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Learn how to write a Fashion Designer CV with our simple guide

13 min read · Updated on October 28, 2022

You already know how to style an outfit - here's how you can style your CV!

As a Fashion Designer, you know all about standing out from the crowd. When you're applying for a position in this highly competitive field, an eye-catching portfolio is a must. However, that's just one side of the story. To land your dream job, you also need a Fashion Designer CV that showcases your education and experience. So, how can you get it right?

There are currently around 555,000 Brits employed in the fashion, textiles, and fashion retail industries. However, the vast majority of workers don't reach the dizzying heights of a Fashion Designer post. If you want to work at leading fashion houses, you need a CV that knocks off the hiring manager's perfectly styled socks. That's where we come in.

In the following guide, we'll take a look at how to write a Fashion Designer CV, the key elements that you should be including, and some of the common mistakes to avoid too. 

What does a Fashion Designer do?

First up, let's talk about what a Fashion Designer does. These creative professionals design clothing, accessories, and shoes. The first phase of this process is often sketching out original designs, enhancing them using software, picking out fabrics, and overseeing the manufacturing process. As you might imagine, the role can vary from team to team. 

You'll need to have your finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest trends. You need to be the person in the know. To make sure that you get ahead, your duties may include: 

Keeping up to date with industry news and the latest fashion trends

Designing and developing fashion collections by season and theme

Attending trade shows to seek out new materials and fabrics

Working hand-in-hand with the sales and merchandising teams 

Sketching out designs and overseeing the manufacturing of products 

Altering designs that already exist so that they appeal to the mass markets 

Revealing your designs at trade and fashion shows around the world

The average annual salary for a Fashion Designer in the United Kingdom is £30,000. However, the longer you've held this position, the more money you can expect to make. As you climb the career ladder, you may make as much as £45,500 per year. Once you land your first role, it's important to seek out progression opportunities. That may mean moving from company to company or looking for promotions in-house. 

Why do you need a Fashion Designer CV?

As an established Fashion Designer or even a recent graduate, your portfolio will do the talking. You should have a robust set of designs that you're ready to share with recruiters at the drop of a hat. Your original designs and sketches should be enough to pique their interest. However, you also need a well-written CV that details your professional story.

You don't have very long to make the right first impression. Hiring managers spend a matter of seconds looking at each CV that comes their way. If your application doesn't tick the right boxes, you could end up in the bin. For that reason, ensuring that you get the style, format, and content of your CV right is essential to your success. This document could be the difference between getting that all-important interview and getting a rejection. 

Structuring your Fashion Designer CV

Now that you understand why you need a Fashion Designer CV, let's talk about how you should structure it. Your aim is to make everything easy for a hiring manager. At a glance, they should be able to glean all of the information they need from your professional CV. 

As a general rule, you should use the reverse chronological approach. That means that you start with your most recent work and education at the top. As you move down, you'll need to work back in time. This is the most straightforward CV layout and allows the reader to see quickly whether you have the right experience and qualifications.   

It doesn't end there. It's also important to understand what elements your Fashion Designer CV should include. Recruiters expect a standard layout when it comes to CVs. Deviating from the norm won't do you any favours here. Be sure to include the following: 

Contact information

Personal statement

Employment history

Education and qualifications

The above sections should follow that rigid structure. However, that doesn't mean that there's no room for creativity. As we'll discuss shortly, you'll have the space to flex your creative muscles when you're writing your personal statement. You'll also be able to add some colour to your CV when you're detailing your education and experience too.

How to write a Fashion Designer CV

Ready to whip out your laptop and get to work? Before you can start writing your Fashion Designer CV, you need some expert advice. Luckily, we've got you covered. Let's take a look at exactly what you should be writing for each section of your application. 

1. Contact information

First up, your header or contact information sits at the top of your Fashion Designer CV. When a recruiter takes a look at your application - and ultimately falls head over heels in love - they'll want to reach out to you. List your details clearly at the top of the page. 

Don't make things hard for the recruiter. Ensure that you use a simple font that's easy to read. You should include your full name, phone number, and email address. Don't worry about putting your full home address on your CV. That is an outdated approach. Instead, you can simply list the city or county that you live in, e.g. “London” or “South Yorkshire.”

2. Personal statement 

When you've taken care of that bit of fiddly admin, it's time to move on to your personal statement (also known as a profile summary or professional profile). This is your chance to wow a potential employer with your passion for the sector and anything that makes you unique. Pick one or two things that you want to highlight to the hiring manager. For example, you may have a fashion award or have studied beneath an esteemed Fashion Designer. Pull out those golden nuggets of information. 

