The Business of Fashion
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
LONDON, United Kingdom — Starting out in fashion is notoriously hard. Thanks to a stubbornly nepotistic culture and extremely high competition for internships, graduates and other aspiring fashion professionals face an upward battle to secure lasting employment. In the US, for example, it's estimated that each year about 10 percent of the total job pool are graduating from undergraduate programmes and entering the industry with degrees in fashion design each year, which in turn has created an oversupply.
But all is not lost. In a fast-changing fashion market being reshaped by new business models, emerging technologies and shifting consumer values, there are many new career paths emerging in fashion. Although there is currently an imbalance of supply and demand for design graduates, the landscape is poised for new sectors within innovative and hybridised specialisations that include digital manufacturing, social innovation, sustainability and new business models. These new roles are increasingly important to the future of the fashion business and offer graduates new avenues to participate in this exciting sector.
Analysing data sourced from over 8000 graduates and 75+ universities, BoF can reveal that according to student surveys the number of students that secure employment within 12 months of graduation is up by more than 5 percent over 3 years, rising from 72 percent in 2015 to 77 percent last year.
To discover all entry level jobs available on BoF Careers, click here.
Assistant Planner, Women's RTW, Barneys New York — New York, United States
Merchandising and Inventory Control Assistant, Dover Street Market Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States
Assistant Menswear Designer, Cut & Sew, Theory — New York, United States
Assistant Designer, Fleur du Mal — New York, United States
US Sales Specialist, GANNI — New York, United States
Design Assistant, BCBG/Global Brands Group — Los Angeles, United States
Junior Graphic Designer, Citizens of Humanity — Los Angeles, United States
Supply Chain Business Analyst, Gucci — Florence, Italy
Junior Designer, Moncler — Milan, Italy
Instagram Editor, Highsnobriety — Berlin, Germany
Product Development Assistant, Manolo Blahnik — London, United Kingdom
Global Communications Assistant, Farfetch — London, United Kingdom
Print Designer Kidswear, Stella McCartney — London, United Kingdom
Discover the most exciting career opportunities now available on BoF Careers — including jobs from Tory Burch, Oysho and Simone Rocha.
Fashion companies rely heavily on part-time associates to respond to a volatile industry where demand is often seasonal and margins are thin — but many drop the ball when it comes to making the job rewarding.
With the cost of living crisis affecting both businesses and individuals, discussions about pay are a delicate but critical hurdle for employees to navigate today. BoF spoke to negotiation and compensation consultants, as well as industry professionals, on how to approach and prepare for these conversations.
BoF Careers provides essential sector insights for fashion designers this month, to help you decode fashion’s creative and commercial landscape.