Fashion Cover Letter: Example & Writing Tips

The fashion industry attracts professionals with diverse sets of skills. Fashion designers, buyers, illustrators, and trend forecasters leverage their artistic flair to shape the future of fashion. If you are one of them and are looking for the next professional opportunity, keep in mind that the competition is fierce. A good fashion cover letter can dramatically increase your odds for an interview.

A generic cover letter is not the best idea. In 2024, your cover letter should showcase your knowledge of fashion trends and answer what makes you an excellent fit for a particular job posting. Below, you will find cover letter writing tips and examples to prepare a letter any hiring manager will be excited to read.

Fashion designer cover letter example

Here's an example of a good cover letter for a fashion designer position:

A good cover letter shows the passion for the industry and specific results. Image: Resume Help

Why is it a good fashion cover letter?

• This letter has a professional structure and neat design, therefore it makes the right impression even before reading.
• The letter features the hiring manager's name and is written for a particular company and fashion job. The candidate shows passion for the fashion industry and familiarity with the current fashion trends.
• The third paragraph features measurable achievements, including a 34% revenue increase. Achievements are always nice to have as they set you apart from other candidates. The candidate also features relevant skills, such as strong communication skills and software proficiency.
• This perfect cover letter ends with a call to action and a professional closing. All good cover letter samples have a strong structure.

Now that you know what effective cover letters look like, let's look at how to compose your own.

The elements of a good cover letter

No matter what fashion job you're targeting, your cover letter should contain elements as follows:

• Cover letter header. The letter header starts with contact details in the top left corner. Title the letter with the position's name and company name, for example, Job Application - Fashion Assistant at [ABC Fashion].
• Professional salutation. Use the hiring manager's name in your salutation. This is considered a professional cover letter greeting and shows that you've done your homework. If you cannot find the person's name, use Dear Hiring Manager.
• Cover letter introduction. All good cover letter examples feature a strong opening paragraph. Start your letter by mentioning the job title, your interest in the company, and how you learned about the job. If you have a reference in the company, mention their name here - it will increase your chance of a job interview.
• Main body. In the main paragraphs of your fashion cover letter, give specific examples of your skills and projects you completed in the past. Highlight your knowledge of fashion trends, experience with textiles, marketing, visual merchandising, personal shopping, and software tools like Adobe Illustrator. Add soft skills like exemplary customer service, multitasking, and attention to detail. Do not forget to include 2-3 achievements to show your orientation on results.
• Closing paragraph and professional sign-off. Conclude your fashion designer cover letter with a summary of your strengths and a call to action (for example, encourage the employer to call or email you). Use a professional closing line, such as Best regards.

You can see this letter structure in the example above. Now, let's look at the specific tricks to strengthen your cover letter.

How to make your cover letter outstanding?

To write an excellent fashion designer cover letter that distinguishes you from others, follow the guidance below:

Adapt it to the job description

To draw the attention of hiring managers, write personalized cover letters for all fashion positions you have in mind. Of course, it sounds time-consuming, but the truth is that recruiters can spot a generic letter in seconds. If your letter does not focus on the needs of the particular fashion employer and how you can contribute, it won't be effective.

Take the time to understand what the company looks for in an ideal candidate, and highlight that you've got what they want.

Research the target fashion company

This recommendation is connected with the previous one. Simply stating that you have a relevant work history and want the company to hire you won't make the cut. You need to include something memorable and catchy, and that comes with understanding the needs of the employer in question.

For example, if you work in the sportswear segment, saying that you have a track record in designing clothes and footwear for sports is one thing. But if the company looks for ways to reduce costs and you show the ability to pick the best suppliers and cut the expenditures creatively, you'll be one step ahead of the competition.

Speak through examples

Simply speaking how good you are for a specific job won't get you hired. Instead, you should give them numbers and percentages that speak for themselves. Employers love candidates that are result-oriented and willing to go the extra mile. If they are looking for a designer to launch a new streetwear brand, show your ability to conceptualize brand ideas and create commercially successful collections. Showing continued success is a must for a fashion cover letter.

Format for success

First impressions matter, that's why you need stellar formatting and design. Plus, a well-formatted cover letter will prove your design skills and a sense of aesthetic. Here is how to format a cover letter for a job search:

• Write 3-5 paragraphs, but do not exceed one page. Employers prefer cover letters that are short and concise.
• Use a professional font, such as Arial, Helvetica, or Calibri. Keep it large enough for easy reading (10-12 pts).
• Use consistent formatting for your resume and cover letter. Opt for the same fonts, colors, alignment, and formatting for a professional impression.
• Left-align the letter text and use an empty line between paragraphs.
• Make sure that your tone is professional and polite. Avoid slang and abbreviations (unless you are using them deliberately to show cultural fit with the fashion brand).

Make sure it's error-free

Employers reject job applications with mistakes. Don’t forget to proofread your cover letter before submitting it. It communicates that you have poor writing skills or don't care much about the position.

To avoid this impression, go through your letter multiple times to fix all sorts of mistakes. Proofread the letter using an online tool like Grammarly that spots minor issues. To fix the letter on the sentence level, you can read it out aloud to spot poor word choice and inconsistencies. Or, hire a professional resume editor who will correct all issues in your fashion designer resume.

Land more interviews with a professional fashion cover letter

A well-written fashion cover letter can expand career opportunities for you. If you want to give your letter a quick quality boost, our services are exactly what you need. At ResumePerk, we have written hundreds of fashion cover letters and can help you as well.

You'll work directly with a resume writer who will analyze your career history and strengths, and market them to your target fashion employer. We guarantee custom writing, keywording, and unlimited edits until you are satisfied. Try our services today with a 15% discount!