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Fashion Designer
Fashion designers design dresses, shoes, and other clothing. Designers observe trends, design clothes, and supervise the development of new cloth designs. Clothing designers design and coordinate the production of clothes for men, women, and children. Footwear designers design and coordinate the production of shoes and boots. Accessory designers design and coordinate the production of hats, glasses, belts, purses, and other accessories. Some fashion designers specialize in certain types of clothing.
It usually takes 18-24 months to design and produce a new clothing line. Fashion designers begin the process by conducting research about fashion trends. They either conduct their own research or read reports published by fashion trade groups. These reports detail popular styles, fabrics, and colors. After conducting research, fashion designers visit trade shows to obtain fabric samples.
After fabrics have been selected, initial designs are created with cheap materials, and models wear the designs to determine how the clothes fit. After the clothes have been altered, sample designs with the actual fabric are created and sent to potential buyers. Designers often market their clothes at fashion shows where retailers attend.
Fashion designers are now using computer aided design technology (CAD) to create their designs. Most designers still sketch their preliminary designs then use CAD to expound on their designs. Designers can create their alterations on virtual models using CAD, saving them time and money.
Fashion designers working for large firms usually select colors and materials, create designs, and supervise the development team. These large firms sometimes hire specialized tailors and pattern designers to manufacture their clothes. Designers working at smaller firms usually are responsible for designing clothing and patterns, as well as supervising the production.
Fashion designers employed by apparel wholesalers design clothes for large numbers of people. Self employed designers, also known as haute couture designers, custom design clothes for individual clients usually very expensively. Some designers design clothes for their own stores or department stores.
Some designers design clothes for television studios, movie studios, or theater productions. Costume designers must conduct historical research about the time period they are designing costumes for, and they design and supervise costume production.
Work environment. Fashion designers usually work normal hours in comfortable offices, but sometimes work long hours to meet deadlines. Freelance designers must be flexible to meet their clients’ needs. They also work long hours and must work hard to find new clients and satisfy their current customers.
Designers travel extensively to attend trade shows and meet with fabric suppliers. They also must constantly communicate with suppliers, manufacturers, and clients throughout the entire country and world.
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