Fashion Designer Interview Questions & Answers

Fashion designers create clothing, accessories, and footwear.

Interviewers look for candidates who demonstrate excellent skills such as:

• Communication skills
• Artistic ability
• Creativity
• Computer skills
• Decision-making skills
• Attention to detail

In this blog, we discuss commonly asked interview questions during job interviews for fashion designer positions. We also discuss the qualities that interviewers look for in successful candidates. In other words, we’re here to help you out!

Also, read more about frequently asked job interview questions here and check our job interview preparation checklist.

Skills Interviewers Look For In Successful Candidates

Below we discuss the skills that you can highlight in your answers to demonstrate that you’re qualified for the job.

Artistic ability

Why the interviewer is interested in your artistic ability:

Fashion designers sketch their initial design ideas, which are used to create prototypes. Designers must be able to express their vision for the design through illustration.

Related: Fashion Model Cover Letter Examples & Writing Guide

Communication skills

Why the interviewer is interested in your communication skills:

Throughout the design process, fashion designers must be able to communicate effectively. For example, they may need to instruct sewers about garment construction.

Learn more about communication interview questions and how to answer them!

Computer skills

Why the interviewer is interested in your computer skills:

Fashion designers must be able to use computer-aided design (CAD) programs and be familiar with graphics editing software.

Creativity

Why the interviewer is interested in your creative skills:

Fashion designers work with a variety of fabrics, shapes, and colors. Their ideas must be unique, functional, and stylish.

Related: Fashion Assistant Cover Letter Examples & Writing Guide

Decision-making skills

Why the interviewer is interested in your decision-making skills:

When working on teams, fashion designers are exposed to many ideas. They must be able to decide which ideas to incorporate into their designs.

Attention to detail

Why the interviewer is interested in your attention to detail:

Fashion designers must have a good eye for small differences in color and other details that can make a design successful.

(source: bls.gov)

Fashion Designer Job Interview Questions & Answers

During a job interview, the hiring manager wants to discuss several things. Think of your:

• Employment history
• Skills and abilities
• Accomplishments
• Job qualifications
• Educational background
• Career goals
• Personality

Below you find a list of commonly asked interview questions.

Examples Of General Fashion Designer Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. How would you describe yourself?
3. Why do you want to work here?
4. What interests you about this position?
5. Walk me through your resume.
6. What motivates you?
7. Why are you leaving your current job?
8. Describe your work ethic.
9. What is your greatest strength?
10. How does your experience qualify you for this job?
11. What is your greatest weakness?
12. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
13. Tell me about a challenging work situation and how you overcame it.
14. What are your expectations for this position?
15. What are your career goals?
16. Why should we hire you?
17. What did you like most about your last position?
18. What did you like least about your last position?
19. How do you handle stress?
20. What is your greatest accomplishment?

Learn how to answer these common job interview questions!

Examples Of Specific Fashion Designer Behavioral Interview Questions

Learn more about answering behavioral interview questions by using the STAR interview technique.

1. Define fashion for me.
2. What is the most challenging project you have worked on?
3. Tell me about the variety of fabrics, shapes, and colors you like to work with.
4. How would you describe your personal fashion style?
5. Walk me through your design process.
6. What do you think are essential skills for a fashion designer to be successful?
7. Explain how you express your vision for designs through illustrations. How do you create these?
8. Tell me more about your CAD and graphics editing software skills.
9. How do you decide which ideas to incorporate into your designs?
10. Who and/or which things inspire you while creating designs?
11. In which area of fashion design would you like to work?
12. How do you stay up to date with the latest fashion trends?
13. What are the most important facets of the fashion industry for you?
14. Tell me about a time you were under pressure to finish a project?
15. What computer programs are you using in your work?

Learn more about questions to ask the interviewer during your job interview.