Explore this Top Guide for a Career as Fashion Designer

Imagine the scene of a fashion show, a ramp, a theme inspired by the Ajanta Ellora Caves, models wearing the new collection, the audience watching each design closely and all of this ending amidst roaring applause with the bow of the designer, being accompanied by the show stopper. When you visualize this scene, does it inspire you? Excite you? Seem like an interesting career choice for you? Then read the blog as it talks about how to pursue a career as a fashion designer.

What is described above, is one of the most cliched understandings of the life of a fashion designer for an outsider. However, like any other field, fashion too as an industry has its many faces. What we forget while seeing the glamorous and extravagant fashion show is the amount of hard work, time, effort, and creativity put into each piece being displayed. Fashion is art. It’s a way of expressing yourself.

Without further ado, let’s get started…

Why become a fashion designer?

A fashion designer is a professional who creates original clothing designs, accessories, and other fashion items. They typically have a background in fashion design, art, or related fields and use their creativity and expertise to develop unique designs and styles.

A designer expresses himself through different fabrics, textures, colors, prints, and patterns. He or she may get inspired by anything; a book, a dance form, a monument, a person, or maybe a piece of music. But if you are considering fashion as a career choice there are some questions that one can ponder upon that would make the choice rather simple. Do you keep a check on the latest fashion trends? Do you believe that clothes make a man?

Are you often experimenting with different styles? Have you been the envy of your friends and foes for your unique fashion statement? Does your heart cringe when you see someone make a faux pas? In your free time do you make sketches of clothes you would like to design? While your friends are reading books is your shelf full of cut-outs from fashion magazines like Vogue and Bazaar? Can you tell a crepe from Georgette or a Masaba print from a Satya Paul saree? If the above questions ring a bell in your head or maybe a few interest you, then you are on the right track, Fashion can be the line for you!! 

What does a fashion designer do?

Here are some key responsibilities and tasks of a fashion designer:

1. Research and analyze fashion trends, consumer preferences, and market demands to inform design decisions and create innovative designs.
2. Develop sketches, patterns, and prototypes of clothing and accessories using both traditional methods and computer-aided design (CAD) software.
3. Collaborate with other professionals in the fashion industry, such as textile designers, pattern makers, and garment manufacturers, to bring their designs to life.
4. Select fabrics, trims, and other materials to be used in their designs, and work with suppliers to order and receive these materials.
5. Attend fashion shows, trade shows, and other industry events to stay up-to-date on emerging trends and network with other professionals in the field.
6. Create presentations and marketing materials to showcase their collections to potential buyers, fashion editors, and other stakeholders.
7. Manage the production process to ensure that designs are manufactured according to specifications and meet quality standards.
8. Oversee the fitting and alteration process for clothing samples, and make adjustments to designs as needed.
9. Maintain records of designs, patterns, and other intellectual property, and protect these assets through patents, trademarks, or other legal means.
10. Continuously refine and evolve their designs to keep up with changing trends and consumer preferences.

Popular specializations in a fashion design career

Fashion design is a broad field with many different specializations that designers can pursue. Here are some of the most popular specializations in fashion design:

• Apparel Design: This is the most common specialization and involves designing clothing for men, women, and children. Apparel designers may work on high-end fashion lines or more affordable ready-to-wear collections.
• Accessories Design: Accessories designers create fashion items such as bags, belts, shoes, hats, and jewelry. They focus on designing products that complement and enhance the overall look of an outfit.
• Textile Design: Textile designers create original patterns and designs for fabrics used in fashion and other industries. They may work for textile manufacturers, fashion designers, or as independent designers.
• Costume Design: Costume designers create clothing and accessories for film, television, theater, and other performing arts. They work closely with directors, actors, and production teams to create costumes that bring characters and stories to life.
• Fashion Merchandising: Fashion merchandisers work on the business side of the fashion industry, analyzing market trends, developing marketing strategies, and managing product distribution.
• Fashion Journalism: Fashion journalists work in media outlets to report on the latest trends and happenings in the fashion industry. They may write articles, produce videos, or host podcasts on fashion-related topics.

