How to make your move into fashion: insights from VF Corporation's internship webinar

How do you land your first job in fashion, and which skills really make the difference? Those questions were at the heart of 'Make Your Move', the live webinar that American apparel and footwear group VF Corporation (VF Corp), parent company of brands such as The North Face, Vans and Timberland, hosted for students and recent graduates on September 22. For those who missed the session, these are the main insights on the job market, VF Corp's internship programme and the advice shared by people working within the group's brands.

Looking beyond the obvious career paths

The session opened with Nick van der Vliet, Sales Director at FashionUnited, who shared insights into the current fashion job market. His message was encouraging: the industry offers significant opportunities for talent at the start of their careers, but candidates should look beyond the most famous brands and traditional job titles to find less crowded career paths.

Students do not need a perfect CV either. Curiosity, authenticity, preparation and the confidence to take the first step matter more. Skills currently in demand include commercial and data literacy, e-commerce and digital capabilities, sustainability compliance and AI literacy.

Ten brands, two international hubs

Gabriele Silva, Talent Acquisition Director EMEA at VF Corp, then introduced the company and its family of ten brands. Participants got a glimpse of what it is like to work in VF Corp's international communities in Stabio, Switzerland, and Antwerp, Belgium, and learned more about the values that shape how its teams collaborate, innovate and grow together every day.

More than an internship

A central part of the session was the VF Internship Program, which the company positions as much more than an internship. It is a paid learning journey of twelve months, designed to help students grow both professionally and personally. From onboarding and regular feedback to workshops, business discovery experiences and hands-on projects, the programme is built to support long-term development. Its success is reflected in a conversion rate of 70 percent across the previous four editions.

Participants also received practical tips on approaching the application process with confidence and authenticity. These included how to use AI responsibly, how to prepare for interviews and how to showcase their own experiences and strengths.

Career stories from inside the brands

During the Ambassador Conversation, Andy Tozer, Senior Manager Brand Management at The North Face, and Petra Ialeggio, Digital Content & CRM Coordinator for Smartwool and icebreaker EMEA, joined the session. Through honest reflections on their own career journeys, they shared advice on standing out in a recruitment process, embracing individuality and making the most of every opportunity. They also discussed the mindset, curiosity and growth that help interns take the next step in their careers.

Applications still open

For students who want to follow up on what they heard, there is still time. Applications for the February 2027 internship intake are open for a limited period, and VF Corp encourages interested students to make their move and apply as soon as possible.