Fashion design school…Whether you’re interested in fashion design, merchandising, retail, or anything else fashion-related, our directory of schools may be just what you need.  Many job opportunities await professionals in the world of fashion design, and the schools listed on this site provide the training you need to advance in your fashion career. Whether you are interested in clothing design, fashion marketing, fashion merchandising, or fashion in general.  A Fashion Designer creates, or helps to create, the designs for women’s, men’s, and children’s apparel, footwear, and accessories. While many Designers specialize in one of these categories, many others create designs in all three, which they learn at fashion design school.

Most Designers hand sketch their designs, and an increasing number of these Designers will then translate these sketches to a computer. Through Computer-aided design (CAD), a Designer sees what their creations look like (in various colors and shapes) while on virtual models. This capability saves time as it diminishes the number of prototype adjustments and samples that might be required further on in the process.

Participation by a Designer in the various aspects and stages of design and production is dependent upon the experience level of the Designer, as well as the size of the design firm (or house). In a large firm, a Designer will typically hold the position of Lead Designer and be responsible for design, prototype, and pattern creations; fabric and color selections; working with manufacturers and suppliers during production stages; and overseeing the technical designers who transform designs into final products.

Designers who are new to this profession, or those who are employed by a small design firm, generally create designs and also perform the majority of both technical patternmaking and sewing tasks.  Designers who are employed by apparel manufacturers and wholesalers tend to focus on adapting the designs that have been created by other Designers for the mass market (typically produced in varying colors and sizes).

Designer Assistants in this industry are exposed to many facets of the business. They work with rapid production schedules and gain the knowledge of the specific design creations that will sell profitably in target markets, the prices at which they’ll sell, and the seasons in which they’ll sell. They also gain a solid understanding of the types of stores that will purchase the merchandise, as well as the store’s customer demographics.

All of these things and more you’ll learn at fashion design school.

Check out our Fashion & Retail listings!

Related posts:

1. Fashion Designer
2. Texas Women’s University – Fashion Design
3. Stephens College – Fashion Design
4. Savannah College of Art & Design – Fashion Design
5. Art Institute – Fashion Design