New York Internship Program with Fashion Week Internships

I’m posting to share concerns about Fashion Week Internships (FWI), which describes itself as "a leading UK-based consultancy providing access to dynamic internships with industry leaders and established brands in the fashion sector." Ironically, their mission statement includes the promise to "always deliver what we promise." Unfortunately, they have failed to uphold this promise, and there are allegations of improper operations for years, as evidenced by various online posts.

I want to share my daughter's experience in hopes of preventing similar situations for others. It seems they may have committed fraud by failing to issue a refund for not securing an internship, as stipulated in the signed agreement.

My daughter discovered FWI while searching for "New York Fashion Week internships" for September 2024. Their sleek website prominently appears in search results, utilizing SEO strategies to attract potential clients. They provide a phone number (44-207-898-3911) that consistently goes to voicemail and an address in a prestigious area of the UK, which lends them an air of legitimacy.

This past summer, my daughter applied and had a phone interview with a representative named Christian Thomas. He claimed to have submitted her resume to several New York fashion companies. After a few days, he provided a vague list of businesses allegedly interested in her (e.g., "PR Company," "Fashion House"). This appears similar to communications others have reported, likely intended to convey credibility.

They had her sign an agreement promising a full refund if they couldn’t secure an internship, which seems to encourage payment. They requested an initial payment of approximately $600 (half of the total $1,200) before contacting companies. Notably, they only accept wire transfers, complicating potential refunds.

After receiving the initial payment, they allegedly reached out to finalize the internship. Weeks later, they provided a name of a real company that was going to provide the internship and requested the remaining payment before they would move forward. After my daughter paid the second half, they ghosted her for over a week. When I intervened, they admitted they couldn’t secure the internship and promised a refund by the end of the month. However, weeks passed without any refund, and they have since stopped responding.

According to their incorporation documents, FWI reported five shareholders and the Managing Director is listed as Charles Alexander Ejogo. It also reports it has three employees, whose names—Sarah Hunt, Rachel Andrews, and Christian Thomas—may be fictitious. The company’s listed address is: Orega, 3rd Floor, 70 Gracechurch Street, London. I have since found out from Orega that FWI has been wrongfully using their corporate address and does not have an office there and Orega has reported them to the authorities.

I hope this information helps others avoid similar pitfalls.

In the fast-paced and glamorous world of fashion, opportunities for internships can seem like golden tickets to a promising career. However, my recent experience with Fashion Week Internships, a London-based company, has shown me just how deceptive and damaging these supposed opportunities can be.

Several months ago, my daughter, filled with excitement and anticipation, she signed up with Fashion Week Internships in hopes of securing an internship in Milan within the fashion industry. Their promises of invaluable experience and professional growth seemed too good to pass up. Little did I know, she was about to embark on a journey filled with disappointment, frustration, and financial strain.

As the supposed start date of her internship approached, she eagerly prepared herself for what we believed would be a transformative experience. However, just a week before she was set to depart, she received shocking news: Fashion Week Internships had failed to secure a placement for she in Milan. The internship she had been promised simply did not exist.

Left stranded in a foreign city with no purpose or direction, she was forced to reckon with the harsh reality of being misled by a company that purported to have my best interests at heart. To compound the situation, Fashion Week Internships proposed reimbursing solely their fees, showing no regard for the considerable expenses I had incurred for flights and accommodation

Months have passed since this ordeal began, and despite numerous promises and assurances, Fashion Week Internships has yet to fulfill their commitment to reimburse even their own fees, let alone cover the costs we incurred. Their lack of accountability and disregard for the well-being of their clients is appalling and cannot go unnoticed.

Therefore, we feel compelled to warn others about the deceitful practices of Fashion Week Internships. If you value your time, money, and sanity, I implore you to steer clear of this company at all costs. Do not be fooled by their glossy promises and enticing offers.

In conclusion, let my experience serve as a cautionary tale to anyone considering doing business with Fashion Week Internships. Avoid them  and save yourself from the heartache and financial strain that I have endured. The fashion industry may be competitive, but that is no excuse for companies like Fashion Week Internships to exploit the dreams and aspirations of hopeful individuals.

Getting to intern with the help of Fashion Week Internships was a great experience on the whole. Working with people that helped me to develop my skills and pushed me to try new things helped me gain great confidence and knowledge. My roles varied from pattern-cutting and sewing to elaborate embroidery for the couture pieces. I loved being involved in the creative and production processes and getting to see how high the level of craftsmanship is to produce truly beautiful pieces. A great place to learn.

I was hoping to get under the skin of the fashion industry in New York and to gain experience toward the goal of discovering what I want to do in my future career and I discovered both of those goals through this process. Interning at Cosmopolitan was daunting at first because it was such a great opportunity, but I quickly got settled and gained so much more than I expected from my workplace experience. Living in New York helped with my independence, and confidence, and it is a city I can see myself moving to again after graduation.

My overall experience interning with a fashion house was way beyond what I expected! With the help from the Fashion Week Internships staff, I was easily able to arrive and settle into NY life and the working environment. I learned a tremendous amount, and the level of responsibility I was given on a daily basis made the experience eye-opening and worthwhile. I couldn't have found this internship without fashion week, so I appreciate the hard work and effort they put into making my summer. Even though I traveled alone, there were lots of opportunities to meet other interns and see NYC.

My advice would be to take part in as many opportunities as possible, in your internship, and in the city, as the times really does go by so quickly.

A truly fulfilling travel experience!

I was made to feel instantly at home in the concrete jungle. The city has so much to offer, and is a foodie and guilty foodie paradise :). I spent 6 weeks in Midtown with Ralph Lauren corporate and everyday felt like a dream, working for such an iconic brand. Tasks and jobs varied each day and by the close
I feel like I had learned so much. Your time goes by so fast, so enjoy every moment and we were encouraged to take as many photos as we could to remember each day, so I will offer that as my little tip to all aspiring interns.

I am a Political Science and French major, and I travelled abroad with fashion weeks internships actually in Paris not NY for the spring 2023 semester! I absolutely loved my experience. The staff is wonderfully happy and friendly, so even when I came upon difficult situations at the beginning of my internship, I never doubted that everything would be ok. If you're also looking to improve your French skills, this is definitely a great program for you. In my team we spoke french and English everyday, and my proficiency improved over the course of four months. I also loved getting to know the city, and more of Europe as a whole. I felt culturally fulfilled by the time I finished.
The work to begin with can be little streesful but if you trust that you will get the hang of it, it becomes so much fun.I cannot recommend fashion weeks internship enough.

Although I have been to New York before when I was a lot younger, this experience was truly unique! I had the opportunity to intern for 6 weeks at a Public Relations agency, but to be a New Yorker for the spring. I had the chance to explore the city in all its vibrancy and I truly had the best time! There is so much to see across the different neighborhoods and boroughs and springtime in New York is like no other.

Fashion Week Internships were so great at supporting me throughout the application process and for guiding me on everything I needed to prepare for the trip I highly recommend fashion week internships and I am forever grateful for the experience!