wondering what’s the difference between the two roles.

In this post, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know to finally understand:

• what fashion buying really is

• what fashion merchandising actually involves

• how these two roles work together

• the key differences in daily tasks, skills, and mindset

• which path fits your personality

• what to include in your portfolio for each

• and how to position yourself to get hired

Fashion Buyer vs Merchandiser: Why These Roles Are So Often Confused

Before we dive into definitions, there’s something you need to understand.

These two roles are often interchangeable.

In some companies, what is called a fashion merchandiser in one organization might be called a fashion buyer in another.

And this is not a mistake.

It happens because there are different shades of buying and merchandising roles, depending on the company structure.

Depending on the company:

• a merchandiser might be doing buying tasks

• a buyer might be doing merchandising tasks

• and in smaller companies, they are often the same person

This is why so many students feel confused. Because you’re trying to understand something that is not black and white.

And that’s also why, oftentimes, if you are looking for a job in buying, you should also be looking at merchandising roles.

Fashion Buying vs Merchandising Explained Through the Product Lifecycle

Instead of asking:

“Buying vs merchandising?”

Ask yourself:

Where do I sit in the lifecycle of a product?

Because every role fits somewhere between:

• creating the product

• selling the product

Reading the job description is fundamental in this case to identify the right path.

Where Fashion Buyers and Merchandisers Work: Retail vs Brand

To understand fashion buying vs merchandising, you need to understand where you’re working.

Because the same job title can mean completely different things depending on the environment.

Working for a Multi-Brand Retailer

Think of companies like online retailers and department stores or multi-brand stores:

• Net-a-Porter

• Mytheresa

• Selfridges

These companies don’t design their own products.

They buy products from multiple brands and sell them to customers.

In this environment:

• buying = selecting products from brands, for example Jacquemus or Saint Laurent products available on Net-a-Porter or at Harrods

• merchandising = optimizing how those products sell

Here, the roles are more clearly separated.

Working for a Single Fashion Brand

Think of brands like:

• Gucci

• Saint Laurent

• Dior

• Jacquemus

• Zara

These companies design and produce their own collections.

In this environment:

• there is no “buying” from external brands

• merchandising takes on a much bigger, more strategic role

This is where roles like collection merchandising come in.

And this is where confusion usually starts.

Different Fashion Buying and Merchandising Roles Explained

Let’s go deeper.

Fashion Buyer Roles Explained

Retail Buyer

This is the most classic buyer role.

You work for a retailer or brand and:

• attend showrooms and fashion weeks

• select products from brands that will be sold in a specific store or online

• decide quantities and budgets

• build the assortment

You are responsible for what the customer will see in-store or online.

Let’s take a real example.

A Retail Buying Intern at Balenciaga.

You might expect:

“I’ll select products.”

Retail fashion buyers also take care of:

• analyzing sales

• managing stock allocation

• monitoring pricing

• studying competitors

• building seasonal reports

So yes, you choose products.

But you are also constantly thinking:

Will this sell?

Fabric / Raw Materials Buyer

This is one of the most overlooked buying roles, but it’s essential.

Before a collection even exists, someone needs to source:

• fabrics

• materials

• components such as zippers, trims, leather, and more

As a fabric or raw materials buyer, you:

• source fabrics, leather, and trims

• work with suppliers

• track orders and deliveries

• manage material databases and pricing

• monitor stock and availability

You are literally buying what the collection will be made of.

This role sits at the very beginning of the product lifecycle.

Example: Assistant Fabric Collection Buyer

In this role, you:

• support fabric sourcing for the collection

• work with suppliers to order materials

• manage fabric libraries and technical specifications

• track deliveries and production timelines

• monitor stock of materials

• update pricing and data in PLM systems

What does this mean in practice?

You are buying the foundation of the collection.

Without this role:

• designers cannot create

• collections cannot be produced

This role sits at the very beginning of the product lifecycle and works closely with:

• design teams

• product development

• suppliers and manufacturers

It’s highly operational but also strategic, because fabric choices impact:

• cost

• quality

• final product positioning

So if you love fashion but also enjoy the technical and behind-the-scenes side, this is a very strong career path that most people don’t even know exists.

Junior Buyer / Assistant Buyer

These are entry-level roles where you:

• support order creation

• track deliveries

• analyze sales

• work heavily on Excel

Associate Buyer

Example: Associate Buyer at Saint Laurent

You:

• support seasonal buying decisions

• build assortments for your market

• analyze sales by store and SKU

• optimize stock and replenishment

• work with global teams, for example Paris HQ vs local markets

• train store teams

This role is a mix of:

• buying

• merchandising

• strategy

Category Buyer

As you grow, you specialize.

You become:

• Shoes Buyer

• Ready-to-Wear Buyer

• Accessories Buyer

Here, you are responsible for:

• budget

• assortment

• performance

This is where you fully own your category.

You become an expert in your product area.

Fashion Merchandiser Roles Explained

Now let’s talk about merchandising.

Collection Merchandiser

Collection merchandisers work inside a fashion brand and:

• help build the collection

• decide how many SKUs there should be per category

• define pricing strategy

• align with design and product teams

Collection merchandisers are shaping the collection before it exists.

This role is very strategic and close to the creative team.

Sales Merchandiser

Example: Balenciaga Sales Merchandiser

You sit between product and market.

You:

• track sales

• support the showroom

• collect buyer feedback

• support launches

This is where product becomes business.

Retail Merchandiser

Retail merchandisers focus on:

• product allocation across stores

• stock levels

• performance optimization

They ensure products are in the right place at the right time.

This is where the role overlaps with the buyer.

Regional Merchandiser

Regional merchandisers work closer to the market.

They:

• support stores across regions

• track customer behavior

• adapt strategies locally

• train teams

Regional merchandisers translate global strategy into local success.

Visual Merchandiser

This is a different type of merchandising role. If you want to go into fashion buying, you would probably not consider this path, but I am adding it to the list to make it more complete and help you understand that, despite this role having the word merchandiser in it, it is not the same as a merchandiser or a buyer.

Visual merchandisers work inside the store and take care of:

• store layouts

• window displays

• product placement

They influence how customers experience the brand physically.

E-commerce Merchandiser

You manage:

• website product placement

• online categories

• product visibility

You decide what appears on the homepage, what gets featured, and how products are organized online.

