Qualities of a Successful Fashion Designer A good eye for detail in fashion, shapes and colors In fashion, the details are everything. A fundamental quality of a great fashion designer, is a good eye for details, with a creative flair and mindset. You will be working with various shapes, patterns and colours, so knowing how to match complementary colors in different ways will be important. You should also understand the basics of fabrics, fabric quality and texture. Strong visualization skills It is incredibly helpful to be able to visualize what your finished garment will look like so you can plan accordingly. This involves being able to dress mannequins, to drape fabric, pin fabric, and trim fabric. Decision-making skills As a fashion designer, you’ll be working in teams mostly. Therefore, you will be exposed to many ideas and creative possibilities. You will master the art of deciding which ideas can be incorporated into designs, and which ideas need to be scrapped. A Portfolio A portfolio displays the work you’ve done while demonstrating your creative sensibility, visual and creative skills. One major benefit of attending a fashion design course is that you will work on assignments that can be included in your portfolio. Furthermore, the fashion industry works on portfolios. Later, whenever you interview at a fashion house, they’ll check your portfolio first before anything else. Pattern making, drawing, cutting and sewing skills Any successful fashion designer has some degree of pattern making and sewing skills. Although it is possible to become a designer without these skills, the ability to translate ideas into sketches and sketches into patterns is helpful, as is the ability to then sew using those patterns to test your garment design.
Computer-Aided Design Skills Most designs will need to be transferred into the digital world with a CAD program. Nowadays, some designers rely solely on computer software to do their drawing for them. Ability to spot emerging trends and design concepts It's important to have an understanding of emerging trends so you can pinpoint what will be the next big thing. Understanding that fashion is a business and not just about creating beautiful clothes is important for your success. Whilst you don’t need to be a slave to trends, it’s important to be aware, so you can serve as an expert for your customers. Ability to work well with a team The fashion industry requires collaboration with other players, designers, manufacturers. You'll be part of an extensive team that works very closely together on major projects and in meetings, problem solving and generating solutions.
A certificate from a fashion design school or apprenticeship To learn the art and business of fashion designing, you will need some kind of training, whether it be a fashion design school, an apprenticeship in a fashion workshop, or immersing yourself in online training or other studies. It is not necessary to go to school, but it can be helpful to set a firm foot in the industry. You will develop practical skills and also work with renowned industry professionals. Nonetheless, bear in mind that many of the best designers in the world have been self-taught. In 2020, all it takes is a passion for fashion, hard work and a good understanding of social media to make it big in the industry. Dedication and a strong work ethic The fashion industry has become increasingly competitive, often with many interns competing for just one position. You need to be able to handle competition and pressure with grace and dignity. It will require hard work and discipline, and involve highly stressful and high pressure events. Time management skills In the pursuit of becoming a successful designer, you'll realise that learning how to manage your time is a critical aspect of running a successful business. How Long Does It Take to Become a Fashion Designer? There is no set route into the fashion world. Therefore, there is no set time it takes to become a fashion designer. Most formal fashion design programs take 2-4 years to complete, but this may be longer if you decide to work while you study. The self-taught route can be as fast or slow as you are able for! However, as a rule of thumb, successful designers who didn't go to fashion school are generally ready to start asking for jobs at design firms after around five years of experience. Where Do Fashion Designers Work? Fashion designers flock to the major fashion capitals of the world, namely New York, Los Angeles, Paris and London. They may work independently, for wholesalers, manufacturers, or design firms. Designers usually have spacious open offices where they can easily lay out fabric on tables to see how well garments drape on mannequins. How Many Hours per Week do they Work? Like most creatives, designers are usually very dedicated, and have to be told to go home! In general, designers in the fashion industry work at least 40 hours per week, although some designers may work as many as 80 hours per week. How Much Can they Earn? A fashion designer's salary fluctuates based on the area of expertise, level of experience, education, certifications, and other factors.
Median Annual Salary: $67,420 ($32.41/hour) Top 10% Annual Salary: More than $135,490 ($65.14/hour) Bottom 10% Annual Salary: Less than $33,910 ($16.30/hour)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017 A last word on luck Sometimes, success in fashion is just being in the right place at the right time. However, a confident and positive mindset can go a long way to ensure luck is on your side! About Us At CommonShare, we understand the fashion industry inside and out—the good, the bad, and the potentially incredible. We are experienced and passionate product developers and sustainability experts who are raising the bar for a higher standard of doing business—socially, financially, and environmentally. Our mission is to enable a more efficient, less wasteful way of producing clothes and textiles. Our platform unites and aligns suppliers’ and buyers’ efforts and intentions with better network and commerce tools—providing forward-thinking buyers and brands a more optimal way to source fabrics. Our streamlined approach to sourcing, not only provides transparency, but it connects you with like-minded suppliers who are more connected to your brand and its initiatives than ever. Sign up to CommonShare today! For Brands [ Click here] For Suppliers [Click here].