Why Work When You Can Design?

Did You Know.... The International Academy Of Design & Technology offers an online bachelors degree program in fashion merchandising as well as associates and bachelors degree programs in retail merchandise management. Learn more about IADT's online fashion programs.

 

Are your school notebooks literally filled with creative illustrations of fashion design concepts that no-one has ever seen? If so, you may have already found that getting in the door of a reputable fashion design firm, is almost impossible without the right experience or credentials to make your resume stand out. Whether you're interested in a career working in fashion design, fashion editing, fashion merchandising; you can't get taken seriously if you can't get noticed.
We Can Help! All we do is help creative people like you get their questions answered.

• What's my earning potential as an assistant fashion editor?
• Is Fashion Merchandising more competitive then Fashion Designing?
• Is the demand for Fashion Marketing growing?
• Can I complete my degree in Fashion by taking all my classes online?

Why not finally get the credentials you need to be taken more seriously! Learn what it takes to make your professional aspirations a reality by requesting free information from any of the leading fashion design schools below.

• Engage in dynamic class discussions
• Gain innovative insights from leading professionals in the field
• Take classes at your own pace, even entirely Online
• Develop the skills to express your creative talents

Turn the tables and let the leading fashion design firms compete for you! Get the skills to communicate your creative potential through illustrations, clothing, animation and more. If you have an eye for trends and a passion for clothing why not finish it off with the proper training so someday you might see your work in a magazine or on television! The possibilities are endless!

LIGHTS, ACTION, RUNWAY

Did You Know.... The Art Institutes offer fashion design and fashion marketing programs in dozens of cities across the US. Learn more about the Art Institute campus near you.

 

MODEL EXPECTATIONS

I am often asked by so many aspiring models, how to break into the industry. As in any fashion trade, modeling is an extremely competitive and cutthroat business. You've seen "Americas Next Top Model" and "Janice Dickinson's Modeling Agency" which glamorize the world of fashion shoots, runway shows and designer clothing. However to get to that working model stature, it can be quite a challenge.

However, models are needed on any level, from local boutique fashion shows to regional advertising campaigns to national cover girls. The steps to get to the top can be extremely difficult but not impossible. It is important to expect to work hard, listen to industry experts and build your book.

FIND A REPUTABLE AGENT

Don't be scammed into paying thousands of dollars by an agency that promises to make you famous. If living in a small town or city, research the agencies that actually work with professional clients, such as advertising and film production companies, and show producers. Don't sign with a company that claims to bring in outside scouts from LA and NYC. A real agent will help build your book so that you are ready to actually work in those markets.

START EARLY

It's no secret that models keep getting younger and younger. Some of the freshest faces on magazine covers are as young as 13. Getting an early start is an advantage that is worthy to explore if possible. However, models of every age continue to work in the industry every day.

BUILD YOUR BOOK

When going to a "Go-See" for a potential job, the client will ask to see your book or portfolio of pictures. Make sure your book is current with all of your previous experience and has a range of different looks you can achieve. To build your book, many new models work with professional photographers on test-shoots and even offer to model for student photographers. These jobs may not pay but can give you some amazing pictures for free.

TAKE A CLASS

Ask your reputable agent where you can take a class to work on posing for the camera or walking the runway. Many agents offer classes onsite to help their clientele improve their modeling skills, while some professionals also teach classes at fashion schools or on a private level.

SALARY EXPECTATIONS

Remember an agency will take 15-20% of what you earn on a paying job. This is unavoidable if you want to book the good gigs. Based on your current market, models are often paid a flat fee for the job. For example, an advertising client may pay $250/model per day for a 2-day shoot. Your agent will take their commission before taxes and then you will receive your check.

BE A REALISTIC SUPERMODEL

Giselle and Heidi Klum didn't expect to become internationally sensations and neither should you. Clients can spot the divas a mile away and are really looking for the fresh face that will work best for them. Have a positive and confident attitude and think big and you just may be the girl on the next cover of VOGUE.

