The lights and the music, the glitz, and the glamour. Stunning models wearing some of your very own creations and walking down the walkway, the who’s who of the country and the world in attendance as your own creations are displayed. A high-flying life connects to celebrities from across the industry.
That is the romantic image that comes to mind when one thinks of being a fashion designer. Becoming a successful fashion designer feels nothing short of a vivid dream. Although It’s a highly competitive field, if you have what it takes and are willing to put in the time, effort, and energy behind it then it may not be that much of a distant dream for you.
Fortunately, having a formal education or certification isn’t a mandatory requisite. What matters most is having a streak of creativity, a flair for expression along with a diverse and comprehensive skillset, a strong understanding of the market, and perseverance. It may be a long learning curve before you manage to find your voice in an industry as saturated as fashion.
So, give yourself the best foot forward and follow these tips on how to become a fashion designer.
#1. Have Relevant and Up To Date Skills
If you’re just starting out as a fashion designer, the most important thing for you to do right now is master the fundamentals. Some people have a natural flair for hard skills like drawing, correctly sketching fabrics, sewing, and making alterations. But for others, it may take some time and practice so it’s best to start early and get some hands-on experience.
You also need to make sure you’re up to date on the most current skill requirements of your industry or niche, such as learning how to use computer-aided design software and online tools or handles for marketing.
#2. Formal Education
There’s more to fashion and design than simply being creative. To make it as a fashion designer you need to acquire all the core knowledge of the industry, and the business side of things. This includes learning about fabrics, different cultural styles, textile dying, manufacturing garments, and various software.
If you’re completely new to fashion design it may help to seek some direction first, and you don’t necessarily have to complete a degree or attend University for that matter. You could opt for a diploma course in your chosen niche, or attend workshops, and there are plenty of educational materials available online.
#3. Conduct Market Research
As an aspiring fashion designer, you should constantly be reading lots of fashion magazines, attending showcases, and examining the marketing trends of top brands. Doing these things will help you gain an intuitive feel of how the industry works and what people are looking for.
This might be the most important tip for how to become a fashion designer. You must conduct regular research or surveys of the market before making any financial decisions or launching your brand. Not only is the fashion industry convoluted, but it’s also constantly evolving.
To put it simply, you need to find out what designs are the most visually appealing to the majority of your target demographic today, not yesterday.
#4. Pick A Niche
Picking a specialty and niching down is the best way to capitalize on gaps in the market. Clothing only represents a fraction of the fashion and design industry. Fashion designers are also commissioned to design accessories like watches, jewelry, handbags, shoes, and hats.
Fashion design is so broad, that it’s easy to get lost in different rabbit holes during your early years. But once you’ve had some experience and explored all the different avenues of fashion that your skillset and professional goals allow, you’ll have to pick a lane and ride it all the way through to become successful.
#5. Add Some Unique Sample Pieces To Your Portfolio
Lastly, our final tip for how to become a fashion designer is to be bold and create some of your unique pieces that express your style. While internships and college projects are certainly important for your portfolio, you should add some of your solo projects too. There’s a lot you can learn from experimenting.
While the glitz and glamour might be attractive, when you think about how to become a fashion designer – The answer is simple. It is a career like any other and will require skills, smartness, and hard work like all careers do. Follow the above tips and zoom your way into the world of fashion.