The Role of A Fashion Designer

1. The Role of A Fashion Designer How do designers create work that stimulates consumer desire, advances design, and leaves a thumbprint on our culture?

2. Stay focused • Be well rounded-you need to be able to create something that is relevant to today and is in demand, as well as understand the lifestyle of your consumers. • Straddle two worlds-You need to balance the market’s needs with your identity as an artist to maintain customer loyalty. • Build your skills-Design knowledge & vocabulary will allow you to solve problems & choose the best techniques for that particular problem. Design is problem solving. • Keep up with new technologies-New materials & processes used for other things are often utilized by the fashion world=innovation. • Understand relevancy-Observe the world around you (culture,politics,economics,etc.) to maintain context in your work. • Exercise your creative muscles-Explore different methods for creating, inspirations, materials used & customer parameters. • Have a pure vision-Your designs should not mimic another designers work. Saying something new to the world must be a constant goal. Here is What You Need to Do

3. What Fashion Designers Do Develop prototype-Create samples with your in house sample room staff (pattern cutting/draping) Design/Select Trims Create Merchandise Plans Communicate Detailed Information-Clarify all aspects of construction, give detailed measurements Conduct & Participate in Fittings Communicate with Production Staff-Visit factories to direct the production of the collection Understand Cost-Know the market price for materials & components, and have knowledge of markup & profitability Present the Collection-Show sales teams, executives, retailors & media • Perform Research-Accumulate visual references for collections • Follow Trends-Keep up to date on market trends • Create Mood/Concept Boards- Shows a direction. Present it to retailors for feedback • Find Sources for Fabrics-Establish relationships with fabric suppliers • Gain Knowledge of Fabrics-Understand factors like drape, usability, aesthetics & cost • Coordinate Design-Work with print studios to develop textile print designs& graphics • Monitor Quality- Establish color standards & check for print quality • Develop the Collection-Sketch designs, silhouettes & “looks” & ensure they can be easily interpreted by pattern makers, drapers, etc.