Are you someone who loves fashion and all things trendy? Do you have an eye for design and possess excellent creative skills? If yes, then a career in Fashion Design might be the perfect fit for you.
With fashion becoming increasingly important in pop culture, pursuing a degree or certification in fashion design after 12th grade can open up endless possibilities. In this article, we will guide you through the various courses available and also discuss job roles, salary expectations, and industry growth.
What is Fashion Design?
Fashion design involves creating clothing and accessory designs that are functional, aesthetically pleasing, and in line with current trends. As a fashion designer, you would not only design clothes and accessories but also choose the fabrics, colours, and patterns. This requires a strong understanding of fashion trends, colour combinations, sewing techniques, and the ability to create unique designs that stand out.
Skills required for fashion designing:
- Creativity
- An eye for detail
- Excellent communication skills
- Proficiency in design software
Job Roles and Opportunities in Fashion Design
After completing a course in Fashion design from a reputed institute or college, you can expect job roles such as Fashion Designer, stylist, or Pattern maker, among others.
Some popular job roles include:
- Assistant Designer
- Associate Designer
- Fashion Illustrator
- Stylist
- Production Manager
The growth opportunities within these industries are humungous; one can move up the ladder by taking on more responsibilities or shifting towards management positions such as Creative Director or Head Merchandiser.
Fashion Design Industry Growth
In India alone, the fashion industry is projected to grow at a rate of 8–10% annually over the next five years. And with the rise of e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart that have dedicated clothing sections, there is no doubt that this industry has a bright future ahead.
With social media playing a significant role in promoting different fashion styles, consumers are constantly looking for new designs to keep up with trends. Therefore, it’s an exciting time to pursue courses in Fashion Design.
Fashion Design Degree Courses
A bachelor's degree in Fashion design is a four-year course that can open doors to numerous opportunities within the industry.
- The course teaches students the fundamentals of fashion design, pattern making, garment construction, and textile design.
- The eligibility criteria for admission are a minimum score of 50% in 12th grade and passing an entrance exam or interview.
Here are some popular undergraduate courses in Fashion Design that you can consider:
Specialisations in fashion design courses
Specialisations in fashion design degrees can range from fashion communication to luxury brand management. Some popular specialisations include:
- Fashion Communication: Involves tasks such as trend forecasting, visual merchandising, styling, and branding.
- Accessory Design: Focuses on designing leather bags, belts, and footwear.
- Knitwear Designing: Specialises in designing knitted garments like sweaters.
- Luxury Brand Management: Deals with managing high-end luxury brands like Louis Vuitton or Gucci.
The job prospects after completing a bachelor's degree are promising, with salaries ranging from ₹3-5 lakhs per annum for entry-level roles such as Junior Designer to 10–15 lakhs per annum for senior-level roles like Creative Director.
One could work as a Costume Designer, a retail buyer, or even become an entrepreneur by starting their own clothing line.
Diploma and Certificate Courses
Diploma courses in Fashion design can range from 1–2 years and are suitable for those who want to get a basic understanding of the field.
- The eligibility criteria for these courses are not as strict as those for bachelor’s degree courses, and in most cases, a candidate must have completed their 10+2 education in any stream.
- The syllabus for diploma courses typically includes fashion design, garment construction, illustration, and textiles.
- The advantages of pursuing a diploma course include lower fees compared to degree courses and opportunities to learn the practical aspects of the industry. However, the downside is that graduates may find it difficult to get a job with a diploma alone, as employers prefer candidates with bachelor's degrees.
Certificate courses are short-term programmes that are designed to help professionals upskill and gain expertise in specific areas. These short-term courses usually last anywhere from a few weeks to six months and cover various topics.
Some popular certificate topics include:
- Fashion Retail Management: Focuses on sales and marketing in the fashion industry
- Merchandising: Involves planning, buying, and selling products
- Design Software: Includes training on software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator
Here are some popular certificate courses:
Upskilling Opportunities and Salary Growth
Popular upskilling programmes in the fashion Industry include courses on Fashion Journalism, Digital Marketing for Fashion Brands, Luxury Brand Management, etc. The duration of these courses can range from a few weeks to several months.
Upskilling can also help increase one's salary based on their growth potential. For instance, as a fashion designer with 1-4 years of experience, you could expect to earn between ₹2 lakhs and ₹5 lakhs per annum.
However, with 5–9 years of experience and additional Fashion Designing skills such as trend analysis or textile design, you could earn between ₹6 lakhs and ₹12 lakhs per annum.
Other job roles, such as Visual Merchandiser or Retail manager, offer salaries ranging from ₹2 lakhs to ₹8 lakhs per annum initially. However, with upskilling in areas like store operations or digital marketing, one could earn upwards of ₹15 lakhs per annum.
Kickstart a Successful Career in Fashion Design
Whether you choose to pursue a degree or a diploma or certificate course, there are multiple specialisations that can help you achieve your goals in fashion design.
WIZR facilitates financing for young professionals seeking career-focused upskilling and certification programmes, making it easier for you to realise your dream of becoming a fashion designer.
FAQs
1. How do I get work experience in fashion design?
You can gain work experience through internships, apprenticeships, freelancing, or working with established designers.
2. Which pays better: retail management or merchandising?
Both retail management and merchandising offer similar salaries, ranging from Rs. 3–5 lakh per annum.
3. Which has better growth prospects: high fashion or fast fashion?
Fast fashion has better growth prospects due to its growing popularity and mass appeal; however, high fashion offers more creative freedom and prestige.
4. What is fast fashion?
Fast Fashion refers to the production of trendy clothing at affordable prices, with new styles released rapidly to keep up with changing fashion trends.
