The Fashion Career Bible by Lacey Teoli

FASHION CAREER BIBLE 1

Contents DESIGN 5

PRODUCTION & SUPPLY 25

PROMOTION 48

ART 61

PUBLICATIONS 79 4

Design

Apparel Design FASHION DESIGNERS CREATE ORIGINAL CLOTHING, ACCESSORIES, AND FOOTWEAR. THEY SKETCH DESIGNS, SELECT FABRICS AND PATTERNS, AND GIVE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE THE PRODUCTS THEY DESIGNED. MOST APPAREL DESIGNERS HAVE A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN FASHION DESIGN OR FASHION MERCHANDISING, HOWEVER IT IS NOT MANDATORY.

Footwear Design FOOTWEAR DESIGNERS COME UP WITH CREATIVE AND PRACTICAL DESIGNS FOR SHOES AND OTHER FOOTWEAR. THE FOOTWEAR MARKET RANGES FROM CATWALK AND HIGH STREET FASHION SHOES, TO SPORTS FOOTWEAR SUCH AS FOOTBALL BOOTS AND TRAINING SHOES. MOST FOOTWEAR DESIGNERS HAVE A BACHELORS DEGREE IN FASHION DESIGN OR FASHION MERCHANDISING, HOWEVER IT IS NOT MANDATORY.

Accessory Design

ACCESSORY DESIGNERS WORK IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY DESIGNING BAGS, BELTS, SCARVES AND OTHER FASHION ACCESSORIES. THEY MIGHT CREATE EYE-WEAR, JEWELLERY OR OTHER ITEMS. ACCESSORY DESIGNERS GENERALLY NEED A BACHELOR'S DEGREE. CANDIDATES MIGHT STUDY FASHION DESIGN, FASHION MERCHANDISING OR ACCESSORY DESIGN.

Costume Design

AS A COSTUME DESIGNER, YOU WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OVERALL LOOK OF THE CLOTHES AND COSTUMES IN THEATRE, FILM OR TELEVISION PRODUCTIONS. AS WELL AS RESEARCHING AND DESIGNING COSTUMES, YOU WOULD OFTEN LEAD A TEAM OF PEOPLE IN THE COSTUME DEPARTMENT. MANY COSTUME DESIGNERS HAVE A UNIVERSITY QUALIFICATION IN COSTUME DESIGN OR FASHION AND START AS A WARDROBE ASSISTANT OR COSTUME MAKER.

Textile Designer TEXTILE DESIGNERS CREATE TWO-DIMENSIONAL DESIGNS THAT CAN BE USED, OFTEN AS A REPEAT DESIGN, IN THE PRODUCTION OF KNIT, WEAVE AND PRINTED FABRICS OR TEXTILE PRODUCTS. TEXTILE DESIGNERS SOMETIMES HAVE A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN TEXTILE DESIGN OR SOMETHING SIMILAR, HOWEVER THIS JOB CAN BE GAINED THROUGH PROGRESSION.

Embroidery Designer PROFESSIONAL EMBROIDERERS ARE MASTERS OF DETAIL, APPLYING A RANGE OF TRADITIONAL STITCHING TECHNIQUES TO PRODUCE INTRICATE DESIGNS ON CLOTHING, ACCESSORIES, AND HOME DÉCOR ITEMS. PROFESSIONAL EMBROIDERERS COMBINE TRADITIONAL SEWING SKILLS WITH CURRENT SOFTWARE PROGRAMS TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT EMBELLISHMENTS ON AN ITEM. REQUIRES A FIRM UNDERSTANDING OF NEEDLE ARTS, WHICH CAN BE ACHIEVED BY WAY OF A CERTIFICATE PROGRAM OR A BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE WITH A SPECIALIZATION IN EMBROIDERY.

Tailor

TAILORS CREATE CUSTOM-MADE (BESPOKE) SUITS, JACKETS AND COATS FOR MEN AND WOMEN. THEY MAY MAKE THE WHOLE GARMENT, OR WORK IN A TEAM WHERE EACH MEMBER HAS A SPECIALISM. YOU COULD START YOUR TAILORING CAREER WITHOUT QUALIFICATIONS AND LEARN WHILST WORKING WITH A MASTER TAILOR. YOU MAY BE ABLE TO ARRANGE THIS YOURSELF, OR IT COULD BE PART OF AN APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME. THERE ARE COLLEGE COURSES IN FASHION AND TEXTILES THAT WOULD TEACH YOU SOME OF THE SKILLS YOU'LL NEED.

