Fashion Designer CV

How to Write a Fashion Designer CV: Examples and Tips to Stay on Trend

In the fashion industry, the UK is the third-largest apparel and footwear market worldwide. From eco-friendly couture to influencer-inspired streetwear, a career in fashion is as diverse as it is exciting. As the industry evolves, sustainability trends, new technologies and social media have created more opportunities for designers to explore.

Whether you're drawn to the sleek lines of minimalist chic or the bold colours of maximalist expression, creating a modern CV for a fashion designer job must present your unique vision and expertise. This guide will show you how to choose the best CV template, optimised for applicant tracking systems (ATS), with essential sections and information.

In this article, we cover:

• How to create a unique personal profile

• Keywords to mention in your fashion designer CV

• How to write a good CV that gets you interviews

• How to write a fashion designer CV with no experience.

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Fashion designer CV example

Download this free fashion designer CV example in PDF.

What to include in a fashion designer CV?

Creating a successful CV for a fashion designer job requires more than just listing your skills. It's about showcasing your passions and dedication to learning the latest styles and trends. Draw inspiration from your hobbies and interests in art or design, music or fashion shows, and modern icons or brands, to improve your CV with industry relevance. Social media is also useful for networking and connecting with clients or businesses, so mention this in your CV to show how you stay updated on popular fashion movements.

Recommended CV sections for a fashion designer CV:

• Personal contact details: Include your full name, phone number, email address, and location.

• Personal profile: Summarise your background, experience, and career goals. Mention passionate interests, soft skills and achievements.

• Skills: Highlight technical skills, such as garment construction and pattern making, and soft skills, including creativity, attention to detail, and collaboration.

• Education: Detail your qualifications, including any degrees, diplomas, specialised courses and certificates.

• Experience: Provide an overview of previous jobs, including volunteering, internships, freelance projects, or part-time work that showcase relevant fashion design skills.

• Portfolio: Include a link to your online portfolio, showcasing mood boards, sketches, and feature examples of your completed designs.

• References: List references from previous employers, clients, teachers, or mentors who can vouch for your skills and character.

• Additional information: Consider including relevant awards. Mention creative hobbies such as photography or acting. For international jobs, listing languages can give you an advantage.

Must-have CV sections

• Personal profile

• Skills section

• Work experience

• Education

For more guidance on tailoring your CV to a specific job, refer to our article on the CV writing process.

How to write a captivating personal profile for a fashion designer CV

The personal profile on a fashion designer CV is a concise section that briefly outlines your significant achievements, skills, years of experience, and career goals. To impress potential employers, showcase your passion for the fashion industry, and highlight unique strengths to set yourself apart from other candidates.

Personal profile on a CV

Whether you are a student, a graduate, or a seasoned professional, a personal profile is essential for your CV when targeting the UK job market. This statement should grab the attention of employers and set you apart from other applicants.

Learn more about how to successfully pitch yourself in a personal profile.

Fashion designer CV personal profile examples

Key fashion designer skills to list on your CV

Staying on top in the fashion industry demands a mix of abilities. It's not just about technical knowledge, but also interpersonal skills.

• Integrate soft skills in your personal profile and work experience sections, then write a separate section to list hard skills using a bullet-point format for clarity and ease of reading.

• To keep up with evolving trends and technology, show technical proficiency in computer skills to impress recruiters.

• For senior designers, highlight project management, market research and trend analysis skills.

• In addition, consulting and collaborating with diverse teams demonstrates an understanding of client relations and business, essential for organising fashion events such as shows or exhibitions.

If you’re curious about more creative roles with similar skill sets, refer to our CV examples for a graphic designer, interior designer, digital marketer, or artist.

5 essential skills for a fashion designer CV:

1. Creativity: the ability to think outside the box, innovate, and generate unique design concepts that resonate with target audiences.

2. Detail-orientated: a keen eye for precision and accuracy in garment construction, pattern-making, and quality control processes.

3. Communication: effective verbal and written communication skills to collaborate with team members, express design concepts, and consult.

4. Time management: strong organisational skills to prioritise tasks, meet deadlines, and manage projects.

5. Adaptability: the flexibility to adjust to changing demands, trends, and industry dynamics.

For more information on this section, refer to our article on how to add skills on a CV.

How to list work experience on a fashion designer CV

Whether you're a more experienced graduate or a school leaver seeking an internship as a fashion design student, demonstrate any relevant academic projects or paid work experience. Tailor this section to your background and expertise, quantifying relevant achievements and using action verbs to illustrate impact.

What should each work experience entry include?

• Job title of current or previous role

• Organisation name and location

• Dates of employment (month/year)

• A concise paragraph detailing your duties

• Followed by 2–3 bullet points that highlight your key achievements or measurable impact.

Learn more about the work experience section in a CV.

Work experience examples for a fashion designer CV

Senior Apparel Designer, Vogue Creations, London, 2018 - Present

Lead the conceptualisation and creation of haute couture collections, specialising in avant-garde themes and styles. Collaborate closely with clients and key suppliers to understand their unique design visions and preferences. Identify and interpret market trends while maintaining the brand’s design. Employ cutting-edge fabric techniques and innovative materials to achieve exceptional aesthetics.

• Introduced an innovative fabric sourcing strategy, resulting in a 30% reduction in material costs.

• Implemented efficient project management techniques, reducing production lead times by 20% for the Autumn 2019 collection.

Junior Fashion Designer, Chic Couture, London, 2023 - 2025

Assisted in the design process for seasonal clothing lines, specialising in haute couture themes and artistic styles.Collaborated closely with senior designers to interpret intricate design concepts and bring them to life. Utilised expert pattern-making techniques and fabric selection expertise to achieve the desired aesthetics.