How To Figure Out If Fashion School Is Right For You

Did You Know.... The International Academy Of Design & Technology offers an online bachelors degree program in fashion merchandising as well as associates and bachelors degree programs in retail merchandise management. Learn more about IADT's online fashion programs.

It is true that not every famous designer has gone to a fashion design college, but enrolling in fashion school programs is a sure way to perfect your design skills. While it is entirely possible (with hard work and unwavering determination) to become a successful, world renown fashion designer without school- like Alexander Queen, or Coco Chanel- it is more likely that you will reach the same end by attending fashion design schools.
There are plenty of those that made it big with the help of a formal education: Christian Lacroix, Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, and Michael Kors to name a few. They all attended school and earned a degree which gave them the needed boost to make their way in the industry. But, in case this is not enough to convince you that you should seek out the benefits of fashion design colleges, here is a list of reasons to go.

• Fashion school programs will prepare you to reach your big picture career goals; attending fashion design school will give you the building blocks for the steps to achieving your dreams. Natural talent is one thing, but when combined with formal training, it makes a winning package.
• Fashion school will help bolster your credentials and build your portfolio. The fashion industry is extremely competitive and you will have time to develop the necessary edge to succeed.
• Fashion school programs will allow you to explore a full range of possible careers. If you have an eye for business as well as design, perhaps a career in fashion merchandising would suit you; become a textile buyer, a product promoter, or a wholesale merchandiser, among other great options.
• Fashion design school is an excellent environment to network within the industry. You will be surrounded by aspiring artists as well as established designers who you can not only learn from, but also make connections with. Networking is a huge part of success in the fashion industry

After Fashion School: Top Qualities of a Fashion Designer

Did You Know.... The International Academy Of Design & Technology offers an online bachelors degree program in fashion merchandising as well as associates and bachelors degree programs in retail merchandise management. Learn more about IADT's online fashion programs.

When it comes to fashion it is all about the design. If you want to be the next Coco Chanel or Karl Lagerfeld then fashion school will equip you with the skills you need to be on the top of the fashion food chain. Learn what are some of the qualities that make great fashion designers.
Becoming a fashion designer in this competitive industry will require a lot of you. Many covet fashion designing jobs while only few attain the success they seek. If you are considering becoming a fashion designer, find out if you have what it takes to succeed in both the job world and in fashion school. Here are the top qualities of a successful fashion designer.

• Fashion knowledge - Even before you step foot into a fashion school, you should have a current knowledge of today’s hottest fashions. Whether you love them or hate them, it is important to know trends and top players in the industry to see where your point of view would fit in.
• Creativity - Fashion is an art like any other. It is great if you have a love of fashion, but without creativity, you will have little to offer the world of fashion. Creativity is not something you can learn in fashion school yet studying fashion inside and outside of school could inspire you and get those artistic juices flowing.
• Originality - Knowing everything about the hottest trends is important but what would you bring to the table? The world of fashion craves new and exciting designs. Some of the most successful fashion designers are those who dare to be different and were often the oddballs in fashion school.
• Technical skills - Fashion design jobs require great artistic vision but nothing will come to fruition without technical skills. You must not only know how to design clothing but also to construct it. While top fashion designers have manufacturers under their belts, new fashion designers who are just starting out will have to sew for themselves. These are skills you can learn in fashion school or with a fashion apprenticeship.

Simple, Classic, Sexy: The Wedding Gowns of Vera Wang

Did You Know.... The Art Institutes offer fashion design and fashion marketing programs in dozens of cities across the US.

 Learn more about the Art Institute campus near you.

Vera Wang has done more for bridesmaids than any other fashion designer in history. Her modern, sophisticated bridal collections removed much of the stigma associated with being a bridesmaid -- no one has to worry about wearing a puce-colored pouf skirt when Vera Wang is in your corner. Wang's sophisticated and streamlined bridal collections are what made her a household name, but there is much more to this talented designer.

