Pursuing a Career in Fashion Design

by Sarah Clark
sarah.clark@careertrainingdirectory.com
Career Training Directory Columnist

What does it take to become a fashion designer? It’s a competitive field, one that demands hard work, skill, and expertise of those who seek top positions.

As you might expect, fashion design jobs aren’t easy to come by. Many people compete for a limited number of fashion design jobs-what can you do to stand out?

Drawing Still Counts

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides a few tips on breaking into the fashion biz. First, become a very good sketch artist. While CAD technology has replaced much of the sketching traditionally done by designers, there is still a strong need for drawing.

What is more, you will likely need examples of your sketches to enter some design schools. Start getting your portfolio of drawings together now so you can be sure to make a good impression on your design school application.

Sewing Your Way to the Top

You’ll also need to know how to sew and create patterns, advises the BLS. Most designers start out creating patterns and sewing for other designers. Become expert at these skills and you’ll be closer to acquiring the expertise needed for a fashion design career.

The Business of Fashion

The BLS also emphasizes the value of understanding the business of fashion. Take a few classes in business, such as global trade, accounting, finance, and clothing manufacturing. As the fashion business has become increasingly global in recent years with so many clothing factories cropping up in China, India, and other countries with low labor costs, it has become increasingly important to think of the fashion business within a global context.

Fashion Design Skills and Training

You can develop some of the skills and training needed for a fashion design career by attending fashion school and completing an internship with a clothing manufacturer or designer. The National Association of Schools of Art and Design have accredited some 250 design schools, many of which offer programs in fashion design. However, your key to success may be in your ability to land a great internship. Consider working with a designer in Milan, Paris, or Berlin, one of the European capitals of fashion. You’ll acquire an important network of professional designers and become a little more sophisticated in matters of global fashion.

Begin pursuing your dream career in fashion design—start getting the skills you need today!

Source

The Bureau of Labor Statistics

About the Author

Sarah Clark is a freelance writer who specializes in postsecondary education and career development.