How To Start A Career In Fashion Design
Fashion plays an integral role in our lives. Let’s face it, we all love to look and feel our best. The perfect outfit can help us achieve that goal. For many, though, simply wearing great clothes isn’t enough. Turning that passion for fashion into a career is the ultimate dream. If you fall into this category, there’s no better time to get started than right now.
Here’s everything you need to know to help turn that dream into a reality.
Know Fashion
It’s always easier to gain success in an industry when you have a deeper understanding of how the business. As a fashion lover, you should have no problem keeping up to date with the latest fashion trends. Whether it’s following celebrity styles or high street brands, that knowledge will give you a solid platform.
However, you also need to equip yourself with knowledge on the business side of fashion. It’s a unique arena, and this information will put you in a far stronger position when mounting your bid for a career. For example, a fashion marketing degree can prepare you to get more exposure for your designs or brand. Social media is the ideal platform for contacting professionals, and their advice could be very valuable. Besides, it might sow the seeds for building beneficial connections.
Ultimately, the more you know about the industry, the more chance you’ll have of carving a name for yourself.
Develop Skills
Building a successful career in the fashion industry requires various factors. However, there’s no question that your ability and eye for trends is at the core of all operations. Therefore, adding extra strings to your bow should be your priority at all times.
Completing a fashion design program isn’t all about the qualification. Moreover, you’ll have the chance to nurture your natural flair to graduate with the strongest skills set for a career in the business. Meanwhile, the paperwork will back up those talents to make your application stand out to employers too.
The more you learn, the more you’ll earn. It really is that simple.
Build A Portfolio
Knowing that you are capable of great things will give you personal confidence. But it’s equally important that you can prove it to your employer. Of course, they will be impressed by other achievements. Nevertheless, your portfolio is the most important part of any application.
If you ever get the chance to work for a client, then you should. Even if it’s a voluntary job, it shows your ability to work towards a specific brief. Combine this with personal creations and you can’t go far wrong. Fashion is an artistic industry too, so be sure to show them off by building an attractive book and portfolio website.
Quite frankly, if your designs blow an employer away, they’ll have no choice but to sign you.
Gain Experience
Nowadays, employers also like to take on candidates that possess experience. Showing your initiative to arrange interns with big fashion labels is a fantastic way to invest in your future. Aside from boosting your prospects, it will give you a far greater insight too.
Sending speculative emails and making phone calls can be a great way to land those opportunities. Visiting local fashion events may give you the perfect chance to meet industry professionals. Be confident and ask for a shot.
The worst they can do is say no.
Look The Part
First impressions count for everything for business. But this is particularly crucial in an industry such as this. Ultimately, if you can’t present yourself in a fashionable manner, then how can an employer trust you to make customers look great?
Your appearance is vital to your career prospects. This is a great opportunity to show your skills by wearing one of your personal creations. Use makeup and accessories to make the overall look pop, and you should be just fine.
If nothing else, looking great will give you an added sense of confidence. This can be a hugely influential element as you look to land that perfect job.
Creating opportunities for yourself is great. Nevertheless, the most common way to land your perfect role is to apply for an empty position.
A large percentage of aspiring fashion designers simply don’t know where to look for jobs. But there are various job boards specific to the industry. Meanwhile, you can also find listings in publications and other fashion material. Just remember that competition is fierce. With this in mind, it’s imperative that you make a great impact with a winning cover letter.
You’ll never get anywhere if you don’t go the extra mile to gain those opportunities. Do this, though, and you should be just fine.
