How To Get A Job At A Luxury Fashion Brand

Why work in luxury retail? What are the first steps in getting a luxury retail job? And which luxury brand is best to work for? Here’s the ZD take.

Why do I want to work in luxury retail?

On the face of it, you might imagine that the benefits of luxury retail jobs are much the same as for any retail jobs, just rather more, well, luxurious.

That’s true to a point, but a job with a luxury brand can expose you to opportunities, people and environments you simply won’t find in other retail roles.

• Depending on brand, you may find your role opens up the opportunity to work internationally.
• You may get professional development at the cutting edge of latest industry practice, because a luxury brand thrives on its ability to innovate and lead the market
• You may be part of exclusive VIP events, which aside from immersing you in all the glamour of the brand, can also do wonders for your networking.
• You’ll be part of a prestige brand and that means you’ll become part of its rich heritage. For the right person, that alone can make a luxury retail job a ‘must have’.
• And if all of that isn’t enough, you’ll inevitably get an employee benefits package, and when you’re part of a luxury brand, that package can carry a lot of value.

How to work with big fashion brands?

1. Decide who you want to work with: If you love luxury fashion, you may already know the brands you want to work with. Many of them will probably fall under the two biggest conglomerates, LVMH and Kering. But whether your ambitions are Fendi, Dior, Gucci or Balenciaga, or something more niche, knowing the brands you want to work for and – most importantly – why you want to work for them, will play a big part in your success at CV and interview stage.

2. Get experience: If you’re just starting out, look at internship opportunities with your chosen brand or other similar brands. If you’ve already built experience, it’s important to be able to showcase the right experience.

What distinguishes a luxury brand from the mass market is the level of service, the level of craftsmanship, the quality of the materials, the crafting of a distinctive consumer experience. Whether you’re aiming to work in sales, buying, management or something else, it’s important to showcase that depth and quality of capability.

3. Get help: You’d expect us to say this, but a luxury retail recruitment expert really can boost your chances of success. Yes, you can apply direct – many luxury brands will have career sections on their websites, but when you do that you fly solo. Working with a luxury recruiter is like having a guide by your side as you go through the process. You’re supported at every stage by someone who doesn’t just know you, they know the brand too, and they can help you refine your offer so it matches exactly what the brand is looking for.

How do I prepare for a luxury brand interview?

As with everything else connected with luxury retail recruitment, it’s not that the interview requires an entirely different approach. It’s just that you’ll be expected to demonstrate more. For example:

Know the brand inside out: We mentioned earlier about your love for the brand. You’ll be expected to show it, with a knowledge of the brand history and the moments that have shaped it, and an understanding of the brand values and its place in the world.

Prep some interview answers: When thinking about your answers at interview, don’t go for the cut and paste answer. Give examples. Tell stories. Show what makes you distinctive.

Questions you might expect as a luxury store assistant, for example, might include:

• What do you love about our brand/why do you want to work with us?
• What does luxury mean to you?
• Give us an example of when you have delivered exceptional customer service.
• Give an example of when you had to manage a demanding customer.
• How can our brand support your career goals?
• Where do you see yourself in three/five years?
• Do you have any questions for us?

Strike the right balance of distinctiveness: Luxury brands value people who aren’t identikit robots. You’ll want to demonstrate your distinctiveness, and that you can bring a personal approach to the brand’s values. At the same time, there’s a balance to be struck, because while you want to stand out, you also want to look like a natural fit. Your luxury retail recruiter can help you find that balance.

Dress for the occasion: First, you’re not expected to wear the clothes or accessories of the brand you’re applying to. You will, however, be expected to demonstrate that you understand the world you’re entering. To find out the best approach to choosing your interview wear (and depending on the role you’re applying for), visit a store, check social media or review the brand website to find images that will help you gauge the right level of formality. Your recruiter will be able to help here too.

Which luxury brand is best to work for?

Now there’s a question. And if we’re honest, it’s not quite the right question. The right question is ‘which luxury brands are right for you?’. That’s because the ‘right’ luxury retail job very much depends on what you want to get out of it. Is it the feeling you get from working with a prestige brand? Is it development? Do you want to work for a brand that pays well? That shares your world view? That works sustainably? Or that puts a premium on treating its people well?

We can already hear you saying ‘why can’t I have all of that?’ but every brand will prioritise these things differently.

Once you’ve decided the pecking order of the things you want your brand to offer, you can start your research with a goal in mind.

Want to work for the hottest fashion houses? You can find that information^1.

Want to know which brands create a great workplace? Glassdoor and similar review sites can help you find out. Is working with a sustainable luxury brand a non-negotiable for you? You can find that out too.

There’s also the question of which brand is best for your specific skillset and ambitions. Here’s where luxury retail recruiters can prove so valuable. Because a great recruiter will look at your skills and experience, combine it with an in-depth exploration of what makes you tick, and be able to match you with luxury brands they know would be just perfect for you (and vice versa).

Why candidates choose us

In all the years we’ve been recruiting, we’ve hired hundreds of exceptional people for luxury retail jobs. We know the landscape. We know the brands (and have been working with many of them for years). We know the people.
To take your next career step, talk to us now.

¹British Vogue