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Employers seek individuals who are knowledgeable in the areas of textiles, fabricks, and ornamentation, as well as trends in the fashion world. Some high-fashion designers are self-employed and design for individual clients. They make fashion news by establishing the ‘line’, colours, and kinds of materials that will be worn each season. Other high-fashion designers cater to designer/fashion boutiques or high-fashion department stores. They design original garments, as well as follow the established fashion trends. Most fashion designers, however, work for apparel manufacturers, adapting men’s women’s and children’s fashions for the mass market.

Getting a job is a skill in itself. You have to be well informed, realistic, keen, determined, energetic and good. For survival and success be self-motivated; flexible and adaptable to change; persistent; professional and see fashion in a broader context than just clothes. Establish a network of friends and contacts, for ideas, sharing skills and experiences and to provide leads for interesting work options. Initially look for employment wherever possible with an eye to using it as a period of apprenticeship where you hope and prepare to learn. In the first year be prepared to use the time to learn how to be a good practical designer or model or illustrator or photographer, etc.,

No matter how much newspapers and magazines make headlines of how much money top models make, it is only the elite few who do but they too have to face lean patches and can be left unpaid too once in a while.

Demand for fashion designers should rise as consumers become more concerned with fashion and style. In addition to employment growth, many job openings will result from the need to replace designers who leave the filed. Film, theatre, video and television industries require the services of fashion/costume designers and stylists.



Study/Training

While there have been successful fashion professionals who have not been formally trained, natural talent and interest are not the only considerations for success. Recognised and reputed institutions help to train individuals to develop creative, theoretical, technical and personal elements that equip them with the basic skills and attitudes they need to begin their careers. The competitive world we inhabit also makes the possession of recognized qualifications increasingly important in all fields especially when one is looking for formal employment.

Duration of training varies between 1-3 years in varied areas. In design related training, entry level is usually Plus Two level, sometimes after class 10
(though advisedly it is better to wait till 12th). Management and technically tuned training is after graduation most of the time.

Fashion design curriculum covers all the processes of design from inspiration to the final product. Students learn all about pattern making, garment construction, grading and draping, fashion art, history of costumes and textiles, apparel fabric and textile science. They are also taught presentation techniques, preparation of portfolios as an aspect of creative marketing and how to organize fashion shows.

Accessory design programme introduces students to basic design concepts, visualization techniques, manipulation of materials and techniques of interpretation that help create costume jewellery and accessories in different materials and traditional craft style. Students learn about preparation of portfolio and presentation techniques, coordination and export marketing. Once students complete the course they are trained to design, coordinate shows, organize displays and marketing for different types of markets.

Garment manufacturing technology programme aims at turning out managers for the garment production units. Students are exposed to the complete manufacturing process from procurement to sampling, cutting, sewing, finishing and packaging. They are taught fabric science,pattern making, grading analysis of market trends, and identification of machines and equipment. The course covers the techniques of production, business administration, handling of labour, computer application for the garment industry and diploma holders can ensure high standards of quality control and garment specification. The diploma holders, therefore, can make effective decisions on the basis of the knowledge of the whole process of manufacture.

Apparel marketing and merchandising training focuses on the various aspects of marketing and merchandising as applicable to the fashion industry. The course covers aspects of buying, advertising, forecasting, trade documentation, retail trade, international marketing, fashion coordination and computer applications. Students are trained in market research techniques and the study of consumer behaviour.

Leather garment design and technology training offers option of specializing in designing and styling of leather garments or in the management of a manufacturing unit. Students are exposed to the process of manufacturing of leather garments from the state of design forecasting, to pattern making techniques, study of international size charts, garment specifications and finally the production process. They develop a comprehensive awareness of the whole process of functioning of a leather garment manufacturing unit. They can function as production managers or become stylists with a leather garment unit.

Knitwear design and technology course aims to train students who can design knitwear and also manage the technological aspects of the manufacturing process. This course aims to turn out students who can appreciate the combination of creativity with knowledge of materials and processes. The training goes into the technical aspects of pattern making, construction of garments, professional designing techniques, costing of garments and also exposes the student to the practical functioning of the industry or business. Students are absorbed as designers who are capable of managing the technology related to the industry.

Apart from the premier institute NIFT, some Industrial Training Institutes (it is) run by different state governments and private bodies also conduct courses in knitwear design and technology.

The college/vocational institute/polytechnic where the above named courses are conducted should have good connections with industry so that students may gain practical experience along with theoretical training. The training institute/college/polytechnic must have up-to-date equipment. The faculty should have recent industrial experience.

Career Progression

Haute couture is an exclusive area of the fashion industry dominated by a few highly successful individuals/names. But as we enter the new millennium, mass production and diffusion of ranges (less expensive versions of designer ranges) have made the latest designs accessible to a much wider public making fashion play a much greater role in everyday life. Now, casual wear, work wear, leisurewear, childrens wear and corporate wear are the growing markets.

Despite the projected faster than average employment growth, designers in most fields are expected to face competition for available positions because many talented individuals are attracted to careers as designers. Individuals with little or no formal education in design who lack creativity and perseverance find it difficult to establish and maintain a career in design.