Fashion Careers

The fashion design profession, has recently emerged as one of the most sort out careers among the youths. These youths have their own creative style of dressing and believe in setting a trend rather than following a trend set by others. A career in Fashion Design not only involves meeting glamorous people and interacting with rich and famous but also gives a impetus to the creative flair of the people who possess a sense of style. The major functional areas in the industry are designing garments, cutting the cloth, sewing the pieces together and finally merchandising. Popularizing and marketing of the various styles and products is done through ramp shows and fashion write-ups.

Fashion is a term commonly used in relation to clothes, dresses, garments, textiles, etc. There is an increase in quality textiles and materials for the fashion designers to work with. Fashion is identified today with status, acceptance and it almost implies social involvement. India enjoys a prominent place in the international market with its rich silks, traditional hand loom fabrics, rustic textures and vibrant dyes. The creation of a world market for Indian garments is largely the contribution of Indian fashion designers. The trend for growth are set for upcoming fashion entrepreneurs.

Nature of Work

Fashion Designers create designs for almost anything which is part of the garment of men, women, and children. Designers understanding the needs of their clients create attractive and functional garments and accessories according to the latest trends, market conditions, weather and also keeping a close watch on the fit, style, colour, texture, size and material. The process of making a dress starts with the sketching the original idea on paper. Then shaping the pattern pieces which make the garment. The pieces are then drawn in actual size on paper and cut out on a rough material. These pieces are stitched together and fitted on a model. From the rough model sample garments are made in the final fabric. Much time of the designer is spent in exploration and research. Knowledge about fabric, weave, draping qualities, material, colour and design and the changing trend is important.

Personality

A Fashion Designer should be artistic and creative. They should be able to express their ideas in sketches. They may not be a brilliant artists but must be able to combine colours, shades, and tones. Designers have the flair for creating with fabric and know how to use textiles effectively. Designers need to have visual imagination and the ability to think in three-dimension to translate into garments what they visualize.

A fashion designers must be fashion conscious and must be aware of market requirements. In order to have an International perspective, they must read more and more of international fashion journals, books, on history and art. They must also visit various art gallery and exhibition and interact with traditional artists whenever they get a chance. As a designer one should have knowledge and experience of basic tailoring skills i.e., cutting, sewing, draping,etc. Besides this they should be able to distinguish among various fabric quality and particular about choosing a good cloth to work on.

An understanding of the market and customer lifestyle is required, so that designs are suitable for people they are made for. Designers must be good communicator and very clear with their ideas which is reflected in the presentation of fashion shows. Top designers must be highly original and inventive.

Specialization in Work

The main area of work in the fashion industry are:

1. Design Department : Manufacturing units work on a large scale. They employ designers, cutting assistants, sketching assistants, junior designers. Cutting assistants have to cut samples as per specifications of the designer. This is followed by draping and garment construction. Sketching assistants make the technical sketches of the garment which are passed on to cutting assistants. From the making of specification drawings decide how a garment has to be fabricated to the selection of fabrics is often the duty of the sketching assistant. Junior designers generally do the first pattern cutting. They assemble the first samples with fabrics they have selected from the market.


2. Marketing and Merchandising : Fashion trends are constantly changing, the people in the merchandising and marketing have a good knowledge of fashion trends, of sales data and the organizations marketing objectives. Based on this information the marketing department plans the company's overall direction. It determines the price, product requirement, and hence they often work with the styling department when a new product id conceived.


3. Manufacturing department : The production manager is at the head of the manufacturing unit. He is responsible for scheduling work goals, training of workers, managing all activities in order to maintain quality in production. The Production manager oversees the work of pattern cutting - from pattern grading, spreading and marking to cutting, assembling and finishing. With the production manager are the production assistants who supervise the work at each stage.


4. Fashion coordinators : They coordinate with the buyer and the production manager. The fashion coordinator makes sure production schedules are kept, meets buyers goes through specification for fabrics, colours, designs, and keeps an eye on the quality. When buyers give their own designs, the coordinator helps decide the fabric colors and accessories that should be used to suit the designs. They explain the design to the production pattern makers and get sample pieces made. The sample is draped on a dummy to see if some changes in details or style are required. Once the sample is finalized, its pieces are measured precisely. It is the coordinator who suggests how the cloth should be cut so as to minimize wastage. The garment is then finally presented for sale.

Fashion Design Career Prospects

There are opportunities for work with the various sectors dealing with fashion. The opportunities for job exist in the following sectors :

1. Export houses dealing with garment/textile/hand loom exports.
2. Retail and wholesale garment businesses in men's/women's/children clothing in sportswear /casual wear, etc.
3. Haute Couture
4. Government/Semi government-hand loom/textile manufacturers.
5. Fashion show organizers/Fashion publishers.
6. TV/Film fashion program producers/costume designers, etc.

Fashion Design Career Titles

•  Fashion Designer: The creative force that determines in advance each season's hottest fashions. Fashion Designers are on top of trends and have a strong sense of shape and color. They typically create 4 collections per year. Travels frequently to fashion markets.

•  Theatre Costumer/Wardrober: Creates the costumes used in film, theatre, and television. Works closely with the Director and Producer to create convincing wardrobes. Does historical research to ensure authenticity.

•  Technical Designer: The creative problem solvers who determine the most efficient method of producing a garment to fit a particular market and price point. Works closely with fashion designers and manufacturers. Travels frequently to fashion markets.

•  Fashion Stylist: The person who determines the direction in which a fashion line is heading. Travels frequently to garment markets and works closely with designers and manufacturers to make sure their collections are consistent with current trends.

•  Assistant Designer/1st Pattern Maker: A Fashion Designer's right-hand person. They translate the original sketch of the fashion designer into a finished sample garment, by using the technical skills of pattern making.

•  Costume Designer for Theatre: Responsible for all visual aspects of the costumes for a theatre production, including clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories, wigs/hair, and makeup. Oversees the design team and all fittings with actors. Works with the director and production team to create color sketches and detailed drawings.

•  Shopper: Shoppers are employed by costume shops or designers to shop for selections of fabric, clothing, trim, and accessories for a theatre production. Shoppers develop a broad knowledge of resources and must be highly organized to arrange for timely arrival of items.

•  Head of Wardrobe: In the theatre, the wardrobe department runs the costume portion of the show. The department head works with the designer or assistant designer to plot out where and when costume changes take place, supervises all changes, oversees a staff of dressers, makes emergency costume repairs, and oversees costume maintenance.

•  Assistant Costume Designer for Theatre: The costume designer's right-hand person. Assists with costume research, sketching, shopping, costuming of extras, swatching, keeping the designer organized, budgeting, and supervising specialty areas.

•  Draper/Cutter: Creates paper patterns for the costume designer's sketches and period pattern books. Cuts the garments in muslin and oversees the fittings, changes, and alterations with the designer. Supervises the construction of the actual costumes. Requires knowledge of fabrics, draping, flat pattern making, period construction techniques, and basic sewing skills.