Could You Be a Fashion Designer?

When most people think of fashion careers, fashion designer leads the pack.  This occupation attracts many with its creativity, influence, and high-glamour quotient, and can be very lucrative for the truly innovative.  But what, exactly, do fashion designers do?

They design apparel.

Now this seems obvious.  But while most aspiring fashion designers dream of seeing their luxurious creations on the backs of the rich and famous, the truth is that fashion designers design many different types of apparel at many different price points.

Who designs the clothes you see at Target?  JC Penney’s?  Neiman Marcus?  Yep, fashion designers.  They may not all be household names, but their function is still the same:  to design clothes.  And when you think of all the different categories of apparel, you begin to understand just how large the world of fashion design really is.

For example, what kinds of clothes would you like to design?

• Baby clothes
• Christening clothes
• Children’s school clothes
• Children’s athletic wear
• Children’s outerwear
• Men’s business wear
• Men’s casual wear
• Men’s formal wear
• Men’s outerwear
• Men’s sleepwear
• Men’s sports wear
• Women’s business wear
• Women’s casual wear
• Women’s formal wear
• Women’s lingerie
• Women’s outerwear
• Women’s sleepwear
• Women’s sportswear
• Wedding dresses

Obviously, this doesn’t include every fashion design category out there, but you get the idea:  there are lots and LOTS of opportunities.

Yes, the world of fashion design is very competitive, and yes, you need to be VERY good in order to compete in the “big leagues” as a fashion designer.  But if you start small and hone your skills, including sketching, draping, and sewing, you’ll soon find your creative voice.

So how do you get started?

The best way to get started is simply to create a few sample garments and see if you can sell them to people you know.  If you can, expand your client base by advertising in the newspaper or in local target-specific publications that cater to your target market (bridal, pageant, business men or women, etc.).

If you want to expand your reach, call specialty and department stores in your area that sell the types of clothes you design.  Schedule an appointment with the store’s buyer and show them completed samples of your work.  If you have a portfolio of sketches, take that along to show what else you can do.  If they place an order, make sure you can finish it on time and on budget.  Since most buyers impose a hefty penalty on tardy orders, never promise more than you can deliver.

Once you have four or five local stores selling your clothes, you may find that you want to expand your reach even further.  If that’s the case, arrange to have a booth at a local or regional trade show.  You’ll be able to show your designs to dozens of buyers at one time, and can increase your income substantially by adding more stores to your distribution network.  Again, never take orders for more than you can deliver.   If you won’t be handling all the manufacturing yourself, make sure whomever will be doing the manufacturing has the ability to meet your deadlines.

For a list of trade shows in your area, visit:

• Apparel News
  http://www.apparelnews.net/Links/tradeshows.html
  
• Apparel Search
  http://www.apparelsearch.com/calendar.htm

Becoming a fashion designer is hard work, but it can be a satisfying career both creatively and financially.  Start small, hone your skills, carve your niche, and go for it!  Success may be closer than you think.

Recommended Resources:

		Get an inside, no-holds-barred look at what it takes to succeed as a fashion designer, from how to develop your skills and choose a fashion design school to setting up your business and attracting clients.  Yours truly was a contributing author on Become a Fashion Designer.