Shanto Mariam University of creative technology

Course Name: Personal And Professional Development

Module code: PPD1201

Assignment title: Roles and responsibilities of a FASHION DESIGNER

Submitted to: SUBORNA NAWADIR

Assistant Professor and course teacher PPD1201

Submitted by:
Name: Fatema Tabassum
ID: 201011075
Semester: 2nd
Batch: 38th
Department: BA in Fashion Design
Campus: city campus - lalmatia
Acknowledgement

I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to my

professor SUBORNA NAWADIR who gave me this golden
opportunity to do this project on the topic Roles and
responsibilities of a FASHION DESIGNER, which also
helped me in doing a lot of research and I came to know
about so many new things. I learned I lot about
Responsibilities of Being a Fashion Designer, the
technical knowledge, and the entire process from
conception to show I never knew about, as a future fashion
designer we should understand our primarily responsible for
designing and making clothing; to learn how to create
distinctive clothing and apparel products. This allows us to
satisfy our employers and our clients also.
This research was supported by my professor SUBORNA
NAWADIR. I thank my University from Shanto Mariam
University of creative technology, who provided insight and
expertise that greatly assisted the research.

Roles and responsibilities of a FASHION

DESIGNER
In today’s fast moving world with people demanding everything right away it is necessary
to understand that nothing lasts forever and permanence is a myth. When people realize
the importance of all that surrounds them and how vital it is to protect those and the
things that could perish easily due to sheer negligence, a sense of human
consciousness is achieved. After Fashion Designing Courses Through all of this and
much more that we do for one another, individuals can attain a state of peacefulness and
satisfaction in the field. Similarly, the responsibilities and roles that are entrusted on each
one of us, when come to fruition we experience something that is commonly known as
fulfillment. A certain amount of power comes to anyone with true responsibility which is
why it is important that we take our duties (whatever they maybe or however insignificant
they might seem) very seriously. Being a Fashion Designer & even Every industry
performs a separate set of activities and these affect various persons differently, for
example in fashion it begins with the procedure of ideating and developing, by the
designer which further moves into manufacturing. A good idea or beautiful creation can
take days and even months or years to formulate, but once it is put to paper the design
process can finally begin.Everything you wear has been designed by a fashion
designer. That could be a designer for a fashion label or a designer for a department
store line. The entire process from conception to show or wear starts with the fashion
designer. However, the duties and responsibilities of a fashion designer are not
limited to items of clothing.
Fashion designers combine technical knowledge with artistic flair to create
distinctive clothing and apparel products. Common responsibilities include
recognizing fashion trends, creating designs, interacting with fabric suppliers and
pitching marketable designs.Fashion designers create original clothing,
accessories, and footwear. They sketch designs, select fabrics and patterns, and
give instructions on how to make the products they design. How to make those
designs come to life.
What Does a Fashion Designer Do?
Fashion designers are primarily responsible for designing and making clothing,
footwear, and/or accessories. Fashion designer responsibilities may include
overseeing teams of designers or other team members to make their designs a reality
and then marketing their designs for retail or other markets. There are other fashion
designer duties, such as:

• Producing concepts
• Making sketches by hand or on computers
• Developing patterns
• Overseeing production
• Analysing trends in fabrics, colours and shapes
• Sourcing suppliers
• Adapting existing designs for mass production
• Supervising the making up of sample garments
• Quality control.
• Observing fashion trends to predict designs for consumers
• Choosing a theme for designs and collections
• Utilizing computer-aided design (CAD) programs for designs
• Participating in fashion shows with designs
• Picking fabrics, colors, designs, and more for pieces
• Instructing manufacturers or teams of designers on how to make the piece
• Managing the production of pieces
• Creating prototypes or models
• Discussing designs with directors or managers
• Finding new consumer markets for designs

Concept and Creation Duties

Creating sketches of design ideas is how a lot of fashion designers begin the creation
of their garments. It is at this stage a fashion designer puts her visions into a more
tangible format. Experimenting with color combinations and complementary garments
and accessories first takes place at this stage. Then, the fashion designer needs to
find the right materials to bring her sketches to life. Sewing samples, test garments
and eventually the final piece are all part of a fashion designer’s duties.
Creating Designs

One of the primary responsibilities of a fashion designer is to create product

designs. Most use computer-aided design programs as of 2014. CAD allows for
much more efficient, precise and usable designs than traditional pen-and-paper
methods of creating designs. After creating initial sketches, designers may consult
with members of their teams or industry buyers to discuss necessary changes or the
market potential of a given line.

