What does it take to become a fashion designer

Fashion Design Skills

Thousands of young people embark on a career in fashion every year. In their minds' they see the glamor and want to be part of the creativity. However, fashion design is not for the faint hearted. The skills associated with the career are broad. Some people say that to become a successful designer you need a left and right-sided brain; a brain that is comfortable with mathematical calculations and art generation. These two skills are not commonly inherent in most people.

Mathematical skills

Granted, the level of mathematical skill required for fashion design is minimal. Basically, you need to understand geometry and be comfortable with plotting coordinates on a map or graph. You need to understand the difference between the "x" and "y" axis. That's not too difficult, but it is a requirement.

Additionally, you need to have basic maths skills, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Honestly, if you're really bad at mathematics, you're not going to love a career in fashion.

Artistic skills

Yes, you need to have a skill for drawing because drawing your designs is your main communication method. Without drawing skills very few would be designers make it. There are numerous online and off-line "helper" templates and classes, but if you want to face reality, fashion design requires imagination, creativity and art skills to put your ideas over to the public or your boss.

Creativity skills

Innovation is the key. Aesthetic appreciation and interpretation is everything. Designers need to understand flowing lines, geometric cuts and combinations of the two to succeed in a very competitive world.

Uniqueness an imagination

When it comes down to curating a list of fashions' greatest contributors, the play ground is always dominated by peoples' unique vision. It's dominated by individuals that can offer a different perspective of traditional designs and those that break the code of the acceptable to forge new frontiers.

Most career paths rely on skills. Take any career and you can probably discover the skill set and personality type that will succeed. However, fashion design requires a combination of skill sets that are not commonly found in single entities or individual.

Guess that's why the achievements of innovative fashion designers who had it all are earmarked for the halls of fame :

Famous designers

Success as a fashion designer takes a special set of abilities as well as the determination to push the limits of creativity. Numerous people have broken the pattern and had a major influence on the world of fashion throughout history. Let's look at a few instances:

Coco Chanel:
By questioning prevailing conventions, Coco Chanel transformed the fashion industry. She dissented from the constrictive corsets that were fashionable at the time and introduced comfortable attire for ladies at the beginning of the 20th century. Her unique and original usage of jersey fabric in women's clothing was noteworthy. The "little black dress" and the idea of combining expensive pieces with less expensive accessories were both developed by Chanel. Her elegant yet understated designs were a reflection of her belief that "luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury."
Alexander McQueen:
Alexander McQueen, well-known for his dramatic and avant-garde creations, pushed the limits of fashion with his innovative ideas. He merged standard materials and thoughts with age-old tailoring methods. His runway performances were frequently theatrical and thought-provoking, questioning social mores and examining subjects like technology, death, and the natural world. McQueen's propensity to combine fashion, art, and emotion had a profound effect on the sector.
Vivienne Westwood:
Punk and new wave fashion were both invented by Vivienne Westwood. She departed from conventional fashion and presented rebellious, edgy, and provocative attire. Westwood employed unusual materials, striking prints, and unusual silhouettes into her creations. She challenged the accepted standards of what clothing should look like and how it should be worn by transforming punk aesthetics into high fashion.

These designers excelled by thinking outside the box, embracing innovation and fearlessly challenging practices. They showed their unique perspectives by adding unexpected elements to their work, whether it was using unusual fabrics, reimagining classic designs or creating boundary-breaking runways.

So, when it comes to folks who want to become fashion designers, it's all about keeping that creative spark alive. You gotta keep diving into fresh ideas, try out different materials, and not be afraid to shake things up a bit. By mixing your artistic flair with some innovative thinking and a willingness to challenge the norm, you can definitely leave your mark on the fashion scene.

Now, let's talk about the mini skirt. This fashion favorite is often linked to British designer Mary Quant. Back in the 1960s, Mary Quant played a big part in making the mini skirt super popular. She brought in those shorter hemlines that hit above the knee, which was quite a departure from the longer skirts of the time. Her designs were like a mirror reflecting the changing vibes of the '60s – all about youthfulness, freedom, and breaking away from the usual fashion rules.

There's a bit of debate about where the mini skirt really started, since other designers were also toying with shorter hems around the same time. But most people agree that Mary Quant's influence was huge in turning the mini skirt into a total '60s trendsetter. Her bold and daring designs really shook up women's fashion and had a lasting impact on how we dress even today.

Switching gears to denim jeans - these babies have a history that's tied to practicality and workwear. The concept of denim fabric and tough pants goes way back, but the modern denim jeans we know? Well, that's thanks to Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis.

Levi Strauss, a German-American business whiz, and Jacob Davis, a tailor, teamed up in the late 1800s to give birth to denim jeans. In 1873, they got a patent for a genius idea: they added copper rivets to the stress points on denim pants, making them stronger and sturdier for heavy-duty work. This little touch helped stop rips and gave these pants some serious longevity.

Together, Strauss and Davis started making these reinforced denim pants. They were initially meant for miners and workers during the Gold Rush and industrial boom in the US. These pants became super popular super fast, and over time, they evolved into the iconic denim jeans that everyone loves worldwide.

Now, it's worth noting that Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis are usually the names that pop up when it comes to the invention of denim jeans. But, let's not forget that the idea of tough pants made from denim fabric goes way back. Denim fabric itself has a history dating all the way to the 17th century in Europe, mainly used for things like sailcloth and work gear due to its ruggedness. However, it was the brilliant idea of adding those rivets to reinforce the weak points that really transformed denim into the awesome jeans we rock today.

What does it take to become a fashion designer?