There is no formal education or certification required to become a successful fashion designer, but that doesn’t make the feat any easier. To become a fashion designer, you will need to have a combination of drawing, sewing, and design skills, a knowledge of the fashion industry, and unparalleled perseverance. You’ll also need to create a strong fashion portfolio and strengthen your knowledge of business and finance in general.
- Go classic with a Bachelor’s in Fashion Design
If you don’t want to just work in the fashion industry, but actually become the driving force behind it, then you need to start with the basics. Doing undergraduate studies in Fashion Design will help you understand everything about fashion design history, manipulating clothing textiles, sketching and drawing clothes, fashion events, or managing a fashion house.
- Sharpen skills with hands-on experience
In order to sharpen the skills needed to execute a design from an idea to the finished product, students need to get practice outside of the classroom. This hands-on learning can be achieved by participating in an internship program with a design firm, clothing manufacturer, or personal stylist. In addition, students can get experience by volunteering for a fashion house.
- Top your fashion knowledge with Design know-how
Nowadays, graphics is everywhere, even in fashion. Scissors and paper alone won’t do the trick. While it’s not necessary to pursue a three-year long Bachelor’s in Design or Graphic Design, you should get some of the insights these study areas have to offer.
- Find your niche in the fashion industry
Most people can’t do everything. That’s why you’ll have to decide what branch of fashion most speaks to you. Figure out if you prefer men, women or children fashion designing, sportswear design, accessories design or you lean more towards the business side of fashion.
- Keep up with the trends
The fashion industry changes from season to season, so it’s important for designers to keep abreast of the trends. This can be done by regularly reading industry journals and magazines.