Seamstress SEAMSTRESSES CREATE MADE-TO-MEASURE CLOTHING SUCH AS DRESSES, SKIRTS, TROUSERS AND BLOUSES FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. THEY MAY SPECIALISE IN A PARTICULAR TYPE OF CLOTHING LIKE BRIDAL WEAR. THERE IS NO SET ENTRY ROUTE INTO THIS JOB. COURSES IN DRESSMAKING, FASHION AND PATTERN CUTTING WILL HELP YOU TO DEVELOP THE SKILLS YOU NEED. YOU MAY BE ABLE TO GET INTO THIS JOB THROUGH AN APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME.

Production and

Supply

Fashion Buying AS A BUYER, YOUR ROLES WILL BE VARIED, BUT TYPICALLY YOU WILL CONCENTRATE ON FINDING AND PURCHASING THE LINES OF PRODUCTS; SUCH AS CLOTHING, THAT ARE HOPEFULLY GOING TO BE BIG SELLERS IN YOUR OUTLET. ALTHOUGH THIS AREA OF WORK IS OPEN TO ALL GRADUATES, A DEGREE IN RETAIL OR BUSINESS CAN EQUIP YOU WITH A GREATER COMMERCIAL AWARENESS AND THEREFORE INCREASE YOUR CHANCES.

Fashion Merchandiser

MERCHANDISERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT PRODUCTS APPEAR IN THE RIGHT STORE, OR ON A WEBSITE, AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME AND IN THE CORRECT QUANTITIES. THIS INVOLVES WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE BUYING TEAMS TO ACCURATELY FORECAST TRENDS, PLAN STOCK LEVELS AND MONITOR PERFORMANCE. WHILE THE BUYER SELECTS THE LINES, THE MERCHANDISER DECIDES HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD BE SPENT, HOW MANY LINES SHOULD BE BOUGHT, AND IN WHAT QUANTITIES. MANY COMPANIES PREFER TO RECRUIT GRADUATES FROM BUSINESS-RELATED OR MATHS-BASED DEGREES DUE TO THEIR ANALYTICAL ABILITIES, BUT OTHERS WILL CONSIDER GRADUATES FROM ANY DISCIPLINE AS LONG AS THEY HAVE THE NECESSARY SKILLS.

Trend Forecaster FASHION FORECASTERS WORK FOR COMPANIES TRYING TO ANTICIPATE TRENDS. THEY GIVE THE COMPANIES ADVICE ON WHAT WILL BE THE SEASON'S HOT SELLERS. TO DO THIS WORK, FASHION TREND FORECASTERS STUDY MARKET CONDITIONS AND CONSUMERS' BUYING BEHAVIOURS. THEY EVALUATE DESIGNER COLLECTIONS. THIS CAN MEAN ANALYSING MARKET DATA, STATISTICS AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS. THE BASIC DEGREE REQUIRED IS A COURSE IN FASHION DESIGNING OR FASHION MERCHANDISING.

34 34

Sourcing Manager THE JOB OF A SOURCING MANAGER WITHIN THE FASHION OR RETAIL INDUSTRY IS TO FOCUS ON FINDING THE BEST RESOURCES AT THE BEST PRICES TO KEEP THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS ON SCHEDULE AND TO ENSURE PRODUCTIVITY IS COST EFFECTIVE FOR THEIR FASHION BRAND. THE ROLE OF A SOURCING MANAGER IN FASHION COULD SOURCE ANYTHING ACROSS RAW MATERIALS, FABRICS & COMPONENTS, GARMENT SUPPLIERS AND FACTORIES DEPENDING ON THE FASHION/RETAIL COMPANY YOU ARE WORKING FOR. ALTHOUGH THIS AREA OF WORK IS OPEN TO ALL GRADUATES, DEGREES IN AREAS SUCH AS; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, BUSINESS/MANAGEMENT OR CHEMISTRY ARE IDEAL.

Quality Control Specialist THE MAIN FUNCTION OF A QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST IS MEASURING WHETHER OR NOT A CURRENT PRODUCT MEETS A SET OF QUALITY STANDARDS. THEY ARE ALSO INVOLVED IN PLANNING HOW OFTEN SAMPLING WILL BE PERFORMED AND DETERMINING THE STANDARDS BY WHICH QUALITY WILL BE JUDGED, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO HOW PRODUCTS AND THE QUALITY CONTROL PROCESS CAN BE IMPROVED. GENERALLY, THIS PROFESSION HAS FEW FORMAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS, ALTHOUGH THESE REQUIREMENTS MAY VARY BY PRODUCT AND INDUSTRY.

