Becoming a fashion designer is a process that requires both hard work and talent. If you have the drive to succeed, you can make it happen. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Be creative: Whether it’s drawing or sewing, being creative is an important part of the process of becoming a fashion designer. You’ll need to be able to come up with new ideas for clothing and accessories that people will want to buy—and then create them!
- Take classes: Going to school for fashion design can be very helpful because it allows you to learn from other designers and gain experience in a classroom setting before going out on your own. It also helps if you have an idea of what kind of clothing you want to create when starting out so that you can focus on learning the skills needed for that type of clothing rather than trying to figure out everything at once which may overwhelm you or cause stress which isn’t good for your health either way so make sure there’s something for everyone no matter what age range or style preference they may have! It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for something casual like jeans or something more formal like suits.
If you’re interested in becoming an fashion designer, here are some things to keep in mind.
- Designing clothing requires a lot of time and patience. Don’t expect any overnight success or fame.
- Learn about the history of fashion and its trends over time—this will help you understand where your designs fit into the bigger picture and what’s already been done before, which will help you create something new and innovative.
- Make sure to always have your sketchbook with you so that you can draw whenever inspiration strikes!
How To Become An Fashion Designer
A fashion designer creates original apparel and accessories. Drawing on fashion trends and a deep knowledge of textiles and style, designers turn their vision into a reality.
Careers in fashion design also require business training. Successful designers blend creativity with solid skills in marketing, sales, and management. Most fashion designers hold a bachelor’s degree.
The fashion design career offers above-average salaries. But how do fashion designers start their careers? Like other art and design careers, fashion designers often put in long hours before breaking into the industry. This page explores how to become a fashion designer.
What Do Fashion Designers Do?
Fashion designers create and design clothing and accessories. They may specialize in high fashion, ready-to-wear apparel, mass-market clothing, sportswear, evening wear, accessories, or footwear.
Designers research fashion trends to create forward-looking designs. They often rely on design software to create pieces, and they collaborate with designers on projects. At the beginning of a design project, fashion designers make sketches, evaluate textiles, and create a prototype.
Some designers create collections or fashion lines that showcase a theme or trend. They design pieces to show during fashion weeks in New York, Paris, Milan, and London. Other designers work for major brands, where they pitch ideas to creative directors and design seasonal lines for the brand.
In addition to fashion training, many designers learn marketing and business skills. Fashion merchandising experience helps designers get their pieces in retail establishments and market their work to customers.
Where Can Fashion Designers Work?
Fashion designers work for major fashion brands on the wholesale and manufacturing sides. In these roles, they create apparel and accessories that brands distribute to retailers. Nearly a quarter of fashion designers work in freelance roles, where they contract with clients to create pieces. Some of these designers launch their own clothing lines or create high-end custom apparel.
The career often requires long hours and travel. Designers who work on production deadlines or put together fashion shows often work long hours. Most fashion designers based in the U.S. work in New York or Los Angeles.
Skills
Fashion careers require a variety of skills. Designers draw on their creativity and artistic sensibilities to create designs. The career demands strong communication skills, an ability to collaborate, and a detail-oriented outlook. Hard skills like the ability to use design software, clothing construction training, and a deep knowledge of textiles and color also help designers.
Students planning to run their own fashion business also need strong marketing, sales, advertising, and management skills. Self-employed designers draw on sales and product development skills to understand their consumers and create in-demand designs. Overall, fashion designers must balance their passion and creativity with technical and business know-how.
Fashion Designer Skill Sets
Human Skills
- Artistic
- Creativity
- Communication
- Detail-oriented
- Collaborative
Hard Skills
- Computer-literate
- Clothing construction techniques
- Color theory
- Textile training
- Design software
Steps to Become an Fashion Designer
Earning a fashion design degree can help designers launch their careers. But a degree alone does not guarantee success. Fashion designers also need a strong portfolio, work experience, and a professional network to break into the fashion industry. Career success also depends on skill. Designers must know their brand identity, aesthetic, and niche in the industry.
