Expand mobile version menu
  Skip to main content

What They Do

Fashion Designers Career Video

About This Career

Designs clothing and accessories. Creates original designs or adapts fashion trends.

This career is part of the Arts, Audio-Video Technology and Communications cluster Visual Arts pathway.

A person in this career:

  • Directs and coordinates workers involved in drawing and cutting patterns and constructing samples or finished garments.
  • Examines sample garments on and off models, modifying designs to achieve desired effects.
  • Sketches rough and detailed drawings of apparel or accessories, and writes specifications such as color schemes, construction, material types, and accessory requirements.
  • Confers with sales and management executives or with clients to discuss design ideas.
  • Identifies target markets for designs, looking at factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status.
  • Attends fashion shows and reviews garment magazines and manuals to gather information about fashion trends and consumer preferences.
  • Selects materials and production techniques to be used for products.
  • Provides sample garments to agents and sales representatives, and arranges for showings of sample garments at sales meetings or fashion shows.
  • Adapts other designers' ideas for the mass market.
  • Purchases new or used clothing and accessory items as needed to complete designs.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
  • Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
  • Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Identifying color and seeing differences in color, including shades and brightness
  • Seeing clearly at a distance
  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

  • Irregular hours
  • Overnight travel
  • Overtime work

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Apparel Fashion Designer
  • Clothing Designer
  • Costume Designer
  • Dance Costume Designer
  • Designer
  • Historic Clothing and Costume Maker
  • Latex Fashions Designer
  • Product Developer

Contact

  • Email Support

  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900

Support


Powered by XAP

OCAP believes that financial literacy and understanding the financial aid process are critical aspects of college planning and student success. OCAP staff who work with students, parents, educators and community partners in the areas of personal finance education, state and federal financial aid, and student loan management do not provide financial, investment, legal, and/or tax advice. This website and all information provided is for general educational purposes only, and is not intended to be construed as financial, investment, legal, and/or tax advice.