Ideally, your personal statement should be no longer than three to four sentences. You don't have a lot space to play with here - make every word count. To keep to that limit, you may want to cut back on certain phrases. You can ditch openers like “I have” and “I am” and simply get straight to the point. The sooner you make your case, the better! 

If you're not a natural wordsmith, don't panic. It may take you a few attempts to perfect your personal statement. The hardest step is often getting started, so don't procrastinate. Write a first draft and know that you can always edit it. Should you need some extra help, ask a trusted friend or family member to read it. They may spot something you've missed.

3. Key skills 

When a hiring manager is reviewing each fashion CV, they will be looking for a mixture of hard and soft skills. Sure, you need to be a talented designer who has a keen eye for style. That in itself is a given. However, you should also have a range of skills. These are the traits that make it easy for you to work as part of the wider company. Not sure where to start? To help you along the way, we've listed some of the key skills you should include: 

Business acumen 

Creativity 

Excellent communication 

Artistic ability 

Fashion trend knowledge 

Visualisation skills 

Attention to detail

Sewing 

Industry knowledge 

Flexibility 

Computer literacy

Fabric expertise 

As you can see from our list, you need a truly diverse skill set if you want to make it in the wild world of fashion. Make sure that you tailor your fashion design CV to meet the needs of the employer. One tip you can try is referring back to the original job advert and looking for specific keywords or phrases. You should then pepper your CV with these words. 

The above approach will help you get past the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) . Many employers now use this software to rank incoming CVs. The system uses predetermined keywords to see which applications best match the job criteria. While there is no sure way to know which words the software is looking for, the chances are, they will be in the advert.

4. Employment history 

Having the right connections and experience will get you far. You may have already touched upon this in your personal statement. While your portfolio shows off your work, your employment history backs up everything you have said (and shown!) so far. In this section of your Fashion Designer CV, you should share any experiences you have had. 

Of course, you need to stick to fashion-centric experience. The recruiter is unlikely to be impressed by the nine-month stint you did as a Barista at your local Starbucks. 

List internships and jobs that you've had in the fashion sector. If you've previously worked in retail - say at TopShop or H&M - it may be worth including that detail too. That shows you know and love the retail world from the ground all the way up to the top. 

Once again, you need to use reverse chronological order when listing your experience. Start with your most recent job or placement at the top of the page. Work your way back in time as you move down the page. Keep it simple.

5. Education and qualifications 

Qualifications matter in this sector. If you want to break into the industry, you will likely need a degree in fashion design. You may also be able to land a job armed with an HND or foundation degree. Your education section is the place to showcase these qualifications.

As we've already mentioned, you should use reverse chronological order when writing this part of your Fashion Designer CV. So, your most recent qualification needs to sit at the top of the section. You can also include any training you've completed here. 

6. Optional sections 

If you've covered all of the above, you may be looking for ways to add finishing touches. Yes, it's time to add some bows and whistles. Luckily, there are a few optional extras you can add: 

Languages 

Parlez-vous Français? ¿Hablas Español? If the answer is “oui” or “si,” you might want to add these skills to your Fashion Designer CV. These professionals often have to travel the world and meet people from a variety of different countries. With that in mind, the ability to speak another language - or two! - is certain to win you some brownie points. 

Internships 

If you lack the experience that other Fashion Designers have, but have completed an internship, be sure to include it on your CV. You will have learnt a wealth of important skills while working beneath an industry professional. Don't be afraid to toot your own horn. 

Extra training 

Fashion Designers need to work hard to get ahead. If you've undertaken some training in your spare time, you should list it on your CV. This simple move shows the hiring manager that you take your career seriously and are willing to invest in yourself. Those qualities will put you a step ahead of the competition, giving you a better chance. 

Mistakes to avoid when writing your Fashion Designer CV

By now, you should have a good idea of how to make a slick Fashion Designer CV. You don't want to ruin your chances of getting a foot in the door. Ahead of getting started, there are some common CV mistakes that you need to know about. Here are the ones to avoid:

Not proofreading your application

Spelling mistakes and grammatical problems will stick out like sore thumbs. When hiring managers are reviewing applications, they will be looking out for these errors. If your CV is littered with problems, it shows that you lack attention to detail. Make sure that you proofread your Fashion Designer CV and use a checking system, such as Grammarly. 

