Categories: Fashion Design Blog

A Step By Step Guide To Be A Successful Fashion Designer

Fashion Designing can be defined as the art of designing apparels and accessories that define one’s lifestyle and status. This art takes inspiration from the various cultural and social aspects of the society and is dynamic in nature implying that the growth and evolution in Fashion designing is a constant process. What began with the class and the style statement of the historical royal families has now developed into a high fashion of the present generation.

Fashion designing is amongst the most rewarding, tempting, glitzy and sensational career options in the present world. If you have a liking towards style, creativity, and innovation, a career in the field of fashion designing is a perfect choice for you. Fashion designing not only aims at catering to the materialistic needs and artistic desires of people but it also assures glitz, glamour, class, sophistication, and a lucrative paycheck for the professionals in this industry.

Having mentioned the USPs of the career, it must be noted that a career in Fashion designing isn’t a child’s play. To compete with the professionals who have already created a footprint in the industry and still continue to do so requires high levels of dedication, skills, inventiveness, and ability to struggle to make your mark in the industry.

Thus, if you have all the above mentioned skills and much more of what it takes to begin your journey into the dazzling world of Fashion designing, you should consider pursuing a qualified degree in the field to give your career the start that it needs.

What does it take to be a Fashion Designer?

A degree in Fashion designing is a prerequisite but that comes second. First, you must have passion for creativity and a natural talent to see and create products that no one else has thought about. You need to have a strong sense of color, trend, design, aesthetics, and personality. Additionally, a vast knowledge of fabrics and an eye for detail is a bonus and can take you far.

Before you start your Course in Fashion designing, you must conduct a detailed research on which institute and specialization should you pick. There may be several institutes claiming to be the best but your degree is only acceptable if it is from a well-known and recognized Fashion Institute. You could begin your fashion studies right after school or you could wait till you get a graduation degree; however, most people begin right after school. A lot of reputable institutes also offer short-term fashion certificate courses and diplomas on specific specializations which students can enrol into.

As mentioned before, most fashion enthusiasts begin their study in fashion designing as soon as they finish school. This is for a reason. The market for thefashion industry is ever changing and highly competitive. The later one starts the more chances are that someone else will steal the spotlight. Thus, it is important for you to not waste any time once you have decided that you wish to pursue a career in fashion designing. Aside from your creativity and attention to detail, you must also begin creating your impression within the industry as early as possible.

Staying up to date with the latest innovations and changes in the industry, searching for a reputable fashion designer to intern with, attending fashion shows and events, and creating an online presence are some of the initial steps that you can start taking even before you have completed your course.

How to know if Fashion Designing is the right choice?

Whether Fashion designing is the right career choice for you or not only majorly depends on you. If you have a passion for fabrics, color, glamour, spotlight, and of course fashion, the Fashion designing is the best suitable choice for you. However, you must keep in mind that not everybody who likes wearing the latest designs wants to create fashion. You must be able to tell the difference before you begin your career in fashion designing.

How much would it cost?

The cost for various courses in Fashion designing vary and depend on the type of course (certificate, diploma, or degree), duration, specialization (garments, accessories, garments and accessories, footwear, or jewellery), and the reputation and standing of the fashion institute. However, on an average, you should be prepared to spend INR40-50,000 for a decent course from a well-recognized Institute.

Before you register yourself for a course, ask if the institute provides funding or scholarship opportunities for the deserving candidates. Some reputable institutes offer to waive the tuition fee for the duration of the course. However, to be eligible for the funding or scholarship, the student must have a proven academic record and must be under a specific income group. Some institutes offer education loans to deserving and needy students.

What sort of job and salary can be expected?

The fashion industry in India has seen a massive boom over the years. With Bollywood playing a major role in the way India dresses, changes and developments in the fashion industry are inevitable. In fact, it won’t be wrong to say that what may be trendy and classy today can soon go out the window and be replaced with something trendier and classier tomorrow.

There is high demand and cut-throat competition even amongst the pioneers of the industry. With anew generation taking over, even the masters of the fashion industry are upping their game to main their legacy.

After successfully completing a course in Fashion designing, you can opt for an internship with one of the many stalwarts in the fashion industry. You can either choose to be self-employed and start your own boutique or introduce a line of clothing, or you can be associated with a big fashion brand.

