The fashion industry… it’s full of fabulous clothes, famous faces, and glitzy after-parties… oh and not to mention, very stylish people! That’s the image that people have about the fashion industry… and for the most part, it’s pretty accurate. But as a fashion designer, to make it in this industry, it takes a lot more than simply having good taste or a knack for hobnobbing and schmoozing with celebrities… you actually have to have the skill, talent, and determination to achieve true success.
The glamorous image that people have in their heads about the fashion industry is pretty accurate but the only thing that people leave out in that glamorous image is all the long hours and hard work fashion designers put in to make that image possible. Fashion designers work late nights and spend hours in studios well into the wee hours of the night. A shocking fact about fashion designers is that a lot of them are actually very shy and don’t like being out in the public eye.
One of the cool aspects of the fashion industry that’s so different about other industries is the many journies that fashion designers go on to achieve success. Some designers were born into the industry, some have rags to riches stories, and some have stories of unforeseen circumstances that allowed them to stumble into the industry and create their own success… Regardless of how the designers achieved their success, there are a few common denominators that you will find in every success story.
As an aspiring fashion designer, if you were given the tools to achieve success in the industry, would you put those tools to use or would you just do what you wanted to do? Hopefully, your answer is yes because that’s where a lot of aspiring designers go wrong… they don’t want to listen to what seasoned designers have to say, due to wanting to create their own path. They feel as though if they take another designer’s advice, they won’t be true to their own creativity and ideas.
If you’re an aspiring fashion designer who’s open to learning about the fashion industry and achieving success, take it from those who’ve been in the industry long enough…
Tip 1: Passion For Fashion is Key
Passion for any industry is going to be essential for success but in the fashion industry, passion is the very thing that will push you to keep going. The fashion industry is tough. You really have to love what you do in this industry because it takes a lot out of you… if you don’t have the passion for it, you’re going to hate it.
You have to look at the fashion industry from a business standpoint too… You’re going to get knocked down, people aren’t going to like your designs, and you’re going to constantly be told no… all of that is enough to make you want to give up but you have to have not only the passion but also perseverance to stick with it… even when all the odds are against you.
Tip 2: Create for Longevity
As an aspiring fashion designer, it’s perfectly fine to create designs that are hot for the moment (a trend) but the key to being a designer who’s fashion lives on long after death is to create timeless pieces. Everyone knows that “trends” are ideas or fads that are temporary… you want to create fashion trends that are here to stay. Things like the LBD (little black dress), red lipstick, and a great tote bag are all fashion pieces that will stand the tests of time. Tap into your own creativity and see what type of timeless pieces you can create.
Tip 3: Don’t Skimp On the Label
Just as you put passion into the clothes you create, you need to put that much more passion into your label. Why do you think people are so familiar with Balenciaga, Versace, and Gucci? It’s because of their designer label. Who says that you can be a heavy-weight designer right up there with them? You have all the opportunity in the world for that. They started out as an aspiring designer just like you but their keen eye and passion for fashion took them to the top!
For every article of clothing you create, make sure you represent your brand with a woven label. People who purchase your clothes need to know exactly who designed the piece… And, with a woven label, you can rest assured in knowing that your brand won’t wash away in the laundry or at the dry cleaners. If you look at the labels of the top designers, you’ll see that lots of them are either woven or leather.
Tip 4: Be Realistic About Who You’re Designing For
This is one of the most important aspects of being a designer… know who you’re designing for and be realistic about it. Being that you’re probably just starting out, you’re not going to be designing for Hollywood celebrities… you might be designing for your close friends and family. Regardless of who exactly you’re designing for, you have to be realistic with your designs in knowing that everyone isn’t going to fit into a cookie-cutter design of a generic customer.
Everyone comes in different sizes, shapes, and builds. You have to figure out who your style of clothing is made for and go with that… once you get a little more experience in the industry, then you can branch out into other styles and demographics of people.
Greetings, dear readers! I am Rohini. As a proud contributor to the Worthview blog, I am excited to bring you insights into the realms of fashion, beauty, and health. Let’s embark on this adventure together, where my words become a bridge between my world and yours. I look forward to our shared journey of discovery and connection.