Including headshots or images

Yes, fashion is all about looks. However, including imagery on your CV is a mistake. Save any work examples for your portfolio. Similarly, you should avoid putting any headshots on your CV as this is not typical practice in the United Kingdom. Put simply, the recruiter does not need a picture of you to help them to make their final decision. 

Choosing a complex design

While we're on the subject of looks, your Fashion Designer CV needs to be clean and crisp. Choosing an overly complicated design won't increase your chances of landing an interview. If the recruiter can't get the information they need quickly, they will move onto the next CV in their pile. Avoid this problem by selecting a straightforward design.

Using the wrong tone and language 

The language you use on your CV needs to be professional. Recruiters are looking for people who can talk the talk as well as being able to walk the walk. You should steer clear of informal or “chatty” language, as that may come across as too casual. Equally, you don't want to use overly-technical jargon, which could put them off. Always use clear language. 

Putting referees on the document 

Back in the day, it was common to include two to three referees on your CV. Your parents and teachers may have used this technique when applying for jobs and told you to do the same. However, those days are over. You no longer need to add references to your application. Doing so looks archaic and, put bluntly, is a real waste of space. Similarly, recruiters know that they can request references from you, should they want to. So, you don't need to include the tired old phrase “References available upon request,” either. Cut it out. 

The takeaway 

Creating the perfect, interview-winning Fashion Designer CV doesn't have to be hard. In this guide, we've given you everything you need to know to get it right. Be sure to follow our expert advice when you sit down and get started. When recruiters take a peek at your application, you want to blow them away with your skills, experience, and education. 

Want to get ahead of the crowd? Check out our professional writing services to revamp your CV in no time. Getting an expertly-written CV will give you the competitive edge when you're going for your next Fashion Designer position. 

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Effective Guide: Fashion Design Personal Statement Example

Table of Contents

Fashion design is a fascinating and ever-changing field. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in fashion design, it’s essential to create a personal statement that showcases your skills and interests.

In this article, we’ll provide a fashion design personal statement example and share tips on writing your own personal statement. So whether you’re still brainstorming ideas or putting the finishing touches on your personal statement, read on for inspiration!

What Is a Fashion Design Personal Statement?

A fashion design personal statement is a written document that outlines your goals and motivations for pursuing a career in fashion design. It explains why you are the best candidate for a coveted spot in a fashion design program. In addition, it also highlights your experience or qualifications related to the field. A well-written personal statement can be an effective way to demonstrate your passion for fashion.

Why Write a Personal Statement for Fashion Design?

A personal statement for fashion design is a great way to highlight your skills, experiences, and motivations behind pursuing this field . It can be a helpful tool when applying for colleges or scholarships. It allows admissions officers or selection committees to get to know you better as an individual.

When writing your statement, stay focused on what makes you passionate about fashion design. Avoid simply regurgitating information that can easily be found elsewhere in your application package.

Instead, take the time to reflect on what has drawn you toward this creative industry. Share stories of how your interest in fashion has developed over time. Showing off your unique perspective will help differentiate you from other applicants while demonstrating that you’re serious about pursuing a career in fashion.

Tips for Writing a Fashion Design Personal Statement

When it comes to writing a personal statement for a fashion design program, there are certain things you want to keep in mind. Here are five tips that will help your statement stand out:

• Be specific about your design experience and interests. What sparked your interest in fashion? Why do you want to study fashion design specifically? Make sure to highlight any relevant coursework or projects you’ve undertaken.
• Show off your personality! A strong personal statement should give the reader a sense of who you are as an artist. Share some of your creative inspirations and how they inform your work.
• Keep it concise and well-written. Avoid extraneous detail and highlight what makes you unique as a designer. The admission committee is likely going to read dozens (if not more) of statements, so make sure yours is sharp and easy to follow.
• Get feedback from others before submitting the final version. It can be helpful to get feedback from classmates, teachers, or anyone else with editorial expertise. This will help ensure that your statement represents yourself in the best possible light!

What to Avoid Writing in the Personal Statement?

When writing a personal statement, be sure to avoid the following:

• Generic statements about your love of fashion. Be specific about what intrigues you about the field and why you want to study it.
• Discussing other unrelated experiences or interests. Your focus should be on explaining why you want to pursue fashion design specifically.
• Writing anything that could be perceived as negative or self-deprecating. A positive attitude is vital when selling yourself in any application materials.

