Careers in Fashion

CreativityOne of the traits that draws a number of people to fashion careers is the desire to be creative. Creativity is extremely important in the industry because the goal of the entire fashion design process is not to copy current designs, but rather to create new designs based on current trends. You have to be creative in order to come up with new ideas on a regular basis.

Latest TrendsAnother trait common to the fashion industry is the desire to stay up to date with the latest trends. A fashion professional has to understand what is popular now in order to determine and create what will be popular later.

TeamworkMost in fashion careers also enjoy working with people. Typically, a fashion professional has to work with consumers, manufacturers, marketers, retailers, and others to create and/or sell the accessories and garments. To succeed in the fashion industry, you have to be willing to work as part of a team and be able to communicate with other people on a regular basis.

ProfessionalismPeople are also attracted to these careers because they can put their experience or degree in art, design, marketing, manufacturing, or retail to use. Fashion professionals have to know not only how to design accessories and garments, but also how these items are actually manufactured and marketed to the retailer or consumer.

Passion for FashionFinally, people in fashion must have both a passion for fashion and an eye for detail. Fashion professionals have to be able to look at a garment and determine if there are problems with it, if there are certain qualities that make the garments design more or less appealing than other designs, if there are certain materials that should or shouldn't be used in the design, and many other pieces of information about each of the garments that they create or encounter.

Advantages of Fashion Careers

As noted before, people who enter the fashion industry tend to have certain personality traits that draw them to the field, which also make them more likely to succeed in it. However, these personal qualities are not the only things that can draw an individual to the fashion industry. Here are some other attractions of the field.

One main advantage of a career in the fashion industry is that it is an exciting, fast-paced field. The industry is built on the demand for new designs and, as a result, is constantly changing as new fashion trends emerge and new designs are created. In fashion, there will always be something new for you to do and see.

Another advantage of the career is that it allows you to perform a variety of different tasks. With all of the different tasks at each stage of the fashion design process that vary from design to design, there will always be a lot of variety in the work that you do; you will seldom be required to perform the same task in the same way twice.

A fashion job may also allow you to earn a lot of money if you can establish yourself. Most fashion companies are willing to pay excellent designers significantly more than the average employee.

Another advantage of a career in the fashion industry is that it may allow you to travel. Many fashion professionals have to travel all over the country or even the world to discuss the latest trends, to find the materials needed for their designs, to present designs that they have created, and to sell their designs to retailers or other companies.

Finally, a fashion job will be an outlet for your artistic and creative expression. Fashion professionals have to be creative in order to come up with the new designs that the industry needs and the new techniques that the companies within the industry can use to market and sell their designs.

Disadvantages of Fashion Careers

While most of the fashion jobs you encounter will offer you the opportunity to work in a creative, exciting, well-paying field that allows you to travel, they have their downsides, like any other career.

One of the disadvantages is that it can be extremely stressful and demanding. New accessories and clothing can be a lot of fun to design when you're doing it on your own time, but designing can be a lot more difficult and stressful when youre rushing to complete your work before an impending fashion show. If you like to work at your own pace or deadlines are something that you like to avoid, you may want to consider a different field.

Another disadvantage is that it may require you to work long hours. To produce and sell your designs, you have to meet the deadlines and requirements that your employer or clients have set. This means that you may end up working nights, weekends, and significant amounts of overtime if there simply isn't enough time in a normal workday to get the job done.

Pay can be very unpredictable. Clients and employers are often only willing to hire you if they know you and if you have designs that they actually want to use. While some careers in the fashion industry may allow you to earn a lot of money, there is no guarantee that you will earn anything if you can't make connections to sell your skills and your work.

Another disadvantage is that you often have to start at the bottom and work your way up. Many careers in the fashion industry are based more on your experience and your reputation than on your actual skills. To sell your work and get paid, you have to build an excellent reputation.

A final disadvantage of a career in fashion is that there are a number of differing opinions on what "success" actually means. Your reputation and the reputation of the company that you work for are often more important than what you're actually selling, and many clients and employers, as a result, are more interested in how your design makes their brand look than they are in how much money your design might make them. You could design one of the best-made garments in the world and still have trouble selling it if the companies you are marketing to have never heard of you.

Career Overview

Fashion DesignersFashion designers create original clothing, accessories, and footwear. They sketch designs, select fabrics and patterns, and give instructions on how to make the products they designed.

How to Become OneMost fashion designers have a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as fashion design or fashion merchandising. Employers usually seek applicants with creativity, as well as a good technical understanding of the production process for clothing, accessories, or footwear.