Vera Wang got her start as the Senior Fashion Editor at Vogue. In her sixteen years there, she rubbed elbows with some of the most famous fashion designers in history and learned to anticipate trends and understand design principles. Ironically, it was a failure in her early life that led to her most famous early creation -- throughout her childhood, Vera Wang was a talented and dedicated ice-skating champion, with dreams of going to the Olympics. When that dream failed to materialize, Wang turned to her second love: fashion. (Wang's mother had been an extremely fashion-savvy woman, and Vera grew up with a love of clothing.) The design that turned her into a celebrity overnight? The diaphanous skating uniform worn by Nancy Kerrigan at the 1994 Olympics. The outfit garnered tons of media attention, and the rest was history!

Vera Wang's bridal designs were also influenced by an event in her life -- her own wedding. In the 1980s, mainstream wedding gowns were matronly and sexless. Like many other designs of the time, bridal fashions were over-designed and gaudy. For her own wedding, Vera Wang searched high and low to find a simple, classic wedding gown, and couldn't. She ended up being married in a puffy-sleeved monstrosity that she disliked. This only served to inspire her creativity, however, and she set out to design wedding fashions that were sexy, sophisticated, and that reflected a woman's personal style. The Vera Wang label quickly established a precedent and earned praise from consumers and the media alike for its use of modern lines and sumptuous fabrics. According to one reviewer, "There was no fashion in bridal [design] until Vera Wang."

Today, Vera Wang is much more than just a bridal couture designer. She has used her personal design aesthetic to create ready-to-wear collections, fragrance collections, and products for the home. She continues to innovate in her use of materials, proportion, and detailing.

To find a fashion design school location near you and learn more about the fashion programs available, click on any of the school links below:

Online

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Online Division

Bachelor's Degree in Fashion, Bachelor's Degree in Fashion, Retail Management, Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Management

Berkeley College, Online

Bachelor's Degree in Fashion, Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Marketing, Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Management, Associates Degree in Fashion Marketing, Associates Degree in Fashion Management

International Academy of Design & Technology Online

Bachelor's Degree in Fashion, Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Merchandising

Reasons To Go To Fashion Design School

Did You Know.... The Art Institutes offer fashion design and fashion marketing programs in dozens of cities across the US. Learn more about the Art Institute campus near you.

 

You are creative. You can sew. You have a sketchbook of designs the Hilton sisters will drool over. So, why go to fashion school? There are many reasons:
1. You will be taught.

The study of fashion design involves hands-on training, so, yes, you can prepare yourself by developing many skills on your own. However, when you choose to pursue a fashion design degree, you are choosing to be taught.
What does this mean? You will interact with instructors and professors who will teach you new and advanced skills. You will be critiqued and your technique will be perfected through exchanges with other students.
As a fashion design student, you will have the time and opportunity to hone and perfect your craft without the pressures of clients and your career.

2. You will be inspired.

Who will you encounter in fashion school? Other talented, excited, inspired young artists. Design school affords fashion students the opportunity to experiment and feed off of the energy and innovation of other students. In our opinion, this experience can only make your own design work better.

3. You will be prepared.

The challenges and obstacles of earning your fashion design degree will thoroughly prepare you for the fast-paced, "so five minutes ago" fashion industry. Also, your courses and class projects will give you an opportunity to build out a diverse portfolio of your student work, which make your skills more marketable.

4. You will get a job.

Yes, it is true, and quite possibly the most important reason you should go to fashion school. What distinguishes you from the leagues of other creative, skilled seamstresses? Your degree! Employers want designers who can commit to work hard and achieve success - two abilities obtaining a degree proves you have.

Lights, Action, Runway

Did You Know.... The International Academy Of Design & Technology offers an online bachelors degree program in fashion merchandising as well as associates and bachelors degree programs in retail merchandise management. Learn more about IADT's online fashion programs.

Producing a Fashion Show

Producing a fashion show is like directing a movie - coordinating all visual and technical aspects to create one final (but fabulous) production. Although fashion shows can be produced on any budget and for any type of audience, a game plan is necessary to execute perfection.
With over 20 fashion shows under my belt, I could probably write an entire book (and may still do). However, the following guidelines will certainly put you on the right track to illuminate your very own runway!

