Fashion designers work on the design of clothing. Some may focus completely on a specialist area, such as sportswear,childrenswear or accessories.The main markets they design for are haute couture, designer ready-to-wear and high street fashion. Developments in technology mean that a designer ready-to-wear product can be produced as a high street version in just a few weeks.During a designer's career, training opportunities are frequently limited in scope as career development may result in only subtle changes in work. However, larger firms may provide business and computer training, which could include computer aided design (CAD) or other specialist software, such as Photoshop and Illustrator, to help design patterns.There are also various opportunities to undertake courses covering different or specialist aspects of fashion. These are offered as short courses or part-time degree/postgraduate optionsAs a trainee fashion clothing designer, career development will depend on your specialism, experience and reputation.The type of company you work for will also influence the specific roles available and opportunities for career development. Progression can be slow, particularly at the start of your career. Being proactive and making contacts in the industry is essential in a sector where people frequently move jobs in order to progress their career and there is a lot of pressure to produce new ideas which are commercially viable.Design room assistant is the most junior level role based in the design room. Typical responsibilities include making up sample cards, chasing fabric samples and pattern cutting, but also answering the telephone and making coffee. Assistant designer is a step up. In this role, there is the opportunity to have a creative input through proposing ideas for shapes,colours, moods and techniques, although you are unlikely to have much influence in major decisions. Other activities.include making up mood and trend boards, drawing up technical specifications for manufacturers and some responsibilities for a small area of a range.Designers make the decisions on colour and mood for the season and design the more important elements of the range.It could take up to five years' related experience to secure such a position. With several years' design experience, progression is available through senior designer roles to the position of head designer. At this level, you will have considerable responsibility regarding overall design decisions and influences for the range, but designers will do the actual design work.Design and technical director positions represent further progression. Fashion designers are increasingly becoming involved in homewares and gifts design which can open up new career paths. Alternatively, designers may consider becoming self-employed or moving into related occupations, such as retail buying, photography, fashion styling or journalism.The majority of fashion and clothing designers work for branded/high-street stores and independent labels. They may be employed at an in-house design studio based in either a manufacturing or retail organisation.Specialist design studios serving the couture and designer ready-to-wear markets, who may produce designs for a number of manufacturing or retailing companies, are another source of employment. However, the top design houses are a relatively small market compared to the high street fashion sector.Some fashion designers gain work overseas with designers based in countries such as
Depending on level of responsibility and the company, a designer may work to their own brief or be given a brief to work towards and develop a product from this.
The main areas of work for fashion designers are:
High street fashion, where the majority of designers work and where garments are manufactured in their
thousands. Influences play a key role in this design process and the turnaround of 'young fashion' in particular can
be quite rapid.
Ready-to-wear. Many designers will also produce ready-to-wear collections, although these are produced in
relatively small numbers.
Haute couture. This requires large amounts of time working on the production of individual garments.
Tasks depend on the market the designer is producing for, but core responsibilities include:
creating or visualising an idea and making a sketch by hand or using computer aided design (CAD);
analysing trends in fabrics, colours and shapes;
keeping up to date with emerging fashion trends;
planning and developing ranges;
working with others in the design team, such as buyers and forecasters, to develop a product to meet the brief
liaising closely with sales, buying and production teams to ensure the item complements other products;
developing a pattern that is then cut and sewn into sample garments;
sourcing, selecting and buying fabrics;
adapting existing designs for mass production;
supervising the making up of sample garments;
overseeing production;
negotiating with customers and suppliers;
managing marketing, finances and other business activities if working on a self-employed basis.
Experienced designers with larger companies may focus more on the design aspect, with pattern cutters and machinists
preparing sample garments. In smaller companies these, and other tasks, may be part of the designer's role.
Working hours typically include regular extra hours, but not usually weekend or shift work.
The working environment varies between companies and can range from a Victorian-style factory, to a modern
purpose-built office or a small, smart design studio. Freelance designers may work from home or in rented studio
areas.
With the increase in online retailing, setting up in business or being self-employed is becoming more common -
even straight after graduation. Although this is a long-term option, (particularly for those seeking flexible hours)
extensive market research, business training and resilience is critical for any fashion business to succeed.
The gender ratio is approximately 25%:75% male to female. More men have designer collections in high fashion
but senior designers elsewhere in the industry are usually women.
The majority of opportunities are available in
Midlands and some large towns and cities in the
The pressure of deadlines and working antisocial hours to meet these can intrude on private life.
Career success relies on a combination of creativity, perseverance and resilience.
Travel within the working day, absence from home at night and overseas work is occasional.
Although this area of work is open to all graduates, a degree in the following subjects will increase your chances
fashion;
textiles;
knitwear;
art and design;
graphic design;
clothing technology.
Foundation degree graduates face increased competition from BA graduates.
Although sometimes possible, entry without a degree is increasingly unlikely and you would need to be able to prove that you have already gained expertise and experience in the industry. Graduates from non-fashion/textile-related courses would also need to gain experience in the industry to demonstrate they have a real passion and aptitude for fashiondesign.A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not a requirement but an MA in Fashion/Textile Design can improve opportunities, particularly for designers from other academic areas. MA courses in specific areas of fashion requiring slightly different skills and experience can be helpful in gaining related employment. For example, childrenswear not only requires an interest in this area but also knowledge of sizing and textile properties; menswear may require knowledge of pattern cutting and tailoring where appropriate.Companies may be reluctant to consider candidates without previous experience in the industry. Work experience of any kind in a design studio is highly desirable. Experience in retail can also be useful. New graduates often gain experience working with designers in Italy, France or the USA before starting in the UK.Employers usually expect to see a portfolio that clearly demonstrates the ability to design and produce garments.Competition for design jobs is intense throughout the industry, particularly in womenswear design. Other areas, such as childrenswear and menswear, are less competitive due to the smaller numbers of fashion students specialising in these areas. If you choose this option it is important to select a higher education institution that offers design specialisms. You may also need to seek opportunities to work your way up from roles such as design room assistant or pattern cutter. Top design houses rarely advertise their vacancies. Throughout the industry, employment opportunities are frequently secured via speculative applications and effective networking. It is, therefore, important to try to build relationships with more established designers and companies, regardless of whether you are seeking permanent or freelance openings.The training available to a fashion or clothing designer not only depends on the courses taken prior to employment, but also on the company. Pre-entry fashion design courses aim to give students an idea of what to expect through practical teaching and placements. However, once in employment, specific development opportunities can be limited. The culture of the industry is very much that people learn while doing the job. Initially, training is likely to be restricted to learning about the practical processes used in an individual company.
