Fashion designers work on the design of items of clothing and fashion ranges. Some may focus completely on one specialist area, such as sportswear, childrenswear, footwear or accessories.

They produce designs for the haute couture, designer ready-to-wear and high street fashion markets. Developments in technology mean that a design can be on sale as a finished product in the high street within six weeks.

Depending on their level of responsibility and the company they work for, designers may work to their own brief or be given a brief to work towards, with specifications relating to colour, fabric and budget.

Tasks:

1. Creating/visualising an idea and producing a design by hand or using computer-aided design (CAD)
2. Keeping up to date with emerging fashion trends as well as general trends relating to fabrics, colours and shapes
3. Planning and developing ranges
4. Working with others in the design team, such as buyers and forecasters, to develop products to meet a brief
5. Liaising closely with sales, buying and production teams on an ongoing basis to ensure the item suits the customer, market and price points
6. Understanding design from a technical perspective, i.e. Producing patterns, toiles and technical specifications for designs
7. Sourcing, selecting and buying fabrics, trims, fastenings and embellishments
8. Adapting existing designs for mass production
9. Developing a pattern that is cut and sewn into sample garments and supervising the making up of these, including fitting, detailing and adaptations
10. Overseeing production
11. Negotiating with customers and suppliers
12. Managing marketing, finances and other business activities, if working on a self-employed basis

Key skills for:

• Creativity, innovation and flair
• Ability to generate ideas and concepts
• Technical skills, including pattern cutting
• Commercial awareness and business orientation
• Self-promotion and confidence
• Negotiation and influencing skills
• Teamworking skills
• Organisational and time management skills

Average Salary (2013):

United Kingdom: starting from £17,000 per year up to £85,000+ per year
United States of America: $73,570 per year
Australia: AU$52,386 per year

Qualifications and training required:

Although this area of work is open to all graduates, a degree in the following subjects will increase your chances: fashion; textiles; knitwear; graphic design; clothing technology; fashion marketing and buying; art and design.

Entry without a degree is sometimes possible but is becoming increasingly unlikely and you would need to be able to prove that you have already gained expertise and experience in the industry. Graduates from non-fashion/textile-related courses would also need to gain experience in the industry or a related area, such as fashion retail, in order to demonstrate their aptitude and interest.

A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not a requirement, but an Masters’ degree in fashion/textile design can improve opportunities, particularly for aspiring designers from other academic areas. MA courses in specific areas of fashion may offer different skills and experience and this can be helpful in gaining related employment. For example, childrenswear requires knowledge of sizing and textile properties; menswear may require knowledge of pattern cutting and tailoring.

Companies may be reluctant to consider candidates without previous experience in the industry. Work experience of any kind in a design studio is highly desirable. Experience in retail can also be really useful.