Think the fashion biz is pure glamour? Get a firsthand look at different fashion professionals, including a menswear designer to find out what working in the industry is really like.
A Typical Day
Any/all of these items listed may take place in a single day: Having already thoroughly researched the seasonal trends (styles, fabric, color, etc.) rough sketches of clothing are created. On average this entails upwards of 500 designs per day. This is not a one-day process, but one that can continue for 1-2 months.
After close review and consultation, specific designs are selected for the collection. Flat design sketches are created for these selected designs. Pre-costing of the selected designs takes place.
Next, flat patterns are created; then sample garments are produced. When the items are returned from the factory they are inspected and a final costing is conducted.
The Best Part of the Job
My favorite part of the job is the sketching and working with the fabrics.
The Most Difficult Part of the Job
Since I work in men's wear, the most difficult part of the job is always being creative, coming up with something truly different. Anyone can design a shirt. It has a front, a back, two sleeves and buttons down the front. The challenge is to add that creative detail that gives it a "personality".
Work and Educational Background
I went to a private fashion design/illustration school in Paris, France, and was fortunate enough, beginning in my first year at school, to work as an assistant men's wear designer.
More Thoughts
Fashion designers that go to parties and mingle with the rich and famous are few and far between. Most people don't start at the top.You may spend 1 or 2 years working behind the scenes creating patterns where no one will care about your opinions on the designs in the collection. Always try to learn as much as you can no matter what job you are doing. Remember, fashion design is not just drawing. You need to learn all of the aspects from sketching, to flat design, to draping, textiles, sewing, and business.
Contact
Debbie-Noel Blaisdell at Molehole Designs
