Do you know your Vivienne Westwood from your Alexander McQueen — your Christian Dior from your Stella McCartney? If you’re a born icon and fancy joining the ranks of these famous names, you need to break into the fast-paced world of fashion design.
Chances are, you already have an epic portfolio. However, when applying for positions, a well-positioned fashion designer CV can showcase your expertise and experience. If you’re not quite sure where to start when writing yours, you’ve come to the right place.
Here at Resume.io, we have the resources you need to support your next job search. We have a selection of expert-backed writing guides along with well-written CV examples for 65+ professions. If you’re looking for a way to boost your chances, look no further. In the following guide, along with the accompanying fashion designer CV sample, we cover:
- What a fashion designer does and key fashion industry statistics
- How to choose the right format for your fashion designer CV
- Writing tips to help you perfect each section of your application
- Design and layout advice to ensure your CV looks the part
What does a fashion designer do?
Fashion designers are the creatives behind the clothes that we wear. These professionals sketch original designs, select the perfect materials, and offer up instructions on how to make each of their pieces. To get this job right, you need both vision and technical ability.
You may work in a boutique fashion house, a large-scale retailer, or a manufacturing site. But fashion designers don’t only work for fashion brands. Since you have the skills to create jaw-dropping looks, you may also work in the theatre or for dance companies. When you’re hoping to land your next dream job, it’s worth thinking outside of the box.
Fashion is big business in the UK!
Are you a shopaholic? British people spend nearly £45 billion on clothes every year. That number has been rising over the years and peaked during the 2020 pandemic.
When we’re not buying clothes, we’re busy manufacturing them. The United Kingdom is the third largest apparel market in the world, after China and the United States.
Unsurprisingly, the fashion industry plays a major role in the British economy. The sector’s contribution was estimated to be more than £32 billion in 2017, in a report by the British Fashion Council. In recent years, that number is likely to have grown.
How to write a fashion designer CV
Ready to design your CV? Before you get started, you’re going to need a plan. That way, your application will look the part. Your fashion designer CV should include the following:
- The CV header
- The CV summary (aka profile or personal statement)
- The employment history section
- The CV skills section
- The education section
Following this structure is the safest move. Hiring managers don’t have long to review each incoming application. Using a standardised structure means that they can quickly gain the information that they need from your CV. Create clearly-defined sections here.
Now that you understand the layout of your fashion designer CV, let’s talk about how you should write it. Adopt a formal tone for this type of application. Sure, you may be creative when it comes to your designs, but your application needs to be clear and concise.
Grab the reader’s attention with action verbs!
Capturing attention can be tough. When you’re writing your CV, include powerful action verbs where you can. These words show that you are a real “doer”. If the hiring manager is looking for someone who can hit the ground running, you will pique their interest.
Want to give yourself an edge? Research is everything when you’re writing a CV. Using a “one size fits all” approach is never going to land you an interview. Before you start working on your application, take the time to learn about the company. Understanding the business vision and values will help you to write a CV that hits the mark.
You should also include keywords in your fashion designer CV. Check out the job advert and pick out any specific phrases that stand out. Weaving these into the narrative of your application will help you beat the bots and get past the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
Choosing the best CV format for a fashion designer
Choosing the right format for your fashion designer CV is essential to your success. Which approach you go with depends on your experience level. If you have followed a linear route into the fashion world, you should use a reverse chronological order. That is to say, you start with your most recent experience at the top of the page and work backward.
On the other hand, if you are a career changer or new to the industry, you may want to use a combination layout instead. This CV format allows you to emphasise your talents or any extracurricular activities that align with the role. Take a look at our formatting guide here.
Looking for some application inspiration? Check out our related CV examples below:
CV summary example
Your CV summary is the most creative part of your application. This is a snappy blurb that sits at the top of the document. Use it to “hook” the hiring manager’s attention. Think about what your USP is — what makes you stand out against other candidates. It may be your ability to perfect custom tailoring or your expertise in reimagining classic pieces. The fashion world is all about marking your mark. Go ahead and showcase your unique style.
Innovative Fashion Designer with over seven years of experience creating powerful designs in the fashion industry. Adept in collaborating with designers and other team professionals to achieve high goals and deadlines. Dedicated to remaining up to date with the latest fashion trends, while offering ideas and visuals to spark new trends. Bringing forth a true love of fashion and design.
Employment history sample
When crafting your employment history section, you should use a reverse chronological order. You can include full-time positions, freelance work, and internships in this part of your CV. List the name of the employer or client, your role, and the employment dates. Below this vital information, bullet-point your daily duties or any special commendations.
Fashion Designer at Jillian Hill Inc., London
September 2014 - Present
- Created garments and accessories for the sportswear department of Jillian Hill Inc.
- Collaborated with the Creative Director and other members of the production team to develop each collection.
- Managed the entire design process from conception through production.
- Conducted trend research and created inspiration boards for new collections.
Junior Fashion Designer at Jillian Hill Inc., London
October 2012 - August 2014
- Assisted head designers with all things throughout the creative process.
- Created design illustrations and CAD presentations using Illustrator and Photoshop.
- Researched fashion and fabric trends, bringing my findings back to the head designers.
- Participated in buyers meetings and assisted designers with all things related to the ongoing meetings.
CV skills example
You don’t need us to tell you that fashion designing is a highly-skilled position. When you’re working on your CV, you need to shine the spotlight on your top talents. Hiring managers are on the lookout for talented designers who can work well in a team.
List both hard and soft CV skills on your application. Hard skills may include “design process management,” while soft skills could feature “creative team collaboration”. You only need to highlight around six skills here so you can be selective in what you share.
- Fashion Design
- CAD Software
- Networking
- Hand Drafting
- Business Management
- Time Management
Fashion designer CV education example
The education section of your CV is simple. You don’t need to include your school or college education if you have a degree. Just list your university education in reverse chronological order. Include the university name, the years you attended, your subject and level, and your results. You can also slide any additional training into this section.
Bachelor of Fashion Design, Leeds University, Leeds
August 2007 - May 2011
CV layout and design
Creating a complete look takes vision. Since you work in a creative field, hiring managers will judge the look of your CV more keenly than other applications. If you want to dress it to impress them, you need to learn the core rules below:
- Space your CV out well. You don’t have to cram every part of your document with information.
- Choose an appropriate font style. Make sure that the hiring manager can read what you have to say.
- Opt for a minimalist style. You are more likely to win over the hiring manager with a simplistic look.
- Use a flashy design. Hiring managers will be put off by too much colour and chaos.
- Leave anything to change. There should be an equal amount of space between sections and lines.
- Do anything too wild. Your portfolio will show off your design talent. Your CV needs to serve a purpose.
Key takeaways for a fashion designer CV
- The fashion world is fast-paced and competitive. To land a job, you need to stand out from the crowd.
- Fashion designers don’t just work for big brands. Think outside of the box and look for unique opportunities in other industries.
- Make sure you tailor your CV to the company at hand. Hiring managers will not be impressed by a “one size fits all” approach.
If you want to take the stress out of designing your application, use one of our field-tested CV templates today.
