FASHION CAREERS
Fashion Designers
Fashion Designers are people with a desire to create. They
combine practical knowledge with artistic ability to turn abstract
ideas into formal designs for the clothes we wear.
The first step in developing a new design or altering an existing
one is to determine the needs of the client, the ultimate function
for which the design is intended, and its appeal to customers or
users. When creating a design, designers often begin by researching
the desired design characteristics, such as size, shape, weight,
color, materials used, cost, ease of use, fit, and safety.
Fashion Designers then prepare sketches, by hand or with the aid
of a computer, to illustrate the vision for the design. After
consulting with the client, a creative director, or a product
development team, designers create detailed designs, using drawings,
a structural model, computer simulations, or a full-scale sample in
collaboration with the Pattern Maker. Many designers use
computer-aided design (CAD) tools to create and better visualize the
final product. Computer models allow ease and flexibility in
exploring a greater number of design alternatives, thus reducing
design costs and cutting the time it takes to deliver a product to
market.
Fashion Designers sometimes supervise assistants who carry out
their creations. Designers who run their own businesses also may
devote a considerable amount of time to developing new business
contacts, examining equipment and space needs, and performing
administrative tasks, such as reviewing catalogues and ordering
samples.
Some High-Fashion Designers are self-employed and design for
individual clients. Other High-Fashion Designers cater to specialty
stores or High-Fashion department stores. These designers create
original garments, as well as clothing that follow established
fashion trends. Most fashion designers, however, work for apparel
manufacturers, creating designs of men's, women's, and children's
fashions for the mass market.
Designers need a good sense of color, texture, and style. In
addition, they must understand the construction and characteristics
of specific fabrics, such as durability and stiffness. Many
employers seek designers who know how to use computer-assisted
design and with a 2 or 4 year degree who are knowledgeable in the
areas of textiles, fabrics, ornamentation, and about trends in the
fashion world.
Median annual earnings for fashion designers were $51,290 in 2002
(USA). The middle 50 percent earned between $35,550 and $75,970. The
highest 10 percent earned more than $105,280.
Pattern Designers
A professional Pattern Designer is a Master artisan who uses a
complex combination of artistic decisions in relation to
construction methodologies, textile media and fit, and then
implements them to realize a designer's 2 dimensional sketch into a
flexible, moving 3 dimensional reality.
Pattern Designers are people with a strong desire to build and
see results.
A Master Pattern Designer makes all the difference in between a
garment fitting like a bag and an elegant outfit.
The first step in developing a new pattern or altering an
existing one is in collaboration with the Fashion Designer, to
determine the needs of the client, the ultimate function for which
the design is intended, and its appeal to customers or users.
With a precise measurement of the body the Master gives a special
attention to detail in order to obtain the highest quality of
pattern and make sure the pattern will sew properly and without
confusion at the factory level.
For simple pattern development, the pattern designer utilizes
computer aided design (CAD), to generate the patterns. The benefit
of having patterns stored by computer is to improve measurement
accuracy and to be able to transfer patterns/markers via email,
print out single size patterns or production markers for shipping to
a cutting facility and finally to grade all the necessary sizes.
Before grading, the Pattern Maker checks all pattern pieces to
ensure seam lines match. Perfect patterns computerized allow
producing highly efficient markers which will reduce fabric costs
increasing the profit margins.
Some Master Pattern Designers are self-employed and tailor for
individual clients. Other High-Fashion pattern designers working for
Couture Houses cater to specialty stores or High-Fashion department
stores. Most pattern designers, however, work for apparel
manufacturers, creating patterns of men's, women's, and children's
fashions for the mass market.
Master Pattern Designers are vital for the Fashion Industry and
require none only a solid formation but also years of practice in
transforming sketches in beautiful garments. Before becoming Master
of their art, they need to develop the sense of it.
An excellent Pattern Designer earn as much as and excellent
Fashion Designer.
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