How long do you have to be an intern to become a fashion designer?

It is all relative.... I have friends who graduated 2 years ago and are still interning. It's very competitive and there are so many graduates every year. Unfortunately this means only the rich kids whose parents can fund their living costs are the ones who get ahead. A friend of my cousin's has been interning for 3 years and has only just got a job! But that was in advertising. If, like me, you don't have help from your parents it is best to save up as much as you can for 2-3 years living costs (I worked out about £900 per month for everything - rent, travel, food, tax, bills, property insurance, phone - in London) So I need between £20,000-£30,000. Or if I can't save up that much in time (as I still don't have a job) I could work a night job at a supermarket or bar/pub but would be scraping by but the weeks approaching fashion weeks will be very intense - I've had friends working 12 hour days... so you might not be able to fit a paid job around this.

Generally speaking internships last periods of 3 months and you can stay or move to another one. Always keep your options open - if you befriend someone who needs assistance styling a shoot, offer help even if you have never done it before. The fashion community is very close knit so it's best to get a lot of experience because you could start in design but end up a stylist or a PR. I have a friend who is working in PR now after 3 months interning in a design team.