This article is primarily for aspiring fashion designers in the United States where the apparel production landscape has undergone fundamental changes in the last few decades starting with an increase in offshore manufacturing in the 1990s, leading to closures of many domestic textile and sewing factories, up through the online merchandising and fast fashion production cycles of the 2020s, leading to a reduction of in-store apparel shopping venues. It is easier today than ever for individual designers located anywhere in the world to start a sewn products business by making small batches and marketing directly online to the consumer. For corporate fashion jobs in the United States and other countries which have become more consumer-based than production-based, opportunities are usually in the area of technical design rather than hands-on patternmaking and production. Someone living in a region fashion jobs are usually oriented around paperwork who would prefer to be involved at the ground level of sewn product patternmaking and creation may do well to consider steps that might lead toward a home business start-up where those functions would be essential.
In the United States, education in the field of apparel design and production is available from many institutions, but if circumstances allow, potential students may wish to prioritize investigating schools that pass the rigorous accreditation process of the American Apparel and Footwear Association. Find the school nearest you from the list of colleges and universities in the United States endorsed by the American Apparel and Footwear Association Education Foundation.
How to Find Fashion Jobs
By way of disclosure, this article is authored by the founder of the Fashion Belle website whose experience as an employee in the fashion industry extends only up through 2010 in the United States. Hopefully, the following job tips may still be relevant as the author has attempted to keep updated with changes in the apparel job industry, but be aware that times are constantly changing, and staying updated with the news is always valuable when looking for jobs and places to live.
Whether you acquire initial skills through individual study, apprenticeship, or your choice of fashion design schools, working for an established company may offer valuable experience prior to launching your own label. If you find a company you like, you may even opt to stay. A fashion degree opens many job doors, but in the fashion industry, actual skill often speaks louder than a transcript to interviewers, so keeping a visual portfolio of your work is crucial. Many job seekers today are developing online branding with website and connected social media profiles. Depending on the type of job you seek, this may be an avenue you would want to explore while also keeping in mind that putting personally identifiable information or original designs online risks privacy.
With the rise of remote work, fashion jobs especially in technical design may now be found everywhere, but traditionally in the United States, New York City has offered the largest concentration of fashion design jobs with Los Angeles second. Manufacturing jobs have historically dominated the apparel scene in L.A. compared to New York's claim to more of the design jobs, though both design and manufacturing operations exist in both cities.
Europe's design studios have historically been centered in London, Paris, and Milan. Other countries have also had their own concentrations of fashion companies, usually in major cities. In the 2020s as the internet and artificial intelligence continues to disrupt not only production but also distribution processes within the fashion industry, jobs will likely continue to become more spread out with remote work opportunities. Also, as cost of doing business rises in major cities, some companies are relocating elsewhere. For instance, apparel jobs which were once more abundant in New York and L.A. are increasingly popping up in nearby states like Nevada, Pennyslvania, and Ohio. Following are several suggestions for finding work:
- Your Favorite Fashion Company - Some big employers advertise jobs only on their own corporate sites, so check out your favorite companies individually.
- Online Job Boards - Indeed has become a dominant online job board for all categories of jobs, including those within the fashion industry, and you will hardly find another online resource in the United States with more listings. Tailor search terms and locations to your needs to keep informed of the types of openings and salary levels you may expect to find. Also be aware that Indeed restricts postings based on criteria that some small employers cannot meet, so your local Craig's List may be a better place to find jobs with a small or home-based employers. Style Careers is still used by some fashion industry employers, but in the experience of the author, most job openings posted on this site are for retail clothing store clerks.
- Fashion Staffing Agencies - The role of fashion-focused staffing agencies has waned over the decades along with the rise of the internet allowing employers to reach the employee pool directly, though a few still exist. Other job hunting strategies probably have greater chances of locating your desired position, but if you do choose to apply with fashion staffing agencies, do so well in advance of your deadline. Although some agencies may work more quickly, 2 to 6 weeks is not an uncommon wait for a response, then weeks or months more may elapse before a job may open via an agency. Depending on just one agency limits your potential for finding the type of job and salary you seek, so feel free to apply to several if you choose this route. Current agencies specializing in the New York and Los Angeles areas may be easily found via online search. Gruen Search negotiates fashion job opportunities in multiple states and may therefore be a good option for someone seeking work outside of the major fashion centers in the United States.
