To become a successful fashion designer, you first need to have the right range of fashion designer skills. Some of these are skills that you pick up in your courses, while others are skills that you’ll develop and sharpen over time as you practice your techniques and push the limits of what you can do. The world of fashion is always evolving, particularly in terms of its relationship to technology and sustainability. Your ability to keep up with evolving trends is crucial when it comes to your overall success, and it also sets the tone for the longevity of your brand. Here are some of the most important skills that you need to have as a fashion designer, both now, and in the future.
Important Skills of a Fashion Designer
Are you bringing all of the right skills to the table? Here’s what you should focus on as you begin your career in fashion design.
1.Creativity
Creativity is at the core of any career in the arts, and that includes fashion design. More so than just the ability to come up with new designs, creativity in fashion is about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible—both in your ideation and in your execution. You don’t need to be constantly reinventing the wheel, but you should always have a unique and creative perspective to bring to existing trends.
2.Conception and Creation
It’s one thing to imagine a great design and a whole other to bring it to life. As a fashion designer, you need to be able to both conceive of stunning looks and figure out how to make them happen, which includes everything from sourcing fabrics to sewing and shaping. Part of this skill will come from dedicated fashion education, while the rest will be developed over time as you fine-tune your artistic techniques.
3.Environmental Consciousness
Sustainability in fashion is more than just a trend—it’s the future of the industry. As consumers turn away from fast fashion and its negative global impacts, the onus is on emerging fashion designers to introduce new concepts and practices that put the environment first and provide people with a way to express their style without harming the planet.
4.Tech Savviness
You don’t need to be a computer whiz in order to succeed in fashion, but you do need to understand the essentials, including how to use digital drawing and sketching tools. Bonus points for being able to promote your brand on social channels and keep your finger on the pulse of new social media trends and platforms.
5.Multi-tasking
The day to day life of a fashion designer can get pretty hectic, which requires that you have the skills to juggle many balls in the air at once. Your ability to not just manage all of your many tasks but keep a level head while doing it will be key to success. And fortunately, the more success you have, the more people you’ll be able to hire to help you out.
Pick Up the Skills That Matter
When it comes to starting a career in fashion design, Miami-based Istituto Marangoni is the place to be. We offer a complete roster of courses and degrees that help you develop everything you need to be a competent designer, from establishing your fashion designer values and mission to honing the skills that will take you all the way. Learn about our different programs, including fashion degrees, short courses, summer camps, and more, and get on the right path to becoming one of today’s—and tomorrow’s—most impactful designers.
