Steps to Becoming a Renowned Fashion Designer

 Steps to Becoming a Renowned Fashion Designer

If you were the type of kid who: a) preferred to play dress-up with your Barbie dolls rather than play with their friends; b) devoured fashion magazines rather than your schoolwork; and c) managed a boutique from your basement when you were 10 years old, then you were clearly meant to be a fashion designer. To rephrase: being totally and entirely enamored with fashion helps if one aspires to be the next Yves Saint Laurent.



But there are a lot of facets to the job. A fashion designer's job duties might range from creating your own label to managing a design team for a sportswear firm. Your life will be much easier with the former profession, even though it doesn't appear as glamorous as the latter. It requires a lot of effort, time, and commitment to start your own label. And that's before you even consider the years spent barely scraping by.



Picking a plan



Like the many schools of thought within the fashion industry, there is no one set path to become a fashion designer. The modest tie collection that Ralph Lauren sold to Bloomingdale's was the seed from which the Polo empire was planted. Helmut Lang went into business for himself since he couldn't locate a suitable t-shirt. Michael Kors established a clientele with his fashionable New York City boutique. On the other hand, a bachelor's degree in fashion design from an elite university is often considered the cornerstone of a successful design career. A decent school will do more than just teach you the trade; it will also look great on your resume. "We live in a brandname society, and having the name of a good school behind you really does help," remarks Carol Mongo, Director of the Fashion Department at Parsons School of Design in Paris.



How to Apply to College



Colleges offering fashion programs are many, but only a select few can boast the kind of prestige that will propel your career to new heights. Due to their high standards and intense selection process, these schools are notoriously difficult to get into. To apply, you must submit a portfolio of your design drawings. "We can't teach you how to be creative – you have to bring your creativity to us and let us lead you on your way," Carol Mongo asserts. Prior to applying, she suggests that students acquire some sewing experience. As a means of conceptualization and expression, drawing is an essential talent for designers. Possessing some drawing skills can help you construct an outstanding portfolio; enrolling in art lessons will enhance your understanding of proportion and shape. However, being a master drawing is not a prerequisite for admission to a school. "The most important quality that we look for in our students is that they are truly passionate and exuberant about fashion," Mongo adds. You can always find a method to implement your brilliant ideas even if you're not good at drawing. As an example, you may pose a mannequin with your designs on it and then photograph it.



The benefits of attending college



Three to four years is the typical duration of a fashion program. While enrolled in these courses, you may expect to learn the fundamentals of drawing, color theory, composition, and form. Methods for cutting, draping, and pattern making will also be covered. The intimate relationship between design schools and the industry is one of the biggest benefits of attending one. The "designer critic projects" at Parsons, for instance, bring in industry heavyweights like Michael Kors and Donna Karan to mentor the graduating class. Students with a lot of drive have a shot at winning major grants and awards, which can help them financially and offer them a lot of recognition. during the conclusion of the final semester, students showcase their collections during the fashion show, which is a significant event. Important figures in the fashion world often visit these exhibits in search of up-and-coming designers. It's also a chance to do something completely outlandish and garner media attention. In his Saint Martins graduation show, for instance, Hussein Chalayan became immediately famous for displaying decaying garments that he had buried in his backyard.



Possible other paths



"Let's be honest," remarks Carol Mongo of Parsons, "not everyone is a good fit for school. Going to school is probably not necessary if all you want is a job in the fashion industry and not to become a designer. A fashion house internship is a great method to get experience in the field and pave the path for a career as a seamstress or patternmaker. Many well-known designers, however, got their start as untrained interns. Take Hedi Slimane, the rising star of Dior's menswear line, as an example. Before he began collaborating with José Levy, Slimane earned a degree in journalism. Nicolas Ghesquière of Balenciaga is just one of several incredibly successful designers that got their start working as an assistant for Jean-Paul Gaultier. Submitting a portfolio to a prospective fashion house is the standard procedure for intern applications. But it's smart to give them a call ahead of time to find out their precise requirements. Keep in mind that getting an internship without a degree is extremely challenging due to the high level of competition and the importance of personal relationships.

Some designers, like Luella Bartley, have a background in styling and went on to launch their own businesses; this has allowed them to network within the industry and hone their marketing skills.



Having a firm grasp of



Being creative isn't enough to be a designer; you also need to know how to run a business. Being cognizant of the business climate and comprehending the mechanics underlying it is crucial in the increasingly corporate-driven fashion industry. If you read trade publications like "Women's Wear Daily" on a regular basis, you will gain a wealth of knowledge. Being very organized and having a basic understanding of economics are prerequisites for running your own business. These days, business courses are becoming more commonplace in fashion colleges. "Our students have to be smart enough to know how to negotiate a contract, or to pick a business partner," says the professor. It's interesting to note that many of today's most successful designers, such as Calvin Klein and Tom Ford, are actively involved in all parts of the company, from developing licensing strategies and ad campaigns to creating the actual designs of the outfits.

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