Fashion Design Personal Statement Example

A personal statement is your chance to share with the admission committee who you are and why you want to attend the program. It is a chance for you to voice your interests and desire to study in the field of fashion design. Below is a fashion design personal statement example to inspire you to craft one for yourself:

Personal Statement Sample

As an artist, I have always been intrigued by how clothes can dramatically change someone’s appearance and express their personality. For me, fashion design is not just about creating beautiful clothing; it is also a form of storytelling and self-expression.

Ever since I was young, I have loved playing with different textures and fabrics, experimenting with color palettes, and putting together unique outfits. When I discovered fashion design as a career option, I knew it was the perfect fit for me. I believe nothing is more satisfying than taking an idea and turning it into something tangible that people can wear or see on TV.

Fashion Design has allowed me to develop my artistic skills while also giving me a practical understanding of how garments are made and marketed. Over the years, I have participated in many fashion shows as a designer and model manager/coordinator. This experience has taught me valuable lessons about working as part of a team, dealing with last-minute changes, and interpreting feedback from others.

I am confident that my passion for artistry combined with my organizational skills would make me an excellent candidate for any Fashion Design program.

When writing a fashion design personal statement, the most important thing is to be yourself. Don’t try to imitate someone else’s style; instead, let your personality shine through.

Be sure to focus on what makes you unique and why you want to pursue a career in fashion design. Above all, make sure your statement is well-written and error-free. Following the tips in this post will help ensure that your personal statement stands out from the rest.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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How to write a personal statement for fashion

Fashion courses at university are incredibly competitive, so how do you make your personal statement stand out? Be original, think business, and don’t quote Chanel

"F ashion is not simply a matter of clothes; fashion is in the air, born upon the wind; one intuits it." That's a quote from Coco Chanel – and it's how not to start a personal statement for a fashion degree.

When applying for a university fashion course, your personal statement won't even be read though if your portfolio is not good enough.

Willie Walters, programme director for fashion at Central St Martins, said the personal statement is "secondary" to portfolio work.

"I don't even read the statements unless the work looks interesting," she says.

Walters advises applicants to make their portfolio work as clear as possible, and to include research and sketchbook work, as well as photographs of design pieces. "We look for originality and something fresh."

When it comes to the written statement, saying you have a "passion for fashion" is an immediate no-no, says Josephine Collins, course leader for fashion journalism at the London College of Fashion.

"It's easy to do and sounds great but we've seen it so many times before," she warns. Similarly, admissions tutors cringe when confronted with yet another tired quote from a fashion icon.

Fashion related courses are notoriously competitive, so avoiding clichés is an important way to make your application stand out, says Andrew Groves, course director for fashion design at the University of Westminster.

"Put yourself in my shoes," says Groves, who reads over 1,000 personal statements each year. "How would you make yours different from all those other applications?"

Although mentioning your favourite designer is a good idea, you should think carefully about who you cite, says Mal Burkinshaw, programme director of fashion at Edinburgh University.

"We always have the same designers quoted. Every now and then someone says they are interested in a more conceptual designer and it makes them stand out. You can tell they are engaging more deeply."

Evidence of engagement with fashion is essential, agree tutors, but make sure you are thinking about it as a serious industry.

"Fashion is the third largest industry in the UK," says Jane Gottelier, programme leader of the fashion department at Falmouth University.

"I steer clear of students who talk mainly about celebrity fashion and TV programmes in their personal statements because it makes me think that they see fashion as something rather fluffy," she says.

As well as explaining why you want to study fashion and listing any relevant work experience, it's also important to show interests outside of fashion, say tutors.

"Some of our fashion courses are really business-orientated," says Liz Barnes, senior lecturer in fashion at Manchester University, "so demonstrating a commercial mind is key."

Outside interests show an engagement with general society that is important for a fashion student, and key to fashion admissions tutors.

It's important to be up to date on current news, to prove an academic interest and to show curiosity about the world and an inquisitive mind. If you have an unusual hobby don't be afraid to mention it as it might help yourself get noticed.

"I've had ice skaters, an Olympic-standard gymnast and stick insect collectors," says Anne Chaisty, principal lecturer in fashion studies at the Arts University Bournemouth.

Fashion may be portrayed as a cut-throat industry, but people who are interested in giving something back interest Chaisty.

"We look for students who want to make a positive difference through what they do as a designer," she says.

Accuracy and a good flow are things all tutors agree on when it comes to a good personal statement, but Barnes says you should also be in tune with the specifics of your course.

"There are lots of courses that are called fashion marketing, for example, but the content of those courses will vary enormously," Barnes explained.

