Fashion Degrees: Launch Your Fashion Career with Style
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by Joe Cooper
Fashion School Review Columnist

November 29, 2006

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Launch Your
Fashion Career
from
The Art Institutes
The Art Institute
Launching a fashion career can be done any number of ways. In such a competitive industry, however, earning a fashion degree improves your chances of snatching up your fashion design dream job. Fashion school will help you determine your style niche and edge out job competition.

Can you be the next great designer without a fashion degree? Yes. Will it be more difficult? Absolutely. Most employers look for candidates with a degree, a strong fashion portfolio, and even some fashion design experience through internships or entry-level positions. There are no rules for creating a fashion career, but there are best practices. Following them will help you better understand the fashion world and build a great resume.

Real Jobs in Fashion Design
So, what will a fashion degree get you? We'd all love to launch a successful clothing line some day, but successful fashion careers aren't limited to top designer roles. Check out real job advertisements from London, New York, and Boston to get a taste for some fashion jobs and their educational requirements:

  • Eco-fashion Project Associate: "If you are a fashion student, graduate or post graduate we'd love to hear from you."
  • Fashion Merchandiser: "Must have BA in Apparel Design or Fashion Merchandising"
  • Associate Fashion Designer: Qualifications [include] working towards or recently completed a Bachelor's degree in a design discipline

What Fashion Employers Want
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says that fashion employers want "designers with a 2- or 4-year degree who are knowledgeable about textiles, fabrics, ornamentation, and fashion trends." The BLS also notes the industry is very competitive, and many fashion designers are self-employed.

So, what does all this mean? Fashion is a creative field where natural talent makes a difference, but nothing replaces good old-fashioned education. If you want to be the next fashion great, start your career in style with a fashion degree.

Sources:

About the Author
Joe Cooper is a freelance education and technology writer and edits medical literature. He holds a bachelor's in American Literature from UCLA.

Featured Schools
The Art Institutes

The Art Institutes system of schools offers a range of master's, bachelor's, and associate's degree programs, as well as diploma and certificate programs specializing in the creative and applied arts. We also offer a variety of online, evening, and weekend learning options, so there's an education solution to fit your schedule. And our professional-grade technology can give you the practical skills to match your ideas—helping you transform your creative energy into a fulfilling career.

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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.

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