Merchandising Planner / Demand Planner

This is the most analytical role.

You:

• forecast demand

• analyze sales data

• plan stock levels

This role is heavily data-driven and Excel-focused.

Fashion Buying vs Merchandising: One Product, Many Roles

Let’s simplify everything.

A bag at Bottega Veneta:

• Raw Material Buyer → sources the leather

• Collection Merchandiser → defines structure and pricing

• Sales Merchandiser → supports showroom

• Buyer → decides to purchase it

• Merchandiser → ensures it sells

• Regional Merchandiser → adapts it to markets

Same product.

Different decisions.

Fashion Buying vs Merchandising: Which Career Path Is Right for You?

These two career paths are much more connected than you think.

In reality, people who are good at buying are often also good at merchandising.

And the opposite is true as well.

In fact, in many cases:

• buyers have previous experience in merchandising

• merchandisers move into buying roles later in their career

Why?

Because both roles require:

• strong analytical thinking

• understanding of product performance

• business awareness

• the ability to make strategic decisions

And in smaller companies, there is often no difference at all.

In smaller brands or startups, there isn’t always a clear separation between roles.

You might find yourself:

• selecting products

• planning stock

• analyzing sales

• managing performance

All at the same time.

Meaning:

You are both the buyer and the merchandiser.

This is why job titles alone can be misleading.

And this is also why I always tell my students:

Don’t focus only on the job title. Focus on the tasks.

Because that’s what will define your day-to-day experience.

Read job descriptions carefully before applying.

Most Important Skills for Fashion Buyers and Merchandisers

Fashion buying and merchandising are business roles.

Yes, you work with beautiful products, collections, and trends. But your job is not just to appreciate fashion. It’s to make it perform.

This means the most important skills are a combination of analytical thinking and commercial awareness.

You need to be comfortable working with numbers every day. You will analyze sales, track performance, monitor stock levels, and make decisions based on data. This is why Excel is one of the most important skills in fashion buying and merchandising. It’s used daily to build reports, track KPIs, manage stock, and support strategic decisions, and it’s listed in almost every job description in the industry.

Excel is essential.

Because every role involves:

• sales analysis

• stock tracking

• performance reporting

And this is one of the most tested skills during fashion job interviews, especially for internships and entry-level positions.

If you don’t feel confident with it yet, this is something you can absolutely learn. Inside the Excel for Fashion course, we focus specifically on how Excel is used in roles like buying and merchandising, so you’re not just learning formulas, you’re learning how to apply them in real fashion scenarios.

At the same time, you need strong product sensitivity. You should understand why a product is desirable, how it fits within a collection, and how it aligns with a brand’s identity. This is especially important in roles like buying and collection merchandising, where taste and business meet.

Another key skill is strategic thinking. Whether you are selecting products, planning assortments, or analyzing performance, you always need to think one step ahead. What will sell next season? What is underperforming and why? How can we improve results?

And then there are the skills that often make the biggest difference when you’re starting out:

• attention to detail, because small mistakes can impact stock and sales

• organization, since you will manage multiple reports, deadlines, and projects

• communication, as you’ll work with buyers, merchandisers, stores, suppliers, and global teams

• curiosity, because the best professionals are always asking why something works or doesn’t

It’s this mix of Excel, data analysis, product understanding, and strategic thinking that defines these roles.

How to Start a Career in Fashion Buying and Merchandising

If you’re wondering how to get into fashion buying and merchandising, the most common starting point is through internships.

Most professionals begin as:

• merchandising interns

• buying interns

How can I help you land a job in fashion?

I teach you step-by-step how to break into fashion and you can also ask me any questions via Zoom mentorship calls each month with this course.

I teach you the most important skill that is frequently tested during fashion job and internships interview with the Excel for Fashion Course.

Not ready for the courses yet? Register for this free webinar!

Where I’ll teach you the best strategies to stand out even if you don’t have experience.

xoxo

Giada

Monday, 13 April, 2026

Good morning, fashion lover! Happy Start of the week!

We’re already halfway to April, time flies!

It’s important for your career path that you start building something serious.

As always, we want to make sure you are following the right steps to start your dream job as quickly as possible. Balenciaga has opened an intern program in Paris, take a look!

This week alone, we have found over 100 new opportunities. If you want to join the fashion world and stop dreaming, now is the perfect time, whatever role you choose.

As usual, there are many new opportunities in each fashion capital, including New York, London, Paris, and Italy.

Need help applying? Check out this free webinar and the Break into the fashion industry course. Happy application!💗

Here is your list with all the links to apply:

NEW YORK

1. CONDE NAST, Account Coordinator

2. CONDE NAST, Senior Director, Strategy & Planning

3. CONDE NAST, Social Coordinator

4. CAROLINA HERRERA, Summer Public Relations Intern

5. LOEWE, Vice President of Merchandising

Read more

Thanks for reading Inside Fashion! Subscribe to receive it each week in your inbox.

Subscribe now

Happy Friday!
April 10, 2026

If there’s one thing I always say, it’s this: fashion never stops… but some weeks are more telling than others.

From celebrity-led collections to retail experiments and major industry shifts, this week wasn’t just about headlines. Because behind every launch, appointment, or store opening, there’s always a strategy.

What happened in the industry this week? 💛

Zendaya Steps Deeper Into Fashion With On

After months of speculation, Zendaya is officially expanding her role in fashion, not just as a face, but as a creator.

The actress, who partnered with the Zurich-based brand On in 2024, is launching a full apparel and footwear collection on April 16 in collaboration with her stylist Law Roach .The collection will be introduced through a film written and directed by Spike Jonze, which already tells you the level of storytelling behind it.

We’ve already seen her co-design the Cloudzone Moon sneaker with Law Roach last summer, but this move confirms something bigger: celebrities are no longer just ambassadors, they are becoming true creative partners.

Fashion + entertainment = the new marketing machine

An interesting article from Vogue covered how a TV show can generate millions in media impact value for brands—and why costume design is becoming one of the most influential roles in fashion today. From Euphoria to Netflix shows, costume designers are becoming powerful fashion players—driving trends and even boosting sales for small brands featured on screen. TV shows and streaming productions are quietly becoming one of the biggest opportunities for emerging fashion brands. As Booth Moore wrote in another Vogue article, costume designers working on popular series are increasingly choosing to dress characters in independent, local designers instead of only big luxury names. The impact is huge. When a character wears a piece on screen, it can instantly go viral, drive traffic to the brand’s website, and even sell out products overnight. For many young designers in LA, being featured in a show has become more powerful than a traditional runway or fashion week moment.