Textile Technologist

A CLOTHING/TEXTILE TECHNOLOGIST WORKS ON THE DESIGN AND PRODUCTION OF FIBRES, YARNS AND TEXTILES. THEY CARRY OUT A RANGE OF TECHNICAL, INVESTIGATIVE AND QUALITY-CONTROL WORK TO MAKE SURE THE END PRODUCT PERFORMS TO SPECIFICATIONS. THEY WORK ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRODUCTS, IMPROVING PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY AND QUALITY, WHILE LIASING WITH THOSE INVOLVED IN THE PRODUCTION PROCESS. YOU WILL TYPICALLY NEED A DEGREE OR HND IN A RELEVANT SUBJECT SUCH AS PHYSICAL, MATHEMATICAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES OR ENGINEERING TO BECOME A CLOTHING/TEXTILE TECHNOLOGIST.

Textile Colourist FASHION COLOURISTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MIXING, DEVELOPING, AND CREATING COLOURS AND COLOUR PALETTES FOR CLOTHING, CLOTHING LINES, AND TEXTILES. IN SOME CASES THE DESIGNER OR OTHER CLIENT WILL HAVE A SPECIFIC COLOUR IN MIND, AND IT IS UP TO THE COLOURIST TO MIX IT TO PRECISE SPECIFICATIONS. IN OTHERS, THE COLOURIST MIGHT HAVE COMPLETE CREATIVE FREEDOM TO CREATE COLOURS FOR A CLIENT BASED ON THE WAY HE OR SHE MIGHT INTERPRET THEM. FASHION COLOURISTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE THAN JUST COLOUR CREATION. THEY APPROVE FINAL COLOUR PALETTES, AND THEY ALSO CHECK AND RECEIVE SWATCHES AND FABRICS FROM OVERSEAS DYERS. THEY MAINTAIN COLOUR LIBRARIES, MANAGE LABS, AND DEVELOP NEW TECHNIQUES FOR MIXING AND DEVELOPING COLOUR. SOME MAY HAVE A DEGREE IN FASHION DESIGN, WHILE OTHERS MAY HAVE A DEGREE IN FINE ART, PAINTING, ILLUSTRATION, POLYMER AND COLOUR CHEMISTRY, INTERIOR DESIGN, OR TEXTILE DESIGN. EMPLOYERS PREFER A DEGREE IN THESE AREAS OR A RELATED FIELD, AS WELL AS A MINIMUM OF THREE YEARS EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY.

Pattern Grader PATTERN CUTTERS WORK FROM FASHION DESIGNERS' PLANS TO MAKE THE TEMPLATES USED FOR MAKING GARMENTS. PATTERN GRADERS TAKE THE PATTERNS MADE BY PATTERN MAKERS AND PRODUCE SCALED UP AND SCALED DOWN VERSIONS, TO PRODUCE THE SAME GARMENT IN DIFFERENT SIZES.

THE USUAL ROUTE INTO THIS WORK IS TO BEGIN AS A PATTERN GRADING ASSISTANT. WITH TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE YOU CAN PROGRESS INTO THE ROLE OF PATTERN GRADER.

Pattern Maker APPAREL PATTERNMAKERS CONVERT FASHION AND CLOTHING DESIGNS INTO WORKABLE PATTERNS BY BREAKING THEM DOWN INTO FLAT PORTIONS THAT MAY BE TRANSFERRED ONTO FABRIC.

REQUIRES A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR ITS EQUIVALENT AND 2-4 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD OR IN A RELATED AREA.

promotion

Marketing Officer MARKETING PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ALMOST EVERY INDUSTRY SECTOR. IN ITS SIMPLEST FORM, IT IS ABOUT ENSURING THAT CUSTOMERS' NEEDS ARE MET WHILST MAXIMISING THE PROFITS OF A COMPANY. A MARKETING MANAGER'S RESPONSIBILITIES CAN VARY ENORMOUSLY, BUT WILL ALWAYS HAVE THIS AS A CENTRAL OBJECTIVE. MARKETING MANAGERS USE A WIDE RANGE OF MARKETING TECHNIQUES AND CONCEPTS AND THINK CREATIVELY, DEVISING NEW WAYS OF COMMUNICATING WITH ESTABLISHED AND POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS. THERE ARE NO SET ENTRY ROUTES, BUT MARKETING MANAGERS OFTEN PROGRESS INTO THE ROLE AFTER GAINING SEVERAL YEARS OF MARKETING EXPERIENCE. TYPICALLY EMPLOYERS LOOK FOR GRADS.

