14 High School Summer Fashion Internships
If you’re interested in fashion, a summer internship can help you understand how the industry works beyond the classroom. These internships give high school students exposure to areas such as design, merchandising, marketing, and sustainability. You may work on projects, assist with ongoing work, or observe professional workflows, which helps you see how fashion ideas move from concept to execution.
Why should I participate in a fashion summer internship in high school?
A fashion summer internship helps you develop practical skills and produce work you can include in a portfolio. For students applying to undergraduate fashion programs or design-related majors, this experience can strengthen college applications by showing preparation and sustained interest in the field. Internships also help you make more informed choices about what areas of fashion you may want to study in college.
Here are 14 summer fashion internships for high school students! In addition to internships, we’ve included a few summer fashion programs that can help you develop practical skills to enter the field.
1. URBN Internships
Location: Navy Yard, Philadelphia, PA
Stipend: Competitive hourly rate (exact amount not specified)
Dates: June 1-August 7
Application Deadline: November 3
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
URBN’s summer internship gives high school students an up-close look at the fashion and retail industry. As an intern, you’ll work on projects such as tracking new trends, conducting data research, and collaborating with creative teams. Most internships take place at URBN’s Philadelphia Navy Yard headquarters, though some remote opportunities are also available. But it's not just about work – URBN’s programs also include leadership-building activities, fun social events, and off-site field trips, helping you make connections, build professional skills, and gain a deeper understanding of the fashion world.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
3. Gap Inc.'s This Way Onward
Location: Local Old Navy stores / Virtual
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Year-round program
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 16-24
Gap Inc.'s This Way Onward program is a high school summer fashion internship that gives the students hands-on experience and mentorship in the fashion retail world. As an intern, you’ll work with store managers, job coaches, and experienced team members to learn what it takes to succeed in retail. You’ll also take part in workshops that will help you explore career options, build professional skills, and connect with industry mentors. Throughout the program, you’ll develop important skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership, motivation, and job readiness – all while getting job-ready experience in a supportive environment. Top-performing interns may even receive offers for entry-level positions as brand associates at Old Navy, giving you a clear path to start your career in the fashion retail industry.
4. Cooper Hewitt’s Design Hive
Location: Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, New York, New York
Stipend: $2,000 (paid in two $1,000 installations)
Dates: December 2-May 19
Application Deadline: Application dates yet to be announced
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors based in New York City
In the Design Hive program at Cooper Hewitt, you’ll collaborate with other high school students to explore the creative world of design. You’ll work with professional designers and see how an idea develops into a product while drawing inspiration from the museum’s exhibitions, collections, and resources. You’ll receive mentorship from experienced designers and build practical skills in design and teamwork. Sessions are held for two hours every Tuesday, and application details are shared on the official Design Hive page.
5. Broadway Sacramento Internship Program
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Stipend: $25/day
Dates: Multiple track dates depending on department
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students
The Broadway Sacramento Internship Program gives high school seniors and college students an opportunity to experience what it's like to work behind the scenes in live theatre. You can explore different aspects of live theatre, such as stage management, costumes, sound, or makeup, and gain experience setting up for shows, organizing props, or assisting performers. You’ll learn directly from theatre professionals and see how a production comes together from rehearsal to curtain call. The program also offers college credit, a small daily stipend, and access to special workshops—making it a great opportunity to build skills and explore a career in theatre or live entertainment.
6. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)
Location: Manhattan campus in New York City
Stipend: $1,100
Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Students in grade 10 or 11, or those who are obtaining their High School Equivalency, living in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) Internship Program introduces high school students to the world of art, design, and museum work through hands-on projects and personalized mentorship. You can explore a wide range of areas such as fashion and costume design, curation, merchandising, marketing, education, conservation, and research while working alongside museum professionals. Throughout the program, you’ll collaborate on projects both independently and in groups, gaining real-world experience and building valuable connections with peers and mentors. Beyond the day-to-day work, you’ll also take part in career labs, workshops, social events, and a final celebration, making this a well-rounded opportunity for creative and professional growth.
7. The North Carolina Theatre Conservatory (Raleigh)
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Stipend: Production internships are currently unpaid
Dates: Summer (dates and schedules are flexible)
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Individuals aged 15+ who can commute to and from the conservatory
The North Carolina Theatre Conservatory offers production internships for students eager to explore how fashion and performance come together on stage. You can join the costume, wardrobe, or makeup departments, where you’ll assist with designing, styling, and coordinating character looks for live theatre productions. As an intern, you’ll work alongside experienced theatre artists and designers, learning how costumes and visual elements bring characters to life and enhance storytelling. It’s a valuable hands-on experience for anyone interested in the fashion side of the entertainment industry.
