Becoming a Fashion Designer

If you have a young person in your life considering a career in fashion design, or are considering one yourself, you'll want to know everything there is to know about becoming a fashion designer. Lisa Springsteel has just the right kind of experience and know-how to fill you in on what you need to know. She's even worked for "luxury design firms such as Ralph Lauren and Marc Jacobs, and apparel powerhouses Phillips-Van Heusen and Limited Brands." Just how good can it get? It's much better to rely on the advice of someone who has been there rather than a fly-by-night writer who can only speculate as to what goes on in the fashion industry.One of the real strengths as I see it, is the was Springsteel structures the book by interweaving interviews from experts in the field in the text. You will learn everything from what fashion designers do, what kind of education you'll need, how to take a close look at the job market, to developing a marketing plan. Interspersed in this practical information are the interviews that definitely spice up the material and make it fun and fascinating. The book is liberally illustrated with photographs, line drawings, and sidebars that feature designer interviews.Perhaps the only thing I didn't like, something that struck me as rather odd, was the fact that all of the illustrations were in black and white. The addition of color would have made the text sparkle rather than flatten out the allure of the pages. For example, I would have loved to have seen the colors in the Kimi shoe from the Hetti Rose Collection. Other than this quibble, the book was well-designed, packed with information, and is probably definitely worth taking a look at if you're interested in a career in fashion design. Just for curiosity sake, I'll list the interviews for readers who may be interested.INTERVIEWS:Reem AcraKendra BarnesDennis BassoManolo BlahnikGuy BradfordRicardo CharlesRandolph dukeEmily FerrellKatie FongLane IzzyDaymond JohnKhepri NYCChris KnottNanette LeporeDeborah LloydFern MallisBibhu MohapatraMaggie NorrisPamella RolandRalph RicciMary Ruppert-StroescuJoseph SinghPeterSomAnna SuiTodd Thomastierra EcologicaZangToiKay UngerRita ValkovskayaRobert VerdiStuart WeitzmanStephanie Winston WolkoffCONTENTS:FOREWORD by Nanette LeporePREFACEACKNOWLEDGMENTSChapter 1 An Introduction to a Career in Fashion DesignWhat Is Fashion Design?What Do Fashion Designers Do?History of Fashion Design: Then and NowThe Worldwide Fashion Industry by the NumbersEmbracing the World of FashionFinding BalanceChapter 2 The Education for a Fashion Design CareerChoosing a Collegiate Educational ProgramUndergraduate EducationThe Value of InternshipsStudying AbroadPostgraduate EducationContinuing EducationChapter 3 The Job MarketDetermining Your Design SpecialtyPersonal BrandingPortfolio DevelopmentCreating a Résumé that PopsNetworking Your Way to a Job OfferTried-and-True Job Search StrategiesPerfecting the Job InterviewNegotiating the Job OfferChapter 4 The Fashion Design ProcessConceptual DevelopmentPatternmakingSample CreationFinalization, Presentation, and Hand-OffChapter 5 Launching Your Own Fashion CollectionWriting a Business PlanChoosing Type of OwnershipDefining Your BrandProtecting Your DesignsCreating Accounting, Budgeting, and Bookkeeping SystemsHiring Employees, Contractors, and InternsDeveloping a Marketing PlanEstablishing a Sales and Order Fulfillment StrategyChapter 6 Strategic Business Trends in the Fashion IndustryOutsourcing and GlobalizationCorporate Social ResponsibilityAPPENDIXProfessional Organizations, Associations, and CouncilsFashion Industry Networking WebsitesProfessional Networking WebsitesSocial Networking WebsitesProfessional Trade PublicationsOnline Portfolio WebsitesColor and Trend Forecasting CompaniesBroadcast and Cable Television Programming with a Fashion ThemeFull-Feature Movies with a Fashion ThemeDocumentaries with a Fashion ThemeMajor Fashion MagazinesINDEX OF INTERVIEWSINDEX

It is difficult not to enjoy a book that provides so much insight into an industry that affects the lives of so many people. The main focus of this guide tends toward sharing the experiences of industry insiders, which is a tremendous benefit to those aspiring to a career in fashion design.I was fascinated by the interviews from many of the biggest names in fashion, though I initially expected the interviews to subside toward the end of the first chapter, and for the author to transition into a deep discussion of the various procedures that are involved with fashion design. I was not disappointed to discover that interviews continue throughout the book among the topics that relate to the interviewees, as they are all interestingly unique. The interviews are not only from the rulers of their own fashion design empires, but also from those professionals and interns who take on specific roles within the fashion design industry.The interview questions are very similar among the interviewees, inquiring about the first inspiration that lead to the career path, when realization came that it was the industry to choose, who was the first celebrity client and how each got where they are today, and the like. The base questions change as the chapters switch topic, but with the many interviews, it can seem redundant reading the same questions for a different person, though the unique responses are so invaluably helpful for prospective fashion designers, offering a full spectrum of inspiration and choices that are as unique as the individual achieving results from them.The fashion design process, covered in the fourth chapter, contains what I had expected to be most of interest to myself, yet this is the briefest chapter in the book. Since it is not a how-to manual, I do not begrudge the lack of detail.I highly enjoy "Becoming a Fashion Designer." It creates a dynamic persistence in my view of the industry as a whole, whereas rather than noticing only that which emerges seasonally, the behind the scenes work that makes it all happen, now seems more ever-present. I found the "History of Fashion: Then and Now" section quite fascinating for its significance.This book can be interesting for any readers looking for insight into the fashion industry, yet it is ideal for those considering fashion design as a career. This is the book author Springsteel wishes she had when she got started, and she has done a fine job in delivering such a vast collection of advice from her peers to her readers, so that they can learn from others' mistakes and successes. The broad overview, coupled with an abundance of valuable feedback from industry professionals makes this pleasantly compelling book a must-read in the earlier stages of the pursuit of a career in fashion design.

If your budding fashionista is entranced by America's Next Top Model, Project Runway or Fashion Star, they will greatly enjoy this gentle introduction to the fashion industry. It is an attractive book, filled with appealing artwork and photos. It is filled with interviews from fashion luminaries ranging from Anna Sui, Daymond John, and Stuart Weitzman as well as interns with well known fashion labels. This is certainly not an expose but a loving portrait of the industry and general advice on how to secure a career. The tips are generic, ie., get an internship, put together a killer portfolio, pump up your resume, go to fashion school. The resource section is comprehensive and the portion on sustainable fabrics was welcome. This is a fun filled manual sure to inspire and encourage those intrigued by the industry. Recommended.