A degree in fashion design teaches you more than just how to put clothing
designs on paper. You learn color and design methods, the intricacies
of fabrics and textures, and the marketing skills to enable you to run
a successful fashion business. Your designs go from your head to mannequin
to customer in no time. There are many fields under the fashion design
banner, some of which have little to do with design.
Technical Apparel Designer
This career focuses on the technical skills earned in a fashion design
degree. The lay and hang of fabric, color and pattern matching and current
style trends can take you all over the world in search of the next new
‘thing’. One part of the year may be awash with Indian designs
and prints while another with Euro styles and cuts. You have to be aware
of changes and keep your designs up to date to command a high salary.
The median starting salary is $55,000 per year.
Fashion Designer
Fashion designers use their knowledge and skills to design clothes as
well as run businesses. Up to 2/3 of all fashion designers in the United
States are self employed. Many 4 year fashion design degree programs include
a considerable amount of marketing education. These individuals design
all forms of clothing for individual sale, own and stock boutiques and
run design firms. The median salary overall for fashion designers is about
$50,000 per year but the individual’s salary can be significantly
higher.
Buyer
Fashion buyers can be self employed or work for large companies, usually
under contract. Buyers make the decisions on apparel stock, fabric choices
for the designers, color and design styles as well as negotiate for the
best price for their purchaser. This job takes you around the world quite
regularly and is great for a designer who has multinational inclinations
or knowledge of a variety of cultures and languages. A buyer’s median
salary is $58,000 per year and the travel in handled by the purchaser.
Nice deal.
