25 Fashion Designer Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Fashion Designer interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view six answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
1. Tell me about a time when you made a suggestion to the Creative Designer, and he/she ignored it?
How to Answer
Answer this question by providing examples of your ability to remain calm, collected and professional at all times. Lastly, provide an example of a situation reflecting your ability to handle criticism. If this situation never happened to you, tell the interviewer how you would hypothetically handle such a situation.
Answer Example
"This never happened to me. However, should it happen, I would remain calm and professional, and would do my best to follow up with the Creative Designer so as to obtain feedback. I always welcome constructive criticism as it enables me to better myself and improve my work."
2. Why are you the best candidate for our company?
How to Answer
Ensure to review the job posting before the interview to familiarize yourself with the duties involved and the qualifications required from the successful incumbent. Also ensure to review the company website/social media pages to familiarize yourself with the company, including the programs and services offered by the employer.
Answer this question by emphasizing your educational qualifications, experience and personality traits, which provide evidence of your suitability for this role. Furthermore do your best to answer by including something you saw on the job description or website to show you did your due diligence before the interview and that you are serious about working for this employer specifically.
Answer Example
"You should hire me because I have the right educational and professional qualifications that you require, as well as the right personality traits. I am a hardworking professional, a team player and have excellent relationship building skills. I also saw on your website that you are in (X industry) and this is precisely the industry I wish to establish myself in because (X reasons why, such as skills previously acquired in that area). I am looking for a long-term opportunity and wish to grow within the organization."
3. Tell me about your educational qualifications, and how they will contribute to your success in this position.
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer the degrees and certifications that you have, by emphasizing the ones that will help you succeed in this role.
Answer Example
"I hold a Bachelor's degree in (X) from (X university) and (X) Certificate from (X university). Based upon these courses of study, what I have learned, and the projects I have worked on throughout my studies, I know that these qualifications will undoubtedly help me be highly successful on the job."
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4. How do you stay up to date with fashion?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to ensure you keep yourself updated of changes in the industry to remain current, highly knowledgeable and at the top of your field.
Answer Example
"I follow [X organizations] on social media, subscribe to [X newsletters/publications/magazines] and attend fashion shows, conferences and seminars, such as [X]."
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5. In what area of design do you wish to specialize in?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer about your goals as a Fashion Designer related to the company you are applying for, and by ensuring to emphasize you wish to grow within the organization. The interviewer wants to ensure you will commit to the employer and will not leave should another opportunity present itself at another company.
It is mandatory to review the company website and social media pages before the interview to familiarize yourself with the company, industry and services offered.
Answer Example
"I wish to grow within the company and acquire further skills related to design. In a few years, I would love to have moved up the ladder, having acquired managerial skills and managing a team of professionals. I also saw on your website that you specialize in (X area of design that sparked your interest). This is an area that I would love to explore further as I am extremely passionate this area of design."
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6. Tell me about the software you have experience using to produce designs.
How to Answer
Ensure to review the job posting before the interview to familiarize yourself with the software and programs required for this role, and try to mention one (or several) of the software or programs listed (should you be knowledgeable in any of those listed).
Should none be listed, mention the ones you use the most by emphasizing that you will remain willing to undertake training as required by the employer. This will show commitment to the employer and that you are serious about this position.
Answer Example
"I use (X software/program) to produce designs. However, I read on your job posting that you require knowledge of (X software). I am not very familiar with this software but am absolutely willing to undertake training."
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7. What skills are important for a successful career in fashion design?
How to Answer
Always review the job description before the interview to familiarize yourself with the personality traits required from the successful incumbent.
Answer this question by mentioning some of the skills listed on the job posting, if outlined, and provide an example of these skills in a professional capacity. Alternatively, provide your top skills, which you believe will highly benefit you in this role, and provide an example of these skills in a professional setting, preferably related to the type of position you applied for.
Answer Example
"The most important skills are having time management skills, metiiculousness and hardworking capabilities, which I possess. These skills served me well in my last position at (X company name) where I was employed as a/an (X position title). In this role, I (X confirmation re: how/why your skills benefitted you in this role)."
8. What is your favorite part about being a Fashion Designer?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer about your passion for this career and what you look the most forward to in this position. Review the job posting before your interview to familiarize yourself with the duties involved, and mention one or many duties that you look the most forward to, and why.
Answer Example
"My favorite part about being a Fashion Designer, and what excites me the most about this position specifically, is the opportunity to work with clients internationally. My past experience was extremely exciting, however my clients were all local. I am extremely passionate about this career and look forward to acquiring further skills with clients of different cultures."
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The design development process and research is another area that I am very interested in."
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9. How do you handle stress and pressure?
