Fashion has become a huge industry during the past several decades. The scope of it ranges from clothing to shoes and accessories.
It is very common that a fashion designer is knowledgeable in all aspects of fashion such as fabrics, textiles, ornamentation, and general fashion trends.
However, a fashion designer usually focuses on a particular area of fashion market such as children, teens, adults, men, or women.
Some work on a specific type of fashion such as couture, evening wear, casual wear, sports wear, shoes, accessories, bags, and others.
There are self-employed fashion designers, and there are also designers employed by fashion houses.
Regardless of occupation status, the fashion designers job description is basically the same. The core of their job is to sketch or draw their design ideas, identify the fabric or textile, and ornamentation when necessary that will fit the design and the target person it was designed for.
But that is not the end of it, fashion designers also make the patterns of their designs, sew, fit, and modify when needed.
Fashion designers should also always keep an eye not only towards competition but on the latest materials available and the current fashion trend as well.
Skills Needed to Become a Fashion Designer
Fashion designing is a profession. And like in any other profession, there are certain traits or qualifications that are needed to become successful in this field.
Talent is not the beginning and the end in a career of fashion design. Some of the important skills, knowledge and abilities of a fashion designer are as follows:
1. Knowledge in design techniques and tools and instruments used including the use of new technology in the production of the merchandise.
2. Ability to generate different approaches for problem-solving.
3. Active interest for continuous learning and search for inspiration.
4. Able to analyze needs and product requirements of consumers and manufacturers alike.
5. Ability to come up with original designs and a competitive approach in identifying new fashion trends.
6. Coordinating skills for successful production
Career Opportunities for Fashion Designers
There are a lot of job opportunities for a fashion designer now more than ever with the steady growth of the fashion industry.
Fashion designers can work freelance or set up small local fashion labels;
-Work for performance arts as costume designers
-Work for media specifically fashion magazines
-Work for footwear, bags, and accessories manufacturers, or
-Work for design houses around the globe.
Although the concentration of work for fashion designers is mainly located at fashion capitals, there is always a job for one or two in the local scene.
The need for fashion designers will remain strong as the consumers need for new trendy designs for clothes, shoes, bags, and accessories increasingly grows.
There is a high demand for fashionable yet affordable and comfortable designs especially for the middle income consumers who are the top patrons of the fashion industry today.
However, there is still a steep competition in this field. Aspiring designers should properly prepare themselves by acquiring the education and certification needed to successfully land the job they want.
