Fashion designing is not just restricted to garment stitching and styling; it is more than what the naked eye sees. The backstory of each piece is a true testament to the sleepless nights and busy days filled with hard work, brainstorming, and a solid commitment to perfection, all created with a unique vision!
A common myth about fashion design, which still floats around, is: fashion design is only for naturally gifted artists. The reality may come as a shock to a lot of the audience. It is a skill that comes alive through various scientific and technical methodologies and screening combined with creativity.
The fashion designer skills deserve more recognition and credit for their craft. Let’s uncover some shocking revelations about fashion design that are a real eye-opener.
What is Fashion Designing?
Fashion design is the art of bringing creative ideas to reality. It comes full circle from the ideation of an ensemble to its launch. It is a rigorous process of employing creativity to craft distinct fashion apparel and accessories to complete the vision.
Fashion designer skills play a major part in the complete process. They are the Wing Commanders responsible for the successful takeoff of the fashion industry. Apart from designing, a lot goes into achieving the final product, like fashion illustrations, pattern creation, colour theory, fabric selection, stitching, branding, and merchandising.
What Does a Fashion Designer Do?
A fashion designer is the creative think-tank behind the designer statement pieces revolutionising the fashion industry. Designers are the authors, performers, and directors of their self-created showstoppers. Roles and responsibilities of a fashion designer entail everything from envisioning the product to its tangible creation. Some of the major aspects of a designer’s job are:
- Research analysis and inspiration: A fashion designer pulls off thorough research on the latest fashion trends. They try to seek inspiration from history, art, and culture to give it a modern twist as per current fashion standards.
- Envisioning and conceptualization: Fashion designers create different mood boards related to their concepts and visions. They continuously add inspirational ideas and try to breathe life into them.
- Fashion illustrations: Designers create sketches and illustrations based on the idea they are working on, which adds more clarity to their vision. Fashion illustrations can be handmade or designed through software.
- Material and Fabric selection: Designers go through extensive research to select the best-suited material and fabric for their fashion project. Material is shortlisted based on texture, colour, quality, purpose, embellishments, cost, durability, aesthetics, and practicality.
- Creating prototypes: Fashion designer for closely with tailors, models, and technicians to put the vision into a work in progress. Pattern making and stitching are the major components that are taken care of to create samples of the design. Checking the fittings, finishing, and overall look is the ultimate goal.
- Collaboration: Fashion designers collaborate with various fashion enablers like pattern makers, manufacturers, and samplers to ensure the quality and final draft of the product surpasses the vision.
- Trend update: Designers attend shows, trade fairs, and fashion events to get inspired, stay updated, and launch new trends with their craft. It also helps to polish their fashion designer skills.
- Promotion of looks: fashion designers understand the importance of showcasing their talent. Fashion shows, photo shoots, digital and print media widen customer reach and brand awareness.
- Production Control and Quality checks: Designers oversee the production department to make sure the manufacturing is on point and justifies the vision. Quality standards are thoroughly checked to avoid any compromise.
- Sustainability integration: Customers are more concerned about the environment and are conscious of their choices, resulting in new demand for sustainable fashion. Designers are trying to bridge the gap through eco-friendly practices and minimal wastage.
- Brand management: fashion designers are actively involved in brand Development and Positioning. They launch a fashion brand that carries their vision and reflects a positive image while maintaining its uniqueness.
Top Skills You’ll Learn in a Fashion Designing Course
Fashion design is a highly demanding sector that is constantly evolving. It takes a lot of dedication and effort to learn and improvise. Starting in the industry requires professional grooming and practical training to dazzle the fashion streets. Fashion enthusiasts starting from scratch or creative brainboxes looking for an upskill need to enroll in a fashion Institute.
The School of Design, empowered by the Universal AI University, is one of the finest design colleges in Mumbai. AI integration in fashion is the showstopper of the course, which imbues the essential fashion design skills among students. All potential designers should check out the institute once.
Fashion designing courses give an insider view of how the fashion industry works, the dos and don’ts. Prospective fashion stakeholders learn professional fashion designer skills and personal skills on their campus journey. Practical training and supervision help to learn the minutes of the art. Non-negotiable skills needed to be a fashion designer are:
- Fashion Illustration
- Fabric Knowledge and Selection
- Garment Construction
- Fashion trend forecasting
- Colour theory
- Draping and Pattern Making
- CAD Integration
How to Develop These Fashion Designing Skills
Fashion designer skills are the game-changer to stay relevant in the field for a longer time. The fashion industry is ever evolving and changing for the better, and those who keep up with it stay in the game. Fashion designers need to keep themselves updated with trends or be the trendsetters. Fashion design skills can be developed over time through various sources and formats. Here are some simple ways to do it effortlessly:
- Formal degree: A fashion degree course is the simplest way to excel in your Fashion designer skills. The intricacies of the design process can be learned in detail in a formal course.
- Area-specific course: If you want to pursue a specific skill related to fashion designing, you can enroll in an area-specific course, such as pattern making or garment stitching.
- Workshops: Workshops can be a fun way to learn design skills. They are designed in detail to pass on the information concisely, even on a time crunch.
- Self-practice: You can keep on practicing the methodology related to fashion design on your own. Self-practice the art of stitching, pattern making, and fashion illustration, and you will notice improvement.
- Training or internship: Training and internship give the benefit of real-time practice and the opportunity to seek guidance. Trainers observe and evaluate to help with the improvisation of the craft. The School of Design, by Universal AI, offers an extensive internship in its fashion design course. It is among the top fashion designing colleges in Mumbai, which imparts the skills required for fashion designers.
- Digital design course: You can master design skills by enrolling in digital courses to excel in CAD, Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator. This software is commonly used in fashion designing in digital form.
- Professional networking: Try to network with fashion industry professionals, digital media, or fashion events can be your starting point.
- Impressive portfolio: Create a fashion-rich and attention-grabbing portfolio when planning to enter the fashion industry as a newbie. Your best designs, samples, illustrations, experience internships, and other relevant information to create an impact.
- Soft skills: Work on your soft skills, such as confidence, excellent communication skills, and flexibility, which will take you a long way in the industry..
Conclusion
Fashion design is a versatile sector with immense opportunities and remains a dream for thousands of fashion enthusiasts. Flagbearers of success in the fashion industry have crossed their paths with the fashion design Institutes at some point in their career. A formal education in your dream art form is the safest bet to reach the success trophy.
Fashion designer skills should be mastered before entering the highly competitive industry of all time. The fashion industry is no longer defined by geographical boundaries. It is a global platform that has stayed iconic for decades. There is no space for unpreparedness or lack of professionalism. Industry has its own standards, and aspirants should pull up their socks to rock it!