How to become a fashion designer?

Becoming a fashion designer in India requires a combination of creativity, skills, and education. Here are some steps you can follow to become a fashion designer in India:

1. Develop your creativity: Fashion designing is a highly creative field, and it requires you to have a natural flair for design. You can develop your creativity by observing current fashion trends, experimenting with different fabrics, and practicing your design skills.

2. Get an education: Pursue a bachelor’s degree or diploma in fashion design from a reputed institution. Many universities and design schools offer such courses in India. This will give you a formal education in fashion design and provide you with a platform to hone your skills.

3. Build a portfolio: As you learn fashion design, create a portfolio of your work. Your portfolio should showcase your skills, creativity, and unique design style.

4. Gain experience: Gain work experience by interning or working with established fashion designers, fashion houses, or fashion brands. This will give you practical experience and exposure to the fashion industry.

5. Network: Attend fashion events, meet with industry professionals, and build a network. Networking is crucial in the fashion industry, and it can help you get your foot in the door.

6. Start your brand: Once you have gained experience and developed your skills, consider starting your fashion brand. This will require you to have an understanding of business and marketing in addition to your design skills.

Skills Required to Become a fashion designer

Following are some of the skills you need to have to pursue a career as a fashion designer-

1. Creativity: This is what can be called the core skill of a designer. Fashion trends are invented and reinvented, a style comes into the market, clicks with some, and becomes a trend and before you know the whole city is wearing a cropped top or a tribal print. Thus, you must have the ability to think out of the box and create new styles. 
2. An eye for detail: A designer must also have an eye for detail. It’s important to pick up the right fabrics, styles, patterns, the right embellishments. Fashion is a craft and thus requires one to have a keen eye for details. 
3. Experimenting: What is something that stands out in people like Alexander Mcqueen, Jean Paul Gaultier, or maybe closer home Neeta Lulla or Shantanu Nikhil? The answer is that they never fail to do experiments. One must as a designer keep on experimenting. The shelf life of fashion trends has shrunk over the years, thus there is a need to experiment and create new trends for the target audience. 
4. Ability to Visualize Ideas: You may be creative and may experiment with different styles but what’s most important is your ability to visualize these ideas and then put them together in the form of a product. 
5. Knowledge of Fabrics: One must also have an idea of the various fabrics, how they fall, how they can be draped, how they breathe, and what fabrics can be used in what form. 
6. Deal with Criticism: You must be open to feedback from others about your work. Criticism of your designs would help you grow. So, if these are some of the skills that you possess, you must go make a career in fashion

Job opportunities

There are many job opportunities available for fashion designers in India. Some of the most popular ones include:

1. Fashion Designer: Fashion designers can work for fashion houses, design studios, or as independent designers. They are responsible for creating new designs, overseeing the production process, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends.
2. Textile Designer: Textile designers create patterns and designs for fabrics used in fashion and other industries. They may work for textile manufacturers, fashion designers, or as independent designers.
3. Fashion Merchandiser: Fashion merchandisers analyze market trends, develop marketing strategies, and manage product distribution for fashion brands and retailers.
4. Costume Designer: Costume designers create clothing and accessories for film, television, theater, and other performing arts. They work closely with directors, actors, and production teams to create costumes that bring characters and stories to life.
5. Fashion Stylist: Fashion stylists work with individuals or fashion brands to create outfits and looks that align with their personal style or brand identity.

Salary of a fashion designer in India

The salary of a fashion designer in India can vary widely depending on various factors such as the designer’s experience, job location, specialization, and the employer’s size and reputation.

According to PayScale India, the average salary for a fashion designer in India is around INR 384,000 per year. However, salaries can range from as low as INR 156,000 per year for entry-level designers to as high as INR 1,500,000 per year for senior designers with extensive experience and a strong portfolio.

