Only a limited number of subject domains offer as dynamic and fascinating a range of career opportunities as fashion design.
When we talk about careers pertaining to the fashion industry, we usually think that there are only a few choices in the business, such as becoming a designer or an editor. But contrary to this preconceived notion, these typical functions represent only a small portion of this dynamic industry. The world of fashion has evolved over the last decade, and emerging trends, such as the evolving store, changing consumer preferences, a heightened need for radical transparency and more, are shifting companies’ priorities and the roles they are hiring for.
- Creative Direction
A student is prepared for a diverse range of positions in fashion media and communication and related creative industries if they pursue creative direction in fashion. The profession demands a multidisciplinary focus from the aspirant to develop and implement an appropriate, compelling and strategic creative vision using communication design practices.
- Merchandiser
A fashion merchandiser is responsible for managing different responsibilities and their work spans across various focus areas. The role of a fashion merchandiser combines fashion and merchandising, and requires a robust sense of flavor and fashion additionally to business acumen. Some of the key responsibilities of a fashion merchandiser are:
-Trend analysis and forecasting
-Marketing
-Brand Promotion
In order to become a fashion merchandiser, a bachelor degree in fashion design is suitable. Some international universities offer specialized degrees in fashion merchandising. Industry experience in the form of internships is highly valued.
- Fashion Buyer
A fashion buyer may be a professional who makes the purchasing decisions for a clothing retailer. It’s a task that needs both an analytical mind and an eye committed to style. From deciding the pieces for the present season to comparing the past sales trends, this is often an interestingly complex role. Attending fashion shows, networking with brand professionals, or meeting with designers may be a part of a fashion buyer’s day to day agenda.
- Fashion Psychologist
When we say psychology may be a pervasive domain, we mean it. A fashion psychologist studies the impact of clothing choices on the way we perceive and judge one another. The scope of this dynamic profession transcends clothing to also consider the impact of other products that express self-identity and are influenced by an equivalent force that drives change within the garment industry, home furnishings, cosmetics, and even automobiles.
- Fashion Trend Analyst
If you like to get back to work after the weekend, this would be the perfect profession for you. From scanning through the newest designs launched by the brands, to analyzing the buying trends of consumers, the work of a fashion trend analyst is intriguing. It’s not just fancy but it also demands diligence and long hours. It’s certainly an exciting proposition.
- Fashion Illustrator
A fashion illustrator is required to convey fashion designs through a drawing. They are expected to create these drawings based on their own designs or concepts developed by other fashion designers. Designs may include clothing items, accessories, and footwear. The illustrations are often utilized in a spread of mediums, like magazines, catalogues, advertisements, websites, and newspapers. One can work as a contract illustrator or work for a dressmaker, clothing manufacturer, or emporium. The skills required for this job are dependent on the type of work you will be doing, but generally fall under the fashion design umbrella.
- Fashion Journalism
Fashion journalists are tasked with writing about clothing and accessories for newspapers, magazines, and websites. From attending fashion shows to studying designer and celebrity fashions, the work extends beyond the usual hours. They are often expected to get information by conducting interviews with designers or via industry research.
- Fashion Marketing
A fashion marketing professional wears many hats. Their day to day activities may include market research and media planning, branding, product display, ad creative, and photography. All of these fall within the purview of fashion marketing. A fashion marketer’s work may also overlap with the role of a PR professional.
- PR in Fashion
A PR professional works with a corporation, company, government, or individual to cultivate a story that portrays their brand’s reputation, idea, product, position, or accomplishment in a positive light. One might consider PR professionals as storytellers. Advertisers tell stories through paid methods, but PR professionals tell their stories through unpaid or earned media.
- Fashion Stylist
The visual images we see in magazines or videos are designed by a fashion stylist. Fashion stylists work for people, fashion houses and clothing brands. The responsibilities of a stylist involve providing fashion advice, choosing and coordinating outfits for models in photo shoots or actors in television and film, and selecting props and accessories and preparing them for shoots. Aesthetics are integral to a stylist’s job. Some of the activities that fashion stylists need to undertake are:
o Keeping abreast of the current and changing trends in fashion and style.
o Advising clients on fashion styling for visuals.
o Selecting the foremost appropriate pieces from collections and ranges for the shoot.
o Purchasing props for shoots.
o Supervising photo shoots.
Relevant degree subjects to pursue this exciting profession are fashion merchandising, styling, and designing.
- Fashion Photography
Fashion photography aims at highlighting clothing and other fashion products in exciting and memorable ways. Fashion photographers work with models and designers to ideate and shoot photos that showcase fashion as effectively as possible. Fashion photographers usually work with fashion magazines, catalogues, advertising agencies or fashion houses. Self-employment is an option as well.
- Sustainable Fashion
The leading fashion houses around the globe are more conscious than ever, when it involves ensuring that the way they run their esteemed brands doesn’t negatively affect the environment. Sustainable fashion is often defined as clothing, shoes and accessories that are manufactured, marketed and utilized in the most sustainable manner possible, taking under consideration both environmental and socio-economic aspects. Continuous work is expected to enhance all stages of the product’s life cycle, from design, staple production, manufacturing, transport, storage, marketing and final sale, to use, reuse, repair, remake and recycling of the merchandise and its components. Consultants who come from a fashion design background and may contribute to the ideation process of implementing sustainable fashion regime as a priority, can make their way into a sustainable career opportunity.
None of these careers catch your interest? Here are 11 other domains for the love of design.
Universities to consider for the aforementioned careers:
India
- National Institute of Fashion Technology (multiple locations)
- Pearl Academy (multiple locations)
- National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
- Unitedworld Institute of Design, Karnavati University
- JD Institute of Fashion technology, Delhi
Overseas
- Royal College of Art (UK)
- University of the Arts, London (UK)
- Parsons School of Design at the New School (USA)
- Rhode Island School of Design (USA)
- Politecnico di Milano (Italy)
- Pratt Institute (USA)
Conclusion
The most amazing thing about fashion is that it never stays constant, it is always evolving. With a new generation of shoppers walking through the doors of fashion stores, the number of opportunities have increased manifold. The scope of fashion design has moved beyond the traditional career choices, and aspirants should explore each of their options in order to make an informed career decision.
To know more about the career choices in the domains of fashion and design, please book a career counselling session with us.
Are you confused about taking the first step into the fashion industry? Join the virtual internship program at Mindler and know if this career is as glamorous as it looks.
