Fashion Designer
Specialties:
Costume Designers.
What does a Fashion Designer do?
- Clothes Designers create new apparel and accessory designs.
- They analyze fashion trends and work closely with production, sales, and
marketing departments in order to produce a finished ready-to-wear salable
product.
- They may coordinate activities of production workers.
- They may sketch the garment, cut the pattern, select the fabric and
materials, and in some cases construct the sample garment.
- They may arrange for the showing of a line at sales meetings or fashion
shows.
- They may specialize in designing certain types of apparel, such as men's
or women's clothing, children's clothing, swimsuits, lingerie, uniforms,
formal attire, handbags, shoes, and other accessories.
- Tasks include: This information lists tasks that may or may not be a
regular part of the job. Some design custom apparel and accessories.
- Others may specialize in costume or theatrical designing.
Salary and Employment Outlook:
EDD Labor
Market Information
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Career Info Net
Typical Employers:
Most are employed by apparel manufacturers. Other by designer-dress shops,
custom dress shops, design studios, fashion houses, department stores, or
pattern manufacturers. Some are self-employed or independent freelance
designers.
Preparation:
Two-years of formal training in design is recommended by most employers,
although employers also look for on-the-job experience or demonstrated ability.
The ability to sew is also important to prospective employers. Programs and
courses are available in many schools. Many employers prefer those with a
bachelor's degree and recruit from schools that specialize in fashion design
programs. Recent graduates usually start as assistant designers. Some, however,
have come up through the ranks from other jobs, such as cutters, Patternmakers ,
or Tailors and Garment Fitters.
Educational Program(s):
Textiles and Clothing
Related Programs: Art, Home Economics, Marketing and Sales