Advertiser ADVERTISERS, OFTEN REFERRED TO AS 'CREATIVES', ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PRODUCING INNOVATIVE IDEAS FOR THE VISUAL ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS IN ALL KINDS OF MEDIA. ALTHOUGH THIS AREA OF WORK IS OPEN TO ALL GRADUATES, A DEGREE IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS IS LIKELY TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES: GRAPHIC DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION, ADVERTISING AND MARKETING. HOWEVER, A DEGREE IS NOT ESSENTIAL.

Fashion Sales Agent FASHION SALES REPRESENTATIVES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SELLING ACCESSORIES OR GARMENTS TO BUYERS FROM RETAIL STORES OR WHOLESALERS. THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DUTIES CAN INCLUDE MEETING WITH POTENTIAL BUYERS AND ARRANGING SPECIAL EVENTS, SUCH AS TRUNK SHOWS OR IN-STORE FASHION SHOWS. INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC TRAVEL MAY ALSO BE REQUIRED OF FASHION SALES REPRESENTATIVES. NO EDUCATION REQUIRED.

PR Officer PUBLICISTS AND EXPERTS WHO SPECIALISE IN FASHION PUBLIC RELATIONS FOCUS ON HELPING APPAREL COMPANIES AND RETAIL STORES BUILD AND MAINTAIN A POSITIVE BRAND IMAGE TO THE PUBLIC. IT IS THE JOB OF A FASHION PUBLIC RELATIONS PROFESSIONAL, THEREFORE, TO DERIVE CREATIVE WAYS IN KEEPING THE COMPANY'S NAME CONSTANTLY IN THE PUBLIC EYE, WHILE ALSO HELPING TO MAINTAIN STRONG PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND VARIOUS MEDIA OUTLETS. A DEGREE IN PUBLIC RELATIONS OR A RELATED FIELD IS NECESSARY.

Fashion Event Manager

THE ROLE THAT EVENTS PLAY FOR MOST BRANDS IS RISING RAPIDLY, AND TODAY'S EVENT MANAGER IS AS LIKELY TO FIND THEMSELVES ORGANISING CONFERENCES, SEMINARS AND EXHIBITION AS THEY ARE PARTIES AND FASHION SHOWS. AS THE DIRECTOR OF A FASHION SHOW, YOU OVERSEE EVERY ASPECT OF THE EVENT, FROM ITS CONCEPTION TO THE FINAL PRESENTATION. FASHION DIRECTOR PROFESSIONALS ARE REQUIRED TO SATISFY AT LEAST A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE POSITION.

Art

Art Director

ART DIRECTORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT ADVERTISEMENTS LOOK LIKE. THEY ARE INVOLVED IN CREATING A CAMPAIGN THAT HAS AN INSTANT, POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE CONSUMER IN ORDER TO PROMOTE THE PRODUCT OR BRAND BEING ADVERTISED. THERE ARE NO SET QUALIFICATIONS TO BECOME AN ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR, BUT ENTRANTS USUALLY HAVE A DEGREE.

Creative Director CREATIVE DIRECTORS PLAY AN ESSENTIAL ROLE IN THE MARKETING, CREATIVE, COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL DEPARTMENTS. THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR LEADING THEIR TEAM, DEVELOPING CREATIVE GUIDELINES AND DIRECTING CREATIVE WORK, INCLUDING PRINT COLLATERAL, WEBSITES, EMAIL CAMPAIGNS, TELEVISION AND RADIO ADVERTISING, AND MANY RELATED TASKS. CREATIVE DIRECTORS HAIL FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS, WITH DEGREES IN ART, GRAPHIC DESIGN, MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS, JOURNALISM AND OTHER FIELDS. HOWEVER, MORE IMPORTANT THAN A DEGREE IS A FOUNDATION OF HANDS-ON, APPLICABLE EXPERIENCE.

Graphic Designer GRAPHIC DESIGNERS PRODUCE DESIGNS THAT GET THEIR CLIENTS' MESSAGES ACROSS WITH HIGH VISUAL IMPACT. THEY WORK ON A HUGE VARIETY OF PRODUCTS, INCLUDING WEBSITES, PACKAGING, BOOKS AND MAGAZINES, CORPORATE IDENTITY (TO GIVE ORGANISATIONS A VISUAL 'BRAND'), ADVERTISING, EXHIBITIONS AND DISPLAYS, AND COMPUTER GAMES. MOST GRAPHIC DESIGNERS HAVE A DEGREE OR DIPLOMA. THIS MAY BE IN GRAPHIC DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION, FINE ART OR A RELATED SUBJECT.