THEME of SHOW

Every fashion show must have an overall concept. Is it a Back to School Fashion Show for a mall, a showcase for a local designer, or a charity fundraiser? The client possibilities are endless. Creativity is the key to dress up the show any way you see fit. I have produced many themed events for holidays, stylist collaborations, color/shoes/jewelry/lingerie inspired concepts, and designer or retail-driven shows. Once you have a theme for your runway, the details are much easier to solidify.

MODELS

Agency models know how to strut the catwalk, but can be very expensive. If you don't have the budget to pay industry rates, base your model search on your client's needs. Are you promoting a children's line and need models under the age of 12? Is this a charity fundraiser with all ticket-holders over the age of 60? Hold a model call and place ads on free bulletins requesting potential models to show up in person to fill out fitting sheets and take Polaroids to remember their look. This is a great way to build your own model base for future shows.

FASHIONS for the RUNWAY

As the producer, you may or may not have to select the clothes for the runway. Based on your show concept, the stylists, designers, or stores might choose the merchandise. In any case, make sure you are familiar with all the garments in the show. Each garment should be returned in the same condition it originated. Take photos at the model fitting and have a list of all items on each model. When they return their outfit to you after the show, check for all pieces. This way you know who is accountable for what.

PRODUCTION

To get any show ready for the runway, you will need to solidify a venue to host the event, a runway or stage, lighting, music and of course, hair & makeup. Nightclubs, hotels, schools, and malls are popular fashion show venues. However creative spaces can be turned into runways. You may have a DJ to mix the music, a salon sponsoring the hair/makeup, and a multimedia screen on the runway with store logos. Whatever your technical details, make sure everything is tested and ready to go before the show.

SCRIPT

Write out the entire show in a script format. Whether you have an emcee speaking commentary on each outfit or music timed out for each individual scene, the model and fashion order is extremely important to have written down. This will make it much easier to call your show and follow along with the program.

VIP SPONSORS
On occasion, you may
work with sponsors paying for the event who want additional publicity onsite. Hang their banners, giveaway promotional gift bags, and/or host a VIP reception for the sponsor's guests. If the sponsor is a restaurant or alcohol/beverage company, feature their product exclusively.

Careers After Fashion School

Did You Know.... The Art Institutes offer fashion design and fashion marketing programs in dozens of cities across the US. Learn more about the Art Institute campus near you.

If you are considering going to fashion school to become a fashion designer, you should know that there are many other career paths open to you upon graduation. Fashion designing jobs can be extremely fun and artistically gratifying. However, they are often intense and very competitive. Do yourself a favor and explore all of the career options that come with completing fashion school. Here are just a few to get you started.

• Fashion journalist - For those who have a passion for fashion and for writing as well, fashion journalism could be an even better match for you than fashion designing jobs. Fashion journalists cover industry news and trends, from runway shows to new boutiques. A job like this requires serious writing skills, a natural curiosity and a profound respect for deadlines and producing quality articles. Learning about the industry in fashion school will definitely boost your career as a fashion journalist.
• Fashion stylist - People who strive to become fashion stylists have a profound knowledge of fashion, a fierce personal style and a knack for putting together complete outfits for other people. While stylists do not have to attend fashion school to become successful, it is important that they know about fabrics, prints and other technical aspects of fashion as this knowledge will affect their fashion choices.
• Fashion marketer - Marketing is all about creating an image of a product or company and broadcasting that image to the consumer. The world of fashion would come to a grinding halt without fashion marketers. Much like fashion journalists, people in fashion marketing must have excellent communication skills. They must also know how to gain and maintain a vast set of contacts.

These are just a few fashion careers you can look into during your time in fashion school. With a little research, you can find the career path that was made for you.

To find a fashion design school location near you and learn more about the fashion programs available, click on any of the school links below:

Online

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Online Division

Bachelor's Degree in Fashion, Bachelor's Degree in Fashion, Retail Management, Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Management

Berkeley College, Online

Bachelor's Degree in Fashion, Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Marketing, Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Management, Associates Degree in Fashion Marketing, Associates Degree in Fashion Management

International Academy of Design & Technology Online

Bachelor's Degree in Fashion, Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Merchandising