Fashion CV: Example, Template, & Writing Guide

Ensure your CV format is structured to best highlight your unique experience and life situation.

It’s worth spending some time learning how to write a fantastic CV so that you can confidently apply for fashion jobs, with the fashion industry recongised as a vital part of the UK economy.

Here are five ways to make your fashion CV stand out from the competition:

1. Start with a convincing personal statement

A good CV introduction convinces employers to read the rest of your CV. Here are some examples of fashion CV personal statements for different experience levels:

Entry-Level Fashion Personal Statement

Fashion Design graduate from the University of Warwick, passionate about sustainable fashion. Commended for innovative final-year project. Eager to apply creative design skills and fresh perspectives as an Assistant Fashion Designer, aiming to learn at and contribute to a dynamic fashion house.

Mid-Level Fasion Personal Statement

Experienced Junior Designer with 5 years in the fashion industry, specialising in women’s wear. Proven track record in trend forecasting and design innovation, leading to increased brand visibility and sales. Seeking a Senior Designer role to contribute unique, compelling collections to a forward-thinking brand.

Experienced Fashion Manager Personal Statement

Accomplished Fashion Manager with a decade of success in design team leadership and collection launches. Led initiatives that boosted sales by 30% through strategic innovations. Aiming for a Fashion Director role to drive creative excellence and commercial success in a dynamic fashion brand.

Senior Fashion Executive Personal Statement
Veteran fashion industry executive with 20 years’ experience across various roles, culminating in Creative Director. Instrumental in successful brand revivals and profitable collections. Seeking a CEO position within luxury fashion, ready to leverage extensive experience in brand strategy and design innovation.

Freelance Fashion Stylist Personal Statement

Freelance fashion stylist with 8 years’ experience, crafting visually compelling looks for diverse clients and leading fashion magazines. Expert in styling that enhances brand and individual aesthetic. Seeking collaborative opportunities to bring visionary styling concepts to life with fashion houses, magazines, and private clients.

2. Tailor your CV with the right keywords

We analysed hundreds of job adverts on Indeed and Monster and compiled the 10 most common responsibilities they list:

1. Researching and creating both qualitative and quantitative analysis to meet client-specific needs.
2. Collaborating with international teams and providing support to junior team members
3. Understanding and applying trends, consumer research, and market analysis in fashion projects
4. Proactively working with clients and presenting new ideas and innovations
5. Leading and attending key meetings within supply chains to ensure on-time delivery and project success
6. Establishing and maintaining strong client relationships to maximise sales opportunities
7. Conducting sales, managing stock levels, and ensuring high retail standards
8. Using knowledge of products and market trends to create memorable customer experiences
9. Developing and agreeing on assortment strategies that support brand development and financial targets
10. Supporting store management, motivating the team, and driving key performance indicators (KPIs)

And here are the 10 most common requirements fashion job adverts include:

1. Proven industry experience in fashion design, buying, or retail sector consulting
2. Broad understanding of research, analysis, and strategy development in fashion
3. In-depth knowledge of fashion trends, consumer research, and market analysis
4. Strong presentation skills and the ability to deliver innovation
5. Ability to analyse sales data and make informed decisions based on current trends
6. High standards of product knowledge and selling skills within a luxury retail environment
7. Excellent spoken and written English
8. Commercial awareness and a strong background in sales
9. Capability to work effectively within a team and independently
10. Proficiency in managing and overseeing stock in retail environments

So as you’re writing your CV, try showing you’re capable of handling these responsibilities and fulfilling the requirements fashion-industry employers are looking for.

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3. Measure your work experience with hard numbers

Persuasive work experience bullet points start with compelling action verbs and contain numbers. Here are some good examples for a fashion CV:

1. Led a team of 5 designers to launch a sustainable fashion line, resulting in a 20% sales increase year-on-year
2. Revolutionised the women’s wear department by introducing digital printing techniques, boosting product uniqueness and sales by 25%
3. Led a successful rebranding campaign, attracting 15,000 new social media followers within the first month
4. Directed a high-profile fashion show in London, securing 10+ sponsorships and increasing brand visibility by 40%
5. Implemented cost-saving measures in production, reducing expenses by £50,000 annually without compromising quality
6. Negotiated with suppliers to cut fabric costs by 15%, leading to a 5% reduction in final product prices for consumers
7. Increased online sales by 30% through targeted social media marketing campaigns and influencer collaborations
8. Streamlined the design process, reducing time-to-market by 3 weeks and enhancing the brand’s ability to respond to trends
9. Curated a vintage-inspired collection that sold out 70% of its stock within the first two weeks of launch
10. Conducted comprehensive market research that informed a pivot in design strategy, leading to a 35% boost in customer satisfaction
11. Developed an exclusive accessories line that achieved £100,000 in sales within the first quarter of release
12. Organised and managed 20+ fashion events across Europe, increasing brand engagement and partnership opportunities
13. Enhanced the ecommerce platform’s UX/UI, resulting in a 50% reduction in cart abandonment rate and a 20% increase in repeat customers
14. Collaborated with technology teams to introduce an AR fitting room feature on the app, leading to a 45% increase in online engagement
15. Pioneered a zero-waste production initiative, reducing waste by 80% and positioning the brand as a leader in ethical fashion

4. Add the right industry skills to your CV

You should add the fashion skills to your CV that you see in the job advert. We’ve researched some of the most common fashion skills for a CV.

First, here are some key hard skills that employers in the fashion sector would love to see:

And here are a few soft skills that are essential in the fashion industry:

5. List any fashion qualifications you have

Fashion qualifications help employers see you’ve been trained in the fashion role you’re applying for. Here are 15 common UK fashion qualifications we sourced from reputable sources like the UK Fashion and Textiles Association (UKFT) — add them to your CV if you’ve been awarded them:

1. Professional Sewing Techniques Certificate – London College of Fashion
2. Fashion Design Certificate – British Academy of Fashion Design
3. Textile Design Certificate – Central Saint Martins, UAL
4. Pattern Cutting and Garment Making Certificate – Fashion and Textile Museum, London
5. Fashion Styling and Image Making Certificate – London College of Style
6. Luxury Brand Management and Marketing Certificate – London School of Business and Finance
7. Digital Fashion Marketing Certificate – Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design
8. Fashion Buying and Merchandising Certificate – Fashion Retail Academy, London
9. Sustainable Fashion Certificate – Centre for Sustainable Fashion, London College of Fashion
10. Fashion Illustration Certificate – Central Saint Martins, UAL
11. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) for Fashion Certificate – University of the Arts London
12. Fashion Journalism Certificate – London College of Communication, UAL
13. Footwear Design Certificate – London College of Fashion
14. Fashion Photography Certificate – British Academy of Photography
15. Fashion Event Planning and Management Certificate – Fashion Retail Academy, London

Key takeaways

To sum up, here’s how to write an effective fashion CV:

1. Write a compelling CV summary that details your experience, skills, and fashion-industry qualifications
2. Keep in mind employers’ requirements and job advert responsibilities
3. Craft effective bullet points that incorporate numbers
4. Add skills from the job advert to your fashion CV’s skills section
5. List your fashion qualifications

Sources

1. British Council: The Power of Fashion
2. UK Fashion & Textiles Association

Our editorial process

This CV sample was created in line with CV Genius’s editorial process. We’re committed to creating the highest-quality UK job search resources so that you can get a job as quickly and easily as possible.

Fashion job outlook in 2025 — things to know

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), fashion designers in the UK earn an average annual salary of £39,405.

You can find information about the gender pay gap for fashion designers on the ONS’ website.