Fashion designers are the heart and soul of the creative end of the clothing and apparel business. It is the designer’s responsibility to develop fashionable, trendy, and unique articles of clothing to distribute to the billions of consumers who support this industry each year. A fashion designer is the "front-man" for specific clothing manufactures. He or she is responsible for learning and understanding fashion trends. He or she also sketches the original designs and selects colors and fabrics while overseeing the entire process.
Once a designer has an initial design in mind and the appropriate research is complete, he or she can designer begin the transformation from idea to reality. A fashion designer is the manager of a large team of professionals who assist in every aspect of design. While the fashion designer sketches the concept, textile manufacturers develop fabric and patterns based on the current needs and wants of the buying public.
The next step in establishing a piece in a collection is the development of a prototype. A designer will normally construct a sample using cheaper materials and a fashion model to fine-tune the idea. Once all the minor details are worked out, the actual designs with the designated fabrics and colors are created. It is at this point that the designer will research retailers to market the design to. Designers may take designs to fashion and trade shows in order to reach a broader market.
Another technique that is gaining popularity while saving time and money for the designers is the concept of computer-aided design (CAD). In an attempt to eliminate the use of a “live” fashion model, designers are able to transfer original sketches to computerized virtual models. This enables the designer to make the appropriate adjustments in a more cost effective and efficient manner.
While many designers are responsible for the entire process (from sketch to production), some designers may be trained in specific areas. This is primarily dependent upon the size of the design firm and the level of experience of the designer.
There are a few different types of fashion designers and each one works in a specific area. Some designers work in mass markets and produce clothing and apparel in large quantities in various sizes and colors. These designers target chain retail stores that offer an array of options and sell to a variety of customers. Some designers in the business may also own their own stores or boutiques. These designers create original designs that target a more specific market. There are also a few designers in the business that create high-end fashion that targets a small percentage of the buying world. These designs are primarily custom made and sell for extremely high prices.