Fashion Illustrator

FASHION ILLUSTRATORS, ALSO KNOWN AS FASHION DESIGN ARTISTS, ARE SPECIALIZED ILLUSTRATORS WHO FOCUS ON EXPRESSING FASHION DESIGNS AND IDEAS THROUGH ART. THEY MUST BE FAMILIAR WITH COMPUTER DESIGN SOFTWARE AND USUALLY HOLD BACHELOR'S DEGREES IN GRAPHIC DESIGN OR A RELEVANT FIELD.

Fashion Photographer

FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY HIGHLIGHTS CLOTHING AND OTHER FASHION PRODUCTS IN EXCITING AND MEMORABLE WAYS. FASHION PHOTOGRAPHERS WORK CLOSELY WITH MODELS AND FASHION DESIGNERS TO CONCEPTUALIZE AND SHOOT PHOTOS THAT SHOWCASE FASHIONS AS EFFECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE. AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE ISN'T REQUIRED FOR A CAREER AS A FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER BECAUSE THE NECESSARY SKILLS CAN BE GAINED THROUGH AN APPRENTICESHIP WITH AN ESTABLISHED PHOTOGRAPHER.

Fashion Stylist A FASHION STYLIST IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR EMERGING PROFESSIONS IN THE FASHION WORLD GLOBALLY AND IS THE JOB TITLE OF SOMEONE WHO SELECTS THE CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES FOR PUBLISHED EDITORIAL FEATURES, PRINT OR TELEVISION ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS, MUSIC VIDEOS, CONCERT PERFORMANCES, AND ANY PUBLIC APPEARANCES MADE BY CELEBRITIES, MODELS OR OTHER PUBLIC FIGURES. NO PARTICULAR EDUCATION REQUIRED.

Personal Shopper

PERSONAL SHOPPERS GIVE ADVICE TO CUSTOMERS AND SUGGEST PRODUCTS THAT MAY SUIT THEIR NEEDS. THIS CAN BE ANYTHING FROM GIFTS TO HOUSEHOLD GOODS TO CLOTHING. THEY HELP PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO SHOP, OR WHO NEED HELP WITH FASHION CHOICES. YOU DON'T NEED ANY QUALIFICATIONS TO ENTER THIS TYPE OF WORK THOUGH EMPLOYERS WILL LOOK FOR A GOOD GENERAL STANDARD OF EDUCATION.

Publications

Fashion Journalist

FASHION JOURNALISTS WRITE ABOUT CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES FOR NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES AND WEBSITES. THEY MIGHT ATTEND FASHION SHOWS AND STUDY DESIGNER AND CELEBRITY FASHIONS TO PINPOINT TRENDS. THEY ALSO MIGHT BE REQUIRED TO GET INFORMATION BY CONDUCTING INTERVIEWS WITH DESIGNERS OR RESEARCHING ON THE INDUSTRY. BACHELORS DEGREE IN ENGLISH, JOURNALISM, COMMUNICATIONS OR A FASHION RELATED FIELD.

Fashion Editor

FASHION MAGAZINE EDITOR IS IN CHARGE OF THE WRITERS WHO REPORT ON CURRENT FASHION TRENDS AND THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE DESIGN WORLD. THESE EDITORS ENSURE THAT WRITERS ADHERE TO PUBLISHING GUIDELINES AND COMPLETE THEIR WORK ON TIME TO MEET DEADLINES. EDITORS MAY HAVE A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN JOURNALISM, ENGLISH OR RELATED FIELD; HOWEVER, A FASHION MAGAZINE EDITOR MAY ALSO POSSESS A BACKGROUND IN FASHION DESIGN.

Pictures Editor PICTURE EDITORS FIND IMAGES FOR A WIDE RANGE OF MEDIA PRODUCTS INCLUDING BOOKS, MAGAZINES, NEWSPAPERS, TELEVISION, MULTIMEDIA AND INTERNET WEBSITES. TO BECOME A PICTURE EDITOR YOU MAY NEED A CAREER IN PHOTOGRAPHY SINCE IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF THE PRACTICE. HOWEVER, IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO HAVE EXPERIENCE THAN ANYTHING ELSE IS.