2 answers
Aimee
Student
Riverview, Florida
1
Question
Asked
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Should I be ready to move early into my career for a job in the fashion industry?
I am majoring in Fashion Design, but I live in the central west coast of Florida where it doesn't seem to be a prime area for fashion related jobs. Should I be prepared to move to places like New York or California for a fashion job in the USA?
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2 answers
Jean Flanagan
Product Development
5
Answers
Santa Barbara, California
Updated
Jean’s Answer
Hi Aimee, There will be more opportunities in NYC or L.A but there are apparel companies all around the US. If you want to stay in West Coast of Florida you will be limited to what is in the area. If you choose to have your own business, be an independent contractor you might then be able to stay where you are if that is what you want to do. Whichever school you are attending will likely be your initial network and that will likely inform where you work to begin with.
Thank you, Jean!
Aimee
✨ Danuta Chapin, MFA
Designer and Art Director
17
Answers
Arlington Heights, Illinois
Updated
✨ Danuta’s Answer
Hello Aimee, what a wonderful industry I love!
Relocation is very common in fashion design. While Florida has some opportunities, most fashion careers in the U.S. are concentrated in major hubs like New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Being open to moving early in your career will significantly expand your options and help you build connections in the industry. For example, I worked for a major retailer in Chicago, and we had a special fashion hub in San Francisco where I traveled for my job.
Key Fashion Career Hubs in the U.S.
New York City, NY | Considered the fashion capital of the U.S., home to major fashion houses, showrooms, and Fashion Week.
High job density, strong networking, but also high competition and cost of living.
Los Angeles, CA | Strong in entertainment-driven fashion, streetwear, and sustainable design; many apparel companies are headquartered here.
Large industry presence, especially in casual and lifestyle brands.
San Francisco, CA | Ranked as the best city for fashion designers in 2025; tech-driven fashion and an innovative design scene.
High salaries and strong demand.
Las Vegas & Henderson, NV | Growing fashion markets with lower competition; retail and entertainment-focused fashion.
Good balance of opportunity and affordability.
Dallas, TX | Corporate fashion HQs (J.C. Penney, Fossil); strong retail design sector.
Florida does have fashion opportunities, and they are concentrated in retail styling, luxury brand boutiques, costume design, and niche design houses. If you stay in Florida, most high-fashion design jobs are clustered in Miami and Orlando, but not limited to them.
Luxury Retail & Styling; Roles with brands like Louis Vuitton (Orlando) and Chanel (Miami) as fashion advisors or stylists.
These positions focus on client styling, brand representation, and sales.
Boutique & Department Store Styling; Companies like AKIRA hire fashion stylists at the Florida Mall in Orlando.
Design Internships & Entry-Level Roles; Perry Ellis International (Miami) offers internships in fashion design, trend research, and fabric innovation.
Design houses in Miami and Tampa hire junior technical designers or assistants.
Costume & Theatrical Design; Positions like Costume Shop Manager at Gainesville’s Hippodrome Theatre.
Tailoring and seamstress roles in Naples and Miami Beach for eveningwear and couture.
Home & Lifestyle Design; Companies such as Florida Design Works (Fort Myers) hire design consultants for interiors and textiles.
These roles overlap with fashion sensibilities but lean toward home design.
Early career advantage: Relocating early helps you build networks, attend major fashion events, and gain exposure to industry leaders. These connections are critical in fashion. Start networking now on LinkedIn,
Cost vs. opportunity: NYC and LA offer prestige but come with high living costs. Cities like Dallas or Las Vegas may provide a more affordable entry point with less competition, so they balance benefits.
Flexibility matters: Many designers start in smaller or secondary markets to gain experience, then move to NYC or LA once they’ve built a portfolio. Work on your online portfolio now, and it will be a work in progress; you'll add and remove projects as you see fit.
Practical tips.
- Internships: Try to secure internships in NYC or LA while still in school — even short-term ones can open doors. Don't stop and get anywhere. Internships are very important to get work experience and feel for what you like to do and where you need to focus most at school now.
- Portfolio: Focus on creating a portfolio that can travel with you. Employers in fashion hubs look for demonstrated creativity and technical skill.
- Networking: Attend fashion shows, trade fairs, and industry events whenever possible. Even virtual participation can help until you’re ready to move.