At the same time, this is creating a whole new ecosystem of fashion jobs:

• Costume designers acting like stylists and brand scouts

• PR teams pitching products directly to film and TV productions

• Designers creating pieces specifically with screen visibility in mind

Stefano Gabbana is stepping back from his business role at Dolce & Gabbana

Even the biggest brands—Dolce & Gabbana was founded in 1985—have to adapt and make changes behind the scenes. Stefano Gabbana is stepping back from his business role at Dolce & Gabbana. This actually happened back in December, and since January, Domenico Dolce’s brother, Alfonso Dolce (who is also the CEO), has taken over as chairman.

The brand said this change is just a “natural evolution,” meaning the company is growing and adjusting how it’s run. Stefano Gabbana is not leaving creatively. He’s still fully involved in designing and shaping the collections.

At the same time, the brand is going through a more challenging business moment. Like many luxury companies right now, it’s feeling the slowdown in the market, which is making things like managing debt more difficult. Reports say the company is looking at ways to bring in new money, including refinancing debt, possibly selling some assets, or renewing licenses. Gabbana, who owns about 40% of the company, is also thinking about his next steps.

The global situation is impacting fashion more than you think

One of the most important (and often overlooked) stories this week is how global events are affecting the fashion industry. Right now, ongoing geopolitical tensions—including the situation in Iran—are creating uncertainty across markets. And in fashion, uncertainty quickly turns into slower spending, delayed investments, and more cautious brands.

Luxury relies heavily on international customers—especially from regions like the Middle East and Asia. When there’s instability, people tend to spend less on non-essential items like fashion, which directly impacts sales.

But it doesn’t stop there. These situations also affect supply chains: higher transportation costs, potential delays, and rising raw material prices. For brands, this means tighter margins and more pressure to manage costs carefully.

As a result, many companies are becoming more conservative:

• Slowing down hiring

• Re-evaluating budgets

• Being more selective with new projects

Vogue Is Looking for the Next Generation

Vogue just launched “American Style x Vogue”, an open casting for the most stylish young people across all 50 states.

If selected, participants will be featured on Vogue.com.

Why does this matter?

Because fashion is opening up. The industry is actively looking for new voices, new faces, new perspectives.

Opportunities exist, but you need to put yourself out there.

Valentino Case Closes Early

An Italian court has lifted early the special administration imposed on a Valentino unit over labour practices linked to subcontractors.

This is a reminder that behind the glamour, fashion is also dealing with serious operational and ethical challenges. And today more than ever, transparency and accountability are becoming part of brand value.

Saks Global Moves Toward Recovery

Saks Global secured $500 million in post-bankruptcy financing and aims to exit Chapter 11 by summer.

For the industry, this signals cautious optimism. Department stores are not disappearing, but they are evolving, becoming leaner and more strategic.

A New Chapter at Vogue Brasil

Maria Laura Neves has been officially appointed editor-in-chief of Vogue Brasil after serving in the role on an interim basis.

Calvin Klein Gets a Boost From Pop Culture

Calvin Klein is seeing a rise in searches and sales thanks to its presence in the show “Love Story”, where Carolyn Bessette inspired looks are gaining attention.

This is the power of cultural relevance.

Sometimes the strongest marketing doesn’t feel like marketing at all.

Nice Things 💖

Meryl Streep and Anna Wintour on the cover of Vogue Us may 2026. Anything more iconic?

COVER LOOK
Anna Wintour and Meryl Streep in Prada. Wintour wears Manolo Blahnik shoes, S.J. Phillips necklaces, and Chanel sunglasses. Streep wears Prada sunglasses and a Cartier watch. For Wintour: hair, Bobby Michael; makeup, Melissa Silver. For Streep: hair and makeup, Donald S Mcinnes. Fashion Editor: Grace Coddington.Photographed by Annie Leibovitz. Vogue, May 2026.

What to read this week 📕💫

If you’ve ever been fascinated by the analytical and business side of the fashion industry, you’ve probably found yourself considering career paths like fashion buying and fashion merchandising.

These roles are at the core of how fashion companies make money, decide what ends up in stores, and understand what customers actually want.

But just like with marketing vs PR, many of you are wondering what’s the difference between the two roles.

If you want to know more about this. Read this article

WANT TO BREAK INTO FASHION?

What to watch this week 💫🎥

Fashion Buying vs Merchandising: What’s the Difference and Which is Made for You

Fashion Profiles to follow this week

Law Roach, Zendaya, Celine Dion and Ariana Grande stylist’s

Maria Laura Neves, Editor in Chief of Vogue Brasil

Want to break into fashion?

Explore our best-selling online fashion courses!

Break into the fashion industry course: learn step-by-step how to apply for fashion jobs and internships, build your CV, cover letter, Portfolio, LinkedIn profile, prepare for job interviews and build connections. Secure your position in fashion even if you have no experience!

Excel for Fashion Course: learn the skill that is most frequently tested during job interviews!

Our Premium Newsletter

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Receive fashion industry fundamentals and the latest fashion jobs and internships straight to your inbox?

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Upgrade for the full experience

When you sign up for our paid newsletter, you get the analysis of behind-the-scenes of the fashion industry (and the fashion career advice you can take from it), case studies, and the Fashion Jobs Date with the latest jobs and internships!

If you take one thing from this week, let it be this:

Fashion is becoming more strategic, more connected, and more culturally driven than ever.

And if you want to work in this industry, you need to start looking beyond the surface.

Because the real work in fashion happens behind the scenes.

Forward this email to your fashion friends :)

Giada Graziano, Inside Fashion Editor in Chief and Glam Observer Founder

Giorgia Angelica Ferronato, Intern at Glam Observer

Follow us on Instagram @glamobserver

Read our website: glamobserver.com

Interested in advertising in Inside Fashion or posting a job offer to reach 40,000 fashion enthusiasts? Email us at newsletter@glamobserver.com

Tuesday, April 07, 2026

Happy Tuesday! (yes we typically send this email on Mondays, but this week (because of Easter Monday) you are receiving it on Tuesday! We will back to the Monday schedule on April 13th!

