Got an eye for style? Do you pride yourself for setting the trends? Maybe it's time to get out of the fitting room and into a classroom. The field of fashion design is ripe for the next big name--and with the right education and fashion training yours could be on the hottest handbags, dresses or heels! Is Fashion for You?
OK, you like to dress well and enjoy mixing fabrics, colors and styles in a unique way. "So what?" you might think. Don't sell yourself short. If you're passionate about the artistry and creativity that goes into designing clothing and accessories, then you should take a serious look at a career in the world of fashion. Before discarding the idea as a crazy whim, consider that Donna Karan, Calvin Klein and Vera Wang were all in your shoes once upon a time--just regular people with an interest in fashion design.
World-famous designer Anna Sui got her start early by dressing up dolls and toy soldiers. As an older child, Sui began designing her own clothes and kept extensive files of fashion magazine pages. Sui followed her dream to Parson's School of Design and is now an internationally renowned designer of clothing and footwear, in addition to owning boutiques worldwide. With some skills under your belt your boutique could be next to Anna's in SoHo!
24 Hours as a Fashion Designer
It's always wise to research the day in, day out activities involved in a profession before pursuing a career in fashion. Depending on your position and where you're employed, you could expect to do some or all of the following things as a fashion designer:
· Make sketches of your ideas
· Create patterns
· Choose fabrics
· Organize public showings for your line
· Attend fashion shows and read trade publications
Sound like fun? Like any job, fashion design has its ups and downs. However if you have a natural interest and ability in this area imagine how exhilarating it could be to launch your own line or see you skirts on the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow!
A Fashionable EducationDue to the competitive nature of this industry, it is recommended that you put in some time in the classroom before trying to find a job. Fortunately, you have several choices when it comes to getting a fashion design education:
Bachelor’s or Associate Degree?
Bachelor's degrees in this field are available from a large number of accredited colleges and universities. However, at many schools you will need to major in art and specialize in fashion or costume design. Alternatively, many vocational schools offer two-year fashion design programs. Though a four-year degree has the benefit of giving you a well-rounded education, the two-year Associate of Arts degree is the faster and cheaper option if you're convinced that fashion design is the career for you.
On-Campus or Online?
Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, you also have the choice of how you'd like to earn your degree in fashion design. Online fashion sc0cools are now as close as the nearest Internet connection, making fashion courses accessible to even the busiest or most remote Calvin Klein wannabe. If you have the time, attending a campus-based fashion design school is also a great alternative.
Once you've completed your training it's time to think about some fashion design jobs. Many people start out as Assistant Designers, helping head designers in tasks such as patternmaking or supervising tailors and sewers. Lead Designers create designs (including choosing fabrics and colors) and oversee their production. Designers can also specialize in areas such as sportswear, children's apparel, or footwear. (Manolo Blahnik, beware!)
While jobs in the fashion industry are not as plentiful as those in healthcare or education, talented, motivated individuals with the right training can find employment. Be warned, however, that you might have to move to California or New York, where two-thirds of all fashion designers are employed, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While jobs in this field are only expected to grow up to 8% in the next 7 years, self-employment is a viable option as well--in fact, over 25% of designers work for themselves.
Do you have what it takes to clothe the stars? Even if your designs never make it to the red carpet, the rest of us need cool threads, too. It's time to share your creativity and flair for fashion with the world. The catwalk is waiting!