- Plan financially: Relocation is expensive. Budget for higher rent and living costs.
Prepare to move. Think of relocation not as a risk but as an investment in your career trajectory. You don’t necessarily have to jump straight into NYC — starting in a growing market like Dallas or Las Vegas could be a smart stepping stone.
Do not despair, you can start locally, search for jobs locally, entertainment, theater, bridal shops, retail, boutique design, costume work, etc. You got this, and good luck.
Relocation is very common in fashion design. While Florida has some opportunities, most fashion careers in the U.S. are concentrated in major hubs like New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Being open to moving early in your career will significantly expand your options and help you build connections in the industry. For example, I worked for a major retailer in Chicago, and we had a special fashion hub in San Francisco where I traveled for my job.
Key Fashion Career Hubs in the U.S.
New York City, NY | Considered the fashion capital of the U.S., home to major fashion houses, showrooms, and Fashion Week.
High job density, strong networking, but also high competition and cost of living.
Los Angeles, CA | Strong in entertainment-driven fashion, streetwear, and sustainable design; many apparel companies are headquartered here.
Large industry presence, especially in casual and lifestyle brands.
San Francisco, CA | Ranked as the best city for fashion designers in 2025; tech-driven fashion and an innovative design scene.
High salaries and strong demand.
Las Vegas & Henderson, NV | Growing fashion markets with lower competition; retail and entertainment-focused fashion.
Good balance of opportunity and affordability.
Dallas, TX | Corporate fashion HQs (J.C. Penney, Fossil); strong retail design sector.
Florida does have fashion opportunities, and they are concentrated in retail styling, luxury brand boutiques, costume design, and niche design houses. If you stay in Florida, most high-fashion design jobs are clustered in Miami and Orlando, but not limited to them.
Luxury Retail & Styling; Roles with brands like Louis Vuitton (Orlando) and Chanel (Miami) as fashion advisors or stylists.
These positions focus on client styling, brand representation, and sales.
Boutique & Department Store Styling; Companies like AKIRA hire fashion stylists at the Florida Mall in Orlando.
Design Internships & Entry-Level Roles; Perry Ellis International (Miami) offers internships in fashion design, trend research, and fabric innovation.
Design houses in Miami and Tampa hire junior technical designers or assistants.
Costume & Theatrical Design; Positions like Costume Shop Manager at Gainesville’s Hippodrome Theatre.
Tailoring and seamstress roles in Naples and Miami Beach for eveningwear and couture.
Home & Lifestyle Design; Companies such as Florida Design Works (Fort Myers) hire design consultants for interiors and textiles.
These roles overlap with fashion sensibilities but lean toward home design.
Early career advantage: Relocating early helps you build networks, attend major fashion events, and gain exposure to industry leaders. These connections are critical in fashion. Start networking now on LinkedIn,
Cost vs. opportunity: NYC and LA offer prestige but come with high living costs. Cities like Dallas or Las Vegas may provide a more affordable entry point with less competition, so they balance benefits.
Flexibility matters: Many designers start in smaller or secondary markets to gain experience, then move to NYC or LA once they’ve built a portfolio. Work on your online portfolio now, and it will be a work in progress; you'll add and remove projects as you see fit.
Practical tips.
- Internships: Try to secure internships in NYC or LA while still in school — even short-term ones can open doors. Don't stop and get anywhere. Internships are very important to get work experience and feel for what you like to do and where you need to focus most at school now.
- Portfolio: Focus on creating a portfolio that can travel with you. Employers in fashion hubs look for demonstrated creativity and technical skill.
- Networking: Attend fashion shows, trade fairs, and industry events whenever possible. Even virtual participation can help until you’re ready to move.
- Plan financially: Relocation is expensive. Budget for higher rent and living costs.
Prepare to move. Think of relocation not as a risk but as an investment in your career trajectory. You don’t necessarily have to jump straight into NYC — starting in a growing market like Dallas or Las Vegas could be a smart stepping stone.
Do not despair, you can start locally, search for jobs locally, entertainment, theater, bridal shops, retail, boutique design, costume work, etc. You got this, and good luck.
Thank you for this advice! It is very insightful, and I will definitely apply it to my next steps moving forward!
Aimee