"Understand the course you are applying for and tailor the personal statement to match."

For courses where a portfolio carries a heavier weighting than the personal statement, it is still important to express personality in your written statement.

Tutors say individuality and character are perhaps the most important things to convey.

"Don't contrive something for the sake of it," advises Chaisty, "just be honest, be natural and be yourself."

Just don't quote Coco Chanel.

This article was amended on 19 September to correct an error, changing Willie Walters' job title from course leader to programme director of fashion at Central St Martin's.

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How to Write a CV Personal Statement [+4 Real-life Examples]

Creating an effective CV takes time and close attention to detail. You've already included your jobs and experience , and now you want to allow the recruiter or hiring manager to understand the strategic value you can add.

This is when you need to utilize a personal statement at the top of your CV.

How to Write a CV Personal Statement [+4 Real-life Examples] 

What is a Personal Statement? 

A personal statement is a few brief and direct sentences at the top of your CV. The personal statement is also referred to as a career summary or personal mission statement.

This is used to grab the attention of the recruiter or hiring manager and summarizes essential experiences or training that you can bring to this position.

Why do I Need a Personal Statement?

A recruiter or hiring manager is tasked with sorting through an enormous amount of resumes every single day. A personal statement is a way to separate yourself from the other applicants.

This statement summarizes your experience and highlights your unique talents . The CV personal statement is meant to demonstrate why you are the perfect fit for the job. 

Even med students need a medical school personal statement , as it is what differentiates them from all the other students applying. Plus, it allows them to share their personal stories and objectives.

Where do I Start? 

Always begin by reading the job description carefully and thoroughly.

Your personal statement should be tailored to each job description, so it explicitly states the value you’ll bring to the position you are applying. A generic personal statement cannot do that. 

Once you have a solid handle on the job description, you can begin writing. It’s important to keep your personal statement brief, about 50-200 words will do.

Don’t forget that you have your whole cover letter to show some personality and include engaging content.

The personal statement should be a quick summary that highlights why you are the best person for the job. 

You’ll need to decide whether you are writing your personal statement in first- or third-person. This should follow how you've written the rest of your CV.

For example, if you've already written, “I grew and developed a team of 50 salespeople,” in your CV then you will want to keep your personal statement in first-person to match the prevailing style.

No matter what you choose, make sure that you keep it consistent throughout. Do not switch between first- and third-person as that will get confusing to the hiring manager.

Writing a personal statement for your CV in first-person does not mean you need to start every sentence with “I.”

There are ways to craft your personal statement to sound snappy, concise and personal, and here are a few examples to help inspire your personal statement. 

CV Personal Statement Examples

It doesn’t matter what chose as your desired career or how much experienc e you have, use these examples to drive the creation of your own personal statement.

You can take snippets from each or write something completely different. Always remember that your personal statement is a reflection of yourself and should align with your own personal goals and experience.

If these examples don’t fit your exact career, feel free to take some pointers and write yours from scratch. 

#1: Personal Statement Example for Recent Graduate CV

“As a recent graduate from university, with an honors degree in communications, I held several internships within leading organizations, including Bertelsmann. These internships enabled me to gain experience in the field and learn how to serve up valuable contributions in a fast-paced, professional environment.”

Explanation: This example should be customized to include the university you’ve graduated from and any relevant internships. A compelling personal statement always highlights relevant skills and experiences.

In this case, a recent graduate does not have extensive experience in the workforce, so soft skills like experiencing success in a fast-paced work environment and becoming a trusted team member become even more critical.

#2: Personal Statement Example for Returning to the Workforce CV

“A highly motivated and experienced office administrator, I am currently looking to resume my professional career after an extended hiatus to raise my family. Proficient in all Microsoft Office programs, I can lead meetings and work with clients to keep your office running smoothly and efficiently. After spending several years volunteering as an administrative worker for a local charity, I am committed to resuming my professional career on a full-time basis.”

Explanation: After time off from a career, it can be hard to break back into the market. This personal statement outlines the reason for the break, the relevant qualifications and what the applicant has been doing in between jobs.

Any volunteer experience becomes highly relevant when there is no concrete professional experience to draw upon, to demonstrate the use of those skills. 

#3: Personal Statement Example for a Career Change CV

“With over 15 years as a sales manager, I have extensive experience building high-functioning sales teams that consistently achieve budget numbers. In fact, my ability to grow talent led to a 20% increase in annual renewals across the board. Now, after 15 years, I am seeking new challenges to flex my marketing muscles in a fast-paced environment.” 

