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Art and Design
Fashion Design
Fashion design is perhaps the first career which springs to mind for many people interested in needlework, design and fashion, but it is one of the hardest in which to be really successful.
What is takes
Fashion designers need:
- To be very talented and persevering;
- To be able to imagine a finished garment from a two dimensional drawing;
- A feel for textiles and their use;
- A flair for creating with fabric;
To keep up with changes in customer demand and new materials and manufacturing technology.
Designers often have to find sources of fabrics and visit trade fairs to find out about the new designs and products. In small firms, they may do their own pattern-cutting. In larger organizations they work with a team of patter-cutters and sample machinists, and with production managers, because production costs influence what the designer can do.
The fashion and clothing industry
The most popular area of work for fashion designers is the dress trade � haute couture, wholesale couture and mass production. To become an haute couture designer, at the very expensive end of the market, is extremely difficult. Most career opportunities are in wholesale and mass production. The amount of creativity expected of a designer varies from firm to firm. In fact, most designers take up and adapt existing fashion crazes, rather than create new trends and styles.
Haute couture
Garments are cut and made individually, to create a new and original style. The designers pay attention to the social habits of their clients, and to the occasions where the garments may be worn. Haute couture includes world-famous designers and firms which design model garments, making the fashion news each season.
Wholesale couture/designer label
Garments are made and sold to retail shops. The designers may follow fashion trends set by the haute couture designers or create their own styles. Many British designers have been successful in this field.
Wholesale manufacture or mass production
Manufacturers produce ranges of clothing and accessories, and supply retail chains, mail-order firms, or produce their own brand names. The processes are mainly automated and controlled by computers. The designer often works within a design team and may also be part of a management team which includes buyers, costing experts, merchandisers and production staff.
Craft and small businesses
There are many small businesses in the clothing industry, comprising the designer and a partner or small team. The designer designs and organizes the production of the merchandise, and may also be involved in marketing and business administration.
Branches of fashion design
Outerwear includes coats, suits, skirts, jackets, trousers, rainwear, etc. This is a specialized and slower-moving area of fashion.
Light clothing includes dresses, blouses, shirts, trousers, separates, evening wear and leisure wear. This merchandise is turned over at a rapid rate, with mid-season as well as main-season ranges.
Children�s wear includes specialized firms producing a range of garments, but this is a limited area of employment.
Lingerie, corsetry and swimwear design is a growing part of the fashion industry.
Knitwear is another growing part of the industry, with jobs in firms producing knitwear garments, patterns and wools. Garments may be sold through craft or exclusive designer outlets, as well as being part of most mass-produced ranges.
Accessories includes hats, shoes, stockings, scarves, belts and bags. There are both designer-made and mass-produced products.
Embroidery done by machine is used extensively in the fashion industry for dresses, lingerie and children�s wear. Most designing is done by people who have taken special courses in embroidery design at arts college.
Theatrical costume design for stage and TV is often a combination of design, dressmaking and historical research. It is a highly competitive field and only the very talented can hope to succeed. Courses are available at a few colleges and drama schools.
Education and Training
There are many full-time courses offered throughout the country, leading to a BTECH National/Advanced GNVQ, a Higher National Diploma or a degree. Entry requirements vary: minimum entry for a BTEC National Diploma/Advanced GNVQ is usually four GCSEs at grade C or an Intermediate GNVQ, while an HND/degree course will usually need at least one A level plus a foundation course, or a BTEC National Diploma/ Advanced GNVQ. Part-time courses are offered in areas of the country where the clothing industry is strong.
Other courses relevant to careers in the fashion industry include marketing, promotion, business and finance and textile engineering. Look at higher education reference books and the ECCTIS computer database for more information.