Supervising Duties and Marketing

A fashion designer who is more established in the industry is likely to have staff
assisting with his duties. This can mean the duty of a fashion designer extends to
supervising staff whose role is to sew garments or make patterns. Managing staff
means a fashion designer’s duties are divided between creating his line and
managing people. A fashion designer works hard to create a brand that consumers
can recognize. For this reason, marketing the brand or label is just as important as
creating it. Some designers may choose to market themselves while others may
employ the services of a marketing or advertising agency.

Fashion Trends Responsibilities

Established fashion designers have a big responsibility to their brand as well as their
clientele to remain on top of fashion trends. Customers look to fashion designers to
know what’s hot and what’s not. Fashion trends generally change seasonally, so a
designer is responsible for keeping on top of those changes and more importantly
having a good understanding of future trends. This means a fashion designer needs
to attend fashion shows at a national and international level, understand what is
important to their target clientele and keep up to date with any developments in the
fashion and entertainment industries. The ultimate goal of fashion designers is to
produce items that distributors and consumers purchase. The starting point is to
monitor fashion trends and sales forecasts to create marketable designs. While
designers want to create innovative and unique styles, they often monitor what other
designers and industry analysts believe customers will want. An overly artistic
design that doesn't sell is no good to anyone in the industry.
Business Responsibilities

To be a successful fashion designer, you cannot solely rely on creative talents. There
is a hard-nosed business behind the chic exterior of the fashion world. A fashion
designer is responsible for managing her label as a business. This could mean
securing premises for retail stores or manufacturing, negotiating deals with suppliers
or retailers or finding investors to fund the label and anything in between. Whether a
fashion designer has the right business acumen can determine her level of success in
the industry.

Meeting With Vendors

Designers attend trade shows and meet with manufacturers and suppliers to look at
the potential materials, accessories and garments available for inclusion in a design
production. These meetings allow the designer to incorporate certain textures,
garment styles, colors and accessory details for a more compelling or distinctive
look. Designers also work with a team to select the best materials and to develop a
prototype of a particular product that the company can market at trade shows and
present to buyers.

Market and Sell Designs

Top designers also have a talent for marketing and sales. This point is especially
true for the self-employed designer who is responsible for getting products to
market. Designers may deliver professional presentations, including prototypes, to
wholesale and retail buyers. During these pitches, the designer combines forecast
data and design benefits to generate buying interest. Some designers market
directly to consumers to achieve greater profit margins. Designers may also monitor
final production.

What is the work like?

There are three main sectors:
• Haute couture - designers work on exclusive one-off creations that can cost

thousands of pounds. They work directly with the client, organising fittings and
making alterations, and the work takes a high level of skill and large amounts of
time. Many couture designers also produce ready-to-wear collections that are
produced in relatively small numbers.
• Ready-to-wear (or prêt-a-porter) - designers work on garments that are sold in

small numbers but often at a high price. These garments bear the designer's
name.
• Designing for High Street stores - designers develop cheaper ranges for the mass
market. These garments are manufactured in large numbers and are quite often
produced overseas. There is generally much less scope for creative input, as
garments are made in line with strict budgets and need to be easy to produce
efficiently.
Designers usually work two seasons ahead, liaising with buyers and forecasters to
predict the coming fashions. They draw initial sketches by hand or using computer
software. Designers have to consider who might buy and wear their designs, how
much they will cost to produce and how much people will be prepared to pay.
Designers usually discuss their initial ideas with the design and marketing team
before the best are selected and made up as sample garments. When the clothes go
into production, the fashion designer has to be available to give advice and sort out
any problems with cutting or stitching.

Hours and Environment

Designers normally work from 9am to 5pm, but they may work much longer hours
when preparing samples for buyers or collections for fashion shows.
Part-time work may be possible, especially for self-employed designers, but staying
ahead of the competition often means designers have to work long hours.
Fashion designers usually work in a studio or a small workshop. Those who also
make clothes, or are involved in making samples, spend time at a cutting table using
a sewing machine.
They may attend fashion shows, prediction fairs (where future fashion trends are
predicted) and exhibitions, as well as visit clients. As the main fashion centres are
London, New York, Paris and Rome, international travel is often required.