Explanation: When changing careers , it's essential to highlight skills that are transferable between industries.

In this case, leadership and team-building experience can apply to any industry. Homing in on concrete numbers and percentages increases credibility when applying for a position.

The applicant ends with the reason behind the desired career change. This part is not necessary but may be appealing to some hiring managers who are wondering what the impetus for the career change.

#4: Personal Statement Example for a Experienced Professional CV

“As a friendly, professional and highly trained educator, I am passionate about teaching and have an innate ability to understand student’s needs. Creating a safe and productive environment for optimal learning is my top priority. I’ve worked as a teacher for nearly 10 years in a variety of subjects and my experience and skill set make me the perfect fit for your team.”

Explanation: With more experience comes more skills and a better idea of strengths and weaknesses. Showcasing your passion for the industry is a great way to begin a personal statement, as it shows the hiring manager your dedication to the craft. 

A personal statement can be written in many different ways, but it is ultimately up to you to determine what skills you want to highlight for your chosen position.

You can follow these examples or take learnings from each to contribute towards your personal statement. 

If you understand the job you are applying for and know the unique skill set that you bring to the table, you will have a stellar personal statement for your CV that will get you across the table from the hiring manager in no time.  

Suggested Reading:

• How to Write a CV (Curriculum Vitae) in 2024 [31+ Examples]
• 43+ Resume Tips and Tricks to Land Your Next Job
• 150+ Must-Have Skills for Any Resume  [With Tips + Tricks]
• How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”

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How to Write a Personal Statement for a Masters in Fashion Marketing

Ready to apply for a fashion Masters ?

Once you’ve perfected your CV, it’s time to write your accompanying fashion marketing personal statement.

This must demonstrate your relevant experience and express your passion for the course.

Follow our top tips below to help you create yours and boost your chances of getting accepted onto the course.

What is a personal statement?

According to graduate careers site Prospects,  a personal statement is a piece of writing  that you submit as part of your postgraduate application and is your first real chance to sell yourself to the university and demonstrate that you are a right fit for the course.

The personal statement should act as a supporting document to your CV that primarily highlights your work experience in more detail, alongside why you are interested in the course and what you are planning to do with the Masters.

At the University of Leeds, academics are looking for students to go into detail about why they are applying for their particular university, so it’s worth discussing which modules in the course content you are most excited by (read the module guide thoroughly before starting this) or if there are any  research projects underway  that you are interested in.

Why do I need to write one for a Masters in fashion?

In a highly competitive market, universities are looking for fashion students who can bring a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to the course to enhance everyone’s learning experience.

Therefore, the need to provide a personal statement is becoming increasingly common as a mandatory requirement at the application stage of fashion Masters courses. This helps universities ensure that the highest calibre of applicants who are realistically able to succeed at postgraduate level are accepted onto their course.

Personal statements act as a unique opportunity to introduce and sell yourself to course academics and make sure that your application stands out from the rest.

How do I write a personal statement for a Masters in fashion marketing?

Your personal statement will be included in your online application. There is no definitive structure for the personal statement to allow flexibility in how you summarise your motivations but in general it should cover these three areas:

• Your previous background in relation to the qualification
• Why you are choosing the university in particular
• What you are planning on doing with the Masters and how you will use this in the future

If you meet the standard entry requirements, you’ll need to focus your personal statement on why you want to study with the University of Leeds. On the other hand, if you do not meet the standard entry requirements (are a non-standard applicant), change the focus to show you are eligible through cross-transferable skills and demonstrate how you’ll make a difference to the course by outlining your career journey to date and justifying why you are switching to the fashion industry.

What shall I include?

When writing a fashion marketing personal statement, we’d recommend that you include:

• Your reasons for applying for the fashion Masters course.
• Which specific fields within fashion marketing and design management interests you the most.
• Your academic experience to date, including the subject areas and modules that you most enjoy.
• The most significant research project or dissertation you have undertaken, discussing the title, research methods and overall outcomes.
• Any previous experience of engaging in quantitative research alongside the research methods and statistical packages used.
• Your career plans and how the course might help you achieve them.

How long should a fashion marketing personal statement be?

Although there is typically no given word count, at a Masters degree level, your personal statement should be no less than one page in length. The course leader will be checking your writing capabilities, so it needs to be professionally written and thoroughly proofread for spelling and grammar before it is submitted.

