FASHION DESIGNERS California Occupational Guide Number 185 Interest Area 1 1995
THE JOB
FASHION DESIGNERS create clothing and accessory designs and may plan the production and marketing of their creations. They may specialize in one type of garment or accessory such as men's or women's wear, children's garments, swimwear, lingerie, handbags, or shoes. Some high-fashion Designers are self-employed and design for individual clients. They make fashion news by establishing the silhouette, colors, and kinds of materials that will be worn each season. Other self-employed, high-fashion Designers cater to specialty stores or high-fashion department stores. They design original garments as well as follow the established fashion trends. Designers who work for apparel manufacturers do less original work; they adapt to the mass market and the fashions set by other Designers.
Designers sketch their original ideas and may make patterns to be used as guides for cutting samples. They are responsible for selecting fabric and trimmings and may visit textile manufacturing and sales establishments to keep current on the latest fabrics. Designers combine basic principles of dressmaking and tailoring with flat pattern work and draping techniques to obtain desired effects. Designers are responsible for properly fitting the finished
garment. When the sample garment line is ready, Designers may supervise their display at showings for press representatives and buyers. They continually compare their merchandise with those the of competitors. They are aware of fashion trends and keep current by reading fashion literature, trade publications, and newspapers.
A large manufacturer generally has a head Designer and several assistants. Many small firms, however, do not employ Designers but purchase ready-made designs or patterns or copy higher priced designs.
Head Designers are responsible for executive and creative functions and are expected to supervise design room staff. Designers with less experience may be responsible for small divisions or specialized garments. Assistant Designers make first patterns and samples or may supervise sample makers. They are generally all-around assistants to Designers. Specialty Designers arrange for styles to be made in foreign countries and work with other Designers to coordinate special lines, such as sweaters. Theatrical Costume Designers usually work on contract, designing costumes for one movie or theatrical production for another.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The working environment for Designers varies with place of employment. Some Designers work in quiet, spacious, well-lighted and well-ventilated areas. Others may work in small areas close to crowded workrooms. Designers work independently, but spend much of their time coordinating their efforts with workroom personnel, buyers, sales personnel, firm members, patrons, and other artists. Designers may travel out of the country for showings, conferences, or shopping. They may work under pressure for long hours to meet deadlines and budget limitations. Although the work is seasonal, most Designers are permanently employed, preparing styles to be previewed the following seasons. Others work intermittently and are laid off when a line is completed. Fashion Designers may join professional organizations such as the Fashion Group International of Los Angeles, Inc., and the Costume Council.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
Occupations in all areas of the design field are expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2005. The continued demand for all types of apparel will favorably affect the need for Fashion Designers.
Most job openings in design occupations will occur because of the need to replace those who leave the occupation. Despite rapid growth in the number of jobs, Designers can expect to face stiff competition throughout their careers. Many talented individuals are attracted to this career as Designers, among them are included graduates of prestigious design schools. Because of the abundant supply of labor, individuals with the necessary personal traits, such as creativity and perseverance, may have less difficulty establishing and maintaining careers in fashion designing.
The following information is excerpted from the California Projections of Employment published by the Labor Market Information Division.
Estimated number of workers in 1990 16,030 Projected number of workers by 2005 21,540 Projected New Jobs 1990-2005 5,510 Projected Growth 1990-2005 34% Openings due to Separations by 2005 3,840
(These figures do not include all-employment nor openings due to turnover.)
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
Earnings of Fashion Designers depend on individual ability, the size of the employing firm, and the kind of fashion designing involved. Frequently, well-trained applicants begin at entry-level positions as Design Room Assistants or Assistant Designers while proving their capability for the more responsible job of Designer. Design Room Assistants earn an average of about $8.25 an hour. Salaries for Assistant Designers range from $14,400 to $28,000 a year. Top pay may reach $40,000 a year. Experienced Designers can earn from $20,000 to $80,000 or more a year. Highly skilled and well- known Designers may earn well over $100,000 annually. Incomes of self-employed and freelance Designers vary with their talent, business ability, reputation, acceptance in the community, and type of clientele. They may be guaranteed a percentage of the gross, or be paid on a unit or retainer basis. Such earnings can exceed those of salaried Designers.
Designers face frustration at times when their designs are rejected. Independent consultants, who are paid by assignment, are under pressure to please clients and to find new ones to maintain their income.
Designers work a 40-hour week but may work considerable overtime during rush periods. Fringe benefits vary with employers. Designers often negotiate their salaries and fringe benefits individually with employers. Some firms provide one to two-week paid vacations and group health insurance plans.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
Artistic talent is crucial in fashion designing. People in this field need a good sense of line, color and form, and a sense of balance and proportion, and an eye for detail. The work requires initiative, self-discipline, perseverance, stamina, and the ability to organize and work independently. A portfolio, representative of a Designer's best work, is sometimes more important in finding a job than an extensive education. Formal training, however, is important for most Designers.
Graduation from a school or college that provides specialized training in fashion designing is recommended. In California, students may obtain a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in art and specialization in costume design at accredited colleges or universities.
Vocational schools offer two-year programs in the fundamentals of fashion design. Students in these schools may earn certificates of completion or an Associate of Arts degree in the field. Some Industry officials feel that community colleges and other vocational/professional training schools are closely associated with the garment industry and, therefore, provide more intensive, current, and realistic training than training at four-year colleges or universities.
Courses usually include sketching, pattern making, draping and grading, garment construction, textiles and trimmings, costume history, principles of design and color; and how to plan, price, and promote seasonal lines. High school students interested in fashion design should take courses in sewing, art, mathematics, business, speech, and English.
The learning process continues on the job. Designers' Assistants in apparel manufacturing are exposed to the fast pace of production schedules while performing routine aspects of the job. Assistant Designers acquire the knowledge of what creations will sell in an intended market, within a defined price range, at a particular time of the year, and at a profit. They learn the personality of firms, types of stores that buy the merchandise, and the age and tastes of the stores' clientele.
ADVANCEMENT
Beginning Designers often start as Assistant Designers, as trainees in design departments, or as pattern makers, pattern graders, or sketchers. Those who prove their ability are usually promoted to Designer status within two to four years. Promotion for most Designers is reflected in a salary increase or in a work assignment which involves greater responsibility. Others may become self-employed.
FINDING THE JOB
Prospective Fashion Designers may find jobs through their training facility job placement offices. Experienced Designers sometimes locate jobs through other people in the industry, professional affiliations, or advertisements in trade journals or newspapers. Jobs may also be found through direct application to dressmaking firms, manufacturers, custom dress shops, design studios, department stores, pattern houses, and a variety of apparel and specialty shops.
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Models No. 144 Buyers (Retail Trade) No. 118 Interior Designers No. 189
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th Ed., Rev. 1) Clothes Designer (profess. & kin.) 142.061-018
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System Clothes Designers 340382
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162.
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