Fashion Careers - Job List in the Fashion Industry
A career in the fashion industry sounds glamorous and attractive. Are you thinking of entering the fashion industry but think you can't handle it? In the world of fashion you can play different roles and positions. It does not have to be a fashion designer but still able to have a very successful career in the fashion industry.
It's always nice to be able to make a living doing things you love. If you are a fashion enthusiast and love to see beautiful clothes, accessories or designs around you, then you must consider starting a career in the world of fashion. Below are some of the key roles in the fashion world that you can participate in – from design, production, marketing and more.
To design
This is one of the high profile jobs in the fashion industry. Designers are responsible for conceptualizing their ideas about trends and realizing them in their final products. Designers can be employed by companies that own a group of designers, or work for their own brands and production lines, or even as a freelancer providing designs for individual companies. Even in size.
There are different types of fashion designers:
1. Clothing Designers: Obviously these are clothing designers, ranging from underwear, sports wear, casual wear to high fashion clothing for men, women and children.
2. Footwear Designers: They design shoes for men, women and children with style and foot health in mind.
3. Accessory Designer: Accessories definitely have a wide following – from handbags, hats, glasses to gloves, scarves and jewellery pieces.
Production
Production includes sampling garments and accessories until the final piece is made which will be distributed to stores and customers. A team of different professions are involved in this huge task:
1. Merchandiser: Merchandisers play an important role in the production process of a fashion product. They are responsible for purchasing raw materials, selecting fabrics, garments and trimmings for production. They have to make decisions based on raw material price, quality and latest trends and innovations.
2. Technical Designers: Technical designers are responsible for fitting the entire sample to production process. They may not design the garment, but they specialize in providing garment alternatives to improve the fit of the garment.
3. Pattern Maker: Pattern is the basis of sewing a garment. Pattern makers create and maintain patterns for garments sketched by designers. Pattern makers are key people in the realization of a garment.
4. Pattern Graders: Garment sizing begins with pattern grading. Pattern graders specialize in creating size specifications for different sizes. They are important figures for any fashion brand, as uniformity across products can maintain customer loyalty and trust.
5. Matching models: Finally clothes and shoes are combined with comfort and style. Fitting is an important part of the fashion industry and the most accurate fitting is to use a model as a body for the fitting.
Many companies have their own dedicated models to fit their lines, with the exact size measurements that the brand needs. Sometimes you will see ads for sample models ranging from kids, men, women to plus size models
6. Quality Control Specialist: Quality control is crucial for any type of product, and the fashion industry is no exception. Quality control experts look at the quality of raw materials, such as fabric pilling, shrinking and fading, and the overall quality of a fashion item, for example, an accessory's overall assembly.
7. Planners: Fashion planners work closely with designers, merchandisers and buyers to determine production plans for the upcoming season. They look after both production and marketing aspects, paying close attention to the latest fashion trends.
Marketing
Marketing is as important as creating a perfect piece of fashion item. Whether it is wholesale or retail marketing, fashion marketing people aim to promote fashion items in this fast-changing world.
1. Fashion Buyers/Retail Traders: Traders of products who purchase finished products for sale in stores such as departmental stores. These traders conduct research and analyze market trends, relative customer demand and stocks. They bear a huge responsibility in terms of making a profit, as keeping an eye on buying the right products to sell can make all the difference in revenue.
2. Showroom sales specialist: Some brands own their own showrooms, showcasing their collections to fashion buyers (wholesalers) to place their orders. Compared to retail sales, showroom sales specialists must know their seasonal return customers better and be able to provide detailed insight into the sales collection.
3. Retail Store Manager/Boutique Owner: Retail store managers, sales and boutique owners are the front line workers who deal with retail customers like you and me.
Other fashion related businesses
Apart from the field of fashion item design, production or marketing, one can also be attracted by other positions such as fashion magazine writer, online blog and fashion event management:
1. Fashion Writer: Writers or freelance writers can write reviews, trends and recommendations for magazines, online blogs or sites. Fashion writers can also become editors of fashion magazines.
2. Personal Stylist: Some department stores provide personal styling services while some private clients employ personal stylists to give suggestions on personal styling.
3. Fashion Event Management/Public Relations: There are anonymous fashion events which require professional public relations and event management personnel to look after them. There are PR companies that specialize in organizing events related to fashion.
Seize the opportunity!
Apart from the above mentioned careers in the fashion industry, there are many other opportunities like photographer, costume designer and catalogue/fashion show model etc. One of the easiest ways to keep yourself updated with job opportunities and fashion trends is to be active. Subscribe to fashion forums and fashion magazines.
Seize the opportunities and enjoy a fashion career!
CONCLUSION
Marketing is as important as creating a perfect piece of fashion item. Whether it is wholesale or retail marketing, fashion marketing people aim to promote fashion items in this fast-changing world. 1. Fashion Buyers/Retail Traders: Traders of products who purchase finished products for sale in stores such as departmental stores. 2. Showroom sales specialist: Some brands own their own showrooms, showcasing their collections to fashion buyers (wholesalers) to place their orders. 3. Retail Store Manager/Boutique Owner: Retail store managers, sales and boutique owners are the front line workers who deal with retail customers like you and me.
1. Fashion Writer: Writers or freelance writers can write reviews, trends and recommendations for magazines, online blogs or sites. 2. Personal Stylist: Some department stores provide personal styling services while some private clients employ personal stylists to give suggestions on personal styling. 3. Fashion Event Management/Public Relations: There are anonymous fashion events which require professional public relations and event management personnel to look after them. Apart from the above mentioned careers in the fashion industry, there are many other opportunities like photographer, costume designer and catalogue/fashion show model etc. One of the easiest ways to keep yourself updated with job opportunities and fashion trends is to be active.