- Fashion Career Fairs and Expos - As with fashion staffing agencies, the role of fashion career fairs and expos has waned along with the rise of the internet allowing employers to reach potential employees directly, but a few are still held. Check the requirements before attending as some require job seekers to have at least two years of industry experience, checked at the door on your resume. Once you are eligible, these fairs can be a way to become acquainted with employers from all sizes of companies, small to large. Hundreds of applicants flood hiring representatives at job fairs, so planning a special trip out of your area just to attend one is probably less worthwhile than applying to specific companies individually would be. If you are already local to the event, however, and have never attended one, it may be worth your time and get you an easy interview or two.
- Word of Mouth and Social Media - Many job leads come from people who are already working in the industry, so ask around for referrals as much as possible. Also, some companies may advertise openings on social media, though this type of advertising may be difficult to pinpoint unless you are already a subscriber to the company's feed. If you are interested in working for a particular company, by all means keep an eye on that company's social postings, but remember that inquiring directly may be the fastest method of learning about open jobs.
Fashion Career Salaries
The best way to find out what you are worth at a given time is to interview with an array of companies to see what they offer. Earnings will vary based on the company, individual, job responsibilities, and shifting economic environment. In New York, for example, fashion interns are rarely paid. Fashion graduates, at the lowest end, may be offered salaries which may not be enough to cover even the most economical of lifestyles in New York because of the high cost of living, but the the salary outlook in less expensive cities and states may be better. With two years of experience, you can hope to be making a more realistic amount for covering basic living expenses in any location, though you may need to change jobs to achieve the raise. With three to five years of experience, salaries continue to rise with increased ability to put funds into savings, depending upon the position.
Patternmaking was once one of the most lucrative positions in the fashion industry, surpassing that of even most mid-level designers, but salaries began sinking for patternmakers beginning around 2010 as artificial intelligence software and offshore labor outsourced much of that functionality. Technical designers still see strong earning potential due to huge demand for them in the industry. Salaries in big cities are typically higher than in less populous areas but not always enough to compensate for the cost of living. You may eventually find, after gaining experience in a place like New York, that moving away to start your own business or to work for a company in a less crowded city is a positive decision for quality of life and net income.
Anticipate Potential Job Changes
New York City's fashion industry and the creative people who work in it can be volatile. Companies go out of business without warning or downsize if they have had a meager season. As a fashion worker, you may encounter situations that are dangerous to your physical or mental health, with excessive overtime or supervisors who push employees past reasonable limits. These types of situations may sound extreme, but they do exist within the fashion fields of employment. When you find yourself in a harmful situation that you cannot change, it is time to switch jobs. Having your eye consistently on the job market will keep you prepared. Finding a new job may take months, so it would be a cautious plan to confirm a new position before giving notice to your old employer unless some risk requires you to leave more quickly. Screen potential jobs by asking about overtime and why the position has been vacated. Ask other employees, if possible, how they like working for the company. Regularly working 50 to 60 hours or more a week is a concern, as is a high rate of employee turnover, an indication that employees have been mistreated or underpaid. Companies that stage time-intensive runway shows are notorious for putting workers on average salaries and then expecting many days’ worth of extra labor with no overtime pay. Long commutes added to long hours added to stressful work environments will eventually break down health. Better jobs do exist, and if experience with your current employer is no longer a major need, you may want to consider moving on quickly.
