Surprisingly Simple Way To Become A Fashion Designer

In a previous post, I wrote about how to get started as a fashion designer. But you may be surprised to learn that it’s not hard to start from scratch and make your clothes; you don’t need any special training or skills.

I started my career as a fashion designer with no real education or experience. I was just a guy who liked clothes and wanted to make his own.

There are plenty of guides out there on how to become a fashion designer, so I won’t rehash that information here. Instead, I’ll give you some tips on how to make clothes yourself instead of relying on someone else’s designs:

How to be a Fashion Designer 101 – YouTube

Takeaways
1. Becoming a fashion designer can be achieved through simple and practical steps.
2. A formal degree is not always necessary to pursue a career in fashion design.
3. Building a strong portfolio and gaining practical experience are crucial for success.
4. Networking and connecting with fashion designer manufacturers can help bring your designs to life.
5. Staying updated with fashion trends and honing your design skills are essential for a thriving career.

Table of Contents

Even With No Background In Fashion, You Can Become A Fashion Designer

So you want to become a fashion designer? That’s great! You’re in the right place. Fashion design is an exciting career choice, and we’ll show you how to get there, even if you don’t have any experience or background in fashion.

We all know that the world needs more designers.

We need more people who can create new styles of clothing and accessories for us to wear every day and we need those people now more than ever before because our planet is in trouble from climate change and other consequences of human activity.

But what most people don’t realize is that many of these problems can be solved by simply wearing fewer clothes.

Or at least by choosing clothes made from sustainable materials like hemp or cotton instead of polyester blends that are produced by polluting factories run by foreign military regimes (eek!).

And guess what? Designers play a vital role in this process: They’re responsible for designing both individual items like pantsuits or dresses as well as entire collections (that’s a group-gathering event where several different outfits are shown at once).

It’s up to them which fabrics get used in their designs; if they choose something eco-friendly over something synthetic then consumers will take notice too! And when enough consumers start buying eco-friendly fabrics…well…you get the picture!

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Your First Step Is To Figure Out What Kind Of Designer You Want To Be

Your first step is to figure out what kind of designer you want to be. This can be daunting, so we’re going to break it down for you by looking at the different types of fashion designers:

Fashion Designers who specialize in different mediums: are known as tailors or seamstresses. Tailors are responsible for all aspects of clothing production other than the design itself, while seamstresses specialize in hand-sewn garments.

Fashion Designers who specialize in different types of clothing: men’s wear designers create menswear (pants, jackets, shirts, and suits), and women’s wear designers create womenswear (dresses, skirts, and blouses).

Lingerie and swimwear designers create underwear and bathing suits respectively; childrenswear designers also create clothes for kids from birth through adolescence; sportswear/athleticwear designers focus on activewear such as athletic shorts or leggings;

Couture house style directors oversee collections for an entire brand rather than just one line within it like many other apparel professionals do;

Ready-to-wear stylists work closely with clients from start to finish when putting together an outfit based on their style preferences instead of creating their line or designing their pieces.

You, Will, Be Sketching A Lot As A Fashion Designer. Make It Fun!

One of the best things you can do as a fashion designer is a sketch. I know, I know sketching isn’t the most fun part of being a designer.

But it’s an extremely important tool in your design arsenal, and if you don’t give yourself permission to get messy and make mistakes, then you might not be as successful or confident in your designs as you could be.

Sketching allows for quick brainstorming sessions that will help generate some great ideas for your collection (or even just one design). It also allows you to learn from those sketches: if something doesn’t work out quite as you’d envisioned, try again!

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Learn Your Design Fundamentals

Design fundamentals are the basic concepts that you need to understand to create your own designs.

They include color theory, patternmaking, draping, and sewing. Learning design fundamentals are the foundation of fashion design and will help you develop a strong style as well as build on your style.

Learn To Drape, Sew, And Draft

Draping is a fabric manipulation technique that helps you create garments with a three-dimensional form.

It’s used by designers and fashion students alike to understand how a garment will look when it’s in motion and can be used to create dresses, pants, and even swimsuits.

Draping uses many different types of pins so that you can try on the dress without having to sew it together yet!

Experiment With Different Mediums In Fashion Design

You might be surprised to learn that you’re a natural at something other than the medium you’ve been working in. If you’re not sure what your strengths and weaknesses are, try experimenting with different materials and techniques to find out more about your capabilities. For example:

Try painting on silk or canvas instead of fabric to see if it suits your style better.

Use embroidery thread instead of weaving wool when creating patterned scarves and hats.

Try hand-painting shirts rather than designing them digitally on a computer screen (this requires a lot more time!).

Keep An Inspiration Folder At Hand

One of the most important things you can do is keep a folder at hand with inspiration. You need to be able to see what you like and how it works, so having this folder readily available will save you hours if you’re trying to finish something on a deadline.

I use a system where I have folders for each season, each project, each medium (like handbag design or jewelry making), and even folders for materials like leather. The idea is that this will help me find the right piece of inspiration when I need it quickly.

For example, if I’m working on a new collection for spring 2020 but am having trouble coming up with ideas for shoes or sunglasses.

I would open my folder labeled “Shoes & Sunglasses” and see what images have been saved there from previous seasons or other collections I’ve created in the past.

Get Your Hands Dirty By Making Things That Inspire You

Before you can be an artist, you have to get your hands dirty by making things that inspire you.