Happy beginning of the week☀️

How was your Easter?

With the good weather, it’s time to find the perfect internships that fit you.

As every week, we want to be sure you are following the right steps to start your dream job as quickly as possible. Conde Nast has opened different internship programs in every fashion city!

This week alone, we have found over 60 new opportunities. If you want to join the fashion world and stop dreaming, now is the perfect time!

As usual, there are many new opportunities in each fashion capital, including New York, London, Paris, and Italy.

Need help applying? Check out this free webinar and the Break into the fashion industry course. Happy application!💗

Here is your list with all the links to apply:

NEW YORK

1. BOTTEGA VENETA Architecture & Preservation Intern, Summer

2. CELINE, VIP TRAINEE

3. LORO PIANA, RETAIL EXCELLENCE INTERN (SUMMER 2026)

4. CONDE NAST, Video Producer, The New Yorker

5. CONDE NAST, Newsletter Editor, Bon Appétit & Epicurious

Read more

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Happy Tuesday! (yes we typically send this email on Mondays, but this and next’s week (because of Easter Monday) you are receiving it on Tuesday! We will back to the Monday schedule on April 13th!

In this week’s report, we have 66 internships across 31 companies, with Chanel standing out as the most active brand, offering 9 new internships alone.

Out of the 66 roles:

• Around 75–80% are business-related

• Around 15–20% are creative

• Only a very small percentage is purely editorial or styling

Most roles fall into areas such as:

• Business analysis and reporting

• Merchandising and product

• E-commerce and digital

• Operations and supply chain

• Marketing and communication

This is one of the biggest shifts many aspiring professionals underestimate.

Fashion may look creative from the outside, but behind the scenes, it is a structured, business-driven industry.

Each City Has a Different Role in the Industry

Another important pattern is geographical, and this can completely change how you approach your applications.

• Paris focuses on headquarters functions: finance, communication, project management, and product coordination

• Milan is centered around product, merchandising, and showroom activities

• New York is driven by retail performance, operations, and client experience

• London sits in between, combining creative and commercial roles

Understanding this helps you apply more strategically depending on where you want to work.

The Skills That Appear Everywhere

Across all roles, regardless of company or city, the same core skills keep coming back:

• Analytical thinking and Excel

• Communication and cross-team collaboration

• Organization and project management

• Commercial awareness

This is the first time I’m adding a breakdown like this to the job list, and I wanted to introduce it in a simple way.

Let me know in the comments if you find this kind of analysis helpful—if you do, I’ll start including it in each week’s jobs report.

Need help applying? Check out this free webinar and the Break into the fashion industry course.

Here is your list with all the links to apply:

PARIS

1. Balenciaga E-merchandiser Intern – July 2026 | Balenciaga

Read more

Thanks for reading Inside Fashion! Subscribe to receive it each week in your inbox.

Subscribe now

Happy Friday!
March 27, 2026

What happened in the industry this week? 💛

Everyone is going crazy about Chanel: the Matthieu-mania.

What everyone has been talking about recently are the queues outside Chanel stores. The first collection by Matthieu Blazy arrived at the beginning of March, and everyone wants a piece.

After the collection first hit the runway in Paris on October 6, 2025, it dropped in stores globally on March 5, 2026, during Paris Fashion Week. What followed felt almost… pre-digital: long lines wrapping around boutiques, from Paris to New York’s 57th Street and even Milan, with people waiting up to an hour just to be assigned a sales associate.

Some stores reportedly had to manage access through timed slots—and in multiple cases, shoppers were asked to come back later because the day’s capacity was already fully booked. By the time doors opened to the public, many key items had already been pre-sold to VIP clients, leaving those in line competing for what was left.

Why is everyone obsessed with Matthieu’s Chanel?

Influencers and customers have started posting TikToks and Instagram Reels about their new purchases.

But it’s not just the industry itself. Vogue spoke to a 34-year-old accountant waiting in line in New York—not an editor, not a stylist, not an influencer—who had her eye on the mint-green and black croc pumps. She was excited to buy pieces she could eventually pass down to her daughter.

In New York, just 31 minutes after the store opened on the first day the collection became available, a sales associate said that the majority of items were already sold out, with restocks expected in the following weeks. This was largely because VIC clients had spent the morning in private appointments.

It seems the large tote and the Maxi Flap Bag are already hard to get your hands on. Influencers and customers are even relying on services such as The Coveted to help them secure the $11,000 bag, which has also been spotted on Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner.

This week, Chanel released a video campaign featuring Margot Robbie. It looks simple—but strategically, it’s doing a lot of work.

In the industry, we talk about brand positioning—which refers to how a brand wants to be perceived in the mind of the customer.

Here, Chanel is subtly shifting its positioning:

from untouchable luxury

to aspirational but wearable luxury

Margot Robbie is styled in a way that feels natural, almost effortless. The bag is not treated like a museum piece—it’s part of her day.

This matters because today’s luxury customer doesn’t just want to admire a product.

They want to imagine living with it.

So the campaign is doing something very precise:

It’s lowering the psychological distance (how far a product feels from your real life) without lowering the price or exclusivity.

That’s a very difficult balance—and Chanel is executing it well.

Subscribe now

Gucci revealed a new campaign

Kering unveiled a new Gucci campaign starring Kate Moss for the Borsetto and Emily Ratajkowski for the Giglio, photographed by Mert & Marcus.

But this is more than a classic campaign.

The narrative is clear: the bag is not just an accessory. It becomes an obsession.

This tells us something important. In a moment where product alone is not enough, brands are moving toward psychological storytelling.
They are not just selling items. They are selling fixations.

Schiaparelli lands in London with a major exhibition

“Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art” opens at the V&A in London — the first UK exhibition entirely dedicated to the house.

With over 400 pieces, the retrospective connects:

• Elsa Schiaparelli’s collaborations with Dalí and Cocteau

• the house’s most iconic archival designs

• Daniel Roseberry’s contemporary creations

It’s not just a celebration of history.

It reinforces a key positioning:
fashion as art, not product.

And exhibitions like this are becoming strategic tools to build cultural authority beyond the runway. The Schiaparelli exhibition is running from March 28 to November 8, have you booked your tickets yet?

