Becoming a Fashion Designer
Breaking into the fashion industry as a designer is a cherished dream for many young people. Fashion design is a career with the potential to be glamorous, creative and practical all at the same time. But what does it really take to gain the skills of a designer and start working as one? What knowledge and experience should an aspiring designer be acquiring, and how do you start to develop contacts and get work once you have them? There are many ways in this career, but here is a guide to the basics and how to get started.
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Instructions
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Learn to sew. While a person who is not familiar with the art of garment construction may be able to imagine attractive designs, only a skilled tailor can mix artistic vision with the practicalities of construction which fashion designing requires. Being able to sew will also ensure that your designs can become reality. Sewing can be learned from books, such as "Sewing For Dummies," through some community college courses or through an apprenticeship and on the job training. A good place to pick up some skills is a theater in need of costume sewing help (this can also create opportunities to work as a costume designer somewhere down the line). Keep in mind that for a fashion designer, no course of sewing study is complete without learning to draft your own patterns and gaining a wide knowledge of fabrics.
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Learn to draw conceptually. Being able to draw a professional quality picture of your imagined designs is a crucial first step in their creation, as well as a required way to pitch ideas. Study the history of fashion and famous designers. You will need to create your own style, but it definitely helps to study the masters, as well as historical trends in clothing. You never know when an aspect of old design will look great in something contemporary.
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Start creating. Before you can move into working professionally, you will need to practice and hone your art through making many original creations. Designing, then sewing your designs, will give you an opportunity to learn what does and doesn't work and how well imagined designs translate into real clothes. Start by sewing for yourself, friends and family members.
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Create promotional materials. Make a website, create business cards, and most importantly, build a portfolio. You will want to hire professional models and photographers to showcase your designs, or you can enlist the aid of aspiring professionals in exchange for letting them use the work to build their own portfolios.
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Start selling your designs locally and through an online store. Good markets for beginning designers include wedding and bridesmaids dresses, prom dresses and costumes.
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Network and promote at every opportunity. Attend fashion conventions and speak with established designers about their journey. Consider going after an internship with a famous designer. Give out business cards wherever you can. Offer free designs to people in the public eye (think local celebrities, not just Hollywood A-list) so that your designs can be widely seen. Promotion is a constant creative act, so be on the lookout always for new ways to get noticed.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons
