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Becoming a fashion designer at a young age isn't easy. However, time is on your side and you have decades of creative evolution ahead of you, so hang in there and have faith that what you're learning now will set you in good stead for a great future.
Steps
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1Get the gear you'll need for designing with. You'll need sketch books, colored pencils and art supplies. Use good quality paper and tools at all times, as you need to create good quality drawings. -
2Read widely about fashion. Grab hold of all you can about fashion. This includes reading about the history of fashion and biographies of fashion designers. Also read about how to do fashion designing, to find out the sorts of challenges, pitfalls and tips you need to know. [1] X Research sourceAdvertisement -
3Improve your drawing and design skills. If you're not yet old enough to attend a design school, at least get drawing or art lessons. These will help you to discover good drawing techniques and will allow you to perfect styles that work best for you. [2] X Research source Tell the art teacher what you're hoping to do and they might help you do more fashion-related projects. Eventually, it is a good idea to aim for getting a qualification in fashion design; it's a very competitive world now and education can set you ahead of others. It's not for everyone but it certainly can help. -
4Learn to sew. If you don't already know how to do this, get some lessons. It will be invaluable to know how cloth works in relation to stitching, texture, cuts and flow, etc. and only someone able to sew will truly get a feel for this. Fashion design is both art and hard slog, so don't be afraid to get deeply involved with your sewing machine. It'll be quite some time before you can order someone else to do the sewing from your designs!- Knowing how to read, use and design patterns is an essential part of being a good fashion designer. Start with reading and using, then move to making your own. The more comfortable you are with pattern-making, the less tempted you'll feel to reuse stale ideas.
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5Learn all that you can about fabrics. Fabrics are diverse and include both natural and manmade, and mixtures of the two. There are modern and vintage fabrics to learn about too, and you should make a decision as to which you prefer. [3] X Research source- Knowing how fabric handles is essential for a good designer, and the earlier you learn this, the better. There are good reference books in libraries about fabrics you can borrow from the library; these will teach you about the weft and weave, about textures, strength, behavioral qualities of the fabrics, etc.
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1Be inspired without being a copycat. All artists are inspired by prior artists; it is how art grows and changes over time. However, it is also important to find your own expression and not fall slave to certain styles or fads that won't stand the test of time and won't let you stand apart.- Allow yourself to develop over time. You can't expect to have your style emerge overnight; it will take time and it will also require constant noting of the things you like and how you'd use them within your own designs.
- Keep secret Pinterest boards. Add the fashion inspirations to it as you come across them. Use this to keep a track of things that you think would be good to evolve or merge into your own designs.
Anna Wintour, Editor-in-Chief, Vogue MagazineDon't be afraid to push boundaries. "One doesn't want fashion to look ridiculous, silly, or out of step with the times – but you do want designers that make you think, that make you look at fashion differently. That's how fashion changes. If it doesn't change, it's not looking forward. And that's important to me."
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2Improvise. Use the cloth, the colors and the patterns to inspire you and bring forth creative and unique ideas. [4] X Research source -
3Give yourself room to change. You will find that your ideas change over time; that's good, it keeps your designing fresh. However, you might like to come up with a "signature" element to your designs that can be carried through your works over the years. Think about what element that might be now––it might be a particular cut, a color or pattern, an addition to one part of the clothing, etc.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow can I have more experience as a young designer?Ira Lysa is a Fashion Designer based in Hoboken, New Jersey. With over 15 years of industry experience, Ira is the founder of Imperial Alterations, a tailoring business. She also started the fashion brand iralysa.com and Ira’s Bridal Studio, a boutique that specializes in bridal wear. She specializes in alterations for suits, dresses, outerwear, and luxury brands.Gaining experience as a young fashion designer is facilitated by leveraging various online platforms, such as Etsy, establishing a presence on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, and engaging with a wider audience. Dedicate numerous hours to practice, experimenting with design elements like proportions and colors, and gaining hands-on experience with different fabrics. However, don't underestimate the importance of a solid education to further enhance your skills and knowledge in the field.
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QuestionHow do I learn fashion ideas at age 10?Community AnswerRead widely about fashion, about designs through the ages and about how trends form. Do a free online course on fashion. Keep images of your favorite clothes in a fashion notebook. Develop your own designs and styles.
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QuestionWhat if there are no fashion classes where I live?Community AnswerIf there's something to inspire you, then you don't need to go to fashion classes. The more unique and inspiring the fashion, the better. Creating your own design is what fashion is and what makes you want to be a designer. Even you can't go to fashion class, use your imagination.
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Tips
- Learn how to incorporate patterns like zigzags, waves and polka dots. These can set you apart from standard wear but you must know how to use them wisely.Thanks
- You need to practice using fabric.Thanks
- Always practice your skills in your spare time to improve them.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Collect pictures of outfits, fabrics, and styles you find interesting to fill up inspiration folders and vision boards. Having these cool images on hand will give you tons of ideas when it's time to start sketching your own fabulous fashions!
- Practice your sketching whenever you get the chance to keep improving your drawing skills. Solid sketches are so important later on when bringing creative concepts to life or showing your vision to possible bosses.
- Ask any family members who know how to sew if they can teach you the basics. Learning early how fabrics work and how clothes are constructed lets you make more detailed designs as your talents grow.
- When dealing with frustrations or rejections, stay determined and believe in your gifts. Keep learning from mentors and working hard to perfect your craft, and success will come in time!
- Research designers you love and take notes on signature elements they include in each new collection. Developing your own special touch gives your works a recognizable style.
- Reach out to set up job shadowing or informational chats with fashion industry folks to get insider knowledge on this tough business from the pros.
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Warnings
- Never give up based on one person's negative critique or opinion. If someone does not like your sense of fashion, keep trying and believe in yourself.Thanks
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Expert Interview
References
- ↑ https://fupping.com/natty/2018/05/22/the-14-books-every-fashion-student-should-own-and-read/
- ↑ https://sewguide.com/fashion-illustration-drawing/
- ↑ https://startupfashion.com/fashion-designer-without-fashion-school-actual-garment/
- ↑ https://www.hrpub.org/download/20180530/UJER27-19511137.pdf
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Id1YJcnQPo
About This Article
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Reader Success Stories
- "This helped me with my dream that I have always wanted to do, ever since I was a kid."
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"This helped me with my dream that I have always wanted to do, ever since I was a kid."
"I really love this article; it made me confident about me wanting to be a fashion designer, and it really made me keep going and start reading books about fabrics, of course, so if you want to be a fashion designer at really any age, I recommend this. -Luciana"
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"I am a fashion design student, and I'm quitting my regular education because it takes my lot of time. By reading this article, I confirmed that this is the subject of your own creativity and you can do this anyway, most of the success depends on what you do."
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"My 7 yr old daughter is obsessed with all things fashion! She draws well, has a good eye and recently made her own costume for a school recycling fashion project! Great tips to help encourage her to learn more and who knows where it will lead? Thanks!"
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"I am told by many people that my designs are creative and original. But really, I wasn't sure if I really had a future in designing; I'm only ten. This article helped me find many ways to continue in fashion, and I owe a great thanks to the writers!"
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