Size Inclusivity Declines Again on the Runway

New data from Vogue Business highlighted a continued decline in size inclusivity during Fall/Winter 2026 shows:

• 97.6% straight-size looks

• 2.1% mid-size

• 0.3% plus-size

This marks a drop from previous seasons and reinforces ongoing concerns about representation across major fashion weeks.

Net-a-Porter Announces 2026 Vanguard Mentorship Program

Net-a-Porter revealed the new edition of its Vanguard Mentorship Program, designed to support emerging designers.

Selected designers:

• Kallmeyer

• Colleen Allen

• Heirlome

What the program includes:

• Mentorship from top industry leaders, including:

  • Net-a-Porter CEO Heather Kaminetsky

  • Gabriela Hearst

• Strategic guidance on:

  • brand building

  • scaling a business

  • distribution and global retail

• Access to:

  • Net-a-Porter’s global platform

  • marketing visibility

  • commercial insights

This initiative is part of Net-a-Porter’s long-term strategy to discover and scale the next generation of fashion brands

LuisaViaRoma Files for Insolvency Protection

Florence-based luxury retailer LuisaViaRoma has filed for a court-mediated insolvency procedure in Italy.

• The process allows restructuring under judicial supervision

• If rejected, the company could face liquidation

This is one of the most significant multi-brand retail warnings of the week, reflecting ongoing pressure on luxury e-commerce players.

Henkel to Acquire Olaplex for $1.4 Billion

In one of the biggest beauty deals of the week, Henkel has agreed to acquire Olaplex.

The move aims to:

• strengthen Henkel’s position in premium haircare

• expand its global beauty portfolio

• accelerate innovation and distribution

Casa Alanui: from brand to lifestyle

Alanui opens Casa Alanui, a new Milan headquarters inside a neoclassical villa.

But calling it just an office would be reductive.

The space is designed as:

• showroom

• creative hub

• community space

• cultural platform

This reflects a broader shift.

Mulberry bets on Christopher Kane to relaunch ready-to-wear

Mulberry is officially returning to ready-to-wear and appointing Christopher Kane as creative director.

After stepping away from clothing in 2020 to focus on accessories, this marks a major strategic shift.

Why now?

Because brands are realizing that:

• accessories build revenue

• but ready-to-wear builds identity

Kane brings a mix of creativity, intellectual depth, and playfulness exactly what Mulberry needs to reposition itself globally.

Dolce & Gabbana faces financial pressure

Dolce & Gabbana is entering new talks with lenders as the luxury slowdown continues to impact performance.

With around €450 million in debt and global uncertainty affecting demand, the brand is navigating a delicate moment.

This is your reminder that:

Even the most iconic houses are not immune to market dynamics.
And today, financial strategy is as important as creative direction.

Courrèges artistic director Nicolas Di Felice exited after five years.

Di Felice is leaving to focus on personal projects, with a successor expected to be announced soon. This is one of the week’s most important creative-direction moves because Courrèges had become one of the clearest examples of a successful heritage-brand reset under a distinct designer vision.

Luxury retail is expanding across Europe

New data shows a 13% increase in luxury store openings across Europe’s top shopping streets.

Despite economic uncertainty, brands continue to invest heavily in physical retail.

Rosalía’s Lux Tour: when fashion becomes performance

We expected something powerful. But not this.

Rosalía’s Lux Tour goes beyond styling. It becomes a full visual manifesto where fashion, dance, and narrative merge into one.

Custom looks by Ann Demeulemeester move between:

• classical ballet references

• romantic chiffon

• structured corsetry

The visual language is layered with artistic references from Goya to the Venus de Milo, to Leonardo da Vinci. Each outfit is not just a look. It’s a character.

On announced a CEO transition.

Longtime On CEO Martin Hoffmann is leaving after 13 years, effective May 1, and co-founders David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti will become co-CEOs. Given On’s position in premium sportswear, this is a notable leadership change beyond traditional luxury.

Oakley appointed Matthew M. Williams creative director of apparel, footwear and accessories.

The former Givenchy designer joined Oakley to lead performance-driven and lifestyle collections, drawing on the brand’s sports heritage and broader cultural reach.

Tim Blanks to be honored at CAFA

One of fashion’s most respected voices, Tim Blanks, will receive the Vanguard Award at the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards.

A recognition of a career that shaped how we understand fashion, not just how we see it.

Nice Things 💖

Olivia Rodrigo covers British Vogue

At just 23, Olivia Rodrigo continues her rapid rise but what stands out is her attitude.

“I don’t think of myself as a star, at all.”

Shot barefoot, with minimal makeup, the editorial strips everything back yet her presence remains undeniable.

Proof that today, authenticity is the strongest aesthetic.

What to read this week 📕💫

Let’s talk about something almost everyone trying to break into fashion experiences:

Rejection.

You send applications.
You wait.
You refresh your inbox.

And sometimes… nothing comes back.

If you’re going through this right now, you’re not alone and more importantly, it doesn’t mean you’re not good enough.

Here’s my last article that will help you navigate this phase

WANT TO BREAK INTO FASHION?

What to watch this week 💫🎥

Why Fashion Companies Keep Rejecting You (And How to Fix It)

Fashion Profiles to follow this week

Laura Jane Coulson, photographer

Christopher Kane, new creative director of Mulberry

Want to break into fashion?

Explore our best-selling online fashion courses!

Break into the fashion industry course: learn step-by-step how to apply for fashion jobs and internships, build your CV, cover letter, Portfolio, LinkedIn profile, prepare for job interviews and build connections. Secure your position in fashion even if you have no experience!

Excel for Fashion Course: learn the skill that is most frequently tested during job interviews!

Our Premium Newsletter

Want to go further and enhance your fashion industry knowledge?

Receive fashion industry fundamentals and the latest fashion jobs and internships straight to your inbox?

Upgrade to our paid newsletter for just 4.91€/month.

Upgrade for the full experience

When you sign up for our paid newsletter, you get the analysis of behind-the-scenes of the fashion industry (and the fashion career advice you can take from it), case studies, and the Fashion Jobs Date with the latest jobs and internships!

Forward this email to your fashion friends :)

Giada Graziano, Inside Fashion Editor in Chief and Glam Observer Founder

Giorgia Angelica Ferronato, Intern at Glam Observer

Follow us on Instagram @glamobserver

Read our website: glamobserver.com

Interested in advertising in Inside Fashion or posting a job offer to reach 40,000 fashion enthusiasts? Email us at newsletter@glamobserver.com

Rejection.

