There must be a flexibility to adapt a disorganized environment with day-today challenges and many ego problems. A flair for computers also helps since most design work in future will be done on computers.

Fashion Designing

Fashion designers develop new styles and products for clothing apparel and accessories by creating original designs or by adapting fashions to suit local conditions, trends and buyers. They are the ones who approve fmal samples before they go into production. The designer begins the designing process only after thorough market research. i.e., understanding the needs of the client/market in terms of changing trends, budget etc. Accessory Designers specialize in designing shoes, bags, scarves, jewellery, ties etc. which complete the look of the garment.

Personal Attributes: Fashion designers need to be artistic, creative and must posses ability to translate ideas in sketches, must have keen sense of color i.e. combination of shades and tones, visual imagination & knowledge of market trends.

Educational Qualification: Basic qualification for a course in fashion designing is 10+2, it varies depending on the course chosen.

Job Prospectus: They can find employment with professional designers as apprentices with manufacturing units, export houses, boutiques, media as costume designers, freelancing for fashion houses and boutiques and at the same time it is a rewarding possibility for self employment by opening your own boutique.

Fashion coordinators: atTange and supervise the marketing of fashion clothing for manufacturing houses, textile fums and retail stores. It is a highly competitive job involving a variety of functions. They advice on latest fashion trends, organize fashion shows, assist in advertising i.e. promoting sales and liaison with fabric dealers to ensure that the fabric, buttons and colors are of the correct shade, quality and design. Coordinates may be required to travel widely to get an idea of the fashion trends.

Personal Attributes: Must have high level of artistic and creative talents, a natural flair for fashion, sound judgment, excellent communication and organizational skills.

Illustrators draw free hand sketches of designer's ideas. They not only need outstanding sketching skills but also at the same time require excellent communication skills. Illustrator at times has to discuss with customers when new collection is introduced and this requires ability to interact.

He/she is a much sought-after person by big garment houses and organizations.

Fashion Consultant: must be aware of the trends and transitions in the fashion market along with knowledge about fashion designing. They are expected to offer ideas regularly on how to further develop a product to be readily absorbed in a market. He/she should be a sharp observer sensitive to changing trends.

Cutting Assistants: have to cut samples according to specifications of the designer. A cutting assistant cuts samples, makes and alters pattet11 S to see that the design visualized can be converted to a real dress.

Sketching Assistants: make the technical sketches of the garments and makes drawings for presentation. It is from this specification sketches one decides how a gannent has to be fabricated. The sketching assistant sometimes has to the select the fabric also.

Fashion Stylist: has to coordinate the entire wardrobe for a fashion show or programme to promote the sales of the products. It involves coordinating the dress, accessories, make up, hairstyle, even the color of the nail polish of the model according to the theme and the overall look of the show. Sometimes a stylist is even involved in fabric selection. He/she has to be well versed in the trends and happenings in the industry and also have a keen sense of current fashion trends.