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Learn more. If you can,
it makes good sense to get a diploma or degree in fashion design or a
related program. You'll learn a great deal, make excellent early
contacts and have ample opportunity to show off your skills in a less
judgmental environment . Do
one (or both) of the following:- Get a degree in fashion design. Most programs are three or four years long. and Parsons are two of the most popular design schools in the United States. You will study drawing, color and composition, pattern-making, and draping. In addition to learning practical skills like these, you will also be working with industry professionals who may serve as important contacts in the future and who can give you first-hand advice and feedback on your work.
- Apply for an internship or apprenticeship. If school is not for you, or if you simply feel that real-world experience will be of more benefit to you, then find a fashion internship. You will need to have an impressive portfolio to apply and be willing to start at the bottom; interns are often given menial tasks like getting coffee. Again, the connections you make through your internship or apprenticeship will be vital as you pursue your career in fashion, and working with industry professionals will give you an opportunity to pick up important skills first-hand.
Part 2 of 5: Working Out Which Fashion is Your Passion
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Decide which designing field is your principal interest.You may need to start at the bottom but you do need to have a goal in mind as to the type of designing you want to undertake lifelong. Are you interested most in haute couture, ready-to-wear, fitness/leisure gear, the mass market or niches such as eco wear? Each has advantages and disadvantages that you'll need to explore before reaching your final decision on which
pathway to pursue. Within these major fields, you'll also need to decide on a few sub-set areas for your fashion design. You might wish to straddle a few but to begin with, don't over-extend yourself as it's better to perfect your designing within one area and then experiment when you've already got a good foothold in the industry. For example:
- Women's daywear, women's evening wear
- Men's daywear, men's evening wear
- Boys' wear and/or girls' wear; teenage wear
- Sportswear/fitness/leisure wear
- Knitwear
- Outdoor, adventure, outerwear
- Bridalwear
- Accessories
- Costume design for theater, movies, the advertising industry and retailers.
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Plan some key pieces:
What is your absolute strength in designing? Perhaps you're a whizz at
accesories or a genius with yoga pants. Your passion and skill are an
important first part of the equation. Of course, the second part is
matching this to what the market wants, which in fashion, is part
convincing the market and part noticing what the market is demanding.