How To Become A Fashion Designer
Be A Fashion Designer Without A Degree.
(082). There is no need to complete a fashion degree in order to become a fashion designer in the UK in 2023. Just Start.
While it would be extremely difficult to obtain employment as a fashion designer without a degree or experience, anyone can set up as an independent fashion designer with no qualifications.
All you need is the ability and the will to just start. We can help you bring your designs to life, advise on pricing your designs accurately, and help you every step of the way.
We run an intense one-to-one Fashion Startup Workshop that is designed specifically for your own personal requirements. This workshop is run by Emile carr, our senior fashion business adviser. The workshop informs you of the process of starting and running a fashion design business.
Next, we provide an honest evaluation of your designs, discuss the fabrics and construction methods. We can teach you how to create tech packs, or we can create them for you. We dont recommend that you do this yourself, without professional assistance.
No Experience Necessary.
No experience of the fashion industry ? Cant draw ? No idea where to start ? Our designer Emile, will sit down with you, discuss your design ideas and various inspirations, evaluate them and suggest improvements or changes where necessary to get them to a professional standard.
You may be unaware of practical garment construction methods. Some of your designs may be unfeasible, or uneconomical for production. Maybe there is a cheaper alternative to your chosen fabric. Every penny that you can save is a penny added to your profit.
1). Evaluate Your Design.
Firstly we will evaluate your designs and jointly decided on any changes to be made to the construction.
2). Choose The Fabrics And Trims.
Secondly, we will decide which fabrics and trims to use for each of your designs. If you have already chosen your fabrics, then we will assess whether your designs will work with your chosen fabric.
3). Provide A Technical Sketch.
Thirdly, we will work with you to provide a technical sketch of your garments, ready to give to a factory or pattern cutter.
4). Pricing Your Designs.
It is essential to price your designs correctly. Too low and you lose money. Too high and no one will buy. While you need to aim to make a profit, you will not always do so from the start. The important thing is to be able to calculate your price accurately.
What Next ?
Once your designs have been professionally evaluated by Emile, and you have your finished technical flats, you may want to proceed to the next stage. You can either proceed with us, or you are free to choose elsewhere to bring your designs to life.
If you choose elsewhere, your chosen factory may insist on a tech pack before proceeding. We can provide you with a professional tech pack.
Emile`s Top Tips For New Fashion Designers.
Start With A Small Range.
Dont be tempted to design a large collection. Just start with a small range with small production numbers. Get a feel of how everything works before designing larger ranges.
Always Use A Professional Tech Pack Designer.
It is essential to use professional tech pack designers who understand the fashion industry. Taking the DIY route can easily result in errors. A professionally designed tech pack should save you a lot of money in the long run.
Do Not Borrow.
It is very easy to borrow money, especially through using credit cards, but this can lead to big problems. If you can get friends and family to invest in you, thats fine, but borrowing is rarely a good idea for new designers.
Have A Strong Brand Identity.
You need to establish a strong brand identity, with a well designed logo. You logo is the foundation of your brand identity, so you need to get it right.
Just Start.
Yes. Just start. You can figure out everything else as you develop your business slowly. As long as you are working with professionals you should not go far wrong.
Dont Worry About Mistakes.
There is a saying – “Perfect is the enemy of good”. Dont worry too much about making mistakes. Again, as long as you are working with professionals you should be OK.
Find A Mentor.
It is a good idea to find a mentor who is very experienced within the fashion industry. Someone who understands design and clothing construction.
Wear Your Own Brand.
You are by far the best advert for your own brand, so you need to wear your own clothing designs as much as possible.
Manufacture In the UK.
It may seem cheap to manufacture abroad, but it is rarely a good idea for new designers. There are so many reasons for startups to manufacture in the UK that it is hard to know where to begin. The entire world economy is in meltdown right now, so the safest place to be is the UK where you can keep a close eye on things.
Once you have designed and produced a few collections within the UK you can consider offshore production, but not without expert advice even then. There are however exceptions, so if you are really keen on the idea of manufacturing abroad please contact us.
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