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Start Your Career in Fashion Design

admin — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:10:43 +0000

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:

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.
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.
Visiting manufacturers or trade shows to procure fabric samples in order to decide which fabrics to use with which designs.
Creating a prototype of the article using cheaper materials and then trying the prototype on a model for design adjustments.
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?

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.
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.
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.
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.
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?

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.
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.
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.

Tips You Must Learn In Fashion Design School

admin — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 17:11:32 +0000

It is merging universe out there and fashion is no exception. Inventions, modification, observation and innovation in today’s technological world has not only turned this world in to a global village. Creativity and artistry combined with this technological development has token fashion and design to an unimaginable level.

However, researchers in the field of fashion and deign have become increasingly worried and specifically concerned about the direction o their discipline. Their concern is not only with growing debates about the challenges of rigour and relevance as regards fashion and designing today, but about conflict and incommensurability across multiple paradigms.

The emergence of the new millennium as if to announce her arrival opened another page in fashion trend. Year 2007 specifically brought us the latest bleeding chic wrapped in a freshness that relies on revivalist interpretation and an appreciation for Pythagorean precision. Pretty runway bundles, prepackaged and ready-made to be dissected and disseminated in fashion institution all over the globe. Academic writers took a critical view of fashion designers seeing them as spurious in their claims a trivial in the effect. That notwithstanding fashion is indisputably and increasingly seen as having important consequences for changes in our world today with T-Shirt as canvas, eco-friendly design sewing together the cutting edge of fashion and activism, retro-revival cadences injected .into deconstructionists aesthetic, the Japan street scene getting crazy and blurring the lines between graphic designs, science fiction and vintage shopping. This is surely the decade libido lid flies completely off the fashion pot.

The most interesting factor to note is the combination and diffusion of various fashion trends and its extension beyond geo-graphical boundaries respectively. Talk of the tend in vogue; it is no more focused as the spread is served from futurism to old-world romance. Sport wear with high heeled sneakers, hoodies and track pants all gracing the runway. Shoes now go longer, skirts are modernly shaped to be more chic, and plunge has leveled while handbags come in their vanity form. From the over-sized adorable ones to the shrinking size, from animal print handbags, tendi straw and sneakers frame once to sophisticate craftily designed grab bags.

Single strap or double strap, the variety seems endless. In today’s world, we see from ankles to knees and nudes. It is really amazing that flowers grow not only on earth anymore but in the minds of sophisticated designers like Yves Saint Laurent Kenneth Cole and many more. Who see it as an ingredient to consolidate their creative effort.Fashion has ensured that the world become more closely kit together, creating modern means of celebrating and promoting various culture. Although, handmade craftsmanship still reigns supreme, technology is however competing seriously for its phase in the industry.

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Fashion Schools

admin — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 17:11:31 +0000

Looking for an interesting career in the fashion industry? Offering a diverse education; fashion schools provide comprehensive coursework that maintains up-to-date fashion and design training programs, which often include the latest accessories, clothing, hairstyles, jewelry, cosmetics, and relevant fashion equipment.

Fashion school students are trained how to blend modern trends into their own creative and customized designs; and prepares them for a frequently evolving profession in a competitive and progressive trade.

Aside from basic instruction in fabrics and textiles, common fashion school curriculums introduce and educate students about budgeting; CAD (Computer Aided Design); clothing production (including learning how to sew and sewing machines); fashion history; merchandising, retail management and wardrobe ensemble.

Successful candidates who have completed and earned a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Fashion Design or Fashion Merchandising may enter lucrative fashion careers such as buyers; costumers; cosmetic artists; cutters; designers; drapers; fashion models; hairstylists; photographers; and merchandisers.

Potential earnings of fashion school graduates are determined by individual ambition and talent. Businesses that fashion professionals often work in include beauty and hair salons; design studios; corporate settings; and a variety of retail outlets.

As an incentive, and if you enjoy travel, a career in the fashion industry often leads to widespread tours to many fashion capitals of the world such as London, Milan, New York and Paris.

Learn more about Fashion Schools by visiting our website today. Take a moment to submit a request for more information, and you could soon be on the path to a new and rewarding career!

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com

Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website, provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active.

Find out more about Fashion Training as well as available Online Fashion Courses at SchoolsGalore.com; meeting your needs as your educational resource to locate schools.

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Basic Guide To Fashion Schools

admin — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:29:25 +0000

Paul Hata asked:

Are you interested in having a career in fashion? If you are, there is a good chance that you may be interested in attending fashion school. While it is more than possible to make money as a fashion designer, a fashion seller, and a fashion consultant without having a degree, you will find that having one may improve your chances of running a successful business.

As nice as it is to know that a degree from a fashion school or at least a certificate of completion may improve your chances of having a successful business, you may be wondering exactly why that is. If you are interested in being a professional fashion designer, you may already know that thousands have tired to do so and failed.

Unfortunately, many of those individuals ended up making many simple mistakes. By getting a degree and the training that comes along with it, you are less likely to make some of these common mistakes and you may learn many other helpful tips and tricks. The same can be said for running a fashion store or working as a fashion consultant.