You apply to 10 jobs.
Then 20.
Then 50.

You refresh your inbox every day hoping for good news.

And instead you see emails like:

“Thank you for your application, however we decided to move forward with other candidates.”

Or worse… nothing at all.

If you’re going through this right now, you are not alone but the good news is that rejection does not mean you are not good enough to work in fashion.

In fact, many talented people get rejected simply because they are following outdated job search strategies.

I’ve been exactly where you are.

When I first started trying to break into the fashion industry, I genuinely believed I wasn’t enough.

I didn’t have a fashion degree. I had studied management engineering, which felt completely unrelated to the fashion world I wanted to enter. Every job description seemed to ask for fashion school graduates, industry experience, or connections I simply didn’t have.

So I thought the solution was simple: get another degree.

I moved to Milan and enrolled in a master’s in luxury fashion management, convinced that this would magically open the doors of the industry.

But it didn’t.

Adding the master to my resume didn’t work. Companies were still rejecting my applications.

That was a difficult moment because I started thinking the problem was me. Maybe I wasn’t talented enough. Maybe I didn’t belong in fashion.

But then something interesting happened.

Instead of sending more applications the same way, I decided to completely change my strategy.

I stopped relying only on the traditional things everyone was doing: sending the same CV everywhere, waiting for replies, hoping someone would notice me.

I started focusing on something different.

Standing out.

Showing initiative.
Doing things other candidates weren’t doing.
Going beyond the basic application process.

And the results surprised even me.

After changing my approach, I applied to three internships.

I got all three offers.

Eventually, I chose the one at Alexander McQueen, which became my entry into the fashion industry.

That experience is exactly what inspired me to start teaching job search strategies through Glam Observer.

Over the past years, I’ve helped thousands of students and aspiring professionals break into fashion using the same foundation that worked for me.

Of course the industry has evolved. Hiring processes are more digital, recruiters use AI screening tools, and competition is even higher today.

But the core principle of my method still works:

You don’t break into fashion by doing only the traditional things everyone else is doing.

You break in by showing recruiters that you already think and act like someone who belongs in the industry.

And if companies keep rejecting your applications right now, there’s a good chance the problem isn’t your talent or your potential.

It’s simply your strategy.

But the good news?

Once you understand how modern hiring works, you can change your strategy and dramatically increase your chances of getting interviews.

In this article, I want to show you what to do if companies keep rejecting your job applications, especially if your dream is to work in fashion.

These strategies are based on:

• how recruiters actually screen candidates today

• insights from modern hiring practices discussed in publications like Harvard Business Review and Forbes

• what I’ve personally seen work for Glam Observer students entering the fashion industry

Let’s start with the most important shift you need to make.

1. Stop Applying Like Everyone Else

Most job seekers follow the same process:

Find job → send CV → wait.

The problem is that recruiters now receive hundreds or even thousands of applications for a single role.

That means most candidates are eliminated before anyone even reads their resume.

Modern hiring systems use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes for keywords and experience. If your resume doesn’t match the system’s criteria, your application may never reach a recruiter.

This is one of the reasons many candidates feel like they are applying everywhere but hearing nothing back.

And here’s the truth most people don’t realize:

Applying online should not be your main strategy.

It should be one piece of a broader approach.

If you want to stand out, you need to make recruiters notice you outside the application portal.

Here are two modern strategies that work much better.

Reach Out Directly to Hiring Managers

Instead of waiting for recruiters to find you, introduce yourself.

Many students, recent graduates and career switchers land roles by contacting the hiring manager or team directly on LinkedIn or email.

This doesn’t mean sending a random message asking for a job.

It means:

• introducing yourself

• showing genuine interest in the brand

• briefly explaining how your skills could contribute

For example:

“I recently developed a retail activation concept inspired by Saint Laurent Rive Droite during a marketing simulation project. I would love to contribute similar ideas to your team.”

This kind of message immediately makes you stand out from the hundreds of anonymous applicants in the system.

Inside the Break Into the Fashion Industry course, we teach students how to identify the right contacts and write these outreach messages step-by-step.

Because once recruiters know who you are, your application stops being just another CV in a database.

2. Tailor Your Resume to the Position (and Make It Interactive)

One of the biggest mistakes I still see candidates make is sending the same resume to every company.

In 2026 this simply doesn’t work anymore.

Recruiters and applicant tracking systems scan resumes looking for specific keywords that match the job description. If your CV doesn’t reflect the language used in the role you’re applying for, your application may never even reach a human recruiter.

So the first rule is simple.

Your resume should always be tailored to the position.

Read the job description carefully and mirror the keywords they use.

For example:

If the role mentions:

• influencer campaigns

• market analysis

• competitor research

• fashion event coordination

Those words should appear in your resume when relevant.

But tailoring your resume goes beyond just adding keywords.

You also need to prove every skill you claim.

Today anyone can create a polished CV with AI tools. Recruiters know this. A nice layout and fancy wording are no longer enough.

What makes a resume credible now is evidence.

Every skill should be backed up by a concrete example such as a project, course, or previous experience.

For example, instead of writing:

“Strong knowledge of fashion marketing.”

Show the proof.

You can do this with bullet points that explain what you actually did.

Example:

Fashion Marketing Project – Brand Collaboration Strategy
• Developed a global PR launch plan for a hypothetical Miu Miu x New Balance collaboration
• Identified key influencers and created a seeding timeline across European and US markets
• Conducted competitor analysis of sneaker collaborations from luxury brands

Even your courses can include bullet points.

Many candidates simply write:

“Break Into the Fashion Industry Course – Glam Observer Academy”

But this doesn’t tell recruiters anything about your skills.

Instead, turn your course projects into real professional experience.

Example:

Break Into the Fashion Industry – Fashion Internship Simulator
• Created a retail activation concept for Saint Laurent Rive Droite to launch a limited-edition bag
• Planned influencer guest list and press outreach strategy for VIP launch event
• Designed a post-event digital amplification strategy for Instagram and TikTok

Now here is the step most candidates are still missing.

Make your resume interactive.

Instead of just describing projects, add links directly in your bullet points.

