What It Takes to Become A Leading Fashion Designer

If the latest fashions are your passion and you dream of seeing fabulous fashions on the runway, you might be someone that is interested in learning more about the world of fashion. Learn about what it takes to be a leading fashion designer, like Prada or Gucci. Designers with daring originality who are willing to explore across disciplines and contribute to fashion as an aspect of modern art and culture are the traits of a leading fashion designer.

Fashion designers are very creative individuals that are involved in every phase of designing, show-casing, and producing fashionable clothing. Designers specialize in one type of garment or accessory such as men's or women's wear, children's garments, swimwear, lingerie, handbags, or shoes. You should be creative and precise, and have the ability to work well with a team. Only individuals with extreme talent, vision, determination, and ambition can succeed in the difficult, demanding, and highly competitive industry of fashion design.

The life of a fashion designer is intimately linked to public tastes and sensibilities that change at a moment’s notice, and he or she must be able to capitalize on or—even better—influence those opinions with their designs. This profession also demands that you keep on top of what can be a fickle popular opinion and your competition.

Fashion design is a highly technical industry, requiring great attention to detail and patience. In order to obtain work as a fashion designer one should have a good eye for color, style, and shape, an ability to sketch, and some formal preparation in design. An excellent portfolio is a must for the job search. A two- or four-year degree in fashion design is helpful, as is knowledge of textiles and a familiarity with a variety of fabrics, but no formal certification is required. Candidates should have a working knowledge of business and marketing. The hours are long for a fashion designer, and the initial pay is very limited. This is one of those hit-or-miss occupations where beginners work as someone’s assistant until, when they can muster up enough confidence in their abilities and sell that confidence to their superiors, they design a few pieces themselves. The superstar rise is an unlikely event, but it happens. Based on the number of “international star designers” in the last 10 years and the number of people who have entered the profession, the estimated odds of becoming an internationally famous designer are roughly 160,000 to 1.

The day of a fashion designer includes everything from sketching designs and computer design to pattern making and fabric selection. He or she will draw and cut patterns to create sample garments, fit and modify the finished garment, attends fashion shows, and arrange showings for press and buyers when the sample garment line is ready. An effective designer should be able to communicate his or her philosophy, vision, and capabilities clearly and comprehensively through their sketches, discussions, and samples. No matter what his or her personal style might be, a top-notch fashion designer must produce a creative, exciting, and profitable product line.

A large manufacturer generally has a Head Designer and several assistants. Many small firms do not employ Designers but purchase ready-made designs or copy higher-priced designs. Head Designers are responsible for executive and creative functions. They supervise design room staff. Those with less experience may be responsible for small divisions or specialized garments. Assistant Designers are generally all-around assistants to Designers. They make first patterns and samples or may supervise sample makers. Specialty Designers work with other Designers to coordinate special lines of clothing, such as sweaters. They often arrange for styles to be made in foreign countries. Theatrical Costume Designers create costumes for theatrical productions or movies, usually on a contract basis.

Earnings of Fashion Designers depend on ability, the size of the employing firm, and the kind of fashion designing that is involved. Well trained applicants often begin as Design Room Assistants, an entry-level position that can lead to more responsible jobs in the fashion industry or they can enter the field as Assistant Designers. Highly skilled and well-known Designers may earn well over $100,000 annually. Incomes of self-employed and freelance designers vary with their talent, business ability, reputation, and type of clientele. They may be guaranteed a percentage of the gross, or be paid on a unit or retainer basis. Such earnings can exceed those of salaried Designers. Fashion designers who leave the field, for whatever reason, can do a variety of things with their design background. Some of them use their color and design skills to become interior designers, graphic designers, or fashion consultants.