A guide for your career plans in Fashion
Do you have a eye for fashion and strive to create your own designs? Discover the different opportunities in the fashion industry.
Fashion Careers: Make Your Designs A Household Name
When you hear fashion designer names such as Gucci, Dior, or Chanel do you find yourself dreaming of the latest fashion trends? Do you wait anxiously for the newest issue of Vogue to read about fashion lines and up and coming designers? A career in the field of fashion may be the exciting opportunity you are looking for.
Field Of Fashion
From design to production, the field of fashion involves many different aspects. The fashion industry involves the idea, design, creation, and production of clothing, shoes and accessories for the masses.
If you are interested in the fashion industry, prepare to face tough competition as well as intense review and critique by both your peers and the media. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook is only expected to grow by one percent from 2008 to 2018. Even though there is a demand for new designers and fresh talent, there are not enough jobs for all the people who are attracted to the industry because of the glamour and stardom that can come from a career in fashion.
Fashion Career Paths
A career in fashion can provide you many opportunities in a number of different career paths. Careers in the fashion industry can include, but are not limited to:
- Clothing designer
- Footwear designer
- Accessories designer
- Dressmakers
- Fashion photographer
- Purchasing manager/buyer
No matter the type of career you think would be the best fit, it is necessary to have the proper education to be qualified for a very competitive job market.
Degree Opportunities In Design
With the right combination of education and experience you can achieve your dreams of working in fashion. In order to start a career in the fashion world, you need to pursue your studies and obtain either a two-year or four-year degree from an accredited institution. Most employers want potential employees to have the education and training that you can get from a degree program.
Some of the types of degrees available are:
- Fashion Design
- Business
- Marketing
- Fashion Merchandising
- Art and Design
Before deciding on a degree program, it is essential to make sure the institution is accredited by an organization like The National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The NASAD ensures that education programs of arts and design are following specific guideline for degrees in art and design. The accredited art and design schools create programs with coursework in colors, textiles, sewing, tailoring, pattern making, fashion history and computer-aided design.
To be successful in the fashion industry it is essential to have business skills to advance your career. According to Inc. Magazine, breaking into the fashion industry requires more than a degree in design, it also involves a strong business sense. You must be able to market yourself and your designs in order to break into the competitive fashion industry. Employers and clients expect you to have a business background for smooth operations when dealing with fashion. Taking additional coursework in business and marketing are a sure fire way to make yourself marketable in such a competitive industry.
Kim Carter
Fashion Designers • Bureau of Labor Statistics
FAQs • National Association of Schools of Art and Design
Christine Lagorio - How to Break into the Fashion Industry • Inc Magazine
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