The process of creating clothes has its roots in the days of the primitive people who began to use skins to protect the body from the cold. Probably, even then women competed in the elegance of outfits. Over time, the materials and criteria of beauty changed, fashion acquired a national character, divided into social layers. Of course, the most luxurious dresses among the aristocrats is what we owe the appearance of haute couture.
At the end of the 19th century, fashion became more democratic, adapted to the lifestyle of the people. And the 20th century made it accessible to all segments of the population, dividing into haute couture and ready-to-wear fashion – clothes of mass sewing.
Nowadays, the services of such a specialist may be necessary for everyone. At realisation clothing, we all at least once ordered a unique dress or costume for a special occasion.
Getting into the fashion industry has its perks and challenges. It may suit some people as a profession. If you’re looking to get into fashion designing, consider if your personality fits it well.
Table of Contents
You’re creative
Given the wide range of responsibilities, there are three areas of narrow specialisation of fashion designers. The fashion designer creates new images. He transfers his ideas to paper – this is how new collections of clothes and trends in the fashion world appear. Fashion designer embodies the artist’s idea. He selects materials, decor elements and creates patterns. The fur designer knows all the intricacies of making fur products.
You’re okay with the professional duties
The work of a fashion designer is a creative process. Usually, the distinction between specializations is rather arbitrary: you need to invent, design products and work with fur at the same time. Versatility is a strong point of a good fashion designer.
You like designing
The list of ongoing responsibilities includes:
- The creative process. Fashion designer makes sketches and creates images. Often, orders are confined to specific cases with a strict theme. A true specialist will always create a sketch of a unique and original outfit.
- Upon completion of the creation of the sketch, the fashion designer is considering how to bring it to life. To do this, he develops patterns.
- Selection of fabrics. The fashion designer knows everything about the texture of fabrics and the principles of their combination.
- Selection of decorative elements. These are all kinds of ribbons, lace, rhinestones, stones – all that is necessary to give individuality along with it.
- Carrying out fittings and fitting the outfit according to the figure of the client.
- Clothing repair is also part of the range of duties of a fashion designer in a studio.
- Depending on the place of work, the duties of a fashion designer may vary.
You’re ready to persevere
The fashion designer is a profession for creative people who generate new ideas. But it will not work in the clouds – it will take hard work and perseverance. After all, most of the work in the sewing equipment company is a routine of manual tasks. The designer must have a good eye to understand at first glance what suits the customer. The delicacy and diplomatic skills are also necessary: after all, often the customer’s self-image does not coincide with reality – then you have to recommend a suitable model for them tactfully.
You fit well in the job market
Fashion designers are in great demand now. Getting a job is quite simple because new ateliers and factories are constantly appearing throughout the world. A recent graduate of an educational institution can easily get to a new enterprise. But the competition in this area is very high. If you decide to get into a fashion house or a design company, you will have to demonstrate your sketches and show knowledge in design. You may be given a test task for the implementation of the drawing, etc. Here, an important is work experience, but encouragement is given to people with new ideas.
You consider it a career
The success of a fashion designer directly depends on his creative abilities. Immediately after graduation, you can get a job in an atelier for sewing and repairing clothes or in a factory. In the first, you are just gaining experience, and you cannot grow anywhere. At the factory, you can build a career by becoming the head of the workshop and the head of the department.
If you want to be an experienced fashion designer, it is important to try to take part in all kinds of creative competitions for young fashion designers. That’s how you can qualify for a solid and highly paid place in the fashion house or the design studio of exclusive outfits.
You’re innovative
Several opportunities are present for a fashion designer, but everyone is not aware of them. Gathering funds from several resources enables you to inaugurate your shop. Innovative and attractive ideas are most important for the fashion industry and designers as well. Good earning and recognition among the public is evidence of your innovation.
You’re more than just creative
On a daily basis, the designer works alone or in collaboration to imagine the new collections of fashion and ready-to-wear brands. His weapons? His imagination, of course, maintained and developed in contact with other creators, drawing inspiration from other major brands, “street trends”, celebrity outfits, etc.
You’re entrepreneurial
But his work does not stop there. A collection – even more in ready-to-wear – is never created alone. You have to deal with the marketing and sales staff, and further down with the designers responsible for assembling the parts. Clearly: will the product be salable, how much and can we make it for a reasonable cost? To help him, a model maker accompanies him as well as a model mechanic.
In the end, the artistic part of the profession is not the most important of the profession. Technical and marketing work occupies the vast majority of the stylist’s time. This is even truer if he works in a company or an agency. Unless you are self-employed, the budget constraint is likely to be even greater.
Now, if you want to study Fashion Design, you have to know that this is a very competitive career in which you must show security in what you do since it is likely that many times people want to discredit your work from every point of view.
You can present
You must show yourself and be sure of what you do but without becoming arrogant; and above all, remaining impartial to the egos. How can you achieve this? First of all, the fundamental thing is that you focus on your work, and secondly, you should be very open to receiving suggestions but without allowing comments to frustrate you. Here are some other reasons to pursue a fashion designing career.
Conclusion
Finally, we must mention that in addition to the creativity, imagination and great curiosity, you must have to study Fashion Design. Negotiation skills are equally important – fashion is still a business (a big business, by the way).
In addition, contrary to what many think, it’s not an easy and glamorous career. Not only will you have to spend nights drawing and sewing but also, at least while you are a student, you will almost always feel that no matter how hard you have tried you do not see the results that you had imagined.