17 Fashion Editor Interview Questions and Answers

Fashion editors work for magazines, newspapers, online publications, or fashion houses, and their job is to ensure that the clothing and accessories featured in these publications are current and stylish. They may also be responsible for writing articles or creating features on trends, designers, and fashion shows.

If you’re interested in a career in fashion, you may be wondering what the interview process is like for a fashion editor. How do you get hired for a job in fashion? What questions will you be asked in a fashion editor interview?

We’ve put together a guide to the most common fashion editor interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview and get one step closer to your dream job.

Are you familiar with the latest trends in fashion?

This question can help interviewers determine your knowledge of the fashion industry. As a fashion editor, you should be aware of what’s new in the world of fashion and how to communicate that information to readers. Use examples from your experience to show the interviewer that you’re up-to-date on current trends.

Example: “I’m always looking for ways to stay informed about the latest fashion trends. I follow several bloggers who share their unique style ideas with their followers. I also subscribe to a few online magazines that feature the newest collections from designers. In my last role, I helped create an editorial piece on the top fall looks for women over 50. This helped our publication reach a wider audience.”

What are some of your favorite fashion magazines and why?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand your interests. It also helps them see what types of magazines you’ve worked for in the past, which can give them a better idea of how you might fit into their team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some specific articles or features that you enjoyed working on.

Example: “I really enjoy working for fashion magazines that have a lot of unique content. I find myself most inspired when I’m able to work with new ideas and concepts. One magazine that I particularly enjoyed was Fashion Forward Magazine because they were always coming up with new ways to present information. For example, one month we did an entire issue where every article had a different font style.”

How do you decide which pieces to include in a photo spread or editorial?

The interviewer may ask you this question to learn more about your decision-making process and how you use your creativity. Your answer should include a specific example of how you made a choice in the past, such as choosing which pieces to feature in an editorial or photo spread.

Example: “When I was working on my last magazine, we had a lot of great content that needed to be featured in our next issue. We were running out of space for articles and wanted to make sure we included all of our best work. I decided to create a grid system where each piece of content would have its own square. Then, I used color coding to determine what type of content went with each article.”

What is your process for deciding whether or not to include a piece in an editorial?

The interviewer wants to know how you make decisions about what pieces are included in an editorial and why. Your answer should show that you have a process for making these types of decisions, but also that you’re willing to change your mind if the situation warrants it.

Example: “I always start by looking at the designer’s previous work. I want to see if there is a common theme or style that they use. If not, then I look at the current trends and decide whether this piece would fit into those. For example, if the trend is all black everything, then I’m going to be more hesitant to include something with color. However, if the trend is more muted colors, then I might be more likely to include a colorful piece.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to work with a difficult designer or model.

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle conflict. They want to know that you can work with others and resolve issues in a professional manner. In your answer, try to focus on the positive aspects of working with difficult people. Try to highlight any skills or techniques you used to help you get along with them.

Example: “I once worked with a designer who was very particular about his designs. He would often change small details at the last minute, which made it challenging for me to meet deadlines. I learned to communicate clearly with him so he knew what my expectations were. I also started setting more specific deadlines so he could plan ahead. This helped us both be prepared for each stage of production.”

If you could create your own fashion magazine, what would it look like?

This question is a great way to see how creative you are and what your vision for the magazine would be. It also shows that you have an idea of what readers want, which can help you create content that’s more appealing to them. When answering this question, try to think about what kind of articles you’d like to publish and who you’d like to feature in those stories.

Example: “I would make my magazine very inclusive, featuring models of all sizes and ethnicities. I would also focus on highlighting up-and-coming designers rather than established ones because I believe it’s important to support new talent. I would include lots of photos and videos so people could get a better sense of what they’re buying. I would also do monthly roundups of the best pieces from each season.”

What would you do if you received a photo that was clearly unusable for your editorial?

This question is a great way to see how you handle challenges in your work. It’s important to show that you can use creativity and problem-solving skills to make the photo usable for publication.

Example: “If I received a photo that was unusable, I would first ask my photographer what happened. If it was something they could fix, I would tell them to try again. If not, I would contact our freelance photographers to see if any of them were available to take new photos. If none of those options worked, I would reach out to other publications to see if they had similar photos from their shoots. If all else failed, I would have to scrap the photo.”

How well do you know the latest software programs used for editing and designing fashion content?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have the necessary skills and experience to perform your job duties. They want to know that you can use the software they provide their employees with, as well as any other programs needed for the job. In your answer, let the interviewer know which programs you are familiar with and how often you use them.