• Contributed significantly to the Winter/Fall 2020 collection, recognised for its unique and elegant designs.

• Streamlined pattern-making procedures, reducing production lead times by an impressive 15%.

Fashion Designer Apprentice, Glamour Studios, Manchester, 2024 - 2025

Gained hands-on experience in various facets of clothing design, emphasising principles and innovative techniques. Assisted senior designers in pattern-making, garment construction, and fabric selection. Actively participated in fittings and sample development and contributed to the design of captivating capsule collections.

• Developed a diverse design portfolio featuring eco-conscious collections, resulting in a 40% increase in portfolio views and positive feedback from industry professionals.

• Led a student team in a charity fashion show, raising £10,000 for the chosen charity and receiving media coverage for the event's success.

Fashion Designer Intern, Design Studio Max, Edinburgh, 2025

Crafted original style concepts, drawing inspiration from contemporary and sustainable design principles. Collaborated effectively with peers to understand diverse design perspectives and encourage creativity. Leveraged digital design software and innovative technologies to manifest unique design visions.

• Created a design portfolio showcasing innovative, sustainable collections, earning praise from professors and securing a top-of-class distinction.

• Organised and led a charity catwalk show, raising £3,000 for a local charity and receiving recognition for outstanding creativity and social impact.

Customise these examples to boost your CV

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Achievements on a fashion designer CV

Including achievements on your CV is useful for highlighting contributions or awards, particularly if they have led to recognition or tangible results.

• For example, you may have achieved an increase in sales revenue for a fashion brand, boosted social media engagement through a well-received collection launch, or secured partnerships with influential figures in the industry.

When applying for fashion designer roles, send your CV via email to recruiters and attach your portfolio.

How to include relevant qualifications on a fashion designer CV

Typical entry requirements for becoming a fashion designer in the UK can vary, but it's essential to include an education section, whether informal or formal. Consider the following educational options to include in your CV:

• University: Complete a foundation degree, higher national diploma, or bachelor's degree. Typically, you'll need one or three A-levels or equivalent qualifications for a degree. Some universities and colleges are also members of the British Fashion Council and offer courses.

• College: College programs offer a practical approach to building essential skills in apparel design and related fields. You'll usually need one or more GCSEs in grades 9 to 3 (A* to D) or equivalent for a level 2 course, and 4 or 5 GCSEs in grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent for a level 3 course.

• Apprenticeships: Allow students to work as studio assistants, developing product development and production skills. These programs typically span 18 months. Find a local apprenticeship that aligns with your job targets and career goals on the UK Gov website for more guidance.

How to format educational qualifications

How to format courses and certificates on a CV

Highlighting courses and certifications on your CV can showcase your skills and dedication to professional growth. Whether you're starting out as a junior or apprentice or aiming to move into a senior designer or director role, the right qualifications can set you apart.

How to write a fashion designer CV with no experience

1. Consider writing a skills-based CV and showcase any personal projects to demonstrate soft skills, such as communication, time management and teamwork.

2. Write a personal statement reflecting your passions, interests and desire to learn or contribute to a company.

3. Consider volunteering or finding part-time jobs in customer service to gain transferable skills and boost your CV.

Read our cornerstone article for expert advice on how to write a CV with little to no experience.

Fashion designer CV example with no experience

Download this free fashion designer CV example with no experience.

Fashion designer CV essentials

• Begin your CV with an engaging personal profile that highlights your key skills and achievements.

• Use a professional, ATS-friendly template and a chronological format to clearly present your work experience and qualifications.

• Demonstrate your knowledge to recruiters by staying informed about the latest fashion trends and topics.

• Including a portfolio is a great way to visually demonstrate your skills and enhance your credibility.

• Consider adding references to improve your chances of securing your dream role.

Next steps?

If you want to avoid the hassle of creating your first CV, contact our CV Writing Service. If you want to create a CV, we also offer top 20+ professional templates that can be easily tailored to the job you're applying for. For more guidance and expert advice, explore our articles on the latest in-demand jobs, how to negotiate a salary in the UK or why you're not getting interviews.

FAQ

How do I start a career in fashion design?

To launch a career in fashion design, begin by obtaining relevant education and training through courses, degrees, or apprenticeships. You can also explore remote work opportunities as a designer. Build a strong portfolio showcasing your design skills, network at fashion shows or volunteer as a model, attend exhibitions, and gain experience through internships or junior roles.

Browse this National Careers job profile for more resources.

What should a fashion designer’s CV look like?

A fashion designer’s CV should be well-structured and concise. The most common format used in the UK is chronological, but functional or combination formats are suited to those with employment gaps or career changes. Use clear fonts and colours, and save the file as a PDF for easy readability.

For more information, read how long a CV should be.

How to write a CV for a fashion internship?

• Start with a strong personal statement that expresses your passionate interests and enthusiasm for learning.

• Highlight relevant coursework, skills, and any personal fashion projects.

• List any relevant work experience, such as part-time or volunteer work, and detail your responsibilities and accomplishments.

• Tailor your CV to match the specific requirements of the internship, and demonstrate your eagerness to contribute to an organisation.

What types of jobs are there for fashion designers?

Fashion designers can pursue various roles in the industry, from entry-level to senior positions, with different levels of expertise. These roles include, but are not limited to, textile designer, pattern maker, fashion illustrator, buyer, merchandiser, stylist, technician, product manager, marketing manager, and design educator.

Still trying to figure out your next career move? Read the fashion designer job profile on the National Careers website for more information. Alternatively, the British Fashion Council provides aspiring professionals with the latest industry styles and trends.