Now you that you know the importance of attending fashion school, you may be wondering what it the best fashion school to attend. When it comes to finding the best fashion school for you to attend, there are a number of important factors that you will want to take into consideration.

One of those factors is the type of school you would like to attend. Fashion schools and fashion training courses come in a number of different formats. For instance, there are traditional two and four year colleges and universities where you can walk away with a degree. On the other hand, there are training schools that provide you with a certificate of completion, which is, in a way, like a degree.

Location is another factor that should be taken into consideration. If you are preparing to graduate from high school, you may find it easier to find a fashion school to attend, as you may be more willing to relocate than someone who has roots already established or a family.

If you want to stay local, you should still have a number of fashion schools or at least fashion training courses to choose from. In all honesty, the larger the city that you live in or around, the better your chances are of having more options.

Perhaps, the easiest way to go about examining all of your options, in terms of fashion schools, is by using the internet. When using the internet, you may want to think about performing a standard internet search with a phrase like fashion school.

If you would like to stay in a particular area, you may want to incorporate that city or town into your internet search, as it will provide you with more tailored results. You should thoroughly examine the websites of all fashion schools that you come across to see what type of training is offered and how much that training costs.

You may also want to ask those that you know for recommendations or any information that they may have on fashion schools. Although the person that you are speaking to may not necessarily have attended a fashion school, they may know of someone who has had.

Colleges and training schools are often something that is regularly discussed among friends and acquaintances; therefore, you never know what information you can get through word of mouth. In addition, if you are still a high school student, you may want to think about speaking with your guidance counselor for assistance.

As a reminder, attending fashion school is something that is optional, especially if you are interested in starting your own business.Despite being optional, you may still want to take the time to examine fashion schools. You may actually be surprised with how much you can learn by attending one.

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Finding a Top Fashion Design School That Meets Your Needs

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:25:47 +0000

Amy Wells asked:

If your considering attending fashion school, there are a number of choices to wade through, and many factors to consider. How do you separate the hype from the substance when considering what fashion design school is right for your needs? By becoming clear on your school evaluation criteria, it will be easier to pick the school that is right for you.

One of the main factors, of course, is cost. Education is an investment in yourself, and there will be some cost outlays involved for tuition, supplies, and other aspects of attending school. However, if you’ve committed to getting a fashion design education, than you shouldn’t let cost get in your way. You will certainly want to compare costs, the costs of various schools with the overall benefits you’ll receive from each. You may be able to get a better loan or financial aid package from one school over another, and this certainly should be a consideration.

Another factor to consider is location. There are a variety of fashion schools located in some of the major design capitals of the world, such as Milan, London, and New York. If you decided to attend a school located there, you may have increased costs of living, which should be taken into consideration. But, you will also be more immersed in the world of fashion, and may have a chance to make more contacts in the fashion industry that can help you after graduation.

There are some schools that offer an online education, and this may also be a good choice for you. If you need more flexibility with your classes, or have family or work commitments, an online school may be a better choice. Of course, you will want to make sure you have reliable computer and Internet access, and a place to study.

One thing you should pay close attention to is the job placement services the school offers. Most people attend fashion design school because they are looking to work in the fashion industry, and how the school supports what happens post-graduation should be examined closely. The school may have job placement statistics available, and perhaps an alumni association. You may want to contact some of the alumni, and find out how their job placement situation was handled.

The quality of the curriculum and instructors is of course, another major factor. Take a look through their catalogue and see what type of classes are being offered. Classes should offer a good mix of application and theory, and be rigorous without being overwhelming.

Attending a top fashion design school can be a reality instead of just a dream. By critically evaluating the schools based on the criteria that is important to you, you will find many schools that can offer you the education and experience of a lifetime. If you spend the time to comparison

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Tips on Choosing A School For Fashion Design

admin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:50:26 +0000

Amy Wells asked:

Once you’ve made the decision to attend, or at least investigate fashion design as a career, its time to consider your educational prospects. By attending a school for fashion design, you will get the training you need to be successful in your new career. In addition, you will also have the chance to network, and have post-graduate job placement opportunities. Although there are many choices available, finding the right program doesn’t need to be complicated.

One of your first tasks should be narrowing down your field of study. Take a look at the various occupational profiles related to fashion, and focus on the ones that interest you. Some of the more popular fashion areas of study are: design, merchandising, marketing, and fashion retail management. By having a primary focus in mind, you can look primarily at programs which are strong in your niche. If you are not sure what your focus is yet, take a look at schools that offer a variety of fashion design programs, so you can make a decision after you’ve started your initial classes.

Another factor to consider is what type of degree program you are looking for. There are a number of two and four year universities and colleges that offer fashion design as one of their majors. If having a traditional degree is important to you, you may want to apply to these schools. There are also many schools that specialize purely in fashion design programs. This type of education may be more comprehensive, with more of a focus on job placement after you graduate. Many of these offer certificates, associate, and bachelor degree programs.

