Career in Fashion Designing

Are you one of those people who have a closet bursting with the latest styles, and who can't resist offering wardrobe advice? Well, a career in fashion design may be right up your alley. If you've got creativity, perseverance, and an artistic flair to boot, you're on your way.

The onset of the International fashion market in India has given an impetus to the fashion industry. It is an extremely competitive field, but tremendously rewarding as well.

Designers understand the needs of their clients and create attractive and functional garments and accessories according to the latest trends, market conditions, weather and also keeping a close watch on the fit, style, color, texture, size and material. Much time of the designer is spent in exploration and research. Knowledge about fabric, weave, draping qualities, material, color and design and the changing trend is important.

A trained fashion designer can work in fashion design production, fashion marketing/merchandising, fashion media and promotion and also as costume designer, personal stylist, technical designer, graphic designer, apparel production managers etc. Moreover they can also choose to become entrepreneur and own their own company.

However, if you're hoping to achieve status as a “fashion diva,” then you'll need to work hard to establish a reputation and a clientele for your designs, as the market for designer fashion is competitive and fast-paced — but achievable if you've got what it takes! For those who reach the apex of this industry, the rewards can be phenomenal.

Qualification

A two-year degree in fashion design, art, or other related field is the minimum qualification needed to enter this field. Various fashion and design schools offer associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees in areas related specifically to fashion design and the creative arts industries. There are several short-term certificate courses as well for super specialization, on part-time basis. These courses equip one with technical as well as creative thinking skills.

These schools are an excellent way to earn an industry-specific degree with course selections and specialized studies that include everything from garment construction to fashion merchandising. There are courses in Accessory & Jewelry Design, modeling, interior design, Textile Technology, Textile Design intensive courses, Footwear design & Technology and some other courses.

Skills

The fashion industry is all about creativity, artistic skills, awareness of trends, and a good business sense. Natural skill set would comprise of a decent aesthetic sense, color coding expertise, good taste and sense of trends and fashion etc. An eye for detail, A good knowledge for fabric textures, ability to translate ideas in sketches, visual imagination are some other characteristics survive in this competitive field.

An understanding of the market and customer lifestyle is required, so that design is suitable for people they are made for. To learn about the latest trends they must read more and more of fashion journals, books, on history and art. They must also visit various art gallery and exhibition and interact with traditional artists whenever they get a chance.

Career Options

The industry is highly competitive since it draws on a tremendous amount of talented individuals seeking employment in the market.

There are opportunities for work with the various sectors dealing with fashion including Export houses dealing with garment/textile/handloom; Retail and wholesale garment businesses; Fashion show organizers; TV fashion programme producers etc.

Remuneration

Remuneration mainly depends on the personal Ability and Skills of the Individual. F resher in Garment Designing can start with a monthly package of Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 14,000. With an experience of around two years, one's salary would increase to the range of Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 40,000. When one becomes a reputed Garment Designer, one can demand a king's ransom for a particular creation. Thus, a well-harmonized sense of fashion topped with good marketing persona can get you places.

Fashion designers dictate what's in and what's not. They make fashion statements and design lifestyles. A career as a fashion designer is a glamorous and glitzy affair, but equally backbreaking. All in all, if you are ‘cut-out' for the field then weave your way through and you will surely make it to the top!