Fashion designers working for large fashion houses or established brands may earn a higher salary compared to those working for smaller, independent companies or freelancing. Similarly, fashion designers working in major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, or Bangalore may earn a higher salary compared to those working in smaller towns or cities.

Overall, the salary of a fashion designer in India can be competitive, but it largely depends on the designer’s skills, experience, and the type of employer they work for.

Top Recruiters for Fashion Designers

There are many fashion houses, design studios, and retail brands that recruit fashion designers in India. Here are some of the top recruiters for fashion designers in India:

Aditya Birla Group is one of the largest conglomerates in India with interests in fashion, retail, and textiles. They own fashion brands such as Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, and Allen Solly.

Reliance Brands Limited is a subsidiary of Reliance Industries and has the master franchise for over 45 international fashion and lifestyle brands in India, including Armani, Burberry, and Diesel.

Future Group is a retail conglomerate that owns brands such as Big Bazaar, FBB, and Central. They have a strong presence in the fashion retail sector and recruit fashion designers for various roles.

Lifestyle is a retail brand that offers a wide range of fashion and lifestyle products. They recruit fashion designers for various roles such as product development, buying, and design.

Ritu Kumar is a renowned Indian fashion designer who owns her eponymous label. Her brand has a strong presence in the Indian fashion industry and recruits designers for various roles.

Fabindia is a retail brand that specializes in ethnic wear and handmade products. They have a strong focus on sustainability and traditional crafts and recruit designers who share their ethos.

Career progression in fashion designing

Career progression in fashion design can vary depending on the individual’s skills, experience, and interests. Here are some common career paths for fashion designers:

1. Junior Designer: This is the starting point for most fashion designers. Junior designers work under the supervision of senior designers and assist in designing and developing collections.
2. Senior Designer: With experience, a junior designer can progress to become a senior designer. Senior designers are responsible for creating and developing designs, overseeing production, and managing a team of junior designers.
3. Creative Director: Creative directors are responsible for setting the creative direction and vision for a brand. They oversee all aspects of the design process, from ideation to production, and work closely with marketing, sales, and production teams.
4. Fashion Buyer: Remember Rachel from FRIENDS, who was a fashion buyer at Ralph Lauren in season five. Fashion buyers work for retail brands and are responsible for selecting and purchasing the products that will be sold in stores. They work closely with designers to curate collections that align with the brand’s vision and customer base.
5. Fashion Merchandiser: Fashion merchandisers analyze market trends, develop marketing strategies, and manage product distribution for fashion brands and retailers.
6. Entrepreneur: Some fashion designers choose to start their fashion label or work as freelance designers. This allows them to have greater control over the creative process and build their brand.

Final Words!

Once you have the degree you could do the following: 

• Work with a fashion designer.
• Work with a buying house or an export house.
• Become a freelancer.
• Open your label
• Design for TV Serials, theatre actors, and movies
• Other exciting options may include becoming a fashion blogger, a fashion stylist, or a fashion adviser.

Before entering into the field, one last piece of advice in the words of Yves Saint Laurent Fashions fade, style is eternal. So, if you have it in you to express your individuality through your clothes, are willing to work long hours and experiment with different styles, go ahead and glam up the fashion industry. Do you still have some questions? Reach us Out!

iDreamCareer has been rebuilding relationships between the industry & academia by planning millions of careers. You can get your queries resolved in just 60 seconds from our Career counselors. So, what are you waiting for? Download the iDreamCareer app now! 

Also Read:

• Top Fashion Designing Courses After 12th
• Career as Visual Communication Designer
• Fashion Designing Course After 10th
• Top Fashion Design Careers
• Career in Product Design

Career as Fashion Designer: FAQs

Anushree Rastogi

Anushree has 4+ years of experience in the career counseling industry as a Content Writer. She has also worked as a Social Media Marketing Expert for a startup and Content Quality Analyst for Publishing and E-learning Industry. She has done her Master’s in Commerce and PGDM in Finance & Trade and Marketing & HR, but she is currently following her passion for writing.