A bachelor’s degree in fashion design is a requirement for most mid-level design jobs. While it might seem tempting to speed up your schooling by getting a 2-year associate’s degree instead of a 4-year bachelor’s degree, you’ll likely limit your career choices by doing so. Plan to get at least a bachelor’s degree, and if you feel like you need a master’s degree to acquire the right skills and get you enough connections, plan on another 2-3 years. 

Getting a degree might seem like something to just check off your to-do list, but remember that your degree program can set you up for career success later down the road. Internships you complete as part of your major may lead to job offers, professors may become mentors as you branch out after college, and the skills you learn can set you apart from other job applicants. A bachelor’s degree in fashion design isn’t just a stepping stone to a great design job; it will qualify you for a job and teach you everything you need to know to be a good designer and a good employee.

Before you get your first job as a fashion designer, you’ll probably have to work for 2-3 years as a design assistant. This isn’t a bad thing—you’ll still get plenty of exposure to the fashion world, and you can use this time to improve your skills and make connections. You’ll probably be helping with lots of administrative tasks, preparing for fashion shows, merchandising, and, yes, designing. How much of which tasks you’re assigned depends on the company you get your first job with. But wherever you’re working and whatever tasks you’re doing, make sure that you take advantage of every opportunity presented to you. If your boss needs more helpers at a fashion show, sign up. If you can work a few extra hours each week and assist a designer one-on-one, do it. You’ll gain incredible experience and learn so much from your time as a design assistant if you do more than the bare minimum. 

Make connections. Remember that everyone you meet in the fashion industry—professors, mentors, bosses, other fashion students, you name it—could help you with your career down the road. Develop friendships wherever you can and go out of your way to connect with higher-ups in the industry; the more exposure you have to fashion professionals, the better you’ll be able to market yourself in the future. 

Get as much experience as possible. While you’re still in school, whether you’re working on your undergraduate or graduate degree, get as many internships as possible. The more hands-on experience you have in fashion, the more valuable you’ll be as a future hire. Not to mention, you’ll develop more connections the more roles and companies you connect with.

Develop design skills. This might seem obvious, but being a skilled and hard-working employee will get you promoted. If you notice a skill—be it CAD, working with merchandisers, predicting fashion trends, or planning fashion shows—that you need to work on or that would help your company, work hard to develop that skill. That will show your employers that you’re willing to put in the time to improve yourself and it will make you a more valuable employee.

Though you probably want to start your career as a fashion designer as soon as possible, keep in mind that most designers don’t get their first fashion design job right out of high school, or even college. It takes a little time to get situated in the fashion industry, and it might be several years before you get your first fashion design job. There are two things that you’ll probably need to do before landing a good design job: first, get a degree in fashion design, and second, work for a few years as a design assistant.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Fashion Designer?

Fashion Buyer / Purchasing Agent: For those who know what’s hot and how to sell it

Fashion Merchandiser: For those with an eye for capturing customer attention

Fashion Inventory Planner: Got a head for numbers? Like to predict with statistics?

Fabric Researcher & Developer: Not about new designs but what the fabric is made of—especially important in the age of sustainability

Fashion Product Developer: For the person who must deliver the product on budget

Fashion Designer: Here’s the glamor job—you design the look, create the trend, and see your name go up in lights

Fashion Graphic Designer: In this role, the graphic designer is responsible for creating promotional materials that captures the soul of the brand

Fashion Stylist: In this job your set the scene for both individuals and ads, whether on a photoshoot or a runway

Fashion Journalist: This is a role for any writer who wants to concentrate on fashion

Fashion Marketing Manager: The masterminds behind advertising and social media campaigns

Fashion Market Researcher: a job for the data freaks who predict trends and develop marketing strategies

Fashion Public Relations Specialist: Keeping the media entranced with your brand

Fashion Social Media Manager: Draws eyeballs, gets clicks, and creates buzz

As our list reveals, those who love clothes will find a career path that is both lucrative and gratifying. Whether you’re a left-brain or a right-brain fashion lover, there is a way to put your passions and talents to practical use in this diverse industry.

