Have a dream of working in fashion but feeling discouraged because of the high level of competition and assumption of low pay? The Fashion Industry is one of the top grossing industries in the world, expected to reach 1.65 trillion dollars in sales by 2020 according to the Foundation for Economic Education. The following is a list of the highest paying positions offered in this field.
Product Development: $36,930-$72, 440
A career in Fashion Product Development involves the development and planning of products for manufacturers and retailers. Product developers work closely with the design and technical team to source materials, create tech packs (informative sheets that designers use to communicate with a manufacturer the necessary components needed to construct a product), and collaborate with factories regarding production.
Qualifications to be Successful:
-Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design and/or Merchandising
-Strong understanding of textiles in clothing
-Strong communication skills
-Good problem-solving skills
-Pay close attention to detail
Design: $46,000-$130,000
Fashion Designers create original clothing, accessories and footwear. Their responsibilities entail sketching designs, and selecting fabrics and patterns. They also need to be able to give instructions on how assemble the products they design. Designers for a brand will typically decide on a theme for a collection, visit manufacturers and trade shows to pick up fabric samples, and present their ideas to the creative director. To make it as an individual designer requires individuality and the ability to set yourself apart from other designers. As Coco Chanel says, “In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.”
Qualifications to be Successful:
-Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design
-Strong sense of creativity and vision
-Artistic skills in sketching and computer aided design (CAD)
-Understanding of textiles and color
With the ever-changing developments in social media, the industry is more fast-paced than ever. Trends are changing so rapidly, requiring brands to stay up to date. To keep up with these demands, new job opportunities in fashion are constantly being offered. The best way to land your dream job, besides earning the necessary college degrees, is to gain REAL experience through internships and entry level positions such as retail. Networking with industry professionals and keeping up to date with the latest trends is imperative. It can be daunting, but with persistence, achieving your dream career and salary can become a reality!
