Fashion design is a profession that tends to attract people at an early age. Someone who spends a large portion of their youth reading fashion magazines or making clothes for their dolls usually knows well before they become an adult that a career as a fashion designer has a particular appeal. However, there are many facets of the profession and many things to know about what it will take to forge a successful career in this field. This article provides an overview of the profession in terms of job duties, salary levels, and employment prospects; and it also reviews the skills, training, and other requirements needed to become a top-notch fashion designer.

What does a fashion designer do?

Fashion designers are the people who create the clothing and accessories purchased by the billions every year by consumers. In doing this, designers regularly study fashion trends, sketch designs, select colors and fabrics, and oversee the process by which their original designs come to fruition in the form of new clothes and accessories. Some fashion designers specialize in clothing (men’s, women’s, and children’s apparel), footwear (shoes and boots), or accessory (handbags, belts, scarves, hats, hosiery, etc) design, whereas others create designs in all of these fashion categories.

The design process, which typically takes between 18 and 24 months, involves the following steps:

1. Researching future fashion trends. Some designers conduct their own research, while others rely on fashion industry trade groups who publish trend reports that project the particular styles, colors, and fabrics which are expected to be popular for a certain season in the future.
2. Sketching preliminary designs. Although most designers initially sketch designs by hand, a growing number now make use of computer-aided design (CAD) software to translate these hand sketches to the computer. Using CAD software also allows designers to view designs of clothing on virtual models and in different colors and shapes, which will save time by eliminating the need to make as many adjustments later with prototypes and samples.
3. Visiting manufacturers or trade shows to procure fabric samples in order to decide which fabrics to use with which designs.
4. Creating a prototype of the article using cheaper materials and then trying the prototype on a model for design adjustments.
5. Making samples using the actual material and then marketing them to clothing retailers and displaying them at fashion and trade shows. When retailers at the shows place orders for certain items, these items can then be manufactured and distributed to stores.

Depending on their experience level and also on the size of the design firm they work for, fashion designers may have varying levels of involvement in some or all of these process steps. Some fashion designers (about 25% of them) are self-employed. They generally work for individual clients on a contract or on a job-by-job basis. These types of designers tend to have sporadic working hours, often needing to make adjustments to their workday (or work night) to suit their clients’ schedules and deadlines. Other designers are employed by manufacturing establishments, wholesalers, or design firms, creating designs for the mass market. These types of designers generally tend to have a more normal work schedule, although even they will occasionally need to work long hours to meet production deadlines or prepare for fashion shows.

The highest concentrations of fashion designers are employed in New York and California. The global nature of the industry requires constant interfacing with suppliers, manufacturers, and customers throughout the U.S. and the world; as well as regular attendance at trade and fashion shows. As a result, most fashion designers can expect frequent travel. Earnings in fashion design can vary widely based on the employer and years of experience. Beginning fashion designers, who usually start out as pattern makers or sketching assistants for more experienced designers, tend to earn low salaries until becoming more established in the industry and advancing to higher level positions. Salaried designers as a rule earn higher and more stable incomes than self-employed designers. However, a small number of self-employed fashion designers who have become very successful earn many times the salary of even the highest paid salaried designers.

What steps should one follow to become a fashion designer?

1. Learn to draw and sew. Start at home by sketching some clothing ideas. Save these sketches and continually edit and revise them. Also learn about colors and how to mix them effectively. In addition to sketching ability, fashion designers also need to have sewing and patternmaking skills, even if they are not the ones who directly perform these tasks. Designers need to be able to understand these skills so they can properly oversee construction of garments. Also, designs will be more impressive if clients can see the finished item along with the sketch.
2. Learn everything possible about the industry. Research companies that sell fashion and learn what type of fashion each company makes. Learn about fashion trends and try to predict what will be popular in the future. Learn the sales aspects of fashion, in terms of knowing the major department stores and the stores that sell specialty categories of fashion. Also become familiar with shopper profiles (age, income, lifestyles, etc) and what customers are eager to buy.
3. Attend a school. Bachelors and associate degree programs in fashion design are offered at many colleges, universities, and private art and design schools. Plan to spend at least two years in any fashion design program. A list of accredited college-level programs can be obtained from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. A very smart thing to do is to supplement a fashion design degree with a business, marketing, or fashion merchandising degree. Strong sales and presentation skills and knowledge of the business end of the fashion industry are vital to a successful career.
4. Build a portfolio of original designs. A good portfolio of a person’s best work is the best showcase of his/her creativity and can go a long way towards convincing potential employers that the person would be an asset to their business. The portfolio can be started at an early age, well before graduating from school, and should contain the widest variety of work possible.
5. Get industry experience any way possible. This can come at an early age in the form of volunteer work. Costuming for a community theater is one example of how to get started in the industry. An internship with a design or manufacturing firm will prove invaluable in terms of industry experience. A first job as a pattern maker or sketching assistant for more experienced designers may not pay handsomely but will be well worth the time spent in terms of preparation for moving up the career ladder.

How can a person become a GREAT fashion designer?

1. Develop a working knowledge of design-related software programs. In today’s world, CAD-type software and programs such as Adobe Photo shop and Illustrator provide a vital capability to fashion designers. It is important to become familiar with as wide a variety of software programs as possible.
2. Subscribe to trade newspapers and fashion magazines. This is a great way to keep up-to-date with fashion trends. Industry professionals regularly tap into these publications and successful fashion designers should do the same.
3. Make as many industry connections as possible. Many of these relationships can be developed in school. Include people in related fields, such as advertising.

Qualifications to become a good fashion designer include a strong eye for color and detail, a sense of balance and proportion, and an appreciation for beauty. Fashion designers also need good communication and problem-solving skills, as well as sketching ability. But most important of all is knowing what the job entails and the steps one needs to take in order to be successful in this profession. A person who is armed with this knowledge is well ahead of the game in terms of career preparation and can look forward to embarking upon an interesting and rewarding career.