Link to:

• portfolio projects

• presentation slides

• PDFs of your work

• campaign concepts

• editorial projects

For example:

Retail Activation Project – Saint Laurent Simulator
• Designed immersive in-store activation concept (view project)

When a recruiter clicks that link and immediately sees the work you created, your application becomes much more powerful.

You are no longer just telling them you have skills.

You are showing them.

And in today’s hiring landscape, proof always wins over claims.

Create a One-Minute “Resume Video” on Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn

Here is an unconventional strategy that works surprisingly well.

Create a one-minute video resume and post it on Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn.

Think of it as a short pitch about yourself.

You could say something like:

“Hi, I’m Giada and I’m looking for a marketing internship in fashion. I recently worked on a Saint Laurent retail activation concept where I planned an immersive launch event for the Rive Droite store. I love combining creativity with brand strategy and I would love to bring that mindset to your team.”

Then include:

What role you’re applying for
The project you worked on (aka your portfolio)
Why you’re excited about the company

After posting the video, you can:

send the link to recruiters
add it to your job application
share it on LinkedIn
tag the brand or recruiters when appropriate

This strategy works because it shows something recruiters rarely see:

initiative.

You’re not just sending another CV.

You’re introducing yourself as a person.

And in creative industries like fashion, personality and energy matter just as much as experience.

One of the most common things I hear from aspiring fashion professionals is:

“I can’t get a job because I don’t have experience.”

But the truth is that you don’t (and you should not) always have to wait for a company to give you experience.

You can create it yourself.

Recruiters are not only looking for formal internships. What they really want to see is whether you understand how the industry works and how you think when solving real problems.

So instead of waiting passively, start building projects that simulate the type of work you want to do.

For example:

If you want to work in fashion marketing, you could create a campaign concept for a luxury brand launch.

If you want to work in PR, you could build a press strategy for a new collection or collaboration.

If you want to work in editorial, you could produce a mini digital magazine or write trend analysis articles.

If you want to work in styling, you could create editorial looks based on runway collections and build a styling concept around a theme.

These kinds of projects demonstrate something extremely important to recruiters:

initiative.

Instead of saying “I want to work in fashion,” you’re showing that you are already thinking and working like someone in the industry.

And when you present these projects in your resume or portfolio, recruiters can actually see how you approach creative and strategic problems.

If you want structured guidance while doing these types of projects, that’s exactly why I created the Fashion Internship Simulator inside Glam Observer Academy. It walks you through real tasks that professionals do in marketing, styling, and editorial roles so you can build portfolio projects even before landing your first internship.

But whether you use a simulator, a university assignment, or your own personal project, the key idea is the same:

Don’t wait for experience. Create it.

3. Film a Video Cover Letter (This Is Becoming a Huge Advantage)

Let’s talk about something that is becoming more and more powerful in job applications.

Video.

Now that AI can write resumes and cover letters in seconds, many applications are starting to look the same.

Recruiters are receiving hundreds of perfectly written cover letters.

But very few candidates are willing to show up on camera.

A short video cover letter can instantly make your application more memorable.

It doesn’t have to be complicated.

Even a simple 60–90 second video filmed on your phone can work.

Here’s a structure that works well:

Introduce yourself
Explain why you are passionate about the brand
Mention a project or experience relevant to the role
Explain why you would be a strong addition to the team

For example:

“Hi, my name is ___ and I’m currently preparing to start my career in fashion marketing. Recently I worked on a Saint Laurent retail activation project where I designed an in-store experience for the Rive Droite concept store. I’m passionate about how luxury brands create cultural moments around product launches, which is why I would love to contribute to your marketing team.”

Then you simply include the link to your video in your application.

It shows:

confidence
communication skills

initiative

And most importantly, it makes recruiters remember you.

4. Build a Portfolio Even If You’re Not a Designer.

If you’ve been sending applications and not hearing back, one of the first things I recommend checking is this:

Do you have a portfolio?

Because today, especially in fashion, a portfolio is often more important than a resume and cover letter.

Think about it from a recruiter’s perspective.

A resume tells them what you claim you can do.
A portfolio shows them how you actually think and work.

This is why candidates with a strong portfolio often get interviews faster, even if their resume is shorter.

Portfolios are valuable for almost every fashion career.

If you already have a portfolio but you’re still getting rejected, the issue might not be the existence of the portfolio.

It might be the type of projects inside it.

Many portfolios fail because the projects are:

• too generic

• not related to the role

• purely academic without industry thinking

• visually messy or hard to navigate.

Your portfolio should feel like something a professional in the industry would produce.

Ask yourself:

Do these projects demonstrate the kind of work someone in this role actually does?

For example, a fashion marketing portfolio shouldn’t just show moodboards. It should show campaign thinking, strategy, and brand understanding.

The more your projects reflect real industry tasks, the easier it becomes for recruiters to imagine you already working in that role.

And that is exactly what makes a portfolio powerful.

5. Learn The Skills Fashion Companies Actually Use

Another reason applications get rejected is simple:

Many candidates lack the practical skills companies expect.

One of the most common examples?

Excel.

Yes, Excel.

I know that might sound surprising if you imagine fashion careers as only creative roles.

But in reality, most professionals spend a large portion of their time analyzing data, organizing product lists, planning campaigns, and tracking performance in spreadsheets.

Buyers analyze product performance.
Marketing teams track campaign metrics.
Stylists organize samples and production schedules.

Understanding Excel is often one of the first technical skills recruiters expect from entry-level candidates.

In fact, when I interviewed for my first internship at Alexander McQueen, I was given an Excel test during the recruitment process.

6. Show The Right Attitude (Recruiters Notice It Immediately)

Technical skills matter.

But attitude matters just as much.

Fashion companies often hire candidates with the right mindset even if their experience is limited.

Recruiters look for qualities like:

• proactivity

• curiosity

• problem-solving

• attention to detail

• willingness to learn

During one of my early interviews, I mentioned that I had subscribed to the company newsletter and even noticed a broken link on their website.

The recruiter was impressed by that initiative because it showed genuine interest and attention to detail.

This type of proactive thinking is exactly what companies look for in junior hires.

Fashion is a fast-paced industry.

People who take initiative and solve problems quickly are incredibly valuable.

7. Don’t Let Rejections Kill Your Motivation

Let’s be honest.

Job searching can be emotionally exhausting.

You may start questioning yourself.

You might feel like everyone else is getting opportunities while you’re stuck.

