3 answers
Traevon
Student
Orangeburg, South Carolina
2
Questions
Asked
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What is the requirements for being a fashion designer and was is it like?
I'm a sophomore in high school and need advice
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2 answers
Irene Smolyanskaya
Designer Creative Draper Educator
23
Answers
Boulder, Colorado
Updated
Irene’s Answer
Hi Traevon,
If your question is about a corporate system for hiring designers for a well established garment manufacturers, your career would follow some steps. To get a job as a Fashion Designer, you would first be hired as a Designer Assistant, and then eventually promoted to the position of an Associate Designer.
Design Assistants are in high demand in the industry, and it’s an entry level position that many recent college graduates get hired for. The job is not particularly well paid, and the hours are demanding, but it’s just a stepping stone for a young professional. While performing the Assistant duties, you learn the particulars of the Designer’s job, witness their creative process, and learn how to deal with deadlines and participate in meetings.
There are many different specialties of Design Assistants. Someone is sourcing the fabrics and materials. Someone else draws sketches and helps assemble inspiration boards. Another person participates in Design fittings and maintains records. What kind of an Assistant you might become really depends on your studies in school and your preference for specific areas.
Most Fashion Schools offer internships
that are related to your studies, and add credits to your course load, toward the degree.
The job of a Fashion Designer is glamorous and exciting. It is also very demanding in terms of creative output and a constant pressure of deadlines. Only the most talented and dedicated people thrive in such environments.
In other words: if you love fashion, and some interesting ideas keep popping into your mind constantly - this career path may be for you.
It would be very helpful to you to learn some basic sewing skills and try to play with different materials. It also helps if you could digitally draw or hand sketch some of your ideas for the future. To get admission to a good Fashion School you’ll need a basic Portfolio of images that you have created on your own, be it sketches or photos of the garments you’ve made.
Good luck with your career exploration! The garment industry really needs young talented Designers all the time.
If your question is about a corporate system for hiring designers for a well established garment manufacturers, your career would follow some steps. To get a job as a Fashion Designer, you would first be hired as a Designer Assistant, and then eventually promoted to the position of an Associate Designer.
Design Assistants are in high demand in the industry, and it’s an entry level position that many recent college graduates get hired for. The job is not particularly well paid, and the hours are demanding, but it’s just a stepping stone for a young professional. While performing the Assistant duties, you learn the particulars of the Designer’s job, witness their creative process, and learn how to deal with deadlines and participate in meetings.
There are many different specialties of Design Assistants. Someone is sourcing the fabrics and materials. Someone else draws sketches and helps assemble inspiration boards. Another person participates in Design fittings and maintains records. What kind of an Assistant you might become really depends on your studies in school and your preference for specific areas.
Most Fashion Schools offer internships
that are related to your studies, and add credits to your course load, toward the degree.
The job of a Fashion Designer is glamorous and exciting. It is also very demanding in terms of creative output and a constant pressure of deadlines. Only the most talented and dedicated people thrive in such environments.
In other words: if you love fashion, and some interesting ideas keep popping into your mind constantly - this career path may be for you.
It would be very helpful to you to learn some basic sewing skills and try to play with different materials. It also helps if you could digitally draw or hand sketch some of your ideas for the future. To get admission to a good Fashion School you’ll need a basic Portfolio of images that you have created on your own, be it sketches or photos of the garments you’ve made.
Good luck with your career exploration! The garment industry really needs young talented Designers all the time.
Thank you, Irene!
Traevon
Debbie Powers
Designer
1
Answer
New York, New York
Updated
Debbie’s Answer
Hi Trayvon, my advice is to start practicing your craft of designing today. The more you sketch your ideas, the better you will become at drawing. This will help you build a portfolio ( presentation of your designs) which you will use to get into college. When working in the fashion industry, the company hiring you wants to know that you went to school for 2 years ( associates degree) or 4 years ( bachelor's degree), where you will learn basic skills of design. If you do not go to design school, you will try and find a job with a small company where you can learn while you work (apprenticeship).
Working in fashion is a lot of fun, but also hard work. If you are a very creative person, this would be a good job for you. I do not always get to draw - a lot of time is spent developing prototypes with the factories, but I do love that I have a job that allows me to draw and color. Good luck fellow designer!!
Working in fashion is a lot of fun, but also hard work. If you are a very creative person, this would be a good job for you. I do not always get to draw - a lot of time is spent developing prototypes with the factories, but I do love that I have a job that allows me to draw and color. Good luck fellow designer!!