Become a Fashion Designer

Fashion designers help conceive the billions of dresses, shoes, suits, and other clothing and accessories consumers purchase every year. Designers study fashion trends, select fabrics and colors, sketch designs of clothing and accessories, and administer the final production of their designs.

Clothing designers create and assist in producing women’s, men’s, and children’s apparel, including casual wear, sportswear, suits, formalwear, maternity, outerwear, and intimate apparel.

Footwear designers create and produce various styles of boots and shoes.

Accessory designers create and produce items like belts, handbags, scarves, hosiery, hats, and eyewear, which add the final touches to outfits.

Education and Training for a Fashion Designer

Within fashion design, employers generally seek individuals who have a 2- or 4-year degree and are knowledgeable about fabrics, textiles, ornamentation, and fashion trends.

Many universities, colleges, and private art and design schools offer bachelor’s of fine arts degrees and associate degrees in fashion design. Some fashion designers also combine a business, marketing, or fashion merchandising degree with the fashion design degree, especially if they want to run their own retail store or business.