But remember this:

Even successful fashion professionals faced rejection at the beginning.

Staying motivated during your job search is essential because persistence often makes the difference between those who break into the industry and those who give up too soon.

Instead of seeing rejection as failure, treat it as feedback.

Ask yourself:

• Is my resume strong enough?

• Do I have real projects to show?

• Am I applying strategically or randomly?

Every improvement brings you closer to the right opportunity.

If companies keep rejecting your job applications, it doesn’t mean your dream career is out of reach.

Most of the time, it simply means your strategy needs to evolve.

Modern job searching is no longer just about sending resumes.

It’s about:

• building proof of your skills

• creating portfolio projects

• developing industry-relevant abilities

• connecting directly with professionals

When you shift your approach, the results can change dramatically.

I’ve seen this happen again and again with students inside the Glam Observer community.

People who once felt completely stuck eventually landed internships at brands, magazines, and agencies they had dreamed about for years.

So if you’re feeling discouraged right now, remember this:

Your rejection today could simply be the beginning of the strategy that leads you to the right opportunity tomorrow.

And I truly believe that if you stay curious, proactive, and persistent, you can absolutely build a career in fashion.

xx

Giada

Monday, March 23, 2026

Happy Monday!!

How are you?💫

Winter is over, and Spring has just started! Now it’s time to find the internship that fits you.

As every week, we want to be sure you are following the right steps to start your dream job as quickly as possible. BALENCIAGA has opened its summer internship program in NY!

This week alone, we have found over 90 new opportunities. If you want to join the fashion world and stop dreaming, now is the perfect time!

As usual, there are many new opportunities in each fashion capital, including New York, London, Paris, and Italy.

Happy application!💖​

NEW YORK

1. LORO PIANA, Retail Operations Intern (Summer 2026)

2. LORO PIANA, Retail Intern (Summer 2026)

3. LORO PIANA, E-Commerce Intern (Summer 2026)

4. FENDI, Intern, Private Client Relations

5. BALENCIAGA Summer 2026 CRM Intern | NYC

Read more

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Happy Friday!
March 20, 2026

The Oscars just took place… and as always, fashion had its moment.

The red carpet is no longer just a side event. It’s one of the most powerful stages in the industry. A place where brands, celebrities and storytelling come together to shape trends in real time.

Fashion isn’t just showing up at cultural moments anymore.

WANT TO BREAK INTO FASHION?

What happened in the industry this week? 💛

The Oscars set the tone for new trends

The strongest trend of the night? Bridal white. Clean, minimal, and incredibly elegant.

We saw it in looks worn by Mia Goth and Elle Fanning in Givenchy, who embraced a softer, almost ethereal aesthetic. At the same time, the red carpet embraced drama.

Feathers made a strong comeback, adding movement and theatricality to looks worn by Demi Moore in Gucci and Teyana Taylor in Chanel.

This contrast, minimalism vs spectacle, is exactly where fashion is right now.

Zara x Galliano: a new kind of collaboration

Yes, it’s happening.

Zara just announced a creative partnership with John Galliano.

But what makes this collaboration interesting is not just the name. It’s the approach.

Instead of creating new collections from scratch, Galliano will reinterpret Zara’s existing archive pieces, transforming them through a couture lens.

The goal is clear: position Zara in a more premium space.

And honestly, this tells us a lot about where the market is going. Even fast fashion is moving toward storytelling, craftsmanship, and elevated design.

Prada, sustainability, and storytelling

Prada continues to push its narrative beyond fashion.

In collaboration with National Geographic CreativeWorks, the brand released a new storytelling project around its Re-Nylon initiative and SEA BEYOND educational program.

This is not just about sustainability. It’s about positioning.

Because today, brands are expected to stand for something. And the way they communicate it matters just as much as the product itself.

Kering invests in AI and technology

Another important shift is happening behind the scenes.

Kering has appointed Pierre Houlès as Chief Digital, AI & IT Officer.

His role will focus on accelerating the group’s digital transformation and integrating new technologies across its houses.

This is your reminder that the future of fashion is also digital. Skills in tech, data, and innovation are becoming essential.

Vera Wang x Fabrique: redefining accessibility

Vera Wang partnered with Fabrique on a ready-to-wear capsule collection.

The focus? Soft tailoring, fluid silhouettes, and a balance between structure and ease.

What makes this collaboration interesting is the positioning.

It translates Vera Wang’s design language into a more accessible, contemporary format.

Another example of how luxury is expanding its reach without losing identity.

Dior enters the Michelin world

Dior just earned its first Michelin star with the Monsieur Dior restaurant in Paris, led by chef Yannick Alléno.

Fashion brands are building entire worlds, from restaurants to exhibitions, creating deeper connections with their audience.

Nice Things 💖

Fashion meets music culture

Gap is bringing its “Hoodie House” to Coachella as the festival’s official apparel partner.

An immersive space where fashion, music, and community come together.

Limited-edition drops, customization, and experiential retail all in one place.

Because today, brands don’t just sell products. They create moments people want to be part of.

What to read this week 📕💫

If you want to work in fashion but you keep hearing the same frustrating feedback, you are not alone.

“I don’t have experience yet.”

“I’ve never worked for a fashion brand.”

“I don’t have anything to show in my portfolio.”

I hear this all the time from students and aspiring professionals who dream of working in fashion. And for a long time, I believed the same thing myself.

I thought that without any internship or a fashion degree, my chances of entering the industry were very small.

But here is the truth I discovered after years of working in fashion and mentoring thousands of students:

You do not need an internship (or any previous experience) to build a fashion portfolio.

Here’s my latest article, where I go deeper into this!

What to watch this week 💫🎥

How to build a fashion portfolio without experience?

Fashion Profiles to follow this week

Vera Wang, fashion designer

Pierre Houlès, Chief Digital, AI & IT Officer at Kering

Want to break into fashion?

Explore our best-selling online fashion courses!

Break into the fashion industry course: learn step-by-step how to apply for fashion jobs and internships, build your CV, cover letter, Portfolio, LinkedIn profile, prepare for job interviews and build connections. Secure your position in fashion even if you have no experience!

Excel for Fashion Course: learn the skill that is most frequently tested during job interviews!

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Giada Graziano, Inside Fashion Editor in Chief and Glam Observer Founder

Giorgia Angelica Ferronato, Intern at Glam Observer

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