How Fashion Contests
Can Quickly Launch Your Fashion Career

Question:  “How else can I succeed at fashion design besides just selling my designs to buyers?  Aside from the amount of money it takes, is it possible for someone at age 15 or 16 to be part of those famous fashion shows in New York?”

Answer:  Let's get one thing straight:

As a designer, you will ALWAYS be showing your designs to potential buyers, whether it's through a sketch you do for a friend at your kitchen table, a sample you show to a local boutique owner, or a collection you preview on a New York runway.

If you want to make money in fashion design, you need to sell your creations.  Whether you do that locally or internationally is up to you, but never dismiss your customer next door because a big fashion city holds more allure. 

As the saying goes, “If you want to eat like a king, cater to the masses.  If you want to eat like the masses, cater to kings.” 

Anyway, unless you grew up in a garment district or have an in-road to the inner workings of the industry, I would never recommend trying to start at the top.  Not only is it too competitive, a bad experience can literally scar you for life—particularly if you're young.

Still, if you are truly talented, and willing to take some risks, there is one way to make it to the big time—FAST—with limited funds and resources:  design competitions.

Yep, you read that right.

You can enter your designs in various contests where a win could put you smack in the center of your dreams.  Sponsored by everyone from magazines and fashion institutes to costume companies and ethnic groups, design contests are a great way to see if you “have what it takes” to make it.

Here are some good places to look:

FASHION DESIGN

Fashion-Beauty.com

 

http://www.fashion-beauty.com/FashionDesignCompetitions.html

 

Mittelmoda.com

 

http://www.mittelmoda.com 

 

Smirnoff Fashion Awards

 

http://www.smirnoff.com/film/sifa.html

COSTUME DESIGN

Costume Society of America

http://www.costumesocietyamerica.com/awards.htm

   

JEWELRY DESIGN

 
Metalcyberspace

 

http://www.metalcyberspace.com/design.htm

Now, before you start making space on your trophy shelf for one of these awards, DO keep in mind that you'll be up against some pretty stiff competition.

Many of your fellow entrants will have fashion design degrees under their belts, and they're looking to make a name for themselves in the industry—just as you are.

So keep your expectations in check, and don't be devastated if you don't win.  Absorb the feedback, regroup, and try it again.  You'll never know how close you are to success until you cast your net to see what's out there.

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Diana Pemberton-Sikes is a fashion writer and image consultant and a contributing author to FabJob’s Guide to “Become A Fashion Designer.”  You can visit her online at FashionJobReview.com .