Rules Of The Game: Where To Begin With Fashion Designing
While you may not need a formal education to become a fashion
designer, you still need to spend time learning what it takes to achieve your
goals. The cut throat industry of designing requires knowledge of a combination
of skill sets and an unwavering determination. Here are a few short tips that
will help you on your road to success.
Developing Your Skills
Do you love designing storyboards but hate sewing? Well, beginning
fashion designers need to know and understand a wide array of skills to get
ahead of the game. Drawing, draping, visualizing, cutting, and sewing are just
a few of the tasks that will help you succeed. Don't be afraid to take a few
classes or apply for an internship to learn more about your passions.
The Business Side of Design
Talent and creativity are just one part of being a fashion
designer. Marketing yourself and managing your finances can make or break your
fashion designing career. Sign up for a local class or pick up a few books at
your local bookstore. Also, make sure to stay updated on the latest happening
in the industry. Know who your customers and competitors are so that you can
surpass all of their needs.
Your Fashion Portfolio
This is vital to your fashion design career wether you're applying
to jobs and internships or you're seeking funding for an upcoming project. Many
designers have both physical and online portfolios. The online version will
help others find your work but also keep a physical version you can take to
meetings that will present further detailing and specifics of your excellent
work.
Understanding the Business
Unfortunately, it's not enough for a designer to be creative; you
also have to have some business sense.
As fashion gets more and more corporate driven, it's important to
be aware of the business climate and understanding the mechanics behind it. By
religiously reading trade papers like "Women's Wear Daily" http://www.wwd.com/ will get a lot of
valuable information.
If you want to run your own company, you need to be extremely
organized and learn at least the basics of economics. A lot of fashion schools
are currently increasing business classes in their curriculum. It's perhaps
telling that many of the designers that are really successful today, like
Calvin Klein or Tom Ford, are involved in every aspect of the business -- from
licensing strategies to ad campaigns to actually designing the clothes
In NY there are many it’s
just a matter of finding the one that works for you and your timeline as well
as budget
As a former alumna I feel this would be a great place to
start for the basic to advanced fundamentals of being a designer
covering all aspects from drawing an designing functional clothing, forecasting
as well as showing and fashion shows marketing and selling in the fashion
industry or building a strong portfolio
for entry to the design market or feild.
Parsons New School Of Design http://www.newschool.edu/parsons also a
fantastic choice to gain what you need to have a designing edge as well as a
better understanding of how things work
Take a look at the programs they both offer see if Saturday
classes are available you can also do a Google search for fashion design
programs in your area if you are not located in New York
There are so many options to get you started but you must be
informed it’s not just making pretty pictures you got to do the work to reap
the benefits.
Need additional help getting your fashion designing career off the
ground?
Visit our webpage for more tips and tricks and coming soon e-book
and fashion designer starter kits templates for getting your designs on paper templates