As a fresher, you can expect to earn INR10-15,000. However again, your pay depends on the brand you are associated with. A raise of up to INR35-40,000 can be expected within a few years, of course, it also depends on your skill and performance towards your work.

What are the factors influencing a career in Fashion Designing?

India is a developing economy. The lifestyle and living standards in the country is progressing at a very high speed. With these developments, citizens are becoming more aware of the importance of creating a statement or maintaining their personality in public. Indian fashion industry isn’t limited to India anymore.

More often than not, Hollywood celebrities are seen sporting an ethnic India saree or a chic Rajasthani-printed skirt. Cotton-made clothes are always in high demand with the foreign market. The industry professionals realize the potential of the Indian fashion industry and are working day and night towards exhausting all such possibilities for the advancement of the Indian fashion industry.

A recent study claims that the Indian fashion industry is set to grow to a 1,000 crore industry as compared to the 180 crore it is today. The scope for careers in fashion designing in India is enormous as Indians are increasingly becoming more fashion-conscious and aware of how to look like a complete fashion icon. As a result, the demand for talented professionals in the industry keeps growing by the hour.

A course in fashion designing opens a huge window of opportunity for you and choices to pick from. Apparel companies are always on the lookout for fashion designers and other related professionals in the industry.
As mentioned before, Indian fashion industry isn’t limited to the Indian market anymore. In fact, the industry has spread its wings into the international market and is already being acknowledged by various international brands.

Celebrity designers such as Ritu Kumar, Rohit Bal, Tarun Tahiliani, Rocky S, and Manish Malhotra are known globally. The India Fashion Week has emerged into an international fashion event, with professionals and buyers from all over the world expressing interest in investing in the Indian fashion market. The Indian Textile market is valued at $25 billion currently and increasing at an annual rate of 15-20%.

Mega shopping malls are being built in every big and small city in the country. Big giants in the retail industry such as Ambanis, Birlas, Mittals, and now, the Tatas are making investments into the sector.

What are the pros and cons of venturing into the fashion industry?

The fashion industry is full of glamour, glitz, fame, and everything nice but like with every aspect of the human world, it is not free of a few areas of concern.

On one hand, the scope of fashion designing is enormous and a life in the fashion industry is what many would kill for, however, on the other hand, it is a cut-throat market and requires a lot of dedication. Never expect a miracle overnight, although it may happen. Spending enough the under the guidance of an established and reputable designer or brand can increase the possibility of being known in the industry.

Setting up your own shop would require a lot of investment which may be a bit difficult as getting sponsors of investors for a new line unless you have enough experience to show for it, could be really tough.

What are the career choices after completing a course in Fashion designing?

There are many names to a fashion designer. Some like to call themselves costume designer and some may prefer wardrobe consultant. You can also work as a personal stylist, graphic designer, technical designer, fashion consultant, or a fashion coordinator. Other roles include apparel production manager, fabric quality control manager, showroom sales representative, and illustrator. You can also choose to be an entrepreneur and start your own chain of boutique stores.

What are the top companies or designers to work for?

Some of the top names in the industry to work for are:

  • Celebrity designers such as Manish Malhotra, Ritu Beri, Neeta Lulla, Ritu Kumar, Shabyasachi, Rohit Bal, Tarun Tahiliani and so on.
  • Indian Fashion brands such as Levi’s, Park Avenue, Allen Solly, Provogue, Lee, Pepe Jeans, Wrangler, and so on.
  • International Fashion brands such as Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, GAP, Versace, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, and so on.
  • Textile and fabric production units
  • Exclusive fashion showrooms

What are some useful tips to get hired?

To ensure that you don’t have to spend too much time job-hunting and that you get picked by the best in the industry, you must:

  • Create a great portfolio showcasing your creative ability.
  • Internship under a reputable fashion designer reflects highly on the resume and attracts the best in the industry towards your profile.
  • Research well into the market and the brand you are applying for.
  • Freelance for fashion houses and fashion designers.
  • Creativity, style, skills, dedication, and passion go a long way in making your mark in the industry.
  • Be patient and be prepared to struggle.
  • Don’t be disheartened or demotivated by rejectionsand have the ability to learn from the feedback and improve yourself.
  • Start slow and steady, and once you know you have enough standing and experience in the industry, go for the big game.
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