Skills and Personal Qualities

Fashion/clothing designers need:
• to be creative

• an eye for colour, texture and pattern

• the ability to visualise things in three dimensions

• technical skills in areas such as pattern cutting, grading and garment construction

• to be able to draw, either by hand or on the computer

• good communication skills to explain their ideas clearly and persuasively

• the ability to meet deadlines and work within a budget
• business skills and commercial awareness, particularly if they are self-employed
• good negotiation skills when selling their own designs
• to keep ahead of trends in colour, fabric and style
• strong organisational skills.

Interests
It helps to have an interest in:
• Trends in fashion and clothing

• Art and design

• Analysing form

• Sketching

• Fabric sourcing

• Production

Getting in
Fashion designers work for designer labels, as part of in-house design teams for
retail chains, and for clothing manufacturers that produce large quantities of clothes
for the mass market.
Around 12,000 designers are in paid employment in the UK. There are often more
applicants than vacancies. Jobs working for well-known designer labels are highly
sought after.
The heaviest concentration of designers is in London and the surrounding area. The
industry is dominated by small and medium-sized employers. In fact, more than 80
per cent of businesses have 10 employees or fewer.
Competition for places is intense and many fashion graduates find they have to do
other work as a result, perhaps in a related field such as fashion journalism, or as
stylists or buyers.
Jobs are advertised in Drapers, other trade publications and The Guardian, and on
specialist recruitment websites.
Entry for young people
Fashion designers usually start their career after taking an HNC/HND or a degree in
fashion. Foundation degree courses are also available. Some courses provide a
general grounding in fashion design and textiles, while others focus on manufacturing
and clothing technology.
Developing skills which are in short supply, such as pattern cutting, textile technology,
production management and studio management, may be an advantage.
In England and Wales, many designers start out on a foundation course or other
national diploma course before going on to a HNC/HND, Foundation degree or
degree. In Scotland, degree courses take four years. The first year equates to the
foundation year in England and Wales, and introduces students to general art and
design.
The qualifications required are normally two A levels/three H grades and three
GCSEs/two S grades (A-C/1-3), although other qualifications may be accepted. A
portfolio of work has to be submitted with the application.
Alternatively, students may take HNC/HND courses in graphic design or related
subjects. Entry requirements are normally at least one A level/H grade in art or design
and technology, or a related subject.
Some students may do a postgraduate course before starting work. Employers
usually select new designers based on a portfolio of work and an interview.

Entry for adults

Most people enter this profession at an early age.
Academic entry requirements for art and design courses may be relaxed for
candidates with a strong portfolio of work and related experience.
Adults may prepare for degree-level study by taking a full or part-time Access course.
Training
Training is usually on the job, working alongside and learning skills from more senior
designers. As competition is extremely strong, most employers expect new recruits to
have learned basic skills at college.
New fashion designers need to be prepared to work in junior positions, developing
other people's designs, as colorists or in pattern-cutting, in order to gain experience
and contacts.
In conclusion when we talk of the fashion industry first we must understand that
designers work in many ways, for example by running their won privately owned
business creating one-of-a-kind pieces. Fashion Designing Courses Holders i.e.
Fashion Designer’s other is to work in teams to create an array of different types of
clothing and then some specialize in a certain area like swim wear, which allows them
to work with departments like textiles, production and marketing of the same field. It is
very important that fashion designers always remain up-to-date by watching
upcoming trends and being able to predict or forecast what is the next Big Thing in
the trade. Fashion Designing Courses trains designers by practice or education they
pass on the same knowledge of things like pattern making, sowing, etc. to their
workers this in turn creates employment and multiple opportunities for them in this
profession. By doing so they not only help one another create on a more imaginative
scale but also meet the standards of what customers expect from them in the
contemporary era. Usually designers have to keep an eye on every step of the way,
but without the assistance of a strong team it is impossible for them to keep creating
exquisite merchandise let it be apparel, accessory or footwear designing.