I Am...FASHION

Lesson - 1

How to Become a Successful Fashion Designer

Sometimes we feel we have a good flare for fashion, interest in sewing or making clothes, drawing or generally in ‘creating’ things, we feel we can convert it into the profitable business of fashion or be the ‘Fashion Designer’ we see in Vogue. It is true, to the extent that it is a good direction, but not enough to be that successful ‘Fashion designer’ or embark on that fashion venture.

Like every other profession, even fashion comes with a requirement of skill sets and aptitude one needs to excel.

Here are some of the qualities one needs to succeed as a designer-

-Being Creative

You need to have a great sense of style and coming up with new ideas is the life of fashions.

- Drawing Skills

Excellent drawing skills are always a boon to be able to sketch your ideas onto paper for the production process quickly.

-Good Eye for Materials

You have to have an eye for the materials of a garment, as well as the elements that make it unique, such as colour, fabric and trims etc.

-Sewing Skills

One certainly needs to understand the sewing processes so that you can convert your design ideas into a 3D reality. i.e. construct the garments from your design.

-Knowledge of Current Fashion Trends

Fashion is all about what styles are accessible at a particular time. It is essential to be aware of current trends and have a right eye for anticipating what your audience will respond to next.

-Visualization Abilities

One of the highest rated skill and rightly so. Good fashion designers can visualise a garment before putting an idea on paper.

-Good Communication skills

One must have excellent communication skills, as there are many people involved in the creation of a garment and that too of a broad spectrum. One must be able to communicate effectively to everyone to get the results one needs to achieve.

-Team Player

One needs to be able to work amicably with others as part of a team. Designing a garment for production involves the work of many, from pattern making to sewing to shipping. As a designer, you must be able to work well with all involved.

- Business Sense

A successful fashion designer needs to have excellent business skills. You don't just design clothes; you have to be able to sell them profitably to make it a profitable venture. You need to understand budgets, marketing, and sales concepts that are vital to getting designs produced and sold.

Having reviewed this, we may find that this profession needs a diverse skill set, some may come naturally to us, and some we will have to cultivate. It is always wise to ‘know ourselves’ first, evaluate our strengths and weaknesses and work accordingly.

-KNOW YOURSELF

-KNOW YOUR CRAFT (WELL)

-KNOW THE BUSINESS

-KNOW YOUR MARKET

-KNOW YOUR CUSTOMER

ACTIVITY

-Carefully examine yourself in the light list above, and write down the qualities and skills you think you possess and the one ones you need to cultivate

-Start observing

What ‘YOU’ consider fashionable.

What you consider a good design

-Start building a ‘Resource book.’

Start collecting pictures of what’s a good design to you- online as well offline.