New York City Job Tips
With the fashion industry in a state of disruption both in the United States and globally due to remote work opportunities, artificial intelligence replacing some jobs, jobs continuing to be outsourced to low-wage-labor countries, and traditional bricks-and-mortar stores closing in favor of direct-to-consumer pipelines, fashion job openings will likely continue to shift in both nature and location. However, at the time of this writing in the mid-2020s, New York City is still one of the most dependable places for finding an in-person job in the fashion industry in the U.S. Quality of life there may not be desirable long-term especially for a family due to cost of living, commute times, and increasing crime statistics, but for a single person starting out, a year or more of experience with one of New York's fashion houses may offer experience worth the effort. Following are some of the tips this writer gathered during an 18-month stay in New York working several apparel patternmaking jobs.
New York Vocabulary
- Train – The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) subway system is referred to as the “train” by most New Yorkers. For instance, the route number 7 subway would be called the “seven train.” View a current New York City subway map at MTA.info.
- Railroad – The Long Island Railroad is referred to by its initials, “LIRR.” Metro-North, the New Jersey Transit and Amtrak have no special nicknames.
- Uptown and Downtown – “Uptown” always means the direction going north and “downtown” always means the direction going south. There is no “center of town” as you might normally think of it.
- Borough – New York City is composed of five sections, or boroughs, which will become familiar to you once you start using a subway map. The five boroughs are Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island. If someone refers to “boroughs” in general, they may not be including Manhattan, for instance, “Well, if you’re looking for a less expensive apartment, let’s talk about the boroughs.” This statement refers to the boroughs outside of Manhattan.
- New York – The city of “New York” is usually spoken by its residents without the word “city” added to it. For example, the official address for a letter is “New York, New York,” followed by a zip code. When the city of New York is referred to by its initials, it is usually designated NYC, but remember that most people around town will be saying only, “New York.”
New York Housing
Pictured is an apartment location on western Long Island in 2008. This was not a dedicated non-smoking building at the time, and smoke pollution was a problem.
- Apartment Prices - Due to high taxes and other costs of living in New York, unless you are earning an exceptional salary, you may benefit from shared housing to help you afford to live within an hour’s commute to work and in a relatively safe neighborhood, two vital concerns for well-being. Various real estate website listings will offer an overview of going rates for apartments, whether shared or private. Expect the minimum cost of a private apartment to be roughly double the cost of the lowest shared one. For a private apartment within city limits, a deposit (and possible realtor’s fee) equivalent to one or two months’ rent is typically required, meaning you would need several thousand dollars available for your first month for a studio apartment if you go that route. Choosing an apartment based solely on price is not the safest approach. Housing is in high demand in New York, and apartments can rent within hours of listing. Apartments advertised for lower prices are almost always in dangerous areas or have other problems. Select a good neighborhood first, then find an apartment in livable condition. Purchase of a small apartment whether inside Manhattan or neighboring boroughs will be very expensive per square foot and usually carry high monthly building fees, so renting is probably the better choice unless you plan to settle in New York. If you have money with which to purchase, keep an eye on the market. Apartments values in New York have been known to fluctuate wildly in response to economic conditions, so waiting for a dip in the market could save hundreds of thousands if not millions.
- Roommates - If you are a non-smoker and keep music volume low, try to ensure that potential roommates are like you. Be aware that renters splitting the cost of an apartment may care more about full occupancy than who lives there (male, female, or more than one person), so if those factors matter to you, confirm in advance what the policy will be if a current roommate leaves. If you originally rented a room as a single person, you shouldn’t plan on hosting guests for more than a couple of days out of the year. One extra person can tip the acceptable rotation time for the bathroom in the typical multi-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment. In addition to infuriating your roommates, a regular guest may also violate the rental contract that restricts the number of people allowed to share the apartment. If you anticipate frequent guests, rent your own private apartment or plan on booking hotel rooms for your guests.
- Basement Apartments are Illegal in New York - Never rent a basement apartment, which is considered a fire hazard and is illegal anywhere in the state of New York. You can be evicted by local authorities on short notice, and apartment owners can be fined thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. You may save money renting one, but you may also one day find that your landlord has emptied your apartment without your consent to prepare for an inspection that is happening because a neighbor reported the basement rental to law enforcement.
