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fashion designer
Fashion designers can choose to work in one of three different areas – high fashion (known as ‘haute couture’), designer ready-to-wear and high-street fashion. Within these areas there is often the opportunity to specialise further, for example into men’s, children’s or sportswear.
The work of fashion designers varies from company to company, but typically involves:
- working to a design brief
- analysing or predicting trends in fabrics, colours and shapes
- producing concept and mood boards
- developing blocks (basic shapes) through patterns
- estimating costs for materials and manufacture
- finding suppliers
- supervising the making up of sample garments
- making in-house presentations, for example to finance departments and merchandisers.
Fashion designers often work closely with garment technologists and sample machinists. They also liaise with manufacturers (often based overseas) to ensure that designs are reproduced accurately.
Hours and Environment
As a fashion designer you will often work long hours and weekends in order to meet deadlines – for example the launch of a new collection. You will probably find that you never ‘switch off’ as you will always be looking for inspiration.
You will usually work in a studio or workshop, but will have opportunities to travel to visit manufacturers (often overseas) or for research visits, for example to art galleries, trade shows or to particular places or countries that are linked to a design theme.
Skills and Interests
To be a fashion designer you need:
- a good eye for colour, texture and shape
- an understanding of the properties of fabrics and how they can be used
- technical skills such as pattern cutting and sewing
- the ability to spot and develop trends
- drawing skills
- the ability to use computer aided design (CAD)
- understanding of production processes
- the ability to solve problems
- commercial awareness
- the ability to work as part of a team.
Entry
To become a fashion designer you will usually need a relevant degree. A degree that teaches both design and technical skills will give you the practical knowledge needed to work in the industry.
The following universities offer relevant courses:
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- London College of Fashion
- De Montfort University, Leicester
- Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh
- University of Manchester.
You can also do degrees in fashion design at other UK higher education institutions. To search for colleges and universities offering fashion & textile-related courses and degrees, visit the website of the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Please check with the individual colleges and universities for their entry requirements.
You will need to put together a portfolio of work that you can take along to interviews, which should include moodboards, designs and technical drawings. It is also important to take along actual garments you have produced.
Because the industry is very competitive (more than 3,000 fashion and textiles students qualify from higher education each year), any work experience you gain will give you an advantage when it comes to getting a job.
For more information about careers in the fashion industry, see the Can U Cut It website in Further Information.
Training
You will usually enter the industry as a design assistant before working up to be a designer - practical experience in the job and a good track record are therefore crucial to progressing in your career.
You can develop your knowledge and skills by attending short courses and masterclasses. For example, London College of Fashion offers a range of courses covering aspects of design and related technical skills.
Postgraduate degrees and diplomas in specialised areas of fashion design and related subjects are available. You will usually need relevant first degree before doing one of these.
You can gain professional recognition by joining the Textile Institute (TI) and applying for qualifications on three levels: Licentiate, Associate and Fellow. To find out more, visit the TI website. The TI also runs conferences, seminars and short courses – see Further Information for details.
The Design Association Academy offers a Diploma in Design Business Management, which may be relevant if you are self-employed or freelance. See the Design Association website in Further Information for details.
Opportunities
As a fashion designer you will usually work for high street retailers or independent labels.
Once you have developed the skills you need to be a successful fashion designer, you can progress to positions such as senior designer or head of department, for example head of women’s wear design, or design director.
Alternatively, you may decide to become a freelance designer – employed by a company for a specific project – or become self-employed and launch your own collection.
Annual Income
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
The starting salary for a fashion designer can be between £12,000 to £14,000 a year.
With experience and increased responsibility this can increase to £22,000 to £60,000 plus.
Figures are higher for London-based designers
Freelance designers may charge per design or per collection and rates vary widely. Agents may take up to 30 per cent as commission.
Further information
London
WC2E 7DL
Tel: 020 7420 5200
London
W1B 1PW
Tel: 020 7636 5577
St James's Buildings
Oxford Street
Manchester
M1 6FQ
Tel: 0161 237 1188
London
SE1 1RQ
Helpline: 0800 093 0444
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The information contained in our Career Profiles Database was correct at time of publishing, but since publication certain details may have changed so please use this section as a research tool and in some cases further research may be required.
Careers Database Information By Learn Direct Advice