If you: a) spent most of your youth designing outfits for your Barbie dolls instead of playing with your friends; b) read fashion magazines instead of your school books; and c) operated a store out of your basement when you were age 10, then you are meant to be a fashion designer.
To put it another way, if you want to be the next Yves Saint Laurent, it helps to be fully and utterly fascinated with fashion. Yves Saint Laurent was that person.
Nevertheless, the profession encompasses a wide variety of subfields.
Producing a label under your own name or directing the design of a team of other fashion designers at a sportswear firm are both valid paths for a career in the fashion industry.
Your life will be far less stressful if you choose the former professional path, despite the fact that it might not look as glamorous as the latter one.
Creating your own record label requires a significant investment of time, as well as commitment and effort. Not to mention eking out an existence for a number of years barely above the poverty line.
Deciding upon a course of action
A profession in fashion may be entered in a variety of different ways, much like there are many various forms of design. The modest tie collection that Ralph Lauren eventually sold to Bloomingdale's was the impetus for the creation of the Polo brand.
When Helmut Lang looked around for a t-shirt that he loved but came up empty, he made the decision to create his own clothes business. Michael Kors cultivated a clientele through his job at a hip New York City boutique, which allowed him to expand his business.
On the other hand, the majority of individuals believe that getting a degree in fine arts with a focus on fashion from a reputable institution is the greatest way to lay the groundwork for a successful career in design. A reputable institution will not only educate you the trade, but it will also lend legitimacy to your resume. According to Carol Mongo, Director of the Fashion Department at the Parsons School of Design in Paris, "We live in a brandname world, and having the name of a reputable school behind you really does assist." "We live in a brandname culture."
The process of applying to a school
Although there are many universities that offer fashion degrees, only a select few have the type of reputation that can truly advance your career. Because of the high level of competition and the selective nature of these schools, admission is difficult to get. Sending a portfolio with drawings of your designs is required as part of the application process. "We can't teach you how to be creative; you have to bring your creativity to us and let us lead you on your journey," explains Carol Mongo. "Bring your creativity to us and let us lead you on your way." Before applying, it is highly recommended by her that students first have some expertise in sewing. Drawing is another vital talent for a designer to have because it is the medium through which ideas are communicated. It is a good idea to have some experience in drawing in order to construct an outstanding portfolio; taking art lessons will help you comprehend form and proportion. Having some experience in sketching is a good idea. To be admitted to a school, however, you do not need to demonstrate that you are a skilled artist. According to Mongo, "the most essential attribute that we seek for in our pupils is that they are sincerely enthusiastic and joyful about fashion." This is the most crucial quality that we strive for in our students. "There are always ways to get around that, so if you have fantastic ideas but can't draw, don't worry about it. You may, for instance, take photographs of your creations while they are displayed on a mannequin.
What advantages attending school will bring you
The duration of most fashion programs is between three and four years. You will be studying drawing, color composition, and form throughout this time period as part of your fine arts coursework. You will also learn how to make patterns, as well as skills for draping and cutting. The fact that design schools collaborate so closely with the business is among the most significant benefits offered by these institutions. For example, Parsons has something called "designer critic projects," in which renowned fashion designers like Donna Karan and Michael Kors collaborate directly with students who are about to graduate. Students who are ambitious have the opportunity to win important awards and scholarships, which not only provide them with financial help but also bring a lot of attention to them. The fashion show that takes place at the end of the final semester, during which graduating students display their collections, is one of the most significant events. These exhibits attract a large number of influential people from the fashion business who are looking to discover fresh talent. It is also a chance to do something very ridiculous in order to get the attention of the media. For example, Hussein Chalayan gained instant notoriety after he presented decaying clothing that he had buried in his backyard for his graduation show at Saint Martins.
Different ways to get there
Carol Mongo, a professor at Parsons, adds, "Let's be honest," and "School's not for everyone." If you aren't interested in pursuing a career as a fashion designer but rather just want to work in the fashion business, you probably don't need to go to school. If you are interested in working in the fashion industry as a seamstress or patternmaker, you should definitely apply for an internship at a fashion business and then work your way up through the ranks. On the other hand, there are several examples of well-known designers who began their careers as interns and had no prior professional training. When men's clothing designer Hedi Slimane, Dior's brightest new star, started working with men's wear designer Jos Levy, he already had a degree in journalism under his belt. Nicolas Ghesquire, a tremendously successful designer who works for Balenciaga and formerly worked as an assistant for Jean-Paul Gaultier, is another example of a designer who learnt the profession by doing it. Sending a portfolio to a fashion house that you are interested in working for is the typical way to apply for an internship there. But before you show there, you should give them a call to find out just what it is that they require. It is also essential to keep in mind that the level of competition is quite high, and that obtaining an internship without a formal degree is extremely challenging, unless you have personal contacts in the industry.
There are other designers such as Luella Bartley who began their careers as stylists for a number of years before launching their own businesses. During this time, they were able to develop both a strong understanding of marketing and an extensive industry network.
Comprehending the nature of the enterprise
Sadly, it is not enough for a designer to be creative; you also need to have some financial acumen in order to be successful. It is crucial to be aware of the business climate and grasp the mechanics of fashion, particularly as the fashion industry becomes increasingly driven by corporations. You may learn a great deal of useful information if you read industry publications on a regular basis, such as "Women's Wear Daily." If you want to be successful in running your own business, you have to be well organized and familiar with at least the fundamentals of economics. Many schools of fashion are in the process of incorporating more business courses into their curricula at the moment. According to Carol Mongo, "Our students have to be clever enough to know how to negotiate a contract or to choose a business partner." Moreover, "our students have to know how to pick a business partner." It is interesting to note that many of today's most successful designers, such as Calvin Klein and Tom Ford, are involved in every element of the company, from licensing tactics to marketing campaigns to the actual creating of the clothing. This may be interpreted as a revealing fact.