8. Banson NYC Fashion Summer Camp
Location: New York City (Midtown Manhattan)
Stipend: Not specified
Dates: July 26 – 31
Application Deadline: Rolling until 20 seats are reached
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9-12
Banson NYC Fashion Summer Camp gives high school students an inside look at New York City’s fashion industry through a mix of hands-on activities and expert-led learning. You’ll visit design studios and showrooms, learn about merchandising and the buying process, and explore fashion exhibits at some of the city’s renowned museums. With group dinners, interactive activities, and a small cohort of just 20 students per session, the camp fosters a friendly, close-knit environment where you can connect with peers who share your passion for fashion.
9. Drexel University Fashion Design Reimagined
Location: On-campus at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost: $2,250
Dates: July 16–22
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students who have completed their sophomore year by July and are at least 16 years old
The Fashion Design Reimagined Program at Drexel University is a selective, hands-on summer experience that accepts only 18 students each year. You’ll spend the week working in Drexel’s fashion studios, attending live demonstrations, and experimenting with fabrics and materials to create your own apparel designs. Alongside studio work, you’ll learn directly from Drexel faculty and industry experts through lectures and workshops – gaining insights into modern fashion practices. The program also introduces you to cutting-edge tools such as Shima Seiki’s Apex knitwear design simulator and Clo-3D fashion design software – giving you a real-world experience with the same technology used by top designers.
10. Pratt Institute Summer Pre-College program
Location: Brooklyn campus, New York City, USA
Cost: $8,136 ( Residential), and $5,452 ( Commuter), and $65 (Application fee)
Dates: July 6-31
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students aged roughly 16-18 by December 31; students in high school or equivalent
The Pratt Institute’s Summer Pre-College Program gives high school students a chance to experience what it’s like to study at one of the nation’s top art and design schools. The program combines college-level coursework, studio practice, and creative exploration to help you grow as an artist and designer. You’ll take two fashion-focused studio courses and workshops, visit cultural landmarks around New York City, and work with Pratt’s faculty in professional studios using state-of-the-art equipment. The experience helps you strengthen your artistic skills, explore potential college majors, and build a portfolio that can enhance your college applications—all while earning elective college credits and getting a real taste of campus life at Pratt.
11. Texas Woman’s University (TWU) Fashion Design Camps
Location: Denton, Texas, on the TWU campus
Cost: $595
Dates: July-July (dates vary by camps)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Must be between 13 and 18 years old
The Teen Fashion Design Camp at Texas Woman’s University is a fun, hands-on five-day program for young creatives, ages nine to eighteen, to explore their passion for fashion. You’ll learn the fundamentals of sewing and apparel construction while working on projects that include fashion sketching, trend boards, design concepts, textiles, and color theory. The week wraps up with a mini fashion show, where you can present your own creations on the runway. Guided by TWU fashion faculty, local professionals, and undergraduate mentors, the camp offers an exciting introduction to fashion design and the creative process behind bringing ideas to life
12. Parsons School of Design-Summer Intensive Studies
Location: Parsons’ NYC Greenwich Village campus, NYC, NY
Cost: $5,610 + $265 (fee)
Dates: June 8-26 (Session 1) and July 6-26 (Session 2)
Application Deadline: May 8 (Session 1), June 1 (Session 2)
Eligibility: Students aged 16-18
Parsons School of Design, one of the world’s leading fashion and art schools, offers a three-week summer program for high school students who want to explore creative fields. In this program, you’ll choose a subject you’re interested in and learn from faculty, while soaking in New York City’s vibrant art and fashion scene. You’ll take part in studio classes, interactive workshops, and field trips, and hear from guest speakers in the industry. Along the way, you’ll create original portfolio pieces that can strengthen your college applications and showcase your talent. Popular courses include Fashion Styling, Fashion Design: Visual Communication, and Fashion Design: Sewing and Construction – each designed to help you gain real design experience and build your creative confidence.
13. Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)
Location: FIT in New York City
Cost: One 10-day class is $550.00 (with all fees)
Dates: July 6 – 21
Application Deadline: June 10
Eligibility: Middle school and high school students
The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Precollege Program gives high school students an opportunity to dive into the fashion and creative industries while experiencing life in New York City. You can explore a variety of subjects such as art, fashion design, merchandising, marketing, photography, interior design, and media, and discover how these areas shape the fashion industry. The program offers both 10-day classes and 4-day workshops during the fall, spring, or summer—giving you the flexibility to learn at your own pace. In these classes, you’ll study in a college-style environment under the guidance of experienced mentors and industry professionals, building knowledge and skills that can help prepare you for future creative studies and career paths.
14. LIM Fashion Academy
Location: On-campus in New York City (Manhattan) or virtual
Cost: Varies depending on which courses you take, see here
Dates: Vary by course
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to current high school students who will be 14-18 years old by the first day of the program
The Fashion Academy at LIM College introduces high school students to the business side of the fashion world through a mix of interactive classes and real-world learning. You’ll explore areas such as fashion merchandising, marketing, media, styling, event management, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, gaining a clear understanding of how the fashion industry works. Designed to be hands-on and personal, the program also helps you see what studying fashion in college is really like. The Academy offers weeklong credit and non-credit courses both online and at its LIM New York City campus, giving you a taste of the city’s fast-paced fashion scene.
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