Successful fashion designers work their way up. Many start building skills long before entering a fashion program. Learning how to sew, following fashion trends, and practicing with design softwares all help future designers gain admission to competitive fashion programs. After earning a degree, designers often work as stylists, fashion buyers, and assistants to established designers. These roles help designers expand their skills and build a network.
1. Complete a Fashion Design Degree Program
Most fashion designers hold an art and design bachelor’s degree. During a fashion design program, students study fabrics, fashion theory, and color theory. They also learn how to create styles using computer-aided design (CAD) software. Fashion design courses use project-based assignments to help students strengthen their skills and build their portfolios.
Fashion design degree programs incorporate coursework in fashion merchandising, business, and marketing. Designers draw on these skills to launch a line, evaluate customer demand for styles, and earn a profit. At the conclusion of a fashion design program, seniors may design a line for a school fashion show.
2. Gain Hands-On Experience
A fashion design or fashion merchandising degree provides valuable training for a career in fashion. However, designers also need hands-on experience.
During school, fashion designers should pursue internship opportunities. Many colleges connect aspiring designers with companies hiring interns. During an internship, students work under the supervision of an experienced fashion designer. Internships provide practical experience with the business side of the fashion industry. While students hone techniques and aesthetics in class, an internship provides career training.
In addition to internship experience, students should consider part-time or contract work opportunities. Working for a small brand helps students build their portfolio and potentially launch their own line. Experience with a major brand helps designers build their resume and make valuable connections in the industry.
3. Network Within the Industry
Like other artistic fields, networking helps fashion designers find professional opportunities, secure clients, and advance their careers. Designers should begin networking as early as possible, even before entering a fashion program. Networking events in school offer a valuable resource for meeting fashion professionals.
Connect with other designers, suppliers, buyers, and everyone else in the industry. Those connections can pay off once you begin freelancing or applying to full-time positions.
4. Build Your Design Portfolio
Careers in fashion require a strong design portfolio. Many fashion designers start building their portfolios before entering fashion programs. Students expand their portfolios to showcase their designs and skills. For example, designers might want to show range in their portfolio by including ready-to-wear looks and custom high fashion looks, or they may emphasize their technical skills.
Throughout a fashion career, designers update their portfolios. Internships, entry-level jobs, and stylist positions all help designers add to their portfolio.
5. Stay Up-to-Date on the Fashion Industry
Fashion designers need to stay on top of trends and keep up with fashion news. In an industry that changes seasonally, designers must devote time to following fashion cycles.
Several resources help fashion designers stay current. Professional associations, fashion magazines, and fashion shows showcase trends and industry information. Following other fashion designers and watching red carpet events also help designers keep up with trends. Designers can then incorporate new styles into their upcoming projects.
Things to Know Before Becoming a Fashion Designer
Considering a career in fashion? Wondering how to become a fashion designer? Before applying to design schools, make sure you have done your research. Here are three things to know before becoming a fashion designer.
Natural Ability, Drive, and Passion Go a Long Way
As a creative art, fashion thrives on artistic ability. Passion and drive help keep designers going in this demanding career. As with other artistic pursuits, it can take time for designers to see their efforts pay off. Confidence and drive carry designers to their professional goals.
You Do Not Have to Be an Expert Drawer
Do fashion designers need strong drawing skills? Not necessarily. Today, many designers work with software programs to create designs. Others pin fabric by hand to craft the perfect drape. While drawing skills help, you do not need to draw like da Vinci to be a fashion designer.
Building an Industry Network Is Crucial
Networking matters in fashion. Even before applying to fashion design programs, start investing in an industry network. That means attending events, staying current with fashion news, and connecting with designers, manufacturers, and suppliers. Continue to meet industry professionals during school to enter the workforce backed by a strong network.
Fashion Designer Salary Information
Fashion designers earn an above-average salary, with the highest paid designers making more than $145,000 per year. Salaries vary depending on the industry and location. As the tables below show, designers in manufacturing and specialized design services report average salaries of over $100,000.
Fashion Designer Annual Wages in 2020
$38,570
Lowest 10%
$75,810
Median Annual Wage
$146,300
Highest 10%
