Fundamentals Of Fashion

Fashion design is an exciting career path that opens up a world of creativity and innovation for people who have always dreamt of seeing their collection being worn by supermodels  as they strut on the ramp. 

But before we dive extensively into fashion design, let’s first give you a little glimpse into some topline examples of fashion design and what it is all about. Clothing and other lifestyle accessories are created through the art form of fashion design. Haute couture and ready-to-wear are the two fundamental subcategories of contemporary fashion design. The haute couture line is made especially for a select group of consumers and is tailored to their specific measurements. Knowing the basics of fashion is the essential part of becoming a fashion designer.

In this article we’ve given a lowdown on everything to help you get started, from the skills you'll need to showcase your best work to the basic fundamentals of fashion design that you need to know. We have accumulated everything a creative person requires to pursue this career because fashion designers set and control trends. 

What Is Fashion Design?

Fashion Design is the study of putting together a garment, shoe, or accessory using aesthetics. Over the years, art and culture have influenced this study with various interpretations being picked up by pop culture. Fashion design is one of the most fascinating art forms which accomplishes so much more than just creating aesthetic designs for us to fawn over or wear. Many aspiring fashion designers are drawn to the field because it exists at a special juncture of aesthetic value and functionality.

A fashion designer must do more than just come up with a garment idea in addition to the artistic part of the profession. Conceptualising is the initial phase in fashion design . The designer begins with a concept and decides what the goal of the garment is, whether they are making a single item or an entire collection. For instance, if they are creating a ski jacket, it must fulfil functional specifications for warmth, toughness, weatherproofing, and protection from the weather. Once they have an idea and pattern in mind, they will begin to sketch and render it. Here, the details of the garment's design begin to beautifully come together. Even though they may begin by sketching by hand, the final designs and drawings are produced using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator or some other design software.

After finishing the sketch, the designer must make the pattern. Patterns can be made by hand, however these days most people are familiar with specialised software for creating patterns. After that is finished, the garment is sewn and draped using their knowledge of garment construction. Top fashion designers are able to navigate this procedure because they have a thorough understanding of fashion history, various materials, and methods of garment creation. They must be able to use a sewing machine, and they probably need to be able to hand stitch as well, if they are producing their own clothes. Hence, getting into fashion design requires learning at least some skills in each of these areas so that you can produce impeccable styles of your ideas.

To learn more about fashion designing and gather more skills, you need to first know the fundamentals of fashion design. We’ve listed a few below.

The Fundamentals Of Fashion Design

The fashion industry is one destination where authenticity is appreciated and celebrated like nowhere else. To become a fashion designer who churns out original ideas and creates his own trends, here are a few fundamentals of fashion design that will help you hone your skills.

• Having An Eye For Fashion

This career is a good fit for you if you are interested in the entire process of creating a garment, which begins with sketching, continues with working with fabrics, and ends with fitting. If you're thinking about pursuing this career, you might want to give your sketching and ability to cut patterns for clothing some serious thought because these are abilities that are essential to succeeding in this industry.

A fashion designer must also keep an eye out for emerging fashion trends. Are you the kind of person who likes to keep up with the latest trends in clothing? If the response is YES, you made the right choice.

• Love For Art

A solid comprehension of art and the concepts is necessary for this job. A designer needs to understand which colours mix well with particular textures, what lengths and cuts of fabric appear pleasing to the eye, and what is in and out of style. A fashion designer builds a portfolio to showcase some of his best work, therefore artistic abilities are also crucial. Additionally, they are required to develop novel concepts that are also highly fashionable.

• Good Networking Skills

The fashion industry heavily relies on networking, yet few people are aware of this. A fashion designer must interact with a variety of people. As it heavily relies on networking alone, this field is not suitable for introverts.

• Business Savvy Mind

You are aware of how fiercely competitive this industry is, thus a fashion designer needs to be business astute to succeed. A designer must be a team player since he must collaborate with others on a project, communicate with managers at various levels, and deal with difficult clients. We cannot overstate how crucial it is for a fashion designer to comprehend the economics of selling a line, learn how to advertise that line, or learn how to negotiate a contract if one wishes to start his or her own label.

• Start From Zero

You can't just wish to be a successful designer; you have to put in the effort to get there. Nobody wants it, but that is the unflinching reality of the fashion design business. The way things are, you might have to begin as an intern at a modelling agency or a fashion firm where you might not even get to create. You will undoubtedly learn about the day-to-day operations of the fashion designing industry, though. If you can't be ready for the worst, don't participate.

• Open To Explore

If they have a large label, fashion designers must also travel to market their most recent collection. Yes, success has a price. Manish Malhotra and Sabyasachi Mukherjee are not free to lounge on their couch and observe the world go by. Additionally, some designers must go internationally for business purposes, such as locating a fabric or promoting the brand. One of those professions where being willing to travel is essential to showcasing your talent both nationally and, who knows, even domestically is fashion designing.

How To Study Fashion Design?

The quick answer to the question "Can you be a fashion designer without a degree?" is yes.

Although having a degree in fashion design isn't necessary, it is a major advantage because these schools teach you the technical skills and history of fashion as well as set up internships that can help you get your foot in the door. Even though legendary designers like Coco Chanel, Balenciaga, and Jean-Paul Gautier did not attend a fashion design school, they nonetheless managed to establish renowned fashion firms.

A fashion design education gives you the knowledge and practical abilities you'll need to succeed in the industry, including pattern-making, sewing, trend-spotting, business and marketing. A lot of fashion designers have bachelor's degrees in fashion, usually in merchandising, which is more of a marketing degree. An accredited school will push you to create a portfolio that will improve your chances of landing a job after you finish. While starting a career in fashion without attending a degree is doable, you'll need a lot of hard work, business acumen, and perseverance to make it all work. Remember these three things before you dive into the world of fashion design.

• Learn About The Fashion Design Industry

The first step in pursuing a fashion design education is to complete your research. Learn about the history of fashion and the industry's current trends and problems. Self-directed study can inspire you and offer you a head start on your education that will help you when you apply to colleges.

• Create Your Own Designs & Build A Portfolio

Try your hand at some creative designs to determine if fashion design is the perfect career route for you. Draw outfit designs in your sketchbook, then choose your favourite, skill-appropriate designs. Create and perfect a few pieces by using your sewing and creative abilities. Expect them to be imperfect on your first attempt; with experience, your portfolio will improve.

You should compile a portfolio of your work before submitting an application to fashion school. For the majority of undergraduate fashion design schools, you must submit a portfolio with your application. It's crucial to have a clear vision if you're enrolling for a graduate degree programme because you'll need to present your portfolio.

• Get Experience

An internship with a fashion house is usually offered by fashion schools. This might be an excellent method to make contacts and pick up essential design skills. If you take advantage of these chances, you'll have no trouble realising your dream of being a fashion designer.

To sum it up, if you want to learn the fundamentals of Fashion Design everyday, keep your sketchbook close at hand. Take note of the various dress choices people are making. What does that reveal about their needs and wants as buyers? Take a photo, doodle in your sketchbook, or make a note of the observations that inspire you. It isn’t easy to become a fashion designer but it isn’t that hard either!