Fashion Designer
What's it like to be a Fashion Designer?
Fashion Designers are design experts who apply aesthetics and creativity to produce authentic and original outfits. They sketch designs by hand and create technical production drawings. Fashion Designers are good at anticipating designs that will appeal to consumers. They study current fashion trends, and select fabrics, colours or a style for each garment. Fashion Designers often have strong business knowledge.
Tasks and duties
- Managing the design process from conception through to final styling.
- Conducting market research to identify new trends, fabrics and techniques, and seeking design inspiration.
- Collaborating with team members to select seasonal themes, make edits to lines and create new concepts.
- Ensuring a product agrees with business strategy.
- Selecting fabrics and trims.
- Creating production sketches for development packages.
- Collaborating with the technical designer to ensure development packages are accurate.
- Reviewing products for style and fit during presentation.
- Presenting story, mood, colour boards, and samples to buyers.
How to become a Fashion Designer
Fashion Designing is a competitive field, so a degree and extensive experience is often required to be successful in the role.
Obtain a bachelor degree in design or fine arts, or a college degree in fashion design or another related field.
Design firms, clothing manufacturers and stylists often offer internships to potential Fashion Designers. Joining internship opportunities will help you gain experience in the field.
Create a network within and across the industry. As early as possible, connect with other designers, suppliers and buyers. This will help you establish your name and integrity as a Fashion Designer.
You must always update yourself on the latest trends in fashion. Stay up-to-date by reading fashion magazines and researching current fashion trends and styles.
Skills and experience employers are looking for
