Dressmaker / Fashion Designer

Key skills/talents

While fashion designers and dressmakers share some core skills, their roles also require distinct abilities. Here are some key skills and talents for both professions:

For Both Fashion Designers and Dressmakers:

• Creativity: The ability to generate original ideas and concepts.

• Artistic Ability: A strong sense of aesthetics, colour, and composition.

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in pattern making, sewing, and draping.

• Knowledge of Fabrics: Understanding different fabric types, properties, and how they drape.

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous focus on precision and quality.

Specific to Fashion Designers:

• Trend Analysis: Keeping up-to-date with fashion trends and predicting future styles.

• Business Acumen: Understanding market demands, pricing, and production processes.

• Communication Skills: Effectively conveying design concepts to clients and production teams.

• Time Management: Balancing multiple projects and meeting deadlines.

• Visualisation: The ability to see a finished product from initial sketches.

Specific to Dressmakers:

• Hand Sewing: Proficiency in various hand stitching techniques.

• Alterations: Skill in modifying garments to fit individual clients.

• Problem Solving: Finding solutions to fit and construction challenges.

• Patience: The ability to work meticulously on detailed tasks.

• Client Interaction: Building rapport and understanding client preferences.

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​Qualifications required

In the UK, aspiring fashion designers typically follow a two-step educational path before pursuing a degree.

 

• Step 1: T Level in Fashion: Most colleges offer T Levels (Technical Levels), which provide a strong foundation in the technical aspects of fashion design. This program helps develop your practical skills in areas like pattern making, garment construction, and textiles.

• Step 2: Foundation Course in Art (Optional): After completing your T Level, some universities might recommend a Foundation Course in Art. This one-year program can further refine your artistic skills, build a strong portfolio, and prepare you for the academic demands of a design degree.

Alternatively you can undertake A-levels in Art and or Textiles to get started, both of which are usually accepted for a further education/higher education course (Degree) in fashion and design (see below).​

 

Applicants studying Pearson BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Art and Design will be considered for a fashion degree with the following:

• Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma with DMM.

• Pearson BTEC Diploma with MM plus one A Level at A (or DM plus B at A Level).

• Pearson BTEC Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma with D plus two A Levels at B (or M plus AB at A Level).

• Applicants studying the University of the Arts London Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design will usually be considered with Merit.

A fashion degree course is 4-years and is based on a mix of theory, design and practical hands-on ‘making’.​​

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Rules and regs

There are no specific laws, rules or regulations when it comes to creating and selling your clothing in the UK, although you must be registered with HMRC if you are a sole trader: https://www.gov.uk/become-sole-trader/register-sole-trader

There are, however, sustainability legislations that you might need/want to be aware of, along with information regarding intellectual property, to both protect your own IP and that of others:

https://www.tdi-sustainability.com/12-key-sets-of-legislation-affecting-the-fashion-industry-in-the-eu-us-and-uk

https://www.murgitroyd.com/insights/design/how-are-fashion-designs-protected-by-intellectual-property-rights-in-the-uk-and-eu

Insurances are available too: https://www.cginsurance.com/products/fashion-designer-insurance

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Remuneration framework

This is a tricky section - question - to answer for this type of role, because of the varied roles you might end up doing, the location you might do them, and the type of business you might do them for. Which all = a lot of variables and a massive pay scale to work with.

However, a small bit of googling shows the following...

Starting salaries in the fashion industry are often low and working hours are long!
Design assistants may well start at minimum wage, which is around £18,000 to £20,000.

A junior designer can expect to earn approximately £25,000 to £30,000 a year and increase with experience.

Typical salaries at senior designer level range from around £50,000 to £60,000 and then you get into the £100k plus for a creative director role. Although this latter role in itself has multiple variables… For example a creative director at a media brand/outlet could be on half of what a creative director for a fashion brand is on - maybe even less than that. Media rarely pays well until you are absolutely top of the food chain.

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How to get started

To embark on a fashion or dressmaking career in the UK, we’re going to assume you are already relatively ‘arty’ and creative, and have therefore already studied for an A-level in Art, and or Textiles - or both!

If you haven’t, consider starting with a T Level in Craft & Design to acquire essential technical skills: https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/students/subjects/craft-design

Given the competitive nature of the industry, a degree, HND, or foundation degree in a related field is typically required. These qualifications combine practical expertise with design innovation, preparing you for a successful fashion career.

For comprehensive career guidance and university course listings, explore resources from the Crafts Council UK: https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/learning/craft-careers/how-become-fashion-designer and UCAS: https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/learning/craft-careers/how-become-fashion-designer

It's important to note that fashion design is a highly competitive field, even when it comes to degree course places, so having a hefty portfolio, coupled with heaps of practical experience will be key to both a course place and a job thereafter.

Undertaking extra courses like sewing and craft, and building up your ‘hands-on’ skillset will always be expected and will help your chance of getting onto a degree course, and getting a job thereafter. Most people self-teach these skills using online learning (YouTube is FULL of ‘how-to’ videos), but a plethora of courses are available, just like the ones Lisa runs. Googling will pop them in your area.

Once qualified, you’ll need to get a job… Unless you can somehow find an investor who will fund you to start your own fashion label immediately… Hey, stranger things have happened!

Jobs directly related to your fashion degree include:

Fashion designer
Retail buyer
Retail manager
Retail merchandiser
Stylist
Textile designer
Visual merchandiser

And this link gives LOADS of great info on what these jobs entail: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/fashion

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Associations or official bodies to register with

The British Fashion Council: https://www.britishfashioncouncil.co.uk
UK Fashion and Textile Industry: https://ukftfutures.org
APO International Association of Professional Fashion Designers: https://www.iapcollege.com/program/membership-fashion-designers

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Job site links

Drapers, previously a fashion industry magazine, has its own jobs/careers website with listings and is knowns as ‘THE' place for jobs in this industry: https://www.drapersjobs.com

‘Fashion Jobs’ also lists industry vacancies: https://uk.fashionjobs.com/s/jobsinfashion/Fashion-Designer-Jobs.html

The usual jobs sites like Linked In, Indeed and Reed also list fashion-related jobs.

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Progression pathway​

For most people in this industry, the dream is to run your own fashion label and retail business; so the key to that is to progress, earn more money and NETWORK! Because unless you’re going to fund things yourself, which is always a possibility, you’ll need connections and investors to get you started - and to potentially run the business side of things for you. Because let’s be honest, you’re a creative genius, running a business and managing finances are not in your nature, are they?

A lot of people, after completing courses/qualifications like this, also end up in fashion media; either working through the ranks of a known media house (i.e. Vogue!), or in today’s world, by becoming a prevalent social media influencer in their own right, and often going on to work with fashion houses to create ‘collab’ collections and labels.

Either way, and whatever route you take, social media is going to be KEY to your success, as Lisa touches on in her chat. Showcasing your work and building a community/fan base is vital to launch whatever fashion career you want, and to keep it progressing; so if you’re not already, get comfortable with it and knuckle down into the world of Meta and TikTok.

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Additional Information/links

https://www.fashionretailacademy.ac.uk/resources/fashion-careers

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/exploring-career-options-fashion-industry-fittdesign