How to start a career in fashion: your guide to the first steps

How to start a career in fashion in Poland: Guide for beginners.

The fashion industry in Poland differs from global centres such as Paris or New York, but that doesn't mean there is a lack of opportunities for career development. While access to internships, industry events or professional courses may be limited, there are plenty of ways to gain experience, learn about the industry and take your first steps in this demanding field.

1. internships and first experiences in Poland

In Poland, access to internships in the fashion industry is more limited than in other countries, but that doesn't mean you can't find one. Here are some ways to get started:

Where to look for internships?

Polish brands and chain stores: Large companies such as LPP (owner of Reserved, Mohito, Cropp), CCC or Answear.com often offer internship programs in departments such as design, purchasing or marketing.

Smaller brands: Local designers often look for help with show organization, photoshoots, and day-to-day work. Follow them on Instagram and LinkedIn, where they often post ads.

PR agencies and showrooms: Fashion agencies and showrooms offer internships that allow you to understand what it's like to promote a fashion brand.

How to get an internship?

Prepare a professional CV and portfolio. Even if you have no experience, you can include personal projects such as styling, moodboards or trend analysis in your portfolio.

Write a personalised email explaining why you want to work for a particular company and ask about internship opportunities - sometimes opportunities arise through your initiative.

2. How to get to know the industry in Poland without industry events?

The Polish fashion industry does not organise as many big events as Paris or Milan, but there are alternative ways to meet people and gain knowledge.

Where to look for knowledge and contacts?

Fashion schools: Even if you don't plan on studying fashion, institutions such as MSKPU in Warsaw or the Cracow School of Art often organize workshops, graduation shows or open days, which are a great opportunity to make contacts.

Social media: Following Polish designers, stylists and fashion influencers is a great way to stay up to date with local trends and events. Ask questions in the comments, share their content – ​​building relationships online really works.

Webinars and online courses:Many Polish experts in the fashion industry organize online training and meetings. These are excellent opportunities to learn about the specifics of the market and ask questions directly to specialists.

What to do if live events are missing?

Create your own projects: If there are no events, organize your own – e.g. photoshoots that can be included in your portfolio. Collaborate with other budding creatives (photographers, make-up artists, models) to create joint projects.

Join Facebook groups: Groups like “Modowy networking Polska” or “Freelancerzy mody” are places where people share job offers, collaborations, and other opportunities.

3. Developing in Constrained Conditions: What Can You Do Right Now?

Prepare a portfolio
You don't need to have a lot of experience to create a professional portfolio. A few personal projects, such as stylings, mood boards or collection mockups, can already show your skills.

Study on your own
In Poland, access to specialist courses may be limited, but there are plenty of international online resources to help you develop:

Platforms like Udemy and Coursera offer courses on fashion business and marketing.

Podcasts like Glam Observer or BoF Podcast will help you gain global perspectives.

Find your place.
The fashion industry is not just about design. Consider other areas such as buying, marketing, PR, production management or trend analysis. Each of these paths has its own requirements, but also offers huge opportunities for development.

4. The Fashion Editorial community: we connect people with a passion for fashion

We understand how difficult it can be to network in the fashion industry, especially in Poland where fashion events are limited. That is why, at Fashion Editorial, we plan to create a space to connect creative people: designers, buyers, stylists, photographers and anyone who wants to work in fashion. We believe that collaboration and sharing experiences can be the key to success.

Where and how to join the community?

Facebook Group: We will create a closed group where members can share their projects, seek collaboration, ask questions, and develop their ideas together. With easy access and the ability to have group discussions, Facebook is a great platform to start.

Discord: For those who prefer more dynamic forms of communication, a server will be created on Discord, where members will have access to dedicated thematic channels (e.g. projects, job offers, questions for experts).

Instagram Stories and Polls: We also plan to leverage Instagram features to engage the community – such as collaboration polls and Q&A spaces.

How to join?

Details about the groups and other initiatives will be available on our website and social media. Watch us to find out how to get involved.

5. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok

Instagram and TikTok Fashion Editorial are where you will find the latest news, advice and inspiration to help you understand the fashion industry and take the first step in your career.

What can you find on our Instagram?

The latest fashion trends and practical career tips.

A behind-the-scenes look at working in the industry - what life is like as a designer, buyer or stylist.

Community: stories of people who have already taken their first steps in the fashion industry.

How about on TikTok?

Quick and dynamic advice in the form of short videos that explain key issues step by step.

Educational content, e.g. “How to create a portfolio in the fashion industry” or “5 things to know about working in fashion”.

Challenging and engaging content that connects the community and provides an opportunity to creatively showcase your talent.

By following our profiles, not only will you be kept up to date with the latest material, but you will also gain access to exclusive information about upcoming initiatives and projects.

Although the Polish fashion industry has its limitations, there are many ways to develop a career. The key is creativity, initiative and the ability to find opportunities where others don't see them. Internships, freelance projects, online networking and constantly expanding your knowledge are the foundations that will allow you to start a career in fashion - even in challenging circumstances.

Remember that every journey begins with the first step. What will be yours? ?