Career Spotlight: Fashion Designer

What does a Fashion Designer Do?

Fashion Design by Design Student Gabriela Hernandez

Fashion designers are responsible for the design and creation of clothing and apparel. This includes creating the concept of the clothing on paper, creating a pattern, cutting patterns, constructing clothing, and adjusting designs. They select the colors, fabrics, and textures that would be ideal for the construction of their clothing. Fashion designers identify their target markets, conduct market research, and create clothing for their market’s lifestyle and preference.

Preparation: Fashion Designer

Fashion programs will teach classes on color, drawing, form, pattern making, draping, and cutting techniques. Since fashion designers first capture their concepts on paper, it is important to be able to sketch their ideas. While a formal education isn’t always necessary for becoming a fashion designer, having the credibility of a renown fashion design school on your resume can go a long way. To become an independent fashion designer, business savvy is required.

Personality Profile: Fashion Designer

Since clothing is the outward expression of one’s personality, possessing creativity, vision, and individuality is invaluable. Fashion designers need creativity as well as an understanding of drawing, sewing, and production.

By the Numbers: Fashion Designer

  • Fashion designers held about 23,000 jobs in 2008.
  • There are 7,200 projected job openings for fashion designers over the next decade.

Fashion Designer Perks

In order to stay up to date on the latest trends, fashion designers have the perk of attending fashion shows. Many fashion designers are self-employed, giving them independence and flexibility in their career and personal life.

Show Me the Money: Fashion Designer Salary

In 2009, fashion designers made approximately $30.90/hour and $64,260 annually.

To find the ideal fashion design program for you to launch a successful design career, visit My Colleges and Careers!

(Fashion design sketch by design student Gabriela Hernandez)

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About Sarah Ward

Sarah is a social media manager and image consultant originally from Vancouver, Canada. After executing her first makeover in the seventh grade, she has been helping people look and feel their best ever since. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys practicing yoga, shopping on Etsy, and watching Grey's Anatomy.

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3 Comments

  • Is the the Gabriella Hernendez who attended Istitute de Moda, in Milan, Italy. My daughter is interested in attending next year and I just need some information on the school. Much appreciation

    Comment by Sandra — June 8, 2010 @ 9:32 am
  • Hi Sandra, unfortunately we are not associated with the Institute de Moda in Milan, Italy. You may want to contact them directly for more information for your daughter. Best of luck!

    Comment by Sarah Ward — July 27, 2010 @ 2:03 pm
  • Are you still confused about how to match the jewelry with clothing? Nowadays, the wedding dress style is various, Chest wrapped, tape, oblique, classical, fashion, classic, etc. the jewelry is also very important for the wedding dress.Pearl jewelry with the low-cut wedding dress is the perfect, seems classic and elegant,classic low-cut wedding dresses is bride’s favourite, match with the pearl jewelry make you special and elegant, this can be called perfect matching.Short style wedding dress is the personality bride’s choice, with a more eclectic mix of color necklace is uniquely design, the perfect interpretation of the mischievous give you youth. Leisure Korean Fan, American streets Fan, sweater chain, are colored with a classic necklace .Department of neck is the wedding highlights, although in the back, but do not forget wear the beautiful jewelry, collarbone, a lot of people think that the Department of neck dress can not wear necklaces, but with the intersection of two lines, just to light up The beauty of the clavicle. Simple and elegant tifany shiny necklace is the best and most suitable for everyday.The most prominent European-style wedding dress and it’snoble qualities, with precious diamond necklace to make the wedding dress more noble. If a simple jewelry box necklace is an essential weapon, then at least one expensive jewelry in very importany on a alternative parties and important meeting.

    Comment by Chloepcl — June 17, 2011 @ 12:01 pm

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