

The Internet and e-commerce allow fashion designers to offer their products outside of traditional brick-and-mortar stores. In addition to releasing designs during the spring and fall, some companies release new designs every month. The design process may vary by specialty, but it generally takes 6 months, from initial design concept to final production, to release either the spring or fall collection. Samples that get good responses from fashion editors or trade and fashion shows are then manufactured and sold to consumers. They can try different colors, designs, and shapes while making adjustments more easily than they can when working with real fabric on real people.ĭesigners produce samples with the actual materials that will be used in manufacturing. CAD allows designers to see their work on virtual models. They work with models to see how the design will look and adjust the designs as needed.Īlthough most designers first sketch their designs by hand, many now also sketch their ideas digitally with computer-aided design (CAD) programs. Other fashion designers create collections using a variety of inspirations, including art media, their surroundings, or cultures they have experienced and places they have visited.Īfter they have an initial idea, fashion designers try out various fabrics and produce a prototype, often with less expensive material than will be used in the final product. Some fashion designers specialize in clothing, footwear, or accessory design others create designs in all three fashion categories.įor some fashion designers, the first step in creating a new design is researching current fashion and making predictions about future trends, such as by reading reports published by fashion industry trade groups. Larger apparel companies typically employ a team of designers headed by a creative director.
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They sketch designs, select fabrics and patterns, and give instructions on how to make the products they design. Learn more about fashion designers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.įashion designers sketch designs of clothing, footwear, and accessories.įashion designers create original clothing, accessories, and footwear. More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Similar OccupationsĬompare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of fashion designers with similar occupations. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.Įxplore resources for employment and wages by state and area for fashion designers. Job OutlookĮmployment of fashion designers is projected to grow 3 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.Ībout 2,300 openings for fashion designers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. The median annual wage for fashion designers was $76,700 in May 2022. Employers may prefer to hire creative candidates who have technical knowledge of the production processes for clothing, accessories, or footwear. How to Become a Fashion Designerįashion designers typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Most fashion designers work in New York and California. Work Environmentįashion designers work in wholesale or manufacturing establishments, apparel companies, retailers, theater or dance companies, and design firms.

Quick Facts: Fashion Designersįashion designers create clothing, accessories, and footwear. Please enable javascript to play this video.
