In 2019, economists valued the fashion industry at $2.5 trillion worldwide. Though the industry may face setbacks from climate change and global disasters, it is resilient. Fashion designers have always adapted to change.
Whether you succeed in the industry depends, in part, on how well you rise to fashion designing challenges. In that sense, real life is a little bit like Project Runway.
But, unlike challenges on a reality tv show, nobody explains the industry’s rules ahead of time. Fortunately, you can prepare for the top four challenges you’re most likely to face.
1. Get Qualified
There’s no official list of fashion design qualifications. Yet, to thrive in the industry, there are definitely things to learn. Most designers research both fashion history and the contemporary cultural contexts that make fashion work.
Designers also learn a wide range of skills involved in the actual practice of design. This includes:
- using CAD technology
- making patterns
- printing
- sewing
- cutting
- tailoring
Designers also need to learn about international standards. These laws regulate the field.
Not to mention learning a lot of skills adjacent to design. Once you’ve learned to make clothes, you’ll need business, marketing, and networking skills to sell them.
No fashion police will arrest you for designing without certification. Yet, it’s useful to have a structured plan to get qualified. There are options to get the skills you need:
- major in fashion design at a community college or a state university
- attend a design school
- earn fashion design qualifications on your own (DIY)
Community colleges and state schools are less expensive. But design schools, like Savannah College of Art and Design, often offer more specific skills-based classes.
Most colleges have technological resources. These are tools students often can’t otherwise afford (like industrial sewing machines or 3D printers).
How to Pay for Learning Fashion Design
Both private and public schools offer scholarships. The United States Department of Education publishes scholarship application information and resources. These are for students of all majors, including fashion design.
If you’d rather teach yourself, there are plenty of resources online. Some YouTubers offer free fashion design tutorials. There are also fashion-specific resources, like expert-written how-to articles on patternmaking.
Some resources aren’t free but still cost less than formal education. You may be able to rent sewing machines or access other equipment in collaborative spaces. Some fabric and craft retail stores offer these spaces.
You might also use fashion equipment at non-profit MakerSpaces in public libraries. Online fashion design courses are also frequently less expensive than colleges. The University of Fashion is one virtual school that offers courses to subscribers.
2. Gain Experience
The next of five challenges for fashion designers is the question of experience. How do you gain real-world experience–either after college or without a degree?
The first strategy is an apprenticeship. If you take an apprenticeship, you agree to work under a professional designer. This designer acts as your mentor as well as your employer.
They will give you hands-on work to practice your skills, formal instruction sessions, and informal fashion designing tips. An apprenticeship typically lasts for two years. There is no formal regulation of apprenticeships.
Generally, you’ll get an apprentice by asking designers if they’re open to letting you apprentice. Then, you’ll draw up a general independent contract.
Apprenticeship vs. Internship
Apprenticeships are less common than the second option: internships. An internship at a fashion design studio is the most popular way to gain experience. Many colleges and design schools have programs that match Senior students with internships.
An internship is shorter than an apprenticeship. It lasts one or two semesters.
Typically, a company will host many interns at once. Interns are essentially on a “crash course” that teaches you industry norms.
Entry-Level Jobs
Finally, fashion designers gain experience through entry-level jobs. Entry-level jobs may require applicants to submit a rudimentary portfolio.
You will also need a polished resume. A cover letter and letters of recommendation can help.
To find an entry-level job, you’ll use a job portal. These are also useful for finding better jobs once you’re established in the industry.
You can find jobs on general job boards, like Indeed. But, more useful are fashion industry job portals. These are devoted to designing work.
3. Learn the Business of Fashion
All designers must learn the business of fashion eventually. It’s one of the most critical challenges for fashion designers. There are five hurdles designers face when it comes to the business of fashion.
Choose Your Target Customers
You can’t make clothes “for everyone.” Instead, choose your target customers based on two questions:
- who inspires you to innovate?
- who will pay for what you make?
Develop your brand around your dream clients. That starts your business on the right foot.
Create a Business Plan
A business plan outlines your brand’s goals and its strategies to achieve them. Your goals will surround creating and selling your clothes.
Your strategies to meet your product-creation goals will answer key questions. Your answers will address:
- what technology you’ll need to make designs
- what partnerships you may need
- what materials you’ll make clothes from
- how to acquire those materials
- what to do if a design or partnership doesn’t pan out
To sell your designs, you’ll decide among other options. You might sell via your own online store or an existing eCommerce platform like Etsy. Or, you might focus on shoppable Instagram posts.
Conversely, a business plan may center around festivals, trunk shows, or partnerships with boutiques. The key is to weigh the pros and cons, pick a path and follow it.
Secure the Initial Investment
There are options to get the funds to start your business. You might try to fund your line yourself, either with personal savings or taking out a personal loan (like a second mortgage).
Alternately, you might get a small business loan or a business line of credit from a bank. You can also crowdsource the initial funds, which you’ll typically repay with products rather than cash.
Finally, angel investors and private equity deals can jumpstart your cash flow. Part of learning the business of fashion is discovering the advantages and drawbacks of these options. Only you know which one will work for your business.
Learn Marketing
Marketing is its own set of skills. Most designers can’t afford to hire a professional marketing firm straight out the gate.
It’s worthwhile to learn new digital marketing strategies. Sign-up for courses on social media marketing, and learn about the diversity of marketing options.
Simultaneously, network marketing is always critical in fashion. Meet potential audiences and collaborators at conventions. Conferences, shows, and other events are worth attending.
Get spots at runway shows. Then, solicit editorials and event coverage from popular blogs or magazines.
4. Develop Your Portfolio
There are two stages to the challenges you’ll face as a fashion designer. First, you’ll meet challenges as you learn how to become a fashion designer.
Then, once you’ve begun your career, you’ll face a second set of fashion designing challenges. You meet these challenges as you push your brand to the next level.
Developing your portfolio is an ongoing process. As long as you’re in fashion, you want to improve your portfolio, so each iteration is better than the last.
Here are some tips to keep in mind as you rise to this challenge. They address different aspects of portfolio development.
Depth and Breadth
A great portfolio showcases your range and your specializations. Developing both takes practice.
Use services that let you experiment. Try new things and see what works with 3D imagery and samples. For example, Tukatech Services (via TUKAweb) lets you create, visualize and commission clothing samples.
So, you can experiment with multiple variations before having to make an order. This mitigates the cost risks that come with pushing yourself as a designer.
Innovate
This might be obvious, but you’d be surprised how many designers are so afraid of taking risks that they never try anything new. Innovation prevents stagnation.
You think differently when you have different experiences. Explore new places, read and listen to different cultural products, and learn about science and history. These experiences will inspire innovations nobody else will consider.
Understand What Customers Want
Your portfolio is a sales pitch. But, you can’t sell something nobody wants. Develop your portfolio with actual customer data.
You can purchase analytics and trend forecasts. Or you can conduct your own research using surveys and focus groups. Either way, use what you learn to improve your collection.
Partner With Reliable Producers
The journey from concept to product has many twists. You want to photograph the best possible versions of your outfits for your portfolio.
So, partnering with reliable producers is critical. Make sure your manufacturers deliver what you want on time. Only work with companies that use high-quality materials.
Rise to Challenges With Tukatech
Don’t let fashion designing challenges become a roadblock. We offer a full suite of tools and services for fashion designers. Explore our marketplace of services and subscription software programs.
At Tukatech, we want you to make your fashion design dream a reality. If you have any questions, talk to us. We want to help.
