UK Fashion Design Careers

by Fran Walker
Fashion School Review Columnist

December 9, 2005

Send to a friend |

Printable Version

Today, as I write another November column, it's been another typically busy week in fashion in the UK. The British Fashion Awards were a great success, and Stella McCartney's fashion design career even threatens to make us forget who her father is. Okay, maybe not quite, but how easy is it to today to launch a fashion design career in the UK?

The UK Today - High Street Fashion's Mecca?

It's official, everyone who is anyone in today's UK fashions is wearing high street clothes. Top Shop is taking over the world and Stella McCartney's new high street range at H & M caused near-riots when it was launched early November. The explosion of UK fashion magazines and websites has helped cement the rise of popular high street fashion - and corresponding fashion design careers, in the last few years.

Today's UK Fashion Graduates - How Easy Is a Fashion Design Career?

There are around 110,000 people working today in fashion in the UK. Roughly 1,100 of these have fashion design careers. With 2,500 new fashion graduates in the UK each year, the math doesn't add up to encouraging answers.

The truth is, like anywhere else in the world, forging a fashion design career in the UK today requires hard work, a thick skin and a fashion vision. Roland Mouret had a vision, but a lack of formal fashion education led him to effectively sell his own name. His untrained fashion design career is an exception.

Most successful fashion design careers in the UK today are the result of a fashion education, several career placements and a firm idea what you want to design. Today is the ideal time to aim for the UK's high street for your fashion career, but be prepared for plenty of uphill walking.

Source:

http://www.vogue.co.uk

About the Author
Fran Walker is a freelance writer, editor and researcher specializing in educational, health, safety and domestic issues. Previously, she spent five years in marketing in the self-help, health and health and safety sectors before leaving to start a family

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 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 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 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