3 answers
Raffi
Student
Hyde Park, VT
3
Questions
Updated
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What kind of education would I need to begin in fashion design?
What kind of education would I need to begin in fashion design?
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3 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
391
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Raffi,
What a good question you have here! To begin a career in fashion design, you'll typically need a combination of education, skills, and hands-on experience. Here's a guide to the kind of education that can help you get started:
1. High School Diploma or Equivalent: A basic requirement for entering most fashion design programs. Focus on art, design, and sewing classes if available.
2. Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design: While not always required, many designers earn a degree in fashion design or a related field. Programs often include courses in:
- Drawing and illustration
- Pattern Making
- Textile design
- Fashion history
- Sewing techniques
- CAD (Computer-Aided Design) for fashion
- Marketing and business skills related to the fashion industry
3. Associate Degree or Fashion Certificate: If you’re looking for a shorter course, an associate degree or a certificate program in fashion design can also be an option. These programs are usually focused on the technical aspects of fashion, such as garment construction and design principles.
4. Internships and Practical Experience: Gaining hands-on experience through internships, apprenticeships, or working with established designers is crucial. Fashion is a competitive field, and practical experience can help build your portfolio and network.
5. Developing a Portfolio: Your portfolio will be key when applying for jobs or internships. This should include your designs, sketches, and any completed projects to showcase your creativity and skills.
6. Master’s Degree (Optional): For those who want to specialize further or advance into managerial roles, a Master’s in Fashion Design or Fashion Management could be an option later on.
In addition to formal education, creativity, drawing skills, and staying up to date with fashion trends are essential.
Best wishes!
What a good question you have here! To begin a career in fashion design, you'll typically need a combination of education, skills, and hands-on experience. Here's a guide to the kind of education that can help you get started:
1. High School Diploma or Equivalent: A basic requirement for entering most fashion design programs. Focus on art, design, and sewing classes if available.
2. Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design: While not always required, many designers earn a degree in fashion design or a related field. Programs often include courses in:
- Drawing and illustration
- Pattern Making
- Textile design
- Fashion history
- Sewing techniques
- CAD (Computer-Aided Design) for fashion
- Marketing and business skills related to the fashion industry
3. Associate Degree or Fashion Certificate: If you’re looking for a shorter course, an associate degree or a certificate program in fashion design can also be an option. These programs are usually focused on the technical aspects of fashion, such as garment construction and design principles.
4. Internships and Practical Experience: Gaining hands-on experience through internships, apprenticeships, or working with established designers is crucial. Fashion is a competitive field, and practical experience can help build your portfolio and network.
5. Developing a Portfolio: Your portfolio will be key when applying for jobs or internships. This should include your designs, sketches, and any completed projects to showcase your creativity and skills.
6. Master’s Degree (Optional): For those who want to specialize further or advance into managerial roles, a Master’s in Fashion Design or Fashion Management could be an option later on.
In addition to formal education, creativity, drawing skills, and staying up to date with fashion trends are essential.
Best wishes!
Eda Korkuter
I work in the museum industry as a designer and exhibition assistant.
6
Answers
Izmir, Turkey
Updated
Eda’s Answer
Hi Raffi,
To start your journey in fashion design, it’s essential to have a strong foundation in both creative skills and technical knowledge. Most fashion designers begin with a degree in fashion design, which teaches everything from sketching and pattern-making to understanding textiles, fabrics, and fashion history. Programs like those at Parsons School of Design, Central Saint Martins, or Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) not only give you hands-on experience but also help you build an understanding of the business side of fashion.
Along with formal education, you’ll benefit from learning about sewing techniques, draping, and computer-aided design (CAD) software, which is widely used in the industry today. Internships and apprenticeships are also a great way to gain real-world experience, allowing you to develop your own style and make valuable connections. Whether through traditional education or self-taught skills, the key is to blend creativity with technical expertise to succeed in this exciting field.
To start your journey in fashion design, it’s essential to have a strong foundation in both creative skills and technical knowledge. Most fashion designers begin with a degree in fashion design, which teaches everything from sketching and pattern-making to understanding textiles, fabrics, and fashion history. Programs like those at Parsons School of Design, Central Saint Martins, or Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) not only give you hands-on experience but also help you build an understanding of the business side of fashion.
Along with formal education, you’ll benefit from learning about sewing techniques, draping, and computer-aided design (CAD) software, which is widely used in the industry today. Internships and apprenticeships are also a great way to gain real-world experience, allowing you to develop your own style and make valuable connections. Whether through traditional education or self-taught skills, the key is to blend creativity with technical expertise to succeed in this exciting field.
RHONDA R REMINGTON-SMITH
Artist
3
Answers
Mannford, Oklahoma
Updated
RHONDA R’s Answer
Just from visiting with Art majors at college and some changed their degree to Fashion Design, said that they got all their basics at a Junior college and transferred over to the University and graduated with a Art in Science Degree with Fashion Design. They did internships in the summer to make sure this was the right field for them before they completed their degree.