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Fashion Design as a
Career
Unfortunately, just as in almost any other job, Fashion Design is a highly
competitive career. Many beginning designers make their start as
"gofers", or some one who goes and gets this and that for the "big wigs"
in the company. They can also begin as assistants or work as
clothing buyers, or in a large department store in the fashion department.
In most cases, in the beginning, they are over worked doing routine tasks,
working many hours for too little pay. All the while, spending their
time selling and developing other people's designs. (A great movie to see
that shows some of this... "The Devil Wears Prada.")
Very few people make it in
becoming a "head" fashion designer. Those who don't usually get
involved in the fashion industry by getting involved in the fashion
advertising, or become pattern makers, fashion consultants, assistant
designers, theatrical costume designers, or clothing buyers.
While attending one of the
best fashion schools in the world is great, it is not enough to get you a
career in the fashion field. One must have an exceptional portfolio,
demonstrating your artistic talents, skills, creativity, and style of
fashion. You must also be talented, have good taste in fashion, have
great technical expertise, and sometimes just LUCK.
You should have skills
such as:
| -know who
to run a business |
| -be able
to work under pressure with deadlines and a highly competitive
environment |
| -sketch
and drawing |
| -a
thorough knowledge of how a garment is made |
| -be
creative and imaginative |
| -superb
sewing skills |
| -work well
with others |
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You should spend your
time doing:
| -sketching
and drawing every time an idea pops in your head |
| -attend
fashion shows |
| -run a
fashion show |
| -follow
fashion trends |
| -work on a
design team |
| -volunteer
on the costume committee for your local theatre company |
| -work on
advance sewing skills |
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