Art Careers / Fashion Designer
What Does a Fashion Designer Do? An Art Career for Kids
Curious about this job? Here is what the work looks like, a typical day, the tools, where people do it and how to get started, plus a small activity so you can try it yourself.
What a fashion designer does
A fashion designer creates new clothes, shoes and accessories. They study trends, pick fabrics, and make samples before the designs are made for stores.
Real-world examples: Coco Chanel.
A day on the job
- Research trends and pick a theme for a collection
- Sketch designs by hand or on a computer
- Choose fabrics and make sample garments
- Fit samples on models and adjust them
Tools of the job
- Sketchbook and markers
- Fashion design (CAD) software
- Sewing machine
- Fabric swatches
- Dress forms
- Measuring tape and patterns
Where they work
- Clothing companies and manufacturers
- Design studios
- Theater and dance companies
- Their own label or business
The path in 4 steps
Start now
- Draw outfits for characters you invent
- Learn to sew a button or a simple pillow
- Redesign an old T-shirt with fabric paint or cutting (with permission)
In your teens
- Take art, sewing or fashion classes
- Sew a few complete pieces of clothing
- Start a sketchbook of design ideas
Training
A bachelor's degree is typical, often in fashion design or fashion merchandising. Internships and assistant jobs help, and a portfolio is essential because employers use it to judge talent.
Build a portfolio
Fashion sketches, fabric swatches, photos of finished garments and a small themed collection.
Skills that help
- Drawing figures
- Sewing
- Color and fabric sense
- Trend research
- Teamwork
Try this job
A small taste of the real work, using things you already have.
Choose a theme, like 'rainy day' or 'space explorer.' Trace a simple body outline three times and design three outfits that all fit your theme. Glue on bits of real fabric, paper or foil to show textures. Give your mini collection a name. Designers always think in collections, not just one outfit.
Related art careers
Learn more
For pay, job outlook and training details, read the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook page for this kind of work.
Which art career fits you?
Answer a few quick questions and see which art jobs match what you love to do.
Take the Which Art Career Fits You quizQuestions teachers and parents ask
What does a fashion designer do?
A fashion designer creates new clothes, shoes and accessories. They study trends, pick fabrics, and make samples before the designs are made for stores.
How do you become a fashion designer?
A bachelor's degree is typical, often in fashion design or fashion merchandising. Internships and assistant jobs help, and a portfolio is essential because employers use it to judge talent.
What skills does a fashion designer need?
Drawing figures, Sewing, Color and fabric sense, Trend research and Teamwork.
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