How to Become a Fashion Designer: Your Complete Guide
Designing cutting-edge fashion might seem like a pipe dream, but if you're passionate about fashion and you've been exploring your own look and materials for years, it might just be time to follow through.
Fashion design combines artistic approach and technical design to create beautiful items of clothing, and a fashion designer isn't just the one thinking of the style; they sketch it out, pin it up, and have the technical skills to create the muslin mockup.
How to become a fashion designer
Do you have what it takes to become a fashion designer? Let’s take a look!
Essential Skills and Qualities
Fashion designers are creative types; they have strong artistic skills, and that goes beyond conceiving of fashion looks and delves into the ability to draw and sketch well enough to put their ideas down on paper. They also show a profound knowledge of fabrics and materials because they need to know what works well together, how each one drapes, and how that will look with the design they're creating, which highlights the need for an understanding of design principles.
There are also technical skills, including pattern making and sewing. Fashion designers need to create the blueprint to follow to bring the idea to life, and they need strong communication and presentation skills to showcase their ideas and work.
Education and Training
Some people are born with a gift, so you don't have to get an education to become a fashion designer, but it will help you on your way if you're looking for investors to get started. More importantly, whether you pursue a fashion degree or take an alternative educational route, formal education covers the ins and outs of fashion design, including the principles and tools you need to be a success.
A formal education also gives you time to build your portfolio, and while these may only be student projects, they can highlight the growth you've experienced over the years and the way your style has taken shape. A Fashion Design and Dressmaking Course is a great entry point into fashion design, and it may be more than enough to get you started in your dream career, or it could be the impetus you need to pursue a degree.
Gaining Experience
An internship is a great place to get started because not only will you work under the tutelage of a professional, but you'll also get a great insight into how the fashion industry operates as a whole. Plus, you can start building a professional network. Yes, you will have to wait for your turn.
There's a good chance you won't get to do any of the design work you've been dreaming of, but fashion is an industry where it's important to get your foot in the door. Take whatever opportunity presents itself, even if it's 'only' an entry-level position. Take the opportunity to listen, take notes, embrace the experience, and work on your portfolio in your spare time.
Developing a Portfolio
What should your fashion design portfolio contain? Open with a short bio to introduce yourself briefly, describing your technical and creative skills and touching on your journey as a fashion designer. You want to showcase your designs, but you need to show your design process, whether you do that with photos, words, or a combination of both.
You can include fashion sketches and mood boards, but it's down to you to determine the mood you take to convey your ideas. For fresh ideas or insight into what styles are trending, consider browsing The Volte, a designer dress rental platform that also serves as a valuable source of fashion inspiration. If you have any accomplishments, whether it's collaborations with influencers, article mentions, or even television appearances, you have to include those snippets in your portfolio. Showcase the best of your best work, usually three designs at a minimum and five at a maximum.
You'll learn about apparel design, fashion illustration, textile design, garment construction, and more. Whether you're into ready-to-wear clothing design or haute couture, everyone has to start with the basics.
Building a Brand
Your aesthetic is key to establishing your brand. Fashion marketing isn't any different to any other type of marketing when you're building a brand and establishing an identity. Are you known for edgy, dark looks? Or, are you the one setting the fashion trends? Define yourself and figure out how best to communicate your aesthetic with the audience.
Anna Wintour is known for her bob, and Coco Chanel put the little black dress on the map, so what's your thing? That's how you market yourself and use social media to spread the message. You can share behind-the-scenes snippets of your process, whether it's videos of you sketching or putting together muslin mock-ups. Potentially, your social media presence could be your platform to showcase your fashion illustration.
Fashion Career Paths in Fashion Design
Maybe you have dreams of working for a major fashion house, or perhaps the dream is to launch your own label or operate under a freelance banner to work with everyone based on the best opportunity at the time. The sky's the limit when it comes to creative design, but if you carve out your brand identity and stick with it, you'll make a name for yourself in no time.
Final Thoughts
If you want to be a fashion designer, start by learning all the basics of design. You may have a few of the skills you need, but a course will help you put it all together to understand the principles and process from start to finish.
The world needs more creative people to forge the path, so if you're an aspiring designer, pursue your passion!