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To be successful in fashion, you need foundational skills, a very ambitious drive, and talent in a particular area. There are many avenues through which you can obtain your initial training (see Tip #1). Whether you choose to acquire it under the watchful eye of another or by reading, experimenting, and discovering on your own, what's most important is what you do with it. Perhaps this is related best through the biographical career stories of the greatest fashion designers of the 20th century (see a small sampling to the right). All learned their skills in a different way and yet each went on to become accomplished and influential designers. Commonly however, each had a teacher, advisor, guide, or mentor who was a part of their early training. Just like them, you too will need to learn the fundamentals from someone. If you choose to be schooled through an institution of higher learning (public and private universities/colleges or a specialized trade school), the column to the left gives an overview of the types of courses needed for the various fashion career sectors. There are a good many fine schools. Keep searching till you find one that will best prepare you to reach your ultimate goal. Consult with a person working in a position that you would like to someday hold. Have this person critique the courses and overall program for a school you are considering. Is a degree important? And will it influence your ability to se- cure work in the fashion field? Well, that depends. A degree has helped some individuals begin or advance in their career. Some companies favor a degree. For some, you won't even get an inter- view without one. And for a startup company seeking funding, it certainly would be viewed favorably by a loan officer or invest- ment company if a rookie entrepreneur held a degree related to the avenue being pursued. Some have climbed to very prominent positions without a degree, however, by developing their skills through their work environment. Talented designers have secured backers and illustrators, display artists, and photographers have secured contractual projects or commissioned work - solely by virtue of their ability. To most employers, a degree indicates that the candidate likely comes to the job with fundamental knowledge and skills, has an understanding for the importance of meeting deadlines, and has goals. All in all, however, it is the quality of one's work and the work ethic one brings to the job or project that speaks louder and holds more value than a piece of paper.
Fashion Education Books
teaching manuals ▪ reference handbooks ▪ resources for creative inspiration
.....fashion college.....where to go.....public or private school.....the best program.....what to do.....what to do.....
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Tip # 1Knowledge and skills can be acquired in a number of ways - through a formal classroom setting, a remote learning program, by ap- prenticing under another, through on-the-job training, or by teaching yourself. How good you get at something is something else and will be determined by your own progresses and achievements.Tip # 2A Business or Marketing degree is a good choice for someone who wants to go into the merchandising sector - wants to be a store owner, retail buyer, district manager for a retail chain, or the director of advertising for a fashion house.Tip # 3If you aspire to be a fashion designer, training in clothing construction, patternmaking, drap- ing and fitting are essential. For custom work, courses in tailoring are also needed. For mass production, choose a program or facility that teaches current industry standards for R-T-W.Tip # 4If you are considering earning a Fine Arts degree, suitable career choices would be fashion illustration, textile design, visual dis- play work, set design, and high-end fashion design. Just like it sounds, this course of study emphasizes "the arts".Tip # 5A Fashion degree can be enhanced with addi- tional course work in another area. For exam- ple, you could minor in business or marketing; you could take graphic design classes if your aim is to go into fashion advertising; or you could take courses in journalism if you want to become a fashion reporter. And if your goal is to become a costume designer, you could earn dual degrees in fashion design and history.
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Ralph Lauren studied business at the City College of New York and spent time in retail sales, buying, and whole- sale sales before designing a line of ties he called "Polo". He founded his com- pany a year later and grew it into the fashion empire "Polo Ralph Lauren".Giorgio Armani worked as a buyer and display artist before becoming a fash- ion designer. 20 years after presenting his first collection, he had one of the most successful fashion houses in the world.Coco Chanel began as a seamstress, evolved to designing hats, and owned two millinery shops before ultimately entering the world of haute couture. Eight years later, she introduced the legendary Chanel No. 5.Balenciaga was only 20 years old when he opened his first dressmaking shop. The master designer initially learned the techniques of haute couture by rip- ping apart and studying the designs of other designers. He went on to become one of the most revered couturiers in fashion history.Calvin Klein studied fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. After a highly successful career, he sold his business for $400 million and quietly retired.Alexander McQueen was a pattern cut- ter on Savile Row before attending the famed Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London. He found early success as the young hire at Givenchy, but left soon after to build his own signature label and became one of the most influential designers in the first decade of the 21st century.