You should also consider the quality of the education you’ll be pursuing. Make sure you have a chance to review the curriculum and courses, and the teaching faculty. If you can attend some of the schools and take a tour, that would be ideal, as you will have a chance to observe much more than what you will see on the website. You should also try to find some objective reviews of the school and program you are interested in.

At this point, practicalities will also come into play. A major component of deciding which school to attend will be cost. Evaluate the complete financial aid packages that might be available, and consider researching and applying for any scholarships. Location is also extremely important. If you have located an appropriate school nearby, that will be much more convenient. If a nearby school isn’t an option, you may want to consider an online school, or even a school in a different city or county. Some of the best fashion schools are located in places like Milan, London, and Paris.

Because there is so much involved in choosing a school for fashion design, you should take your time and not rush the decision process. Your odds of choosing a school that will help you fulfill your fashion career aspirations are much higher if you are clear about your focus of study, where you want to study, and how much you can afford. With so many choices available, you will find the school that is right for you.

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How To Choose And Join The Best Fashion Design School

admin — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 07:46:26 +0000

Scott English asked:

Fashion design is an upcoming career which is authenticated by many universities. You get a proper degree for it. Fashion design is not an abstract thing, it needs appropriate training and necessary acquaintance with the work required from a fashion design school. A fashion design school can be understood as an institution where people become skilled at creating exclusive designs with fabrics.

Choosing the right place.

There are several factors associated in choosing your future career institute. Same holds in case of a fashion design school. In the recent times, India has seen so many fashion design schools, that you can not take each one of them on similar grounds. These vary in their reputation, fee structure, course structure etc just as you would do in case of your engineering or medicine schools. Before joining a fashion design school, one needs to take care of the following things. Firstly, think on your area of specialism in the fashion world.

To a common man, fashion might seem a piece of cake, but actually it has many branches associated to it. After deciding, look for the fashion design school offering it. Secondly, find out the facts like location, course offered, fee structure, degree level, placements and the total cost associated. There is a difference between the fee structure and the total cost required.

Fashion being a practical thing, inculcates huge cost of accessories and fabrics. Thirdly, collect all information and make a list of all the fashion design schools. Apply to them, check out id there are any scholarships or merit distinction. There can be different criteria for admission to different fashion design schools. Lastly, also try to check these institutes personally. After receiving responses to your applications, start considering the best ones.

How to get your foot into the door?

Getting into a fashion design school requires as much work as would been have been for an engineering college. To get an idea of the essential work that needs to be done in a fashion design school, you should talk to the people who are already in this industry for years. The first step towards fashion is the skill of being able to draw it on a piece of paper. Many people might wonder that art and fashion are two different things. Without the drawing, fashion is an abstract thing.

You need the aptitude to outline your ideas on a piece of paper, to communicate it to other people before developing it actually. The very basic requirement of your portfolio depends upon your designs. After that, to make samples of your complete work, you should be able to sew yourself. You will also need a basic knowledge of the use of computers for using several fashion design software’s. You might also need references of your mentors in order to find work in large fashion houses.

As we know that a fashion design school is just like a normal school, so getting good grades is also very important. And then you finally see yourself at a fashion design school, you will gain knowledge of many innovative things new marketing tools and fashion design software’s.

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Getting Into The Top Fashion Schools

admin — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:34:00 +0000

Part of the beauty of deciding to go into the fashion industry is dreaming about getting into a top fashion school. Every future fashion designer or aspiring student of fashion has dreamed of attending one of the top fashion schools in the nation at some point or another.

It just so happens that dreaming about something and making it happen are completely different things these days, and it takes a special person to push themselves to that limit in the first place.

How Are Your Grades?

All too many aspiring students make the mistake of thinking that grades not matter when it comes to getting into the top fashion school of their choice because they are not applying for interest on a traditional college or university. Things are actually quite to the contrary; getting into the top fashion school in the nation is going to require a great deal of smarts and dedication and intelligence, and good grades are a reflection that a potential student has all of those qualities and more.

If you are not used to having to work hard to get good grades, there will be no success for you at a top fashion school. A fashion school is an art school, and an art school is a type of postsecondary education where degrees are given out once studies have been completed. If you are trying to get a degree, it is important that you do as well as you possibly can to earn good marks and learn everything you can.

How Are Your Skills?

Let’s face it, just because you didn’t going to a top fashion designer school does not mean that you actually have talent. Just because you can style yourself in the morning to school does not mean that a career in fashion industries for you. Perhaps you should be a business owner or a celebrity ensemble artist. People with no artistic skills whatsoever are probably not going to do that well in a top fashion school atmosphere, so is important to keep that in mind.

If you can’t draw but you dream of going to a top fashion school, perhaps you should consider a business in fashion marketing or fashion business; design just may not be your forte. That’s perfectly okay.

Getting into a top school is about more than wanting to do so. It’s about having the drive and the skill and the grades necessary to make the cut. Even people who have all of those qualities and more may not be successful. Only a small fraction of students actually become successful designers, but more than likely attending a top fashion school can help you find your personal niche in the fashion industry.