Did you enjoy this blog? Here’s some related fashion management content that you may be interested in:

• 5 reasons to study International Fashion Marketing and Design Management
• Careers in fashion management: 5 roles to explore
• Introducing our online fashion marketing masters
• Leeds School of Design: leading the way in fashion research

Want to learn more about our online International Fashion Marketing and Design Management course?

Check out the course content and how to apply.

• Visit the MA course page
• Visit the PGCert course page

Fashion Buyer CV example

You have a keen eye for the latest trends and you know what sells. But if you want to land your next buyer role, you need to sell yourself to the recruiter.

Your first chance to do this is your CV, so it needs to be perfect.

In our detailed guide below, we’ll teach you how to write an application that’s more impressive than a Dior handbag collection. You can also make use of our fashion buyer CV example for inspiration.

CV templates 

Fashion Buyer CV example

This example CV demonstrates how to structure and format your own Fashion Buyer CV, so that it can be easily digested by busy hiring managers, and quickly prove why you are suitable for the jobs you are applying to.

It also gives you a good idea of the type of skills, experience and qualifications that you need to be highlighting in your CV.

Fashion Buyer CV layout and format

In today’s fast-paced job market, recruiters and employers are often short on time. If they can’t locate the information they’re searching for within a few seconds, it could result in them overlooking your application.

To avoid this happening, it’s critical to structure and format your CV in a way that allows them to quickly identify your key skills and offerings, even when they’re pressed for time.

Tips for formatting your Fashion Buyer CV

• Length: While there’s no ‘official’ CV length rule, the majority of recruiters agree that less is more. Aim for two pages of A4 or less. This is just enough room to showcase your suitability to the role, without overwhelming recruiters with irrelevant or excessive content.
• Readability : To help busy recruiters scan through your CV, make sure your section headings stand out – bold or coloured text works well. Additionally, try to use bullet points wherever you can, as they’re far easier to skim through than huge paragraphs. Lastly, don’t be afraid of white space on your CV – a little breathing space is great for readability.
• Design: While it’s important that your CV design looks good, it also needs to be functional (which means easy for recruiters to read) Keep the design simple to achieve a good balance between looking good and reading well.
• Photos: Don’t add profile photos to your CV unless you work in an industry or region which prefers to see them. Most employers in the UK will not need to see one.

Quick tip: Creating a professional CV style can be difficult and time-consuming when using Microsoft Word or Google Docs. To create a winning CV quickly, try our quick-and-easy CV Builder and use one of their eye-catching professional CV templates.

CV structure

For easy reading, write your CV to the following CV structure:

• Contact details – Make it easy for recruiters to get in touch with you by listing your contact details at the top of your CV.
• Profile – A short and snappy summary of your experience and skills, showcasing what makes you a good fit for the position.
• Work experience / career history – Note down all your work history, with your current position first, then working backwards.
• Education – A short list of your academic background and professional/vocational qualifications.
• Interest and hobbies – This is an optional section, which you can use to highlight any relevant hobbies or interests.

Now you understand the basic layout of a CV, here’s what you should include in each section of yours.

Contact Details

Tuck your contact details into the corner of your CV, so that they don’t take up too much space. Stick to the basic details, such as:

• Mobile number
• Email address – It should sound professional, such as your full name.
• Location -Just write your rough location, rather than your full address.
• LinkedIn profile or portfolio URL – If you include these, ensure they’re sleek, professional and up-to-date.

Fashion Buyer CV Profile

Your CV profile (or personal statement , if you’re an entry-level applicant) provides a brief overview of your skills, abilities and suitability for a position.

It’s ideal for busy recruiters and hiring managers, who don’t want to waste time reading unsuitable applications.

Think of it as your personal sales pitch. You’ve got just a few lines to sell yourself and prove you’re a great match for the job – make it count!

CV profile writing tips:

• Make it short and sharp: The best CV profiles are short, sharp and highly relevant to the target role. For this reason, it’s best to write 3-4 lines of high-level information, as anything over might be missed.
• Tailor it: Before writing your CV, make sure to do some research. Figure out exactly what your desired employers are looking for and make sure that you are making those requirements prominent in your CV profile, and throughout.
• Don’t add an objective: Career goals and objectives are best suited to your cover letter , so don’t waste space with them in your CV profile.
• Avoid generic phrases: If your CV is riddled with clichès like “Dynamic thought-leader”, hit that delete button. Phrases like these are like a broken record to recruiters, who read them countless times per day. Hard facts, skills, knowledge and results are sure to yield far better results.

Example CV profile for Fashion Buyer

What to include in your fashion buyer cv profile.

