Fashion and design : Typical employers

Big players

Large fashion and design companies in the UK include:

• Marks and Spencer;
• The Arcadia group;
• Monsoon;
• Next plc;
• Primark;
• New Look;
• Tesco;
• Debenhams;
• Asda.

These offer a wide variety of industrial placements and schemes for graduates and trainees within the fashion and design sector. Careers and roles can vary considerably from retail management and buying to merchandising, design and garment technology.

Early applications are always preferred; therefore it is essential to check their websites regularly for vacancies and recruitment information. Always check the application and assessment process as well as degree requirements.

Although Next accept applications all year round for designers, buyers, merchandisers and technologists on their trainee graduate programme, they prefer early applications around late December of each year. 

Marks and Spencer offer a paid graduate scheme, which provides opportunities in retail management, buying, merchandising and fashion design. Recruitment for roles starts from September until the second week of December and the duration of schemes vary from 12-18 months, often leading to further employment.

Debenhams provide a variety of opportunities for graduates, ranging from buying and merchandising roles within their head office graduates programme to their store management training programme, providing a career in retail management.

Schemes vary between 12-18 months and are designed to equip graduates with the necessary skills and knowledge for employment in the industry post graduation.

Business placements offer 12 months employment in areas such as buying and marketing for undergraduates either studying a sandwich year or taking a gap year. 

Asda provide their own fashion clothing range George, offering eight student industry placements a year in buying, design, merchandising, garment technology and supply. Placements are paid and last 12 months, with applications beginning October.

Tesco have their own F & F clothing and footwear range and run graduate office programmes training graduates in buying and merchandising positions. These operate throughout the UK and in Central Europe and Asia. Application dates vary according to programme area and are limited to one application a year.

Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

SMEs are organisations with less than 250 employees and an annual turnover of around £26million. Working for a smaller company can be rewarding because you are more likely to forge a path for yourself within the company, although opportunities to try other departments may be limited.

SMEs are unlikely to use the testing and assessment techniques of larger companies, or follow lengthy recruitment procedures. SMEs are more likely to advertise their vacancies through the local press, university careers service bulletins, local graduate vacancy listings, jobcentres, and word of mouth, rather than rely on their reputation and a presence at graduate recruitment fairs.

Your university careers service should have listings of jobs with small firms. See also the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) 

Self-employment

Self-employment and freelance work is common among fashion and textile designers in surface pattern textiles and illustration, even immediately after graduation. Apart from being creative, you need excellent business skills.

Find out more about self-employment.