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Have you been dreaming of a career in fashion? There’s so much you could do — design costumes, work in retail, or launch your own clothing line. However, don’t run off to fashion school before you’ve done your research and know the challenges ahead of you.
Fashion school is competitive, fast-paced, and expensive. It’s going to take a lot of hard work and determination to finish school and land that dream job in fashion. Ask yourself the following questions before applying for a fashion school to see if you have what it takes to be successful.
Do You Have a Passion for Sewing and Design?
If you want a career in fashion, your passion for sewing and design needs to be more than the hobby level. It needs to be the center of your life. To succeed in fashion school, you need to eat, breath, and live fashion!
- Do you always have a sketchbook handy when inspiration strikes?
- Does your sewing machine have a permanent home on your kitchen table?
- Are you constantly browsing fashion magazines and watching fashion shows on TV?
Do You Have the Talent and Skills to Succeed?
Nobody goes to fashion design school without first obtaining an intermediate to expert level of skill in sewing. Of course, to be successful as a fashion designer, you need more than skill… You also need talent.
You need to know what looks good on certain body types, have a good sense of what colors, patterns, and textures go well with each other, and plenty of creativity to think of things that nobody else does.
- Have you taken countless sewing and clothing classes?
- Do you know how to sketch designs and draft patterns?
- Are you creative with a natural eye for color and design?
Do You Have the Personality and Drive?
College is challenging no matter what degree you choose to pursue, but a fashion degree requires more stamina and drive. You’ll be staying up late to finish sketches, you’ll have to endure brutal critiques of your designs, and you’ll spend countless hours with a seam ripper in hand.
All this stress can take a serious toll on your self-esteem. Before you pursue a degree in fashion, you need to ask yourself whether you can handle this kind of pressure.
- Can you handle the stress and competition?
- Will you push through the criticism?
- Do you have the right personality and drive?
Do You Know How You Will Pay for Design School?
You should never go into debt for school without first considering how it will affect your future. You will have to pay back your student loans and you need a plan to make that happen before you take out the loan. There is no guarantee that things will work out the way you plan, so make sure you have a backup plan.
- Do you qualify for financial aid or student loans?
- Will you work while attending design school?
- Where will you live while going to school?
If possible, see if you qualify for financial aid or can win a scholarship. Check out this Ultimate List of Sewing and Fashion Design Scholarships.
Do You Know What Fashion School You Want to Attend?
Besides costs, you’ll also want to look at the reputation of design schools. Take a look at the available courses, their curriculum, and any hands-on experience that is offered. Design school is meant to improve your skills, build your portfolio, and help you make connections in the fashion world.
- Does the school have any big-name alumni?
- Is the school accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design?
- Will you have a strong portfolio upon degree completion?
If you’re still interested in attending fashion school after reading this article, congratulations! You may have what it takes to succeed. Good luck!