- General New York Housing Resources - YMCA is one of New York’s best kept secrets for temporary housing up to 14 days. Reserve your room ahead, as some dates are booked. Craig's List is perhaps the most popular apartment-finding website in New York, but beware that it is easier for scammers to post there than on dedicated real estate sites like Zillow or Redfin, and as with any rental, you should deal in person, ask lots of questions, and interview any roommates before exchanging a deposit. Renting through managed apartment complexes with staffed offices or through the services of a realtor are traditional methods of securing housing in New York. Some landlords of smaller apartment complexes work exclusively through realtors, so despite a realtor's fee usually equivalent to one month's rent, many people still use realtor services to find prime apartment options. Redeemer Presbyterian Church allows its members to post classified ads for apartment rentals on its website here, and is a promising resource since the ability to post is restricted to members usually looking for quiet and well-mannered roommates. Finding a smoke-free apartment building is almost impossible in New York City. 1510 Lexington in Manhattan is a completely non-smoking apartment complex and remains a rare find.
- Subsidized New York Housing for Singles - The Webster Apartments offer women’s low-cost dorm-style housing in Manhattan. The waiting list may be months long, but if you can get in, this is a good option for single, female students and interns who cannot afford average rental prices. Several other women-only apartment housing ministries have come and gone in New York. Conducting a current online search may turn up a few more still in operation. In the past, Columbia University in Manhattan has occasionally offered short-term dorm housing to non-Columbia students. This may be an option for interns who intend to stay for the summer. Special permission will be needed and will be based on availability, since dorms are generally reserved for Columbia students and their guests.
- Alternative Housing on Long Island - Settling on Long Island is an alternative for people who do not mind a slightly longer commute to Manhattan and who enjoy the quietness and fresh air available outside of the New York City limits. Purchase of a small apartment is relatively more affordable than nearer New York City, and rentals are also less expensive. The Long Island communities of Floral Park, Stewart Manor and New Hyde Park are some of the closest to New York City and offer clean air and safety with local police departments serving the areas. In favor of Long Island living, locating strategically within any of the three communities mentioned above will offer simultaneous walking distance to three Long Island Railway (LIRR) stations, a more pleasant commuting option than subway. The LIRR Penn Station destination is within walking distance of the garment district. The LIRR fare is higher than subway fare, but if you locate on Long Island outside of the New York City line, you will make up part of the difference by not paying New York City income tax. A car is needed for weekend errands on Long Island, while the subway and bus routes nearer Manhattan make a car unnecessary. Long Island is ideal for families who value quality of life while keeping a long-term job in Manhattan. If you are only planning to work in New York for a few years and you have a job requiring overtime for fashion shows, you will probably want to skip Long Island and live as close to your job as possible for a faster commute. LIRR train time may only be 30 to 40 minutes each way, but the schedules are farther apart than subway and walking up to 4 miles as part of the commute may be necessary, making an average 3 hours of daily commuting time a possibility. In contrast, a location in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, would provide a daily commute of half that time with more flexibility for departure and arrival schedules. If you do find yourself located on Long Island, you might want to check out the three campuses of Shelter Rock Church as a possibility for connection and worship.
- Safety Concerns when Selecting Housing in New York - Questionable pockets exist in all the boroughs, so gather as much current crime rate information as possible before selecting housing. Maximize safety by getting home as early as possible at night, locking your door at all times (even when taking out the trash), being aware of suspicious activity around you and holding bags close to you while in crowds. Stay out of deserted places when you are alone, especially after dark. If you find yourself on an empty street at night, walk in the middle of the street where extra space and visibility are your friends. Crime happens everywhere in New York at times, just like in other big cities. Protect yourself with safe habits and a safe neighborhood for choice of housing.
Entrepreneurship in Fashion
This article has focused on resources for gaining training and experience in the fashion industry within the United States. Typical university education focuses more on preparing students for gaining jobs within the existing industry rather than becoming entrepreneurs, so it may be difficult to think in that direction if you have followed a traditional career path. However, with the right resources and motivation, becoming a fashion entrepreneur can be rewarding. Visit our post Basic Steps in Starting a Modest Clothing Business for more inspiration.