Example: “I am very familiar with Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Office Suite. I’ve been using these programs since my first internship in college, so I’m quite comfortable with them. I also regularly use Canva, a free online design program, to create graphics for social media posts and blog content.”

Do you have any experience working with social media platforms?

Social media is an important aspect of the fashion industry, and employers may want to know if you have experience using platforms like Instagram or Pinterest. If you do, share your previous experience with these platforms and how it helped you in your role. If you don’t have any social media experience, you can talk about other ways you’ve used technology to promote a brand.

Example: “I have worked with several different social media platforms throughout my career as a fashion editor. I started out working for a magazine where we had our own blog, so I was responsible for creating content that would be shared on both platforms. Later, I moved to a publication that relied heavily on social media, so I learned how to use various platforms to promote our articles.”

When is it appropriate to share your personal style on the job?

Employers want to know that you can separate your personal style from the job. They also want to make sure you understand what is appropriate and what isn’t. Your answer should show that you have a clear understanding of how to do this.

Example: “I think it’s important to maintain a professional appearance at all times, but I also believe in showing my personality through my work. For example, if I’m working on an article about fall fashion trends, I might wear some pieces that are more autumnal than others. However, I would never wear anything too revealing or overly trendy. I would also avoid wearing any items that could be perceived as advertisements.”

We want to increase our reach to a younger audience. How would you approach this goal as an editor?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your ability to reach new audiences and increase the readership of their publication. Use examples from previous experience that show how you can attract younger readers, such as by creating content that appeals to them or collaborating with social media influencers.

Example: “I would start by looking at what’s popular among young people today. I’d research which celebrities are most popular with teens and create more stories about them. I’d also look for up-and-coming designers who appeal to younger shoppers and feature them in our magazine.”

Describe your writing style and provide an example of a piece you’ve written.

The interviewer may ask this question to get a better sense of your writing style and how you approach the content you’re editing. Your answer should include an example of a piece you wrote that showcases your writing style, as well as any specific skills or techniques you used in the process.

Example: “I have a very conversational writing style, which I developed while working on my college newspaper. In my last role, I edited all of our social media posts, so I was always looking for ways to make our brand voice come through in those pieces. To do this, I would write out each post before publishing it, then go back and edit it once more after posting to ensure it sounded natural and authentic. This helped us build up a loyal following on social media.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this fashion editor position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications for the job. They want to know what makes you a good fit for their company and how you can contribute to its success. Before your interview, make a list of all your relevant skills and experiences that relate to this position. Think about which ones are most important for this role and highlight them in your answer.

Example: “I am an ideal candidate for this fashion editor position because I have extensive experience as a writer and editor. In my previous role, I worked with a team of writers to create content for our website. I also edited many of these articles before publishing them online. This helped me develop my proofreading and editing skills, which I think will be beneficial to this role.”

Which fashion industries do you have experience working in?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how you might fit into their company. If you have previous experience working in a similar role, share what skills you gained from that job that will be useful for this position.

Example: “I’ve worked as a fashion editor at two different magazines, one focused on streetwear and another more high-end style. I learned a lot about both sides of the industry during my time there, which has helped me develop an eye for trends and styles. I also worked as a freelance writer for several online publications, so I’m familiar with writing content quickly and efficiently.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of a photo spread?

This question can help interviewers understand your photo editing skills and how you prioritize the elements of a spread. Your answer should show that you know what makes a good photo spread and are able to create one yourself.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of a photo spread is the model’s expression. If they’re not smiling or looking at the camera, it can make the entire spread look unappealing. I always try to edit photos so models have bright smiles and are making eye contact with the camera. This helps draw in readers and makes the spread more appealing.”

How often should you update your wardrobe?

This question can help an interviewer determine how often you’ll update the fashion editor’s blog. They may also want to know if you have a personal style that you’re comfortable sharing with others. Your answer should show your ability to keep up with trends and express yourself through clothing.

Example: “I think it depends on what kind of person you are, but I try to update my wardrobe every season. I find that this is enough time for me to get bored with my current pieces and start looking forward to new ones. However, I do like to shop sales and clearance racks because I don’t always have the budget to buy everything at full price.”

There is a disagreement between two designers about the best way to wear a particular piece. How would you handle this as an editor?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a disagreement between two designers and how you might use your editorial skills to resolve the conflict. In your answer, try to show that you are able to listen to both sides of an argument and make a decision based on the information provided.

Example: “In this situation, I would first ask each designer why they think their way is best. Then, I would consider what makes each piece unique and decide which one fits better with the publication’s target audience. If there was still a disagreement, I would talk to each designer about the other’s opinion and see if we could come up with a compromise.”