While becoming a fashion designer may sound like a dream job, the role is demanding and the industry is competitive

While becoming a fashion designer may sound like a dream job, the role is demanding and the industry is competitive

As a fashion designer you'll work on the design of clothing and fashion ranges. You'll typically specialise in one area of design, such as sportswear, children's wear, footwear or accessories.

Depending on your level of responsibility and the company you work for, you may work to your own brief or be given a brief to work towards, with specifications relating to colour, fabric and budget.

Developments in technology mean that a design can be on sale as a finished product on the high street within six weeks.

Types of fashion designer

The main areas of work for fashion designers are:

• high street fashion - this is where the majority of designers work and where garments are mass manufactured (often in Europe or East Asia). Buying patterns, seasonal trends and celebrity catwalk influences play a key role in this design process. It is a commercial area and heavily media led
• ready-to-wear - also known as prêt-à-porter. Established designers create ready-to-wear collections, produced in relatively small numbers
• haute couture - requires large amounts of time spent on the production of one-off garments for the catwalk, which are often not practical to wear. Designs are usually created to endorse the brand and create a 'look'.

Responsibilities

Tasks depend on the market the designer is working for, but core responsibilities include:

• creating or visualising an idea and producing a design by hand or using computer-aided design (CAD)
• keeping up to date with emerging fashion trends as well as general trends relating to fabrics, colours and shapes
• planning and developing ranges
• working with others in the design team, such as buyers and forecasters, to develop products to meet a brief
• liaising closely with sales, buying and production teams on an ongoing basis to ensure the item suits the customer, market and price points
• understanding design from a technical perspective, i.e. producing patterns and technical specifications for designs
• sourcing, selecting and buying fabrics, trims, fastenings and embellishments
• adapting existing designs for mass production
• developing a pattern that is cut and sewn into sample garments and supervising the creation of these, including fitting, detailing and adaptations
• overseeing production
• negotiating with customers and suppliers
• managing marketing, finances and other business activities, if working on a self-employed basis.

Experienced designers with larger companies may focus more on the design aspect, with pattern cutters and machinists preparing sample garments. In smaller companies these, and other tasks, may be part of the designer's role.

Salary

• Starting salaries in the fashion industry are often low. Design assistants may start at around £16,000 to £17,000.
• A junior designer can expect to earn approximately £25,000 a year.
• Typical salaries at senior designer and creative director level range from £42,000 to £85,000+.

Salaries vary depending on geographical location and type of employer.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

What to expect

• Working hours typically include regular extra hours.
• The working environment varies between companies and can range from a Victorian-style factory to a modern purpose-built office or a small design studio. Freelance designers may work from home or in a rented studio.
• With the increase in online retailing, setting up in business or being self-employed is becoming more common, even straight after graduation. Extensive market research and business training are critical for any fashion business to succeed.
• The majority of opportunities are available in London and the South East and some large towns and cities in the North West and Scotland, with pockets of industry in the Midlands. Opportunities are beginning to spring up outside these areas.
• The pressure of deadlines and working unsocial hours to meet these may be stressful and can intrude on private life.
• Career success relies on a combination of creativity, perseverance, resilience and good communication skills.
• Travel within the working day, overnight absence from home and overseas work are occasionally needed. There is scope for travel abroad, for example to attend trade shows or to meet suppliers.

Qualifications

Although this area of work is open to all graduates, a degree in the following subjects will increase your chances:

• art and design
• clothing technology
• fashion
• fashion marketing and buying
• graphic design
• knitwear
• textiles.

Foundation degree graduates face increased competition from BA graduates.

Entry without a degree is sometimes possible but is becoming increasingly unlikely and you would need to be able to prove that you have already gained expertise and experience in the industry.

Graduates from non-fashion or textile-related courses would also need to gain experience in the industry or a related area, such as fashion retail, in order to demonstrate their aptitude and interest.

A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not a requirement, but an MA in fashion or textile design can improve opportunities, particularly for aspiring designers from other academic areas. Search for postgraduate courses in fashion and textile design.

MA courses in specific areas of fashion may offer different skills and experience and this can be helpful in gaining related employment. For example, children's wear requires knowledge of sizing and textile properties; menswear may require knowledge of pattern cutting and tailoring.

Skills

You will need to show:

• creativity, innovation and flair
• an eye for colour and a feel for fabrics and materials
• the ability to generate ideas and concepts
• design and visualisation skills, either by hand or through computer-aided design (CAD)
• technical skills, including pattern cutting
• garment technology skills and knowledge
• a proactive approach
• commercial awareness and business orientation
• self-promotion and confidence
• interpersonal, communication and networking skills
• the ability to negotiate and to influence others
• team working skills
• good organisation and time management.

Work experience

Companies may be reluctant to consider candidates without previous experience in the industry. Work experience of any kind in a design studio is highly desirable. Experience in retail can be useful too. New graduates could look at possible work experience in Europe or the USA before starting work in the UK.

Employers usually expect to see a portfolio that clearly demonstrates your ability to design and produce garments and accessories.