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Fashion Designers
Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.
Other titles employers use
Apparel and Accessories Designer · Apparel Designer · Costume Designer · Designer · Fashion Design Contractor · Fashion Designer · Fashion Graphic Designer · Fashion Stylist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Sketch rough and detailed drawings of apparel or accessories, and write specifications such as color schemes, construction, material types, and accessory requirements.
- Examine sample garments on and off models, modifying designs to achieve desired effects.
- Confer with sales and management executives or with clients to discuss design ideas.
- Select materials and production techniques to be used for products.
- Provide sample garments to agents and sales representatives, and arrange for showings of sample garments at sales meetings or fashion shows.
- Direct and coordinate workers involved in drawing and cutting patterns and constructing samples or finished garments.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to creative, practical and persuading work.
- Creative
- Making, designing, writing, or performing without one set answer
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Persuading
- Leading, selling, starting projects, or making a case
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Social Perceptiveness
- Coordination
Subjects to know
- Design
- Computers and Electronics
- Production and Processing
- Sales and Marketing
- English Language
Useful strengths
- Originality
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Fluency of Ideas
- Oral Comprehension
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.2 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.6 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 3.9 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 3.3 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 51%
- A two-year degree 44%
- High school or less 4%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Document management software
- Desktop publishing software
- Web platform development software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 8,390
- Job openings each year
- 0
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- —
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 8,390 | 0 | — |
| California | 6,200 | 560 | 3.3% |
| Texas | 1,900 | 180 | 14.5% |
| Florida | 1,000 | 100 | 20.5% |
| Oregon | 850 | 80 | 16.4% |
| Washington | 760 | 70 | 4.1% |
| North Carolina | 580 | 60 | 7.4% |
| New Jersey | 560 | 50 | 7.7% |
| Ohio | 420 | 40 | — |
| Pennsylvania | 340 | 30 | 6.3% |
| Minnesota | 310 | 30 | — |
| Nevada | 270 | 30 | 22.7% |
| Colorado | 250 | 20 | 13.6% |
| Georgia | 220 | 20 | 22.2% |
| Idaho | 200 | 20 | 11.1% |
| Massachusetts | 190 | 20 | 11.8% |
| Missouri | 150 | 10 | — |
| Arizona | 140 | 10 | — |
| Utah | 140 | 10 | 16.7% |
| South Carolina | 130 | 10 | 8.3% |
| New Hampshire | 120 | 10 | 20.0% |
| Kansas | 100 | 10 | — |
| Rhode Island | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Alabama | 80 | 10 | 33.3% |
| Mississippi | 50 | 0 | 25.0% |
| Puerto Rico | 50 | 10 | 25.0% |
| Maine | 40 | 0 | — |
| Montana | 40 | 0 | −20.0% |
| Wisconsin | 40 | 0 | — |
| Vermont | 30 | 0 | — |
| Nebraska | 10 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Savannah College of Art and Design
- Degrees each year
- 1,070
- Admit rate
- 84%
- Annual cost after aid
- $49,000
Fashion Institute of Technology
- Degrees each year
- 702
- Admit rate
- 58%
- Annual cost after aid
- $20,000
Southern New Hampshire University
- Degrees each year
- 662
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
The New School
- Degrees each year
- 566
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $56,000
California State University-Long Beach
- Degrees each year
- 290
- Admit rate
- 47%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Iowa State University
- Degrees each year
- 292
- Admit rate
- 89%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000
Auburn University
- Degrees each year
- 232
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $21,000
New York University
- Degrees each year
- 421
- Admit rate
- 9%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000