How to Become a Clothing Designer

The world of clothing design is one that involved long hours, low pay and few benefits. However, glamor and fun often come with the territory, especially in the high fashion industry. Most designers enter the field with a longtime love of clothing; still others arrive in clothing design after years in other industries. A clothing design career is rewarding, but only for those who put in the long hours and hard work.

Instructions

1. Pursue a fashion design degree from an accredited college or university. Fashion design degree programs include classes on sewing, pattern-making, buying, textiles and other crucial areas of expertise for successful design. Even if you're taking another major, a few semesters of elective design and technique will be of some help when starting a clothing line.

2. Get an internship with an existing line in order to watch the design process in action. Fashion design is not nearly as glamorous as it looks on television, and can be a grueling process. During an internship, you'll see firsthand how computer programs are used in garment design and production, how samples are produced and where the components come from. An internship is invaluable for those who want to be a professional designer.

3. Figure out your personal path to a life as a designer. As Fashion Net states, "Ralph Lauren's Polo empire was founded on a small tie collection that he sold to Bloomingdales. Helmut Lang decided to open his own clothing store when he couldn't find a t-shirt that he liked." Some people start in small, independent firms, while others blossom in huge corporations. Either path can get you to your destination, but both require a solid design background.

4. Start paying attention to the business end of fashion. Women's Wear Daily is the largest trade magazine in the world, with a daily issue devoted to fashion business news. Other companies like Pantone publish color guides that dictate the palette of the season. Trade magazines and groups devoted to a particular garment type have insider knowledge that can help designers make educated decisions with their time, creativity and money.

5. Start designing clothes for freelance clients to get a feel for what consumers want. Ask friends and family if they need garments for any events, work, or playtime. By outfitting normal people in clothing that they want, you'll avoid the bubble of isolation that some students face upon entering the world of professional design. It takes real skill and talent to make beautiful clothing for people with figure flaws, rather than for a model. Embrace the challenge head on, and your clients may bring other people who admire your talent and are willing to pay.

References

• Fashion.net: How to Become a Fashion Designer
• Princeton Review: Fashion Designer

Resources

• Women's Wear Daily
• Pantone