Make a list of the clothes and accessories that are currently fashionable in your city. What is it about these items that appeal to you? Is it their shape, color, or style? Is there anything else about them that piques your interest?

Take some time to sketch out some designs based on what inspires you from this list you may even want to try making them yourself!

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Start Creating Your Pieces By Finding Your Own Unique Style

It’s important to find your unique style. The best way to do that is by using your life as inspiration. You should take things from your daily life, such as people you see on the street or a piece of furniture in your house, and work those ideas into a design.

Try looking at other artists for inspiration too! For example, if we were going with our fashion design student example from earlier in this post, maybe he would look at artists like Karl Lagerfeld or Alexander McQueen for examples of how they designed their collections.

Study The Works Of Established Fashion Designers For Inspiration

To become a fashion designer, you need to be able to see the world through a designer’s eyes. The best way to do this is by studying the works of established designers who inspire your creative vision.

Study the work of designers you admire and who are at your level in the field. This will help you develop your style and technique while keeping an eye out for what trends are popular right now.

Study the work of designers who are one or two levels above you people that have been doing it longer than you and have had more time developing their skills as well as their careers.

Finally, study people who came before: look at how they were influenced by others’ designs before creating their styles; how they used materials differently than anyone else did; which techniques worked well for them (and which did not).

Buy Lots Of Fabric To Experiment With And Build Up A Fabric Library

One of the best ways to get started is to buy lots of fabric in bulk. Buy fabrics that you can’t find at your local craft store or online. Buy fabrics that are unique, different, unusual, and even weird.

You want to build up a big library of fabrics so that you have something to work with in every situation and when inspiration strikes.

When looking for fabrics, don’t limit yourself by thinking they must be “useful” or “practical.” For example, I bought some cool Japanese silk because I thought it was pretty and then later decided to make a dress out of it!

Ask Yourself How You Can Use Fabrics Differently From Other Designers Who Use Them Frequently

Before you can even begin to design clothing, it’s important to think about the materials that you’ll use.

While most designers have a standard set of materials they like working with, some fabrics have become so popular that they’re almost overused. It’s time for you to break out of your comfort zone and try something new!

Ask yourself how you can use fabrics differently from other designers who use them frequently. What unusual methods could be used when creating a garment? How can one material be combined with another?

Be creative! Try using different types of clothes and materials in unexpected ways; this will help create an innovative look for your designs that stands out from the crowd.

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Utilize All Kinds Of Materials For Your Projects, Not Just Fabric!

One of the biggest mistakes that people make when learning how to be a fashion designer is only using fabric for their projects.

While this may seem like a good idea at first, it makes it more difficult for you to create different styles and designs because you are limited by what materials are available in your area.

If you want your designs to stand out, then you need to explore all possible avenues of experimentation with materials. This includes things such as yarns and paper machetes but also includes items such as straws and soda bottles (which can be recycled).

In other words: if it’s on hand or available in some way shape or form you should seriously consider using it!

The Best Way To Learn Fashion Is By Getting Experience In The Industry Itself

You can volunteer for a local fashion show or style show, like the ones I have helped organize. This is where you get to see behind the scenes, meet people who are already working in your field, and learn first-hand what it takes to put on a great event!

The good news is that many of these opportunities offer free tickets or at least discounts on tickets.

Although volunteering at a local boutique is not as glamorous as being backstage with celebrities, you can still benefit from this type of work experience.

Clerking at an upscale clothing store will teach you how things are priced and displayed so that when it comes time for your line launch party or even just shopping for yourself you know what makes good value for money (or not).

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Conclusion

The world of fashion is complicated and full of incredible people who have spent years honing their skills, but it can be broken down into simple steps that anyone can follow. If you want to be a designer, how do you get there?

How do you become the next big thing in fashion? The answer is: start now! Learn the fundamentals, take courses, go to school and find resources online. Follow your passion wherever it takes you that’s all there is to know about being successful as a designer.”

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about becoming a fashion designer:

How long does it take to become a fashion designer?

The duration to become a fashion designer can vary depending on various factors such as education, experience, and individual dedication. While a formal degree program can take around 3-4 years, gaining practical experience and building a portfolio can also contribute to a successful career in fashion design.

Do I need a degree to become a fashion designer?

While a degree in fashion design can provide a solid foundation and open up certain opportunities, it is not always a requirement. Many successful fashion designers have achieved recognition through talent, hard work, and practical experience. Alternative paths include self-study, internships, apprenticeships, and building a strong portfolio.

What skills do I need to become a fashion designer?

To become a fashion designer, you should have a strong sense of creativity, excellent design skills, a good understanding of fabrics and textiles, knowledge of garment construction, and the ability to visualize concepts. Additionally, skills in sketching, sewing, pattern-making, and staying updated with fashion trends are beneficial.

How can I gain experience as a fashion designer?

Gaining experience as a fashion designer can be achieved through internships, apprenticeships, and entry-level positions in the fashion industry. Networking, showcasing your work through a portfolio, and participating in fashion design competitions or shows can also help you gain exposure and build a professional reputation.

What are the career prospects for fashion designers?

Career prospects for fashion designers can vary based on factors such as location, market demand, and personal success. Fashion designers can work for established fashion houses, start their own fashion brands, freelance, or specialize in specific areas such as haute couture, ready-to-wear, accessories, or costume design. It is important to stay creative, adaptable, and up-to-date with industry trends to thrive in the competitive fashion industry.

Costantine Edward

Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.