Design Hacks for Fashion Student: Ways to Get Ahead of the Crowd

Imagine this. You are an aspiring fashion student with high hopes for your designing career. You are amazingly talented and yet anxiety creeps in making you realize that making a name in the fashion industry isn't a child's play. But don’t worry. The world of fashion, albeit competitive, is a dynamic space, and there will always be room for up-and-coming talent. With just a little guidance, you can get there. 

Working in the industry, we at Fashinza know your concern and have a list of areas you can work on. Let’s dive in!

Educate Yourself 

Oscar Wilde had it right when he said, "You can never be overdressed or overeducated." 

It's easy to get lost in a rush to submit that assignment before the macabre sirens of the deadline start to wail. To survive in the industry, you must learn about the industry.  

You need to: 

• Research about the manufacture, retail, sales, and other related processes. 
• Equip yourself with the knowledge of the best brands out there: Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Hermès, Burberry, Chanel, Levi's, Fendi, Armani, and others.
• Immerse yourself in fashion history, attend fashion events, visit global fashion hotspots, and be as involved in the industry as possible.
• Stay well informed of current trends and pop culture.

Experiment

In a world of conformity, it can be tempting to follow the crowd. However, the world of fashion is enriched with experiments in color, fabric, design, style, and much more. Think about the history of the fashion industry. What if it were never improvised? Corsets and gowns would still rule the day.

Fashion is not just about style, and it can be about comfort or sustainability. There's a lot a creative fashion student could bring to the table. You can blend the past with the future, merge different styles, fabrics, or patterns. 

Explore Different Markets 

When it comes to fashion, there are a lot of niches to specialize in. Familiarize yourself with different markets such as accessories, seasonal outfits, professional outfits, occasional wears, etc. Within them, you can explore bridal wear, sportswear, casual wear, children's wear, etc. This will help you find a market that resonates with you. 

Once you pick a field, you need to dedicate yourself to it. Rather than becoming a jack of all trades at the beginning, you have to focus on a particular style. Become an expert in it, and your skills shall be cashable. 

Practice Your Craft

Oftentimes, a fashion student forgets the most fundamental part. They don't put their ideas down on paper. Even though it is daunting to take that first step, you must start. The more you create and receive feedback, the more confident you become in yourself and your abilities. You can even take a step further and take your creations to the street! 

Develop Your Unique Style 

You need to develop your unique perspective on fashion. This will be your contribution to the fashion world. 

The logic is simple. There are a million designers out there as your competitors. It would help if you put out something that's unique to make your name in the industry. 

As Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of American Vogue, said, "Create your style… let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others.”

Maintain a Portfolio of Your Work

Keeping an attractive, impressive portfolio is the headstart an up-and-coming fashion student needs. Many of us make the cardinal sin of not compiling a record of our ideas or sketches.

Maintaining a diverse portfolio will help you land that job or internship. We must try to keep our portfolio up to date with different niches that we work on to illustrate our skills as well as experience. This gives employers the impression of a well-rounded and skillful artist.

Gain Hands-on Experience 

Gaining relevant experience is the stepping stone to a successful fashion career. Working in the field is quite different from drawing sketches. So, try to enroll in an internship while you are studying. Most companies prefer someone who has worked before their graduation rather than those who have not.

Plan for Your Future

A fashion student always comes to a crossroads right after graduation. Should you start your own label? Or should you start working under an established brand? At the end of the day, the choice is yours. 

You may opt to work in a company to get some experience and exposure. But if you have the capital and enough catalogs, don't hesitate to start your own company.  Make sure to weigh your options and plan accordingly.

Conclusion

To stay ahead of the crowd, you have to work harder than the crowd. You need to have a systematic approach to fashion. Forging a career path was in no way an impediment to my creative side. So, do your research, develop your unique style and gain experience in the field to get your fashion career kick-started!