If you have always wanted a career as a fashion designer but cannot afford to go to University, or don’t want to spend three to four years at college before doing so, don’t be disheartened as a degree is not required to break into the profession.
If you have raw talent, you are willing to work hard, and you have picked up the fundamental skills essential to acquire an entry-level spot in the fashion industry, there’s a good bet you’ll be able to make it without a degree!
A great example of a designer who went from a New York staple to fashion legend, as he took the lofty reins as the creative director at Balenciaga, was Alexander Wang. Wang was a Parson’s Fashion School of Design dropout!
Many of today’s renowned designers DO have degrees but often in entirely different areas. Commes des Garçons creator Rei Kawakubo read art and literature, and Raf Simons was on his route to becoming an industrial furniture artist. While the Prada group had been in the fashion industry for decades, the founder’s granddaughter Miuccia Prada read political science. She visited Teatro Piccolo, intending to grow as a mime artist.
To be a fashion stylist, you cannot stress the significance of being creative and willing to work hard. Without this asset, you unquestionably will not succeed!
Suppose if you have the qualities and skills to perform it as a fashion artist? Are you artistic? Can you work with specialty and illustrate any of your concepts?
Here are the tips for challenging yourself if you need to get into the Trade on your own:
Ensure you have a fundamental knowledge of Illustrator, Photoshop, and CAD. Many fashion stylists and creators practice through computer-aided design software as part of their job, so it would be prudent to learn certain basics. You can study everything about these subjects from the internet or some notable books on the topic.
Although you may not desire to go to University to do a BA or equivalent, you will want to be ready to make yourself reasonably attractive with your talents to potential patrons. Suppose you have some online testimonials or certificates or non-degree skills in the relevant sections of fashion design. If you are yet in high school, try to ensure you do strongly in all subjects, particularly studies that are art-related subjects and information technology, to pull up your computer abilities. If you have opted out of the academy, ensure you gain as much potential from online courses on fashion-related titles.
Start sketching and fill sketchbooks – we can’t emphasize this enough. It is crucial to draw, write, and layout schemes on paper first. Don’t worry if they are not splendid, to start with. Cherish, practice makes perfect! It would be most satisfying to sketch your ideas during any extra minute you have throughout the day.
It is necessary to build up a collection of your ideas and perspectives. It is vital to illustrate your style and expertise to potential businesses.
Attempt to understand as much as you can regarding fabric and textiles. Creating a swatch book using fragments of material collected from tailors and textile shops will also be productive time management.
Ensure you acquire the basics of sewing from publications, magazines, or the internet. You can choose up titles in bookstores or online. Many chapters and courses have been printed on fashion-design-related skills over the years. And YouTube is full of help, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble tracking down some helpful reading materials. Practice every technique that you can find, from the most intricate stitch to the smallest detail.
Try and do an internship with a design brand or manufacturing firm. If you can work part-time, even unpaid, this will give you a great experience and help you learn about the fashion industry. It will also help you gain sales and marketing skills while learning.
Connect with as many fashion brands as you can. Ask questions and help; they will generally be more than willing to speak with you to show them you are passionate about your future.
Send contemplative applications to organizations you’d like to serve. Many fashion designers begin their careers doing as pattern makers or sketching companions or even ‘making cups of tea!’ Once you’ve built up some experience in this way, and you have contacts and your portfolio, you will be able to start applying for design positions in your own right.
Try and enter all fashion design, stitching, and sewing competitions. These are perfect places to make business connections, but to add to your resume, and if you win or do well, you can unlock many doors in the fashion world.
Network. When trying to learn how to become a fashion designer without a formal education, the most reliable way to make your name out there is excellent old-fashioned footwork. Use social media and try to get along to as many fashion-related events as you possibly can.
Visit Museums and galleries and learn as much as you possibly can about the history of costume and art. This information is an invaluable source for any fashion designer of the future. There are always some great exhibitions to do with fashion. Make sure you go along to as many as you can. Scour the internet, but also your local tourist information will always be able to help.
Finally, remember that education is a lifelong habit. Whether you gather it in a formal setting or by working in the trenches of the design world, one thing is inevitable: you have a degree in fashion. It does not inevitably comprehend that you will be thriving as a designer.
If you are ready to spend hard work and, above all else, keep studying, you can earn even without that University Degree!