How to Answer
Employers are looking for individuals who can perform under stress and pressure. For instance, tell the interviewer you remain calm, professional and productive under stress and when faced with numerous deadlines.
Answer Example
"I thrive under pressure and stress serves as a motivation for me to perform to the best of my abilities."
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10. What is your greatest weakness, and what are you doing to improve it?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer what your greatest weakness is, however by ensuring that this weakness can be a strength in this position.
Answer Example
"I am a very hard-worker and find hard to stop working at the end of the day, resulting in numerous long days at the office. To improve in that area, I do lists every morning by prioritizing the work that needs to be done by the end of the day, and the following tasks that are not as urgent. Doing this significantly improves my time management skills and makes me more productive at work."
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11. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer about your career goals in ten years from now. Ensure to link your career goals to the company you are applying for to show the interviewer you can be a long-term asset for the company and that you are looking for stability.
Answer Example
"In ten years from now, I would like to have grown within the same company I started off with, having acquired skills enabling me to establish myself as an expert. I would love to be responsible for more managerial duties and ultimately lead a team of professionals."
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12. What are your greatest strengths, and how will they help you as a Fashion Designer?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer your greatest strengths which you believe will help you be successful in this role.
Answer Example
"I thrive on challenges and do not hesitate to work long hours to get the job done. I also have strong project management, time management and organizational skills which will absolutely benefit me in this role."
13. Tell me about an accomplishment you are the most proud of.
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer about the accomplishment you are the most proud of, preferably in a professional capacity and related to the position you are applying for. Alternatively, provide any accomplishment in another professional capacity, in a volunteer capacity, or in a university setting.
Answer Example
"The accomplishment I am the most proud of is managing a very large project on a very tight deadline (... detailed information pertaining to this project, such as the company name, and so on). As a result, I developed strong project and time management skills that will undoubtedly enable me to thrive in this role at your company."
14. Who are your favorite designers?
How to Answer
Review the job posting and company website/social media pages before the interview to familiarize yourself with the designers you will be working with as a Fashion Designer, or designers the company has or will soon be working with. This is a way to show the interviewer you did your due diligence before the interview and that you are serious about this employer.
Ensure to answer by providing examples preferably included on the posting or company website/social media pages, including your own experience in similar roles, if you have any. Also add the reasons why these are favorite designers of yours. Alternatively simply mention why some of the designers listed on the job posting or company website/social media pages are designers you look forward to working with the most.
Answer Example
"My favorite designers are (X designers listed on the job posting) because (X reasons why you love them so much such as their high creativity level or other traits the employer is looking for in filling the position you applied for). Such designers inspired me to be even more creative. For instance, in my last position as (X position title) for (X company), I (X detailed information regarding your increased creativity level)."
15. How have you, or would you, deal with conflicts that emerge in a professional environment?
How to Answer
Give the interviewer an example of your conflict resolution skills, past or future, i.e., how you have dealt, or would deal, with conflict at work. If you do not have any example in a professional situation, you can provide an example of conflict in a university setting.
Answer Example
"I remain professional and respectful, and seek to resolve any conflict in a timely manner. For example, when working on a project with other team members, if someone is not submitting his/her part of the work by the agreed-upon deadline, I will meet with this person to see why he/she hasn't done so. If the person simply does not care about respecting the deadlines, I would calmly explain the repercussions for all of us as we are all part of a team and the project's success depends on all of us. This particular situation happened to me when working on a project in a marketing class while in university, and I would act in a similar way at work."
16. What do you enjoy most about working in a team environment?
How to Answer
Ensure to review the job posting before the interview to familiarize yourself with the work involved. At the time of the interview, you should know whether this position entails mostly independent or team work. As such, should the position entails team work, you should answer this question by emphasizing your love of team work.
Should you not answer adequately as per the duties involved, you may be automatically disqualified - for instance, if you answer you prefer independent work and dislike team work when applying for a position that mostly entails team related duties. Not only will this show you are unsuitable for this position as you did not do your due diligence beforehand (as you did not read the job posting before applying for the position (nor before the interview)), but the interviewer may also believe you are simply looking for any job without being serious about working for this company particularly.
Answer Example
"I absolutely love team work and I pride myself on my team playing skills. I sincerely enjoy working with others and sharing ideas so as to come up with creative solutions and work toward a common goal."
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17. How well do you take criticism? Give me an example.
How to Answer
Answer this question by providing examples of your ability to remain calm, collected and professional at all times. Lastly, provide an example of a situation reflecting your ability to handle criticism. If such a situation never happened to you, tell the interviewer how you would hypothetically handle such a situation.
