Fashion Design Assistant
What is the work like?
Fashion design assistants support designers by helping them create new materials, styles, colours and patterns for fashion brands and labels. Like fashion designers, design assistants usually specialise in a particular line, such as woven garments, knitwear, footwear or accessories.
As a design assistant, you would use your product knowledge and strong pattern cutting skills to create prototypes and tailor existing garments. You may also be responsible for managing parts of the design process, for example, making sure items are ready on time by working closely with factories and suppliers.
Your duties would typically include:
- producing clear and detailed technical sketches
- communicating technical and creative ideas to designers
- sourcing fabrics and trimmings
- creating mood, shape and trend boards
- making sure samples are made on time
- gaining ‘trim approval’ with customers
- participating in meetings with customers and fabric agents.
You may also inspect products (checking for quality) during the design process and when a product is completed.
With experience, you could get involved in seasonal market research to help the design team develop a new product range and forecast trends for the following season. You would communicate concepts and ideas to the senior designer, using sketches, fabrics and trims.
Some companies take on interns (usually undergraduates working to gain industry experience) and it would be your responsibility as a design assistant to manage them.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You will usually need:
- a degree in fashion or textile design, clothing technology, or related subject
- proven experience and a passion for the industry
- knowledge of fashion, clothing and textiles
- strong technical skills, including pattern cutting
- a working knowledge of design software (such as Illustrator and Photoshop)
- an understanding of computer aided cutting machinery (such as CAD CAM Gerber).
Employers will also want to see garments or products you have created and a portfolio of work including moodboards, designs and technical drawings. Your degree course should help you develop this body of work.
To search for colleges and universities offering fashion and textile-related courses and degrees, visit the UCAS website. Check with individual course providers for details of their entry requirements.
You may be able to gain industry experience by working with a company as an intern. These are usually unpaid apprenticeships that allow you to develop work-based skills and knowledge, as well as a network of contacts in the industry.
What further training and development can I do?
You can develop your knowledge and skills by attending short courses and masterclasses. For example, the London College of Fashion offers courses covering aspects of design and related technical skills.
Postgraduate degrees and diplomas in specialised areas of textiles, design and other related subjects are also available. You will usually need a relevant first degree before doing one of these.
You can achieve professional recognition by joining the Textile Institute (TI). There are three levels of membership: Licentiate, Associate and Fellow, which would give you access to conferences, seminars and short courses. Some employers support the continuing professional development of their design team, including TI accredited courses.
The Design Association Academy offers a Diploma in Design Business Management, which may be relevant if you intend to become self-employed or freelance.
Where can I go for more information?
St James's Buildings
Oxford Street
Manchester
M1 6FQ
Tel: 0161 237 1188
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
Related profiles...
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Starting salaries for fashion design assistants can be between £15,000 and £20,000 a year.
- With experience, this can rise to around £30,000.
- Top designers can earn around £55,000.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would usually work in a studio or workshop, but you may get the opportunity to travel and visit manufacturers or go on research trips. For example, you may visit art galleries, trade shows, or particular places or countries that are linked to a design theme.
You will sometimes need to work long hours and weekends to meet deadlines, for example in the run up to the launch of a new collection.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- creative flair and an eye for pattern and colour
- the ability to organise and prioritise your work
- good time-management skills
- the ability to work well under pressure and to tight deadlines
- strong written and verbal communication skills
- effective presentation skills
- commercial awareness and knowledge of the current market
- a good understanding of garment construction and costing
- the ability to work well on your own, as well as in a team
- good negotiation skills when working with customers and suppliers
- confidence and self motivation.
What opportunities are there?
You could work with a range of companies involved in designing, developing and manufacturing garments, footwear and accessories. Employers include high street retailers, independent labels, international fashion houses and couturiers. You will find most opportunities in London and in other cities associated with clothing and textiles, such as Leicester, Manchester, Nottingham and Leeds.
With experience you could progress to designer, then senior designer or design director (creating your own range and managing a design team). You could also move into freelance design, working with companies on a project-by-project basis, or self-employment, creating your own collections.
You will find specialist recruitment agencies online, however, many jobs in this field are gained through making speculative applications to designers, and through networking and industry relationships you have created. You may also find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading:
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
Contact an adviser
Email
Call back
or phone: 0800 100 900
Bilingual advisers available
Face-to-face advice
