Career Occupational Profile for: Fashion Designers

Design clothing and accessories. Create original garments or design garments that follow well established fashion trends. May develop the line of color and kinds of materials.

Signficant Points

  • Almost one-fourth are self-employed.
  • In 2006, the highest concentrations of fashion designers were employed in New York and California.
  • Employers usually seek designers with a 2- or 4-year degree who are knowledgeable about textiles fabrics, ornamentation, and fashion trends.
  • Slower-than-average job growth is projected, and competition for jobs is expected to be keen.
 

Tasks

  • Core — Examine sample garments on and off models; then modify designs to achieve desired effects.
  • Core — Sketch rough and detailed drawings of apparel or accessories, and write specifications such as color schemes, construction, material types, and accessory requirements.
  • Core — Direct and coordinate workers involved in drawing and cutting patterns and constructing samples or finished garments.
  • Core — Confer with sales and management executives or with clients in order to discuss design ideas.
  • Core — Provide sample garments to agents and sales representatives, and arrange for showings of sample garments at sales meetings or fashion shows.

Activities

  • Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.