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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.
  • Attends fashion shows and reviews garment magazines and manuals to gather information about fashion trends and consumer preferences.
  • Identifies target markets for designs, looking at factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status.
  • 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

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