Paris Fashion Week FAQs!
If you’ve ever wondered about what it would be like to intern at Paris Fashion Week, read below for everything you need to know!
WHEN IS PARIS FASHION WEEK (PFW)?
Women RTW Spring/Summer – last week of September/first week of October
Men RTW Fall/Winter – mid-January
Haute Couture – Last week of January (after Men’s fashion week)
Women RTW Fall/Winter – first week of March
WHAT KIND OF PFW INTERNSHIPS HAVE STUDENTS DONE IN THE PAST?
Our students have fulfilled various internship roles during fashion week, including Showroom Assistant, Press Intern, Dresser, Runway Editor, Market Week Assistant, Design & Communication Assistant, and Runway Reporter at companies such as Dejima, Elie Saab, Final NYC, Gabriella Hearst, L’Appartement, Marc Borgna, Nanushka, Palais Tokyo, Vivienne Westwood, etc.
WHAT ABOUT FRESHMAN-YEAR STUDENTS? WHAT KIND OF ROLES DID THEY HAVE?
Our First-year students are eligible to intern during the spring semester. Most of them interned as Showroom Assistants and Press Interns at Elie Saab, Palais Tokyo, Vivienne Westwood, and L’Appartement.
AND SENIORS?
Most seniors opt to fulfill PFW internships during the Fall semester. Our seniors were sales and showroom assistants at Nanushka, Nodaleto, and Place Rouge.
HOW CAN CAREER SERVICES HELP ME FIND AN INTERNSHIP DURING PFW?
Parsons Paris Career Services team provides its students with the resources and guidance to help them find an internship during fashion week by:
Career services often list offers on our job board (JobTeaser). Make sure to check your emails regularly to be updated.
- They provide information sessions, which include instructions for searching, applying, and starting an internship in France and on the necessary paperwork and processes.
- They invite guest speakers, recruiters from Parisian offices, and Parsons Paris alumni.
- They offer networking opportunities.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF INTERNING DURING PFW?
Students get hands-on fashion industry experience during these exciting presentation weeks and learn about visual merchandising, appointment booking, fashion wholesaling, dressing and styling, sales, operations, photography, videography, content creation, reporting, market research, brand authenticity, and customer service.
These opportunities allow them to acquire valuable skills in sales, listening, networking, professionalism, collaboration, strategy development, marketing, and more.
WHEN CAN I INTERN DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR?
Of course, all of us highly encourage any opportunity to gain industry experience. That said, your academics come first. A conversation with your academic advisor and program director will help you make the best decision about taking on an internship during the academic year based on your course load.
First Year students are eligible to intern during the Spring semester. Then, take the Fall to adjust to your new life at Parsons Paris and your courses. Classes are suspended during study week that falls on PFW, and students can spend extra time on projects, take workshops, and intern. All other students are eligible to accept an internship during the academic year. However, if the training interferes with your class time, you must first request approval from your academic advisor and program director.
DO I NEED TO SPEAK FRENCH?
No! There are many internship offers that do not require French language skills. But! It’s always a good idea to take an interest in the language and try to use and expand your French.
WHAT DO THE COMPANIES TYPICALLY LOOK FOR IN AN INTERN?
Depending on the internship, some companies are looking for specific skills based on the work required. Other companies seek driven and willing interns that are motivated to learn and work. They may not need any previous experience at all. Your interest and passion go a long way.
HOW LONG DO INTERNSHIPS LAST?
Internship durations can go from 1 day to 2 weeks and part-time to full-time.
DO THE INTERNSHIPS PAY?
Some internships do pay, yes. However, internships shorter than 2 months in France do not require to pay interns, though over half of our PFW internships included daily stipends.
WHAT PAPERWORK IS NEEDED TO INTERN?
There are a couple of administrative requirements needed to intern. They’re easy enough to obtain but require your early action to ensure that each item is ready when you receive an offer.
- French health insurance (Ameli)
- Valid visa throughout the internship
- Convention de Stage (internship agreement)
The Student Life team can help you with your health insurance, whereas Careers and Internships will help you with your Convention de Stage.
That should cover everything! Contact the Career Center for more information if you have any other questions.
