Fashion designer
Job description
Fashion design is the creation of design concepts which are then translated into manufactured garments for every occasion. The fashion industry is a worldwide industry which constantly requires a supply of designers and design concepts to feed a voracious consumer demand for clothes and accessories.
Fashion designers conceptualise and produce creative ranges of clothing and accessories either as in-house or as consultant designers. They analyse fashion trends and working closely with production, marketing and sales departments they design, produce and promote a finished, ready-to-wear product for clothing manufacturers, specialty and retail stores, and individual clients. Designers usually specialise in a specific line of clothing such as women, men, kids, maternity, bridal, sportswear, shoes or accessories. In larger fashion houses, designers may work in very specialised areas, such as t-shirts, evening dresses, maternity clothes, baby outfits or denims.
Fashion designers also make careers in a wide range of associated fashion and clothing areas that support the main fashion industry.
Work activities
- Researching fashion trends and staying current on contemporary styles
- Attending runway or fashion shows to acquire new fashion ideas
- Developing mood boards to illustrate themes
- Creating sketches and prototypes
- Choosing materials
- Performing business administration tasks
- Marketing products
- Supervising or working with design team members.