Creative, analytical and on the lookout for the latest trends, the fashion designer defends his aspirations and illustrates his ideas to compose unique collections. This fashion professional creates clothing lines in his or her sewing workshop and tests pieces on models, just as fashion designers do in their design studios. Fashion designers are involved in all stages of creating a collection. In general, they work in haute couture houses. However, many fashion designers also work in the ready-to-wear sector. If, after your studies, you'd like to move into the fashion world and exploit your creative talent, this seems like the ideal career path. What kind of certification do I need? What studies should I follow? What qualities and skills are required?

Discover our job description!

The fashion designer is a creative person who plays an essential role in the fashion industry. He or she designs accessories and garments that reflect current trends, playing with colors, choice of fabrics and materials, all the while proposing his or her artistic vision. Before embarking on the creation of a collection, the fashion designer carries out research to define the theme. This identification work can be carried out by the designer himself or by styling bureaus. Once the elements have been listed, he or she puts them forward in the form of moodboards, or intention boards, to get an overview and start production.

The fashion designer's primary mission is to imagine, design and create clothing and accessories. They must create pieces that combine functionality, practicality, originality and aesthetics, and meet consumer expectations. This fashion expert must ensure that the identity of the brand for which he works is respected. Here are the various tasks related to the job: 

• Analysis and inspiration Inspiration: the fashion designer defines the inspiration for a collection or range for which he or she is responsible. To do so, they consult various media: magazines, books, social networks and blogs.
• Tracking sales and trends He scans fashion trends and explores cultural, artistic and social influences to shape his collections. He monitors the behavior of his audience and monitors customer feedback. With this information, he constantly improves the development process of his creations. 
• Moodboard creation and clothing design Once all this valuable information has been gathered, the fashion designer creates a moodboard, with photos, sketches, central color palettes and fabric samples. He then sources innovative, on-trend materials from manufacturers. These quality elements make up the brand's pieces. The choice of materials is crucial, as they define the final look of the garment. 
• Collaboration with production members Once the moodboard has been completed, the fashion designer can start drawing the pieces to be sent to the patternmaker responsible for producing the garments/accessories. He or she sets the guidelines for the collection, in accordance with the artistic director's instructions. 
• Creating a collection plan Once the models have been created, the designer draws up the collection plan. This includes the sketches, materials, colors and references for each piece that will be used. 

Presentation of collections at fashion shows Events: designers can organize events during fashion shows to promote their collections to the media, industry professionals and customers.

To do this job, you need to be passionate about fashion, styling, textiles and clothing. However, this job also requires other qualities: 

• Curious The designer is constantly on the lookout for the latest trends: design, design techniques, colors, materials, fabrics...
• Creative The designer has to invent unique collections several times a year. They need to be creative and full of ideas. 
• Versatile Design: when working under the orders of an art director, the designer must respect specifications and ensure compliance with brand identity. They may work on clothing or accessories. Versatility is one of their greatest qualities. They must know how to negotiate with manufacturers, manage their team and their project, maintain the quality level of each project, and not be afraid to work overtime. 
• Polyglot The fashion design profession has a strong international dimension. Graduates should be fluent in several foreign languages.
• Patience, precision and organization.

During their studies, designers must acquire a number of skills: 

• conceptualize a fashion collection project, 
• model a fashion collection, 
• develop prototypes for a fashion collection, 
• promote its products,
• acquire notions of sewing and pattern-making,
• master different drawing materials and techniques, 
• master computer-aided drafting and design software.

There are many ways to train for this job. Here are a few examples: 

• training starting in secondary school with the BAC Pro Métiers de la mode-vêtements. 
• a BTS in fashion design, 
• a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design,
• a DMA (diplôme des métiers d'arts), 
• a DSAA (higher diploma in applied arts). 

It's also possible to join a private fashion school offering professional training, such as ISAL Paris. After completing their A-levels, students can take the "Bachelor of Fashion Creation and Design". The latter is ideal for creative people with a particular attraction to the world of art, marketing, couture and fashion. This Bachelor's degree takes place over 3 years, within the school. Then, each year, an internship in a company prepares apprentices for the job market and gives them an insight into the realities of the sector. In 3rd year, each student presents his or her final project: a fashion show and presentation of his or her brand collection to members of a jury or to the school's teachers. 

In addition to becoming a fashion designer, this vocational training can lead to other professions, such asother jobs Art directors, model makers, stylists, clothing/accessories/textile designers, fashion photographers.

At the start of their career, fashion designers earn between €1,800 and €2,300 gross per month. This salary depends on the size of the company, their skills and qualities, and the responsibilities they are given. A professional with over 10 years' experience in the sector can expect an annual salary of between €50,000 and €70,000, or even more if he or she holds a management position or has created his or her own brand.