A variety of traits are important to those considering a career in fashion design. They should be interested in and knowledgeable about trends in fashion, fabric, and color. A sense of balance and proportion is critical; an ability to sketch is advantageous. Creative flair is essential. Fashion design schools can help the individual learn how to express that creativity on paper via sketches or via computer-aided design. Fashion design schools also help the student learn how to use current trend research to create designs that have the best possible chance of success in the marketplace, helping the designer secure a better salary and achieve greater success in their chosen career path. As fashion design is not just art, but also commerce, fashion design degree programs can help merge talent with knowledge and experience to create a graduate that is in demand.

Though careers in fashion design conjure up images of runway models at haute couture shows, this realistically represents only a small aspect of potential fashion design careers. Behind every piece of clothing is the work of a fashion designer. Fashion design degree programs can also provide training that will apply to numerous related careers, such as fashion marketing, fashion buying, or fashion merchandising, as well as, fashion styling, photography, or even graphic design.

More than one fourth of fashion designers eventually run their own businesses or enjoy freelance careers. Though this generally necessitates more flexibility, more work hours, and more risk, it also carries the satisfaction of the designer creating his or her own label. This label becomes a symbol of the designer’s style and becomes sought after by consumers that identify with the designer’s work, which increases demand.

Fashion designers and related career choices will always be in demand because style will always be in demand. Consumers know that clothing is not just articles created to cover the body; it is a vehicle of self expression. Clothing can not only express a mood, it can also create it. Clothing can project an image of who a person is or who they wish to be, which transcends the mundane and helps people to have self confidence in who they are and what they are capable of accomplishing.

This is why, according to Harper’s Index, the average American spends over $1500 each year on clothing. Where image is of paramount importance, such as celebrity attendance at a popular event, it is not uncommon for an outfit to be specially commissioned to assure a one of a kind look, and the budget runs in the tens of thousands. Even during a recession, spending on fashion continues because most consider it a necessity. Most consumers have neither the time nor the talent to design their own clothing. Therefore, there will always be assured opportunities for fashion designers.