Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton are just some of the brands that have changed the face of the fashion world and transformed it into the trillion-dollar industry that we see today. Fashion is a fast-paced and rapidly growing industry with multiple avenues available for professionals who want to make a career out of it. The success of the industry has encouraged students to pursue this line of work and explore the variety of career paths it offers. If you are thinking of entering the world of fashion, you can choose from a variety of fashion design courses offered by the London College of Contemporary Arts (LCCA).

This article will focus on what a fashion degree entails, the different avenues it offers and what each job role entails. 

What does a fashion degree entail?

A degree in fashion design helps students develop a creative yet informed approach towards fashion materials and processes. Furthermore, it equips students with skills that are instrumental in designing and developing concepts, processes and ideation for fashion, while abiding by the framework and ethical policies of the industry. Students with a fashion degree under their belt will acquire skills such as:

  • Articulation of ideas and strategies;
  • Presentation skills;
  • Risk management;
  • Problem-solving skills;
  • Goal-setting;
  • Collaboration and teamwork;
  • Deadline and time management;
  • Organisational skills. 

What job roles can you take up after graduating with a fashion degree?

  • Fashion Coordinator: fashion coordinators are responsible for taking up tasks such as performing detailed fashion market research, staying up-to-date with fashion trends, analysing consumer buying trends and making customer buying predictions. In order to become a successful fashion coordinator, you should possess strong communication skills, an artistic eye, analytical skills and time management skills.
  • Pattern Cutter: as a pattern cutter, you will be required to create patterns based on a fashion designer’s drawings and designs. These patterns are then used to create sample clothes. If you want to take up this job role, you must have the technical know-how, excellent organisational skills and a keen eye for detail. The average annual salary for a junior pattern cutter is £23,450 per year.
  • Garment Technologist: the job responsibilities of a garment technologist include supervising processes such as design and manufacture, choosing the appropriate fabric for design, budget management and collaborating with designers, fashion buyers and pattern cutters. To do well as a garment technologist, you should possess attributes such as patience, impeccable communication skills, the know-how of garment production techniques, innovative approach and ability to design effective strategies. The average annual salary commanded by a garment technologist is £28,244.
  • Visual Merchandiser: as a visual merchandiser, you will have to handle tasks such as conducting in-depth research about lifestyle and design trends, creating eye-catching visual displays for stores and ensuring that the visuals appeal to the target customers. Visual merchandisers should have a flair for creative arts, effective communication and negotiation skills, ability to accept constructive criticism, visual dexterity and a vivid idea about combining colours, designs and styles for optimal results. The annual average salary for a visual merchandiser is £22,000 per annum.
  • Retail Store Manager: retail managers are responsible for overseeing the tasks involved in the day-to-day functioning of a retail store. This includes sales, stock and resources management, and staff management and scheduling. In order to excel as a retail manager, you must have good organisational skills, communication skills, people skills, attention to detail and business awareness. On average, retail store managers earn £23,706 per year.
  • Fashion Designer: as a fashion designer, you will be required to research and study fashion trends, sketch clothing and accessory designs, visit manufacturers, select fabrics, interact with clients and conduct fittings. To become a successful fashion designer, you must have qualities such as impeccable drawing ability, artistic and creativity skills, a keen eye for detail and excellent business sense. Fashion designers, on average, command a salary of £27,073 per annum.

The fashion industry is challenging and rewarding at the same time. In order to excel in this industry, you must have a keen interest in fashion, creative and critical thinking skills and the zeal to take on challenges that come your way. The fashion industry is growing at a rapid pace and is expected to be worth $51.8 billion by 2022. This has further led to an increase in job generation, encouraging more and more students to steer their career in this direction. London College of Contemporary Arts offers a BA (Hons) Fashion Design course for students passionate about fashion. The course helps students to develop skills that are relevant to the fashion industry of today.

 

This article was written by Meghdeep Patnaik and edited by Anisa C.