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What is a Fashion Designer?
A fashion designer creates clothing, accessories, jewelry, footwear, costumes, and more. These can be wearable items for men, women, children, teens, dogs, cats, and even dolls and action figures. This is a highly competitive field; however, if you specialize in a niche area, you can improve your chances for success. Most people who enter this field are highly passionate about fashion and draw inspiration from numerous personal experiences and influences.
Some fashion designers will create their own pieces to sell; whereas, other fashion designers will be hired to make the sketches of others a reality by creating patterns, or design clothes for an already established brand anonymously without any recognition. Very few fashion designers will ever have their clothes featured on the catwalks of Milan or New York. It is far more realistic that your clothes will be worn by everyday people.
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Step 1: Get a Bachelor’s
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Step 2: Internships, Work Experience, and Portfolio
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Step 3: Learn Advanced Design Technology - Certificates
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Step 4: Develop a Desirable Skill Set
Step 1: Get a Bachelor’s
The most popular degree for fashion designers is fashion merchandising, which
combines academic study with hands-on experience. Students learn essential
skills, including computer-aided
design (CAD), and build a portfolio through required projects.
A bachelor’s degree also teaches important workplace skills like working within
a budget, meeting deadlines, and using limited resources.
Many programs offer opportunities for students to showcase their work
through fashion shows or contests, and often include internships to gain
real-world experience. Admission to design programs may require submitting
sketches or samples to demonstrate artistic ability. Fashion design degrees can
be earned at traditional colleges or specialized design institutions.
Step 2: Internships, Work Experience, and Portfolio
TA career in fashion design often begins with an internship or assistant designer role, though a
degree may not always be required. Internships, especially those through a
degree program, offer valuable industry insights, work experience, skill
development, and networking opportunities, often providing academic credit as
well.
Building a strong portfolio
is crucial before entering the fashion industry. Students can enhance their
portfolios by taking on freelance
projects during their degree, working on personal designs, or
participating in contests. Even without a degree, gaining experience early
on—whether as a costume designer
in school plays, mending clothes
in the community, or working in retail—helps
build a portfolio, resume, and industry connections, making you more
competitive in the job market.
Step 3: Learn Advanced Design Technology - Certificates
While you are working to gain experience that will lead you to career advancement, it is also essential that you learn everything you can pertaining to advanced design technology. The fashion industry is no different to the rest of the industries in the world in that technology is becoming increasingly important. Even if there are employers that do not require significant technology skills today, they will tomorrow. If you want to advance your skills, make yourself a more desirable candidate, earn more money, and possibly work for yourself one day, you should stay up to date with the common technology in the industry and perhaps even consider completing certificate programs in design technology.
Step 4: Develop a Desirable Skill Set
Once you have a bachelor’s degree and some work experience, you should focus on developing the skills employers find most desirable. In addition to talent and a solid educational background in fashion, most employers are looking for a fashion designer who understands the technical aspects of production and those who are highly creative and artistic.
They are also in search of individuals who have strong drawing and visualization skills, are able to work on a team, meet deadlines, pay attention to detail, with an understanding of business, and exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. Many of these skills you can work to develop on your own rather than through formal training or education.
Potential Fashion Designer Careers for Graduates
Where Might You Work?
Many fashion designers specialize in work for apparel, piece goods, and notions merchant wholesalers. This is followed by self-employment and apparel manufacturing. Fashion designers who work for a wholesaler or manufacturer will design products that will be sold to marketers and retailers for end-user distribution. Other types of employers include the video and motion picture industries, especially for period and other complex costume creation, and many fashion designers will work in management for small companies and large enterprises alike.
If you work for yourself, you might create customized clothing for private clients or you might sell your designs to manufacturers or brands. Keep in mind that you might be expected to travel to keep up on the latest fashion trends and that most employers are located in New York and California. Fashion designers will not likely work a traditional eight-hour day job. You will be required to work as many hours as it takes to meet deadlines and client schedules. This has become the fashion industry standard and it is simply understood and expected by employers and employees alike. If you wish to keep more traditional hours, be sure to find an employer who is dedicated to the work-life balance of their employees.