Basics about being a fashion designer..

What training is involved on job?

• Aspiring fashion designers can learn necessary skills through internships with design or manufacturing firms.
  

How does a person in this career spend their hours?

• Designers study fashion trends, sketch designs of clothing and accessories, select colors and fabrics, and oversee the final production of their designs. Clothing designers create and help produce men’s, women’s, and children’s apparel, including casual wear, suits, sportswear, formalwear, outerwear, maternity, and intimate apparel. Footwear designers help create and produce different styles of shoes and boots. Accessory designers help create and produce items such as handbags, belts, scarves, hats, hosiery, and eyewear, which add the finishing touches to an outfit
• regular hours in well-lighted and comfortable settings.

What does it pay? on commission or steady?

• Almost one-fourth are self-employed.
• Median annual earnings for salaried fashion designers were $62,610 in May 2006.

Do a lot of people have this career?

• Yes. In 2006, the highest concentrations of fashion designers were employed in New York and California.

Would I have to live somewhere specific to do this career?

• No.
  

How much time would be be devoted to this career? Would it be full time or part time?

• Regular hours if not self-employed
  

What skills are desired to be successful?

• In addition to creativity, fashion designers also need to have sewing and patternmaking skills, even if they do not perform these tasks themselves. Designers need to be able to understand these skills so they can give proper instruction in how the garment should be constructed. Fashion designers also need strong sales and presentation skills to persuade clients to purchase their designs. Good teamwork and communication skills also are necessary because increasingly the business requires constant contact with suppliers, manufacturers, and buyers around the world.

What education do I need?

• Bachelor’s of fine arts and associate degree programs in fashion design are offered at many colleges, universities, and private art and design schools

How would I find job openings in this area?

• Contacting firms and businesses in the field
  

What kind of insurance is available?

• Whatever the employer offers
  

How much traveling might be involved?

• Depends
  

What would be the potential dress code? (casual, dressy, uniforms?)

• Depends on the day. Business meetings professional;regular days casual professional
  

What if I get sick or injured and can't work for awhile?

• Self-employed fashion designers must provide their own benefits and retirement.

What kind of job security is there overall?

• Slower-than-average job growth is projected, and competition for jobs is expected to be keen.