DutiesStudy fashion trends and anticipate designs that will appeal to consumersDecide on a theme for a collectionUse computer-aided design programs (CAD) to create designsVisit manufacturers or trade shows to get fabric samplesSelect fabrics, embellishments, colors, or style for each garment or accessoryWork with other designers or team members to create a prototype designPresent design ideas to the creative director or showcase them in fashion or trade showsMarket designs to clothing retailers or directly to consumersOversee the final production of their designs

Work SchedulesMost fashion designers work full time; however, some work part time. Occasionally, fashion designers work long hours to meet production deadlines or prepare for fashion shows. Designers who freelance generally work under a contract and tend to work longer hours and adjust their workday to their clients' schedules and deadlines.

Important QualitiesArtistic ability.Fashion designers sketch their initial design ideas, which are used later to create prototypes. Consequently, designers must be able to express their vision for the design through illustration.Communication skills.Fashion designers often work in teams throughout the design process and therefore must be effective in communicating with their team members. For example, they may need to give instructions to sewers regarding how the garment should be constructed.Computer skills.Fashion designers use technology to design. They must be able to use computer-aided design (CAD) programs and be familiar with graphics editing software.Creativity.Fashion designers work with a variety of fabrics, shapes, and colors. Their ideas must be unique, functional, and stylish.Decision-making skills.Because they often work in teams, fashion designers are exposed to many ideas. They must be able to decide which ideas to incorporate into their designs.Detail oriented.Fashion designers must have a good eye for small differences in color and other details that can make a design successful.

Job TypesClothing designerscreate and help produce men's, women's, and children's apparel, including casual wear, suits, sportswear, evening wear, outerwear, maternity, and intimate apparel.Footwear designerscreate and help produce different styles of shoes and boots. As new materials become available, such as lightweight synthetic materials used in shoe soles, footwear designers produce new designs that combine comfort, form, and function.Accessory designersdesign and produce items such as handbags, suitcases, belts, scarves, hats, hosiery, and eyewear.Costume designersdesign costumes for the performing arts and for motion picture and television productions. They research the styles worn during the period in which the performance takes place, or they work with directors to select and create appropriate attire. They also must stay within the costume budget for the particular production.

Craft ArtistsCraft artists use a variety of materials and techniques to create art for sale and exhibition. Craft artists create handmade objects, such as pottery, glassware, textiles or other objects that are designed to be functional. The craft artist tends to work outside the traditional fields of fine art (illustration, painting, and sculpture), making use of media like ceramics, glass, paper, textiles, wood, and metal. Craft artists must be knowledgeable about materials, trained to use them effectively, and able to create works which appeal to others.

How to Become OneFormal schooling is not required for craft artists. Some make it a hobby and eventually turn into a craft-making skill. However, many artists take classes or earn a bachelor's or master's degree in fine arts, which can improve their skills and job prospects.Advanced degree programs offer concentrated training and studio time for craft artists wishing to focus on a specialty. Craft artists may be able to gain valuable expertise by being apprenticed to a master craftsman.

DutiesUse techniques, such as knitting, weaving, glass blowing, painting, drawing, or sculptingDevelop creative ideas or new methods for making artCreate sketches, templates, or models to guide their workSelect which materials to use on the basis of color, texture, strength, and other qualitiesProcess materials, often by shaping, joining, or cuttingUse visual elements, such as composition, color, space, and perspective, to produce desired artistic effectsDisplay their work at galleries, trade fairs and online marketplaces

Work SchedulesPart-time and variable work schedules are common for artists. Many hold another job, in addition to their work as an artist. During busy periods, artists may work overtime to meet deadlines. Self-employed artists can set their own hours. It can be a part-time or a full-time business.

Important QualitiesArtistic ability.Craft artists create artwork and other objects that are visually appealing or thought-provoking. This usually requires significant skill in one or more art forms.Business skills.Craft artists must promote themselves and their art to build a reputation and to sell their art. They often study the market for their crafts or artwork to increase their understanding of what potential customers might want. Craft artists may benefit from business and marketing training to help them promote and sell their work. Many craft artists sell their work on the Internet, so developing an online presence is an important part of their art sales.Creativity.Artists must have active imaginations to develop new and original ideas for their work.Customer-service skills.Craft artists, especially those who sell their work themselves, must be good at dealing with customers and potential buyers.Dexterity.Most artists work with their hands and must be good at manipulating tools and materials to create their art or craft.Interpersonal skills.Artists often must interact with many people, including co-workers business partners, clients and the public.

