A Fashion designers work on the design of clothes. Some may focus completely on a specialist area, like sportswear, children wear or accessories or some may do a variety of things. The main markets they design for are custom made trendy garments, designer readymade outfits and high street fashion wear. Developments in technology have resulted in these fashionable clothes to be produced in a few weeks rather than the long time it used to take earlier.
Depending on level of responsibility and the company they are working for, a designer may work on their own designs or work on designs made by others and finally make a trendy outfit. The main responsibilities of a fashion designer are to work in the high street fashion, where most of the designers work and where clothes are manufactured in bulk. Influences play an important role in this design process and the turnaround of fashion clothing can be very fast.
Many designers also produce ready-to-wear clothes, although these are produced in relatively small numbers. They need to spend a lot of time working on the production of individual garments. Their tasks depend on the market the designer is producing for, but their main responsibilities include creating and visualising an idea and making a sketch by hand or using computer aided design. After sketching they need to analyse trends in fabrics, colours and shapes. They need to research and read a lot and keep up to date with emerging fashion trends.
They also need to plan and develop ranges and work with others in the design team, such as buyers and forecasters, to develop a product to meet the needs and requirements. They need top liaise closely with sales, buying and production teams to ensure the item complements other products on the shelves and meets the tastes and preferences of the customers. They also need to develop a pattern that is then cut and sewn into sample garments and they also have to source, select and buy fabrics which suit their designs. They have to adapt their existing designs for mass production. They have to supervising the making up of sample garments and oversee production which happens at bulk level.
They also are responsible for negotiating with customers and suppliers and manage marketing, finances and other business activities if working on a self-employed basis. Many designers start their careers with larger companies and after they have experience they focus more on the design aspect, with pattern cutters and machinists preparing sample garments. In smaller companies these, and other tasks, may be part of the designer's role. So depending on the scale of their operations the role varies but essentially the fashion designer is responsible for designing fashionable outfits.
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