Becoming a Fashion Designer

Do you consider yourself to be fashion conscious? Do you have an eye for color and a feel for fabric? Were you the kind of kid who asked Santa Claus for a sewing machine? Do you jot down notes and pictures in your note pad about people's clothes and how they could look better? Then you might just have a future as a fashion designer.

Fashion designers need to be artistic and creative, while working with fabric. You should be able to express your ideas in sketches. You don't have to be a great artist, but you should be able to combine color, shade and tone in an original and practical fashion. Having a few marketing and business classes doesn't hurt either -- while creativity is your bread and butter, you shouldn't be ignorant about the business side of the fashion world.

Going to School

Launch Your Fashion Career from The Art Institutes

For most, the best way to start your fashion design career is with a fine arts degree in fashion at a well-respected school or college. Don't discount online education--you can often find the program you're looking for or get a head start on some of your coursework. Not only will a good school teach you the skills you need, but it'll also add important credibility to your resumé. "We live in a brandname society, and having the name of a good school behind you really does help," says Carol Mongo, Director of the Fashion Department at Parsons School of Design in Paris.

Most fashion programs are three to four years long and consist of classes in study drawing, color composition and form, as well as development and training in pattern making, draping and cutting techniques. Design schools can also provide opportunities for close work with industry professionals -- either as faculty or through internships. Ambitious students also have the chance to win prestigious awards and grants, which bring them a lot of attention as well as financial support. One very important event is the fashion show at the end of the last semester, when graduating students show their collections. A lot of important people from the fashion industry attend these shows to scout new talent. It's also an opportunity to be really outrageous and get noticed by the media.

Real-World Experience

It's important to take advantage of internships while you're in school -- that way you'll get real-world experience and make the industry connections you'll need once you get out of school. (Some people forgo school altogether and jump straight into internships and working, but -- unless you have personal connections -- it can be tough to get an internship without some education.) Seeing is believing and no school can provide you with the real live nuances of marketing, buying schedules, show production and licensing possibilities that you will witness in person.

No matter where you're working and what you're doing (even slaving away as the lowest assistant on the totem pole), you need to develop good designer habits. Carry a notebook or sketchpad wherever you go. Find inspiration in art galleries, film, the street, current events and pop culture. Never worry about what the designer next door is working on and never be afraid of your vision... just follow it!

Going for It!

If you love fashion and dream up entire clothing lines in your sleep, you can achieve your dream of becoming a fashion designer by working hard, honing your skills, and getting a good education. But, perhaps most importantly, you'll need to have faith and a strong inner drive, even when things aren't going well; the fashion world is rough, and competition (for jobs, for everything!) can be incredibly fierce. Keep your chin up and your head full of ideas -- and you'll get there eventually!

Featured Schools

Campus The Art Institutes The Art Institutes system of schools is a leading educator of students in the creative and applied arts, including design, media, fashion, and culinary programs. Every program of study offered to you is regularly reviewed by industry leaders, advisors, and employers for relevance in the marketplace. Changes are made, if necessary, to integrate subject matter into the curriculum so that our degree programs reflect the way things are done in the real world of work. Programs listed are not offered at all locations. See more facts about The Art Institutes Program Offer: Fashion Design (BFA) Fashion Design (AA) Fashion Design (AAA) And more... Campus Locations: Chicago Dallas Denver Fort Lauderdale Houston Indianapolis Miami Milwaukee Minneapolis New York North Hollywood Philadelphia Pittsburgh Portland San Antonio San Bernardino San Diego San Francisco Santa Ana Santa Monica Schaumburg Seattle Tucson Vancouver Campus American InterContinental University Get the design and business skills you need to succeed. American InterContinental University - Buckhead's mission is to provide students with the knowledge, skills and practical work experience they need for success. Whether you're interested in Internati See more facts about American InterContinental University Program Offer: Bachelor of Fine Arts Fashion Marketing Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Marketing and Design Campus Locations: Atlanta Fort Lauderdale Campus International Academy of Design and Tech Start planning for your future. No matter what you want to achieve in your career, the International Academy of Design & Technology in Chicago can help. The Academy offers diverse and comprehensive degree programs in numerous Design disciplines as wel See more facts about International Academy of Design and Tech Program Offer: Fashion Design and Merchandising Fashion Design Campus Locations: Chicago Henderson Nashville Orlando San Antonio Seattle Troy Campus Collins College Prepare yourself for the future. Collins College, located in Tempe, AZ, is your gateway to the world of design and technology. Get the education you need to start a new career in Visual Communication, Multimedia Production, Animation, Digital Video, or PC See more facts about Collins College Program Offer: Fashion Design and Merchandising Campus Locations: Phoenix Campus Visual College of Art and Design Follow your passion! For over 35 years, the Visual College of Art and Design (VCAD) has taught artists and imaginative people just like you. VCAD's Fine Arts diploma program is highly regarded for providing a well-rounded arts education in an environment that emphasizes creativity and individuality. Which program is right for you? Choose from Graphic Design, Marketing & Merchandising for Fashion, 3D Modelling Animation Art & Design, Fashion Design, and Interior Design. We know that employers want graduates who are knowledgeable about their field and possess the most up-to-date technical skills. That's why our students receive focused and specialized training on the tools, techniques, and technology used in their chosen career field. Visual College of Art and Design offers courses at one campus in Vancouver, British Columbia Get started today by answering a few questions.>>> See more facts about Visual College of Art and Design Program Offer: Fashion Design Campus Locations: Vancouver Online Stratford Career Institute Earn Your Diploma from Home! Stratford Career Institute can help you earn your diploma from home in as little as six months, thanks to their proven study methods. See more facts about Stratford Career Institute Program Offer: Fashion Merchandising and Design