Job Types

Jewelry artistsuse metals, stones, beads, and other materials to make objects for personal adornment, such as earrings or necklaces. Furniture makerscut, sand, join, and finish wood and other materials to make handcrafted furniture. Paper Craft artistsuse many types of paper and other materials to make objects for ornamental and functional use. Sculptorsdesign and shape three-dimensional works of art, either by molding and joining materials such as clay, glass, plastic, or metal, or by cutting and carving forms from a block of plaster, wood, or stone. Some sculptors combine various materials to create mixed-media installations. For example, some incorporate light, sound, and motion into their works.

Job TypesCeramic artistsshape, form, and mold artworks out of clay, often using a potter's wheel and other tools. They glaze and fire pieces in kilns, which are special furnaces that dry and harden the clay.Fiber artistsuse fabric, yarn, or other natural and synthetic fibers to weave, knit, crochet, or sew textile art. They may use a loom to weave fabric, needles to knit or crochet yarn, or a sewing machine to join pieces of fabric for quilts or other handicrafts.Glass artistsprocess glass in a variety of wayssuch as by blowing, shaping, or joining itto create artistic pieces. Specific processes used include glassblowing, lampworking, and stained glass. These workers also decorate glass objects, such as by etching or painting.

Job TypesPrintmakerscreate images on a silk screen, woodblock, lithography stone, metal etching plate, or other types of matrices. The matrix is then inked and transferred to a piece of paper, using a printing press or hand press to create the final work of art. Workers who do photoengraving are calledprinting workers.Illustratorscreate pictures for books, magazines, and other publications, and for commercial products, such as textiles, wrapping paper, stationery, greeting cards, and calendars. Increasingly, illustrators use computers in their work. They might draw in pen and pencil and then scan the image into a computer to be colored in, or use a special pen to draw images directly onto the computer.

Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal WorkersJewelers and precious stone and metal workers design, manufacture, and sell jewelry. They also adjust, repair, and appraise gems and jewelry.

How to Become OneJewelers and precious stone and metal workers have traditionally learned their trade through long-term on-the-job training. This method is still common, particularly in jewelry manufacturing, but a growing number of workers now learn their skills at trade schools.

DutiesExamine and grade diamonds and other gemsCreate jewelry from gold, silver, and precious gemstonesShape metal to hold the gems when making individual piecesMake a model with carved wax or with computer-aided design, and then cast pieces with the modelSolder pieces together and insert stonesSmooth joints and rough spots and polish smoothed areasClean and polish jewelry using polishing wheels and chemical bathsRepair jewelry by replacing broken clasps, altering ring sizes, or resetting stonesCompute the costs of labor and material for new pieces and repairs

Work SchedulesJewelers and precious stone and metal workers have varied work schedules. Self-employed workers often decide their own hours. Many work weekends, showing and selling their products at trade and craft shows. Retail store workers might also work nonstandard hours because they must be available when consumers are not working, such as on holidays and weekends.

Important QualitiesArtistic ability.Jewelers must have the ability to create designs that are unique and beautiful.Detail oriented.Creating designs requires concentration and patience. Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers must give attention to large and small details on the pieces they make.Fashion sense.Jewelry designers must know what is stylish and attractive because that is what people are likely to buy.Finger dexterity.Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers must precisely move their fingers in order to grasp, manipulate, and assemble very small objects.Interpersonal skills.Whether selling products in stores or at craft shows, jewelers and precious stone and metal workers interact with customers.Visualization skills.Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers must imagine how something might look after its shape is altered or when its parts are rearranged.

Job TypesPrecious metal workersexpertly manipulate gold, silver, and other metals. They use pliers and other hand tools to shape and manipulate metal. Some may mix alloy ingredients according to chemical properties.Gemologistsanalyze, describe, and certify the quality and characteristics of gemstones. After using microscopes, computerized tools, and other grading instruments to examine gemstones or finished pieces of jewelry, they write reports certifying that the items are of a particular quality. Most gemologists have completed the Graduate Gemologist program through the Gemological Institute of America.Jewelry appraiserscarefully examine jewelry to determine its value and then write appraisal documents. They determine value by researching the jewelry market and by using reference books, auction catalogs, price lists, and the Internet. They may work for jewelry stores, appraisal firms, auction houses, pawnbrokers, or insurance companies. Many gemologists also become appraisers.Bench jewelersusually work for jewelry retailers, doing tasks from simple jewelry cleaning and repair to making molds and pieces from scratch.

REFERENCES:http://www.fashioncareerstips.com/fashioncareershttps://collegegrad.com/careers/fashion-designershttps://collegegrad.com/careers/jewelers-and-precious-stone-and-metal-workershttps://collegegrad.com/careers/craft-and-fine-artistshttp://study.com/articles/Craft_Artist_Job_Description_and_Requirements_for_Starting_a_Career_in_Crafts.html