Answer Example
"No example comes to mind. However, I would always remain calm and professional, and would do my best to follow up with my superior so as to obtain feedback. I always welcome constructive criticism as it enables me to better myself and improve my work."
18. Where do you see yourself in five years from now?
How to Answer
Answer by telling the interviewer about your short-term goals, however by ensuring your goals are related to the position and company you applied for.
Should your short-term goals significantly differ from the position or company, the interviewer may assume you will leave eventually the position if hired, for a better opportunity at another company, should one presents itself. As a result, you may be instantly disqualified.
Answer Example
"In five years from now, I would like to have grown within the company and having established myself as an expert in my field. I hope to eventually move up the ladder and become a Manager or Team Lead within the department. I wish to commit to my employer and contribute to the company's success."
19. What are your goals as a Fashion Designer?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer about your goals as a Fashion Designer related to the company you are applying for, and by ensuring to emphasize you wish to grow within the organization. The interviewer wants to ensure you will commit to the employer and will not leave should another opportunity presents itself at another company.
It is mandatory to review the company website and social media pages before the interview to familiarize yourself with the company, industry and services offered.
Answer Example
"I wish to grow within the company and acquire further skills related to fashion and design generally. In a few years, I would love to have moved up the ladder, having acquired managerial skills and managing a team of professionals. I also saw on your website that you (X initiative/program that sparked your interest). This is a program/initiative I would also love to get involved in as I am extremely passionate about this program/initiative."
20. What motivates you as a Fashion Designer?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer about your passion for this career, what motivates you to be the best in your field, and what you look forward to the most in this position.
Review the job posting before your interview to familiarize yourself with the duties involved, and mention one or many duties that you look the most forward to (related to your motivation), and why. This will show the interviewer that you are passionate about your work and that you also did your due diligence before your interview.
Answer Example
"What motivates me the most in my career is becoming the best in my field, and as a result having the opportunity to make an impact on a greater scale. For instance, with this position, what motivates me the most is the opportunity to work with clients internationally and acquiring further skills with clients of different cultures. I am extremely passionate about this career and look forward to becoming the best version of myself, and an expert in my field."
21. What do you know about our target audience, and how do you relate to it?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer about your knowledge of the company's target audience as per the job posting and company website/social media pages. Always conduct your due diligence before an interview by reviewing the job description, company website and social media pages to familiarize yourself with the company, industry, clients and work involved. It is also important to show the interviewer you did not apply to the advertised position simply because you are looking for just any job, but that you wish to work for this company specifically.
Answer Example
"I reviewed the job description and website before this interview and know your target audience is (X). I relate to that audience because I have extensive experience, such as (X experience by mentioning the company you worked for)."
22. What trends do you currently see in the fashion industry?
How to Answer
It is imperative to always conduct your due diligence before an interview by reviewing the job description, company website and social media pages to familiarize yourself with the company and work involved.
Tell the interviewer about fashion trends you have identified in areas specific to the company you applied for. It is important to show the interviewer you did not apply to the advertised position simply because you are looking for just any job, but that you wish to work for this company specifically.
Answer Example
"Some trends I see in the fashion industry are (X trends related to the company you are applying for). I reviewed the job description and website before this interview and know you are a company specializing in similar areas. This is one more reason why I am particularly excited about this position."
23. Why did you choose a career as a Fashion Designer?
How to Answer
Answer this question by mentioning the reasons why you decided to pursue this career, such as your passion for the field, and experience in your childhood.
Answer Example
"I decided to pursue a career as a Fashion Designer because this is the career I've been wanting to pursue for as long as I can remember. My mother was a Fashion Designer and introduced me to this field when I was a child."
24. How do you relate to our company and our company culture?
How to Answer
Always review the job posting and company website/social media pages before an interview to familiarize yourself with the company.
Answer this question by mentioning something you read on the job posting or website re: company culture, and provide a reason as to why this is the right environment for you and how much of an asset you will be for them.
Answer Example
"I saw on the job posting that you pride yourself on your family-oriented work environment. This is my ideal company culture as I am a team player who loves collaborative environments and working toward common goals."
25. What do you know about our company?
How to Answer
Tell the interviewer about your knowledge of the company you applied for. It is imperative to always conduct your due diligence before an interview by reviewing the job description, company website and social media pages to familiarize yourself with the company and work involved. It is also important to show the interviewer you did not apply to the advertised position simply because you are looking for just any job, but that you wish to work for this company specifically.
Answer Example
"I reviewed the job description and website before this interview and know you are a company specializing in (X services you noticed on the company website). I am particularly excited about (X programs/initiatives) that I saw on your (website/social media pages) as I (X reasons you are excited about these programs/initiatives, such as passion or similar initiatives undertaken in school or volunteer capacity)."