Once again, fashion is more complex than just designing apparel. The industry welcomes all kinds of skills, from the visionary designer to the nerd on the computer projecting sales. Remember, fashion is as much a business as it is an art. And the relentless pressure that brands contend with is their vulnerability to change. So, what are some of the skills needed to advance your fashion career? Creativity, vision, market and customer analysis, a willingness to collaborate, as well as the flexibility and agility to evolve.

Earning Potential in the Fashion Industry

As noted above, there is a broad array of career options to choose from—each with its own range of salaries. But earning potential in the industry is highly competitive. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for fashion designers is just north of $75,000, with high earners making nearly $150,000. This doesn’t take into account the Tom Fords of the world. Fashion marketing managers average over $100,000 a year, and market researchers near $80,000. The salaries vary according to where you work, whether or not you have ownership in the company, and your level of experience. The point is, if you love fashion, you can make a generous living in the field.  

Most retail companies (think Bloomingdale’s, DSW, and Urban Outfitters, along with smaller boutique stores) don’t design all of the clothes they sell. Instead, they purchase them from third-party vendors. That’s where fashion buyers come in: buyers select products that are on-brand and in-style to be sold by the retail company they work for. 

Buyers have to be in-the-know about current fashion trends so they select pieces that customers will buy--that means going to fashion shows, meeting with designers, and even doing some data analysis. They need to be able to negotiate with designers and manufacturers to get products at a price that will allow the retail company to make a profit and sell products at a price the target customer won’t balk at. Buyers often begin their career with jobs in retail, as sales associates or store managers, which helps them understand what products a store’s consumers are interested in buying.

The key role of the fashion merchandiser is to ensure profitability. This is done in a number of ways. The job can entail working with retailers to guarantee that enough stock is available. They also work with designers on in-store displays to attract buyers, and they have a say in pricing, searching for that sweet spot that aligns with both profit, consumer desirability, seasonality and enticing offers. For instance, this is what Back to School and Black Friday promotions are all about. What skills are required? Fashion merchandisers have a nose for trends and a head for numbers. 

In short, inventory planners are data experts who can forecast how much product will be required throughout the retail marketplace. This can include both brick-and-mortar retailers and ecommerce providers. When the market is predictable, the job is simply understanding demand and availability. But in today’s world of supply chain disruptions, forecasting can be precarious. It takes someone who has the diligence to read the tea leaves of economic events and plan accordingly.

Any material on any piece of clothing or furniture you see has been developed by meticulous research and lots of trial and error. People working in the field of fabric research and development develop new textiles based on a number of criteria, including environmental footprint, ease of production, comfort, and performance. If working for an athleisure company like Lululemon or Athleta, for example, fabric researchers and developers might be charged with creating a textile that doesn’t retain moisture, doesn’t stretch out, and wears well over time. Fabric researchers and developers would be able to create a textile that meets all the specified criteria and can then be implemented into the company’s clothing designs.

What kind of preparation do you need to enter the field of fabric and texture design? Many top design schools offer both undergraduate courses and master’s degrees in this area. If this is truly your wheelhouse, you may want to do some online search and see what design schools in your area have to offer. Adding a course to your resume will put you in good stead for the future.

Fashion product developers are like movie producers, but instead of blockbusters or indie flicks, they bring great fashion to life. Fashion product developers oversee the process of creation, from the idea in a designer’s mind, to a piece of clothing on the rack. They choose the factories where the garments are made and coordinate the manufacturing process with their clients. They source fabrics, devise timelines, and are key players when it comes to quality control. To sum up their complex duties in a phrase: fashion product developers bring in apparel on time, on budget, and “on standard” — i.e., meeting the quality consumers demand.

To become a fashion designer, you will need a degree. The best places for this are top fashion design schools such as Parsons School of Design. Of course, New York City is considered the center of fashion in the U.S., but London, Paris, and Milan are other major centers of education for fashion. Regardless of where you get your degree, internships at major fashion houses are also a great way to get hands-on experience. Keep in mind, they are most likely to consider students who are currently enrolled in fashion degree programs.

Where do you get your ideas? That too is part of the fashion design education and advancing your fashion design career. You’ll be expected to present your ideas, be fluent in the technologies for creating digital renderings, and be able to sew, drape, communicate your ideas, and demonstrate a knowledge of your target consumer.

