Due to crediting shows such as ‘Project Runway’, a growing number of people are beginning to consider fashion design as a career. There are many individuals who are creative people who have consistently been interested in fashion design, and are considering getting into a career in fashion. If you have doubts whether you would make it not in the fashion design world, there are some successful characteristics that an aspiring fashion designer should have.
The Traits of a Successful Fashion Designer
The first trait that you should possess is a knowledge of business. Most people who start their own lines in the fashion world choose one of two paths. The first path is to “go it alone” and open their own fashion boutique store.
The second path is to sell their designs to other stores, who will in turn make and sell them. No matter which path you choose, be sure you know the ins and outs of the fashion business if you truly want to compete.
Another successful trait of any fashion designer is an eye for innovation. There are many different clothing lines out there already, and for you to be successful, you need to make new designs that have never been seen before. Look through the sketches that you already have, and get advice from those who know the current fashion trends. If you design things that are only slightly different from designs that are already on the market, chances are that prospective buyers will not be interested.
Not only do you have to have business skills, but you also have to have people skills. To be successful, you of course have to have excellent designs, but you also have to be able to market those designs to clients. Remember that if it comes down to a designer with no personality marketing clothes, and a designer who does have a good personality, then the person with the better personality will most likely get the client.
Naturally, you have to make certain that you have that creative spirit deep down inside to begin with if you wish to be a fashion designer that is successful. For instance, are you the type of person who’s always thinking of new ways to make popular designs better or are always sketching new drawings? If you think that this is you, and the odds are you can take all that creativity, nurture and develop it, and be spring boarded into a successful career in fashion design.[tags]fashion design, project runway, fashion career[/tags]
Some people’s idea of a great time are having a party, others love to just be by themselves and watch the latest movie or read a book they have been meaning to read. Yet, for others, their idea of fun is going to a fashion show. It’s true. You may find yourself a fashion show addict after one show. A fashion show is not just hours of sitting and watching pretty women walk by in extreme outfits. It is a lot more fun than that. You can even get a lot out of a show.
Latest Fashion News
Obviously, if you attend a fashion show, you will see the latest fashions. This can help you, even if you are not a fashion sell out. This can help you by showing you what is in. Although, you may not care what everyone is wearing, you may be inspired to change up your wardrobe a little bit or get an idea for a fashion that is totally your own. Also, a fashion show is fun to attend when you think the latest fashion is hideous. How much fun will it be to laugh with your friends and family about the model who came out wearing a lion mask and tail when you get home?
Goodie Bags
Not all fashion shows offer them, but many offer goodie bags to their attendees. Who does not love free stuff? Even if you do not like everything in your goodie bag, you can re-gift it later to someone you know who will. The better and bigger the name of the fashion show, the bigger and better the goodie bag.
Meet People
A fashion show is great social gatherings. First off, you may be able to make some new friends. You may find that your new best friend was sitting next to you at a fashion show drooling over the same male model you were. Better than that, you may meet important people. I am not just talking about the beautiful models, famous designers, or guess appearance celebrities. I am talking about important people who could possibly shape your career. Say you have been trying to break into journalism. There just might be a newspaper editor reporting the show. Making a connection with them could give you a leg up into a job.
Attending a fashion show may not be your idea of fun or your cup of tea. However, all should at least go to one. You may find a new trend you would like to try, meet someone life changing, or even realize your new found love of fashion. If you end up not liking the show, you can always go home and vow to never attend one again. However, you will have a funny story to tell later in life and now you will not be able to say that you have never seen one before.
Filed under fashion media by on Mar 15th, 2008. 1 Comment. 
Two of your most enjoyable things are writing and fashion. While you have the option to go the conventional path and do an internship for a fashion magazine such as Vogue or Elle, how about attempting something a little bit different and begin your own fashion magazine as a hobby?
Ideas for Fashion Magazines
Now, you should be mindful that this type of endeavor does not have to be one of those sophisticated publications that has many different kinds of glossy photos or anything like that. This can be as simplistic or as complex as you want it to be, primarily depending on the amount of cash flow that you would like to spend on your fashion magazine.
Now, you could choose two different formats for your fashion magazine: print, or online. If you chose to do a print magazine, there is a way to get around all of the picture copyright that would be required with an online magazine.
First of all, you need to know what kind of a fashion magazine you want this to be. Is it going to sophisticated, or everyday fashion? You will most likely have an easier time creating a magazine that is about everyday fashion.
For this, all you are going to need are some willing family members and friends that love to have their picture taken. Have them dress in their everyday wear, and take some fun photographs at pretty areas like a local park or the backyard. Afterwards, interview them on their fashion choices.
If you choose to have an online magazine, these kind of magazines are more eye-catching if you choose sophisticated fashion. For this, you can write about you own ideas on how to improve celebrity style. You can purchase stock photos online and include them in your magazine.
When it comes to formatting your magazine, be sure that you have software like QuarkXPress or Adobe InDesign. These programs allow you to make spreads much like professional magazines. For your online magazine, be sure to convert your files to PDF format.
If you don’t know how to use formatting software, don’t worry. There are plenty of online tutorials that will give you a basic understanding of how to use them. You can also try teaching yourself how to use it by exploring the software on your own.
The exciting thing when it comes to creating your own fashion magazine is that it gives you great practice in the event that you wish to work in the world of magazines. Or, it can also simply be a fun hobby that you can add to your portfolio for writing. The old saying “the sky’s the limit” applies here when it comes to starting your own fashion magazine.
Filed under fashion design, fashion media, fashion trends by on Dec 13th, 2007. 1 Comment.