Working 9 to 5

          So what do fashion designers do all day? Good question. The job involves much more than sitting around sketching new looks or choosing cool fabric combinations. As a fashion designer you might find yourself doing any number of tasks, depending on your position, years of experience, and the firm with which you work. Fashion design involves all aspects of a garment's creation, from idea to finished product. While tasks can vary on each job, as a fashion designer, you may do any or all of the following tasks.

• Research market and fashion trends to keep up with the hottest looks and ensure that your upcoming pieces are competitive.
• Create sketches of your concepts, often using computer assisted drawing (CAD) programs.
• Visit manufacturers to select fabrics that best highlight the garments in your collection.
• Cut and sew prototypes of your pieces so they can be modeled and modified as necessary.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and manufacturing professionals to determine the production costs involved in making a particular piece.
• Make detailed specification sheets, complete with sketches, for use by production staff.
• Oversee the mass manufacturing of garments and participate in quality control.
• Travel nationally and internationally to meet with fabric manufacturers, perform trend studies, and attend trade shows with colleagues from around the world.

Fashionably Prepared

          As you can see, there's a lot involved in a fashion design career. Being able to draw some great clothes and choose terrific color combinations is just a small part of the job description. In addition to the creativity and artistic flair that you may associate with the profession, you need a variety of practical skills to make it in this highly competitive industry. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that growth in this field will be slower than the average for other occupations, meaning that only the most qualified and skilled workers will be able to find employment. Unless you're lucky enough to be an already famous hotel heiress, you'll probably have to earn a fashion design degree and put in your time as an entry-level worker before you can even think about launching your own label.

If the Shoe Fits...

          So it's not all hobnobbing with the rich and famous. Still interested? If you're ready to learn the in and out of the fashion industry, start by selecting a fashion design school that best meets your needs. The National Association of Schools of Art and Design accredits roughly 250 schools nationwide, and most of them offer fashion design programs.

          Follow your dreams and perhaps someday you'll be designing red carpet-worthy gowns.