Graphic design is taught in many colleges. But fashion design is its own specialty. While many with degrees in graphic design work in advertising agencies, fashion graphic designers are typically employed by fashion brands where the focus is on apparel and accessories. They must have a talent for drawing and illustration. Plus, they must be trained in CAD software. 

Typography, used in logos, is an important part of designer brands, and how they appear on clothing is the job of the fashion graphic designer. Think of the iconic Nike swoosh. It is used on everything from shoes and workout apparel to shirts and dresses. Even designer fabrics require the artistic eye of a graphic designer.

Runway shows, fashion photoshoots, movie sets, and style consultation—these are all situations that demand a fashion stylist. If you have a passion for creating a complete look, from head to toe, or setting a cohesive scene so that it evokes a mood, the job of fashion stylist is right for you. A fashion stylist can work on runway shows, photoshoots and movie sets. Celebrities also have their own personal fashion stylists. 

The leading design schools typically offer exposure to this discipline, and internships are a great way to learn. Fashion programs offer workshops that give upcoming fashion stylists the skills to balance commercial success with creative practice, in order to generate beauty and meaningful appearances for changing societies. 

Anything you read or see about fashion in the news, on a blog, or in fashion publications was created by a fashion journalist. Fashion reporters, critics, photographers, and bloggers are all fashion journalists; their job is to create media about fashion. Fashion magazines and websites hire experienced writers and photographers with an eye for fashion to document current fashion trends, events (like the Met Gala and runway shows), and news. 

Fashion journalism is a major way in which current fashions are documented; if you’re an avid journal-writer or Instagrammer with a strong interest in fashion, fashion journalism could be a good fit for you. And remember: you don’t need to start out as a reporter for Vogue. Starting a fashion blog and posting #ootd pics a few times a week is a great place to start.

People working in fashion marketing are in charge of building a brand for their client and advertising that brand to potential consumers. Every logo, Instagram picture, and ad you see has been created by a company’s marketing team with the intention of creating hype and developing a particular aesthetic for their brand. Their entire focus is on how their brand is perceived by the media and by consumers. This sometimes means organizing celebrity sponsorships (like Brooke Shields with Calvin Klein, Steph Curry with Under Armor, Keira Knightley with Chanel, etc.) and, when necessary, rebranding. 

Did you know that Banana Republic started out as a safari-themed clothing store? Over time, they’ve rebranded and worked to shift their image to fashion-forward professional clothing. That was all the work of Banana Republic’s marketing team; they did research to find out what was and wasn’t working for their brand, and they pivoted accordingly. Fashion marketing managers need to stay on top of fashion trends and use that info to make decisions about future styles.

The work of a fashion market researcher is behind every product’s design, price, and placement in a store. Based on previous data about what products have sold — when, for how much, and to whom — retailers and designers employ fashion market researchers to predict upcoming trends. When fashion market research shows that a particular product is popular, retailers and designers can use that information to inform their next purchases or designs. These specialists can be found in clothing subscription companies like StitchFix; fashion market researchers create algorithms that, with the help of stylists, determine what clothes to send you. 

An ability to identify trends and analyze research findings are essential skills for a fashion market researcher. These skills are also ideal if you aspire to be a brand strategist, a media planner, or someone who forecasts trends. To prepare for a job in this field, look for courses such as: 

Public relations specialists create and maintain a brand’s public image. This exciting career also includes planning events that raise awareness and interest in the brand and product. A fashion public relations specialist is also responsible for developing media kits and handling media inquiries. If you seek a career that is fast-paced, exciting and ever-changing, then fashion public relations specialist is perfect for you!

A typical career path leading to a job in fashion public relations might include courses specifically in this field. You will learn how to make a pitch to the media, how to earn coverage through social, digital and traditional media platforms. You will also get training in writing skills, so important in a career that requires excellent communication skills.

The social media manager of a fashion company controls the company’s social media presence. That usually includes a fair amount of work creating a social media strategy that coincides with the company’s overall marketing strategies and planning content for channels such as Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Pinterest. The posts need to be varied, original, and relevant; it’s often as appropriate to post about major world events and holidays as it is to post about a Labor Day 50% off sale or a new fall collection. 

Social media is also used as a way for customers to connect with brands they love, and social media managers are usually the ones to manage these relationships; that means tracking customer engagement with social media content and providing customer service by responding to customer comments and messages.

