A capable Fashion Designer should understand the principles of design. In addition, they should be able to apply this knowledge to creating aesthetically pleasing and functional pieces. A Fashion Designer will work closely with a design team. This will enable them to excel at their duties, which include the following:
- Researching current fashion trends and determining what consumers will like
- Collaborating with the design team to develop ideas for new products based on research data
- Designing sketches for new products with a design team
- Creating clothing patterns for mass production
- Testing and deciding on fabrics, colors, patterns and textures for each design
- Overseeing the production of designs, including carrying out fittings, determining prices and managing marketing
- Maintaining relationships with vendors, suppliers and models
- Communicating technical design information for customer samples
- Working with team members to design clothes for upcoming seasons
- Selecting fabrics and trims
- Creating tech packs with detailed specifications
- Developing CAD sketches to present to stakeholders
- Overseeing the prototype sample process
- Working with the design team to create mood boards
- Creating cost sheets and product lists
- Conceptualise outfits and sketch them to clarify the concept to the stakeholders
- Manage the design process from conception to final styling and beyond
- Choose fabrics and trims.
- Work with other fashion designers or assistants to choose seasonal themes.
- Make edits to the line and build new concepts.
- Monitor every stage of the product creation to ensure it is aligned with the business strategy and the stakeholders’ vision.
- Work with the technical designer to ensure development package accuracy.
- Review and assess the product for style and fit while presenting it to the stakeholders.
- Present the product’s story, mood, colour boards, etc., to investors and buyers.
- Stay abreast of the latest fashion design and trends and conduct continuous market research to identify new trends, fabrics and techniques.
- Assist the marketing team in creating marketing strategies for the product, as they are its creators and, hence know the product better than everyone else.
- Participate in fashion shows and flaunt the product on the ramp through models.
Handling the above roles and responsibilities requires fashion designers to have various hard and soft skills to Become a Professional Fashion Designer. Here are some of them.
- Technical Skills: 3D designing skills, digital drawing and sketching, draping, pattern-making, fashion styling, garment construction, fashion merchandising, tailoring and designing, embroidery and many others
- Soft Skills: Excellent communication, team management, analytical and problem-solving skills, creative and coherent thought process, interpersonal skills, marketing skills, natural understanding of style, solid visualisation skills, etc.
For a high-flying start in the fashion design profession, you need a fashion designing institute in Pune that resonates with your aspirations. NIFD Global Kothrud Pune can prove one!