• Experience overview: Demonstrate your suitability for your target jobs by giving a high level summary of your previous work work experience , including the industries you have worked in, types of employer, and the type of roles you have previous experience of.
• Targeted skills: Highlight your skills which are most relevant to Fashion Buyer jobs, to ensure that recruiters see your most in-demand skills as soon as they open your CV.
• Key qualifications: If you have any qualifications which are highly relevant to Fashion Buyer jobs, then highlight them in your profile so that employers do not miss them.

Quick tip: If you are finding it difficult to write an attention-grabbing CV profile, choose from hundreds of pre-written profiles across all industries, and add one to your CV with one click in our quick-and-easy CV Builder . All profiles are written by recruitment experts and easily tailored to suit your unique skillset.

Core skills section

Next, you should create a bullet pointed list of your core skills , formatted into 2-3 columns.

Here, you should focus on including the most important skills or knowledge listed in the job advertisement.

This will instantly prove that you’re an ideal candidate, even if a recruiter only has time to briefly scan your CV.

Important skills for your Fashion Buyer CV

Trend Analysis – Analysing fashion trends and forecasting future ones.

Market Research – Researching and analysing the fashion market, its competitors, and its target consumers.

Negotiation – Negotiating prices, delivery dates, and terms with suppliers.

Strategic Planning – Developing and executing long-term business strategies to increase sales and profitability.

Product Development – Developing new product lines and enhancing existing ones to meet customer demands.

Data Analysis – Analysing data, identifying trends and patterns, and making informed decisions based on findings.

Financial Analysis – Analysing financial data, understanding budgets, and forecasting sales.

Creativity – Thinking creatively and generating innovative ideas to differentiate the brand and increase sales.

Quick tip: Our quick-and-easy CV Builder has thousands of in-demand skills for all industries and professions, that can be added to your CV in seconds – This will save you time and ensure you get noticed by recruiters.

Work experience section

Next up is your work experience section, which is normally the longest part of your CV.

Start with your current (or most recent) job and work your way backwards through your experience.

Can’t fit all your roles? Allow more space for your recent career history and shorten down descriptions for your older roles.

Structuring each job

If you don’t pay attention to the structure of your career history section, it could quickly become bulky and overwhelming.

Get in recruiters’ good books by creating a pleasant reading experience, using the 3-step structure below:

Start with a brief summary of your role as a whole, as well as the type of company you worked for.

Key responsibilities

Next, write up a punchy list of your daily duties and responsibilities, using bullet points.

Wherever you can, point out how you put your hard skills and knowledge to use – especially skills which are applicable to your target role.

Key achievements

Lastly, add impact by highlight 1-3 key achievements  that you made within the role.

Struggling to think of an achievement? If it had a positive impact on your company, it counts.

For example, you might increased company profits, improved processes, or something simpler, such as going above and beyond to solve a customer’s problem.

Sample job description for Fashion Buyer CV

Work in the buying department of leading UK department store, Marks & Spencer’s, conducting extensive market research to optimise sales and sourcing products from over 120 local vendors in Europe and the USA.

Key Responsibilities

• Curate and execute merchandise assortment that aligns to with current fashion trends and consumer buying habits
• Develop and maintain working relationships with suppliers and stakeholders, negotiating wholesale prices
• Deliver weekly reports to ensure the buying activity achieves financial targets for sales, profitability, and inventory turnovers
• Conduct research of competitors, social media trends, and markets to identify emerging trends, categories, and promotional campaigns

Quick tip: Create impressive job descriptions easily in our quick-and-easy CV Builder by adding pre-written job phrases for every industry and career stage.

Education and qualifications

At the bottom of your CV is your full education section. You can list your formal academic qualifications, such as:

• GCSE’s

As well as any specific Fashion Buyer qualifications that are essential to the jobs you are applying for. Note down the name of the qualification, the organisation at which you studied, and the date of completion.

Hobbies and interests

This section is entirely optional, so you’ll have to use your own judgement to figure out if it’s worth including.

If your hobbies and interests could make you appear more suitable for your dream job, then they are definitely worth adding.

Interests which are related to the industry, or hobbies like sports teams or volunteering, which display valuable transferable skills might be worth including.

A strong, compelling CV is essential to get noticed and land interviews with the best employers.

To ensure your CV stands out from the competition, make sure to tailor it to your target role and pack it with sector-specific skills and results.

Remember to triple-check for spelling and grammar errors before hitting send.

Good luck with the job search!