If you’ve ever aspired to a career in the fashion industry, you might have the impression that this is a business all about glamor, design, and style. But the truth is more down to earth. Fashion is a field that relies, not just on dreams, but on a healthy dose of realism. In other words, this three trillion dollar industry depends upon people who know, not just about trends, but how to market style and make it profitable. Here are just some of the careers the fashion industry offers:

Careers in the fashion industry offer much more than just fashion design. Read on to learn about your fashion career options.

Top 13 Careers in the Fashion Industry - Precollege Programs

Learn everything you can about the industry.

Read everything you can get your hands on. Fashion publications like Vogue, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar are great for learning about current styles, how fashion has evolved, and how fashion is used to voice opinions about politics, social issues, religion, etc. In addition to reading publications about fashion itself, you should also learn as much as you can about the business of fashion. Websites like Business of Fashion, WGSN, and WWD can teach you about what goes into creating a fashion brand, predicting trends, and how fashion companies operate, which is important info if you’re serious about becoming a part of this industry. Keep up to date on fashion news and know what types of products are in stores.

What type of fashion career interests you? Whether it’s fashion journalism, fashion design, fashion marketing, or fashion merchandising, it’s helpful to know early on what direction you’d like your career to take. That way, you can focus your research efforts and be well-informed about the steps you’ll need to take to get your first job.

Starting a fashion blog can help your fashion career in a couple of ways: first, it will help you hone your writing and/or photography skills so you’re even more prepared for a career in fashion. Second, it’s something to show your future employers. If you’re applying for an internship in fashion journalism, for example, your interviewer might ask to see a writing sample. It would be great to have something fashion-related (and published!) to show them instead of an essay on Romeo and Juliet from your eleventh-grade English class. Sometimes personal blog-writing can even lead to freelancing opportunities for fashion publications, so work hard to pump out lots of content and get noticed! Be mindful, though, that you’ll need to find a niche; writing “about fashion” won’t set you apart from other blogs. Base your blog around a smaller component of fashion that interests you, like capsule wardrobes or eco-friendly textiles. Create a social media profile to coincide with your blog and post regularly, linking to your blog posts and posting other relevant social media content.

Writing a blog or starting a fashion instagram can help with this, but it’s also never too early to create a LinkedIn profile and start sharing your interests with the business world. This can lead to valuable connections and even job offers. Make sure your family and friends know that you’re pursuing a career in fashion so if they hear of any opportunities that would fit your interest they can let you know.

Get any job in fashion that you can, even if you start out by working retail at Old Navy. You’ll gain customer service skills, get a sense of what products sell, and learn the ins and outs of a retail store. You can also consider taking classes in clothing construction, business marketing, or fashion design at your local community college or through your community’s parks and rec department. Doing everything you can to gain skills and pad your resume is going to help you in the long run, even if it seems insignificant at the time.

Identify some companies you’d like to work for.

Come up with a list of fashion companies that impress you. These could include fashion publications, corporate headquarters for a retail store, designers, or branding companies. Next, learn everything you can about each company, including when and by whom they were founded, who the lead designers are, what the companys’ goals are, what changes the companies have made in recent years, etc. If a company offers internships, consider applying for one! If not, it’s not a bad idea to email a company and ask to meet with someone whose job title interests you. Depending on your availability and their availability, you could either ask for an informational interview (phone or in-person) to learn more about the company or ask to shadow someone for a day.

Almost all jobs in the fashion industry require at least a bachelor’s degree, and some require a master’s. Depending on the type of career you’re planning on, you might get a college degree in marketing, studio art, statistics, PR, English, or journalism. Look at the qualifications for jobs you’re interested in and plan your major (and, if necessary, master’s program) accordingly.

Most people working in the fashion industry didn’t start their careers as editors at Vogue. As with most careers, you shouldn’t expect to get your dream job without doing some serious work first. If you start learning about and participating in the industry early, though, your chances of getting a job you love quickly go way up. Read on for a few things you can do now to jumpstart your career in fashion.

Entry-level-fashion-jobs

How Long Does it Take to Become a Fashion Designer?

Top 13 Careers in the Fashion Industry

How Do I Start a Career in Fashion?