Fashion Designer CV example

A fashion designer’s CV should be as sleek and structured as a well-tailored garment. If it’s messy or poorly fitted to the job, hiring managers won’t waste time trying to ‘alter’ it.

This guide walks through each step of the process of writing your CV that presents your design skills as professionally as your best collection.

A recruiter should be able to scan your CV structure quickly and find the key information without unnecessary distractions. Think of it as a well-designed outfit – every element should be intentional, and there’s no room for mistakes. A clean and logically laid out CV ensures that your most relevant qualifications and experience stand out.

Here’s the structure to follow:

• Name and personal info – Put personal details at the top so employers can easily get in touch with you. A photo of yourself would generally be recommended for a fashion role.
• Profile – Start with a strong summary highlighting your expertise in fashion design, garment construction, and trend forecasting.
• Core skills – Provide a quick list of your most relevant technical and creative skills, such as pattern-making, fashion illustration, and textile selection.
• Work experience – Walk the recruiter through your past roles in reverse chronological order, detailing the brands or companies you’ve worked with and the impact of your designs.
• Education – Mention your degrees, certifications, and any training that supports your career path.
• Additional info – Include any additional details, like hobbies or memberships and awards, that highlight your skills or personality.

Presentation matters in fashion, and your CV formatting should reflect the same level of professionalism and attention to detail as your designs. If recruiters struggle to find key details, they may move on to the next applicant.

Always make sure you stick to these formatting principles:

• Bullet points – Break down your key information into skimmable bullet points for quick comprehension.
• Divide sections – Ensure each part of your CV is clearly defined with headings and consistent formatting.
• Use a clear and readable font – Opt for a clean, clear font to make your CV polished and easy to read.
• No more than 2 pages – Two pages is the ideal CV length to provide all the essential information while staying concise.

Your CV profile is like a brand statement – it should be bold, clear, and instantly tell recruiters what makes you stand out. This brief introduction at the top of your CV should summarise your expertise and the benefits hiring you would bring.

Tailor your profile to each job, ensuring it reflects what the employer is looking for.

A strong profile should consider the following helpful tips:

• Where you’ve worked – Mention whether you’ve worked in high fashion, commercial retail, costume design, or independent labels.
• Your top qualifications – If you have a degree in Fashion Design or Textile Design, highlight it here.
• Key fashion design skills – Whether it’s sketching, draping, or garment construction, highlight your strongest abilities.
• Industry knowledge – Demonstrate an understanding of current trends, sustainability, or branding if relevant.
• Technical expertise – Mention proficiency in tools like Adobe Illustrator, CLO 3D, or sewing and tailoring techniques.

A core CV skills section allows recruiters to see your strongest abilities at a glance. It’s like a fabric swatch, giving recruiters a preview of what you bring to the table before they see the full collection. This section should be tailored to the specific role, ensuring that the skills listed match the job description.

Your work experience is the foundation of your CV. While listing skills is useful, recruiters want to see how you’ve applied them in a professional setting.

List your roles in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. If you have limited professional experience, highlight internships, fashion competitions, or freelance projects.

• Outline – Introduce the company or brand you worked for and the nature of your role within the team.
• Responsibilities – Describe your tasks, such as developing collections, working with manufacturers, or designing for specific client briefs. Use action words like “designed,” “illustrated,” and “constructed”.
• Achievements – Showcase measurable results where possible. Did your designs contribute to a best-selling collection? Were they featured in a major event or publication? Include tangible examples with numbers.

Your education section should highlight any formal training in fashion design, textiles, or related fields. While experience and portfolio matter most, relevant qualifications can strengthen your application.

If you’re early in your career, highlight relevant coursework, competitions, or design projects.

List your qualifications in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.