Do you dream of becoming a fashion designer? Want to see your designs modelled in Paris and Milan?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today we\u2019ll be covering the real, practical steps you can take to become a fashion designer. We\u2019ll also be talking about how to build a good portfolio, whether or not you need a degree, and the potential career paths you can take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To a beginner, the fashion industry can seem grand and impenetrable. How can you go from making sketches and working at your sewing machine to designing for major houses like Louis Vuitton and Dior?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well, it starts with research. The fashion industry is huge, covering everything from cutting edge designer trends to the kind of fast-fashion garments you might find in a local supermarket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The truth is, not every designer gets to work for their dream brand. Many make a solid and fulfilling career for themselves by designing simple every-day products while exercising their more creative side on personal projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, that\u2019s not to say you can\u2019t dream big. Like any other industry, once you\u2019ve got your foot in the door, there are many directions your fashion design career can go. All the same if you care about career opportunities, then you should be learning about the industry from the get go so you can maximise your options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the same time as you\u2019re learning about the industry you also need to be learning your craft. Fashion designers are required to have a broad set of skills that goes far beyond sketching up stylish pieces. You\u2019ll need to understand garment construction, materials and fabrics, and even some basic sewing skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much you\u2019ll use each of these skills will vary a great deal depending on the specific niche you work in. Some designers spend all day drawing while others must apply a highly technical understanding to their work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While it isn\u2019t vital to have a university degree, it will help a lot – both with learning and with networking. Many of the major fashion houses won\u2019t be interested in you without one but it\u2019s certainly not impossible to self train and build a real and meaningful career for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As you’re building your skills and researching the niche you want to work in, start thinking about your portfolio. The perfect portfolio demonstrates exactly the skills required for the job in question. If you want to work in menswear, you\u2019ll want lots of menswear pieces. The same is true for womensware, footware, or any other niche.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s not to say a little diversity in your skills won\u2019t help. For example, even if a job doesn\u2019t explicitly call for someone with a good understanding of construction, showing examples of work you\u2019ve made yourself will certainly help you stand out. Not only does it show broad understanding but it also demonstrates that your designs hold out in a finished result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n