When most people think about a fashion career, they picture a designer sketching an idea for a new dress, or a model walking down a runway to show off the latest design. While the fashion industry wouldn’t exist without the designers or models, of course, there are also a number of other fashion careers that people might forget about. In fact, many of the fashion professionals who go unnoticed behind the scenes are just as important to the fashion industry as the designers and models that we typically see.
The fashion industry is typically split into four main fields: design, manufacturing, marketing/promotion, and retail sales. The design field includes jobs such as designers, pattern makers, and sketching assistants who create designs, revise designs, and/or break designs down into their component parts. The manufacturing field includes positions such as apparel workers, dressmakers, seamstresses, tailors, and textile workers who produce the accessories and garments that others have designed. The marketing/promotion field includes marketers, photographers, models, and stylists who help a designer present and sell accessories and garments to a retailer. The retail sales field includes jobs such as buyers, merchandise planners, salespeople, and retail managers who buy the accessories and garments from the designer and then sell them to the general public.
What Can I do with a Major In Fashion?
Model
One career you might pursue is that of a model. A fashion model wears the various garments and accessories that an individual or a company designs to show off the features of the design. Models are responsible for letting people see the way that the design looks on a real person so that retailers and consumers will then want to purchase the garment. Models walk down runways in fashion shows; construct portfolios that contain images depicting their previous modeling experience and modeling skills; exercise regularly and watch their diets to maintain their figures; follow the instructions of clients, fashion coordinators, fashion show managers, fashion photographers, and other similar professionals; and receive professional attention from make-up artists, stylists, and other similar professionals.
A model typically earns between $25,000 and $40,000 a year, but some may make as little as $16,000 a year if just starting out in the fashion field or over $55,000 a year if he or she has a lot of experience. The amount earned is also based on the model’s reputation and the amount of his or her body that is displayed. A model may be able to make significantly more if he or she is well-known and is regularly required to display garments and accessories that cover the entire body and show the face rather than just reveal an arm, a hand, a leg, or a foot. Models do not typically receive any benefits beyond their standard pay; the amount that a model earns varies greatly from year to year depending on the number of contracts he or she has, the length of each contract, and the amount of time between contracts.
The specific requirements necessary to become a model vary from agency to agency and client to client. However, most modeling clients and agencies require that you have a portfolio showing that you are photogenic and that you have the physical attributes that the agency or client is looking for (such as height, overall appearance, weight, and so on). A degree is not typically required for a modeling career, but a degree in fashion or a certificate from a modeling school may help you obtain a position in some cases. Almost every client or agency will be more interested in your overall appearance and your ability to look good on camera than they will be in your education.
Photographer
Another fashion job to consider is that of photographer. A fashion photographer, also sometimes known as a commercial photographer, takes pictures of the garments and/or accessories that an individual or company designs, as well as pictures of the models wearing those garments and accessories. Fashion photographers are responsible for making sure that each photograph shows the garment, accessory, and/or model in the best possible way. Fashion photographers adjust the lighting of the room and camera settings; create portfolios that contain the best pictures of each accessory, garment, or model; explain how models should pose for pictures; store electronic or physical copies of each picture; test cameras to make sure that they are in working order prior to each photo shoot; use backdrops, digital cameras, film cameras, tripods, and other similar equipment to take pictures; and use computers to review and edit each picture so that each accessory, garment, and model looks as good as possible.
A fashion photographer typically earns between $20,000 and $45,000 a year, but some may make more or less depending on their experience and the employer. A photographer may make as little as $16,000 a year if he or she is just starting out and is self-employed, or as much as $65,000 a year if experienced and employed by a large commercial photography firm. The amount earned is also based on the photographer’s reputation and his or her skill with a camera. A fashion photographer may be able to make significantly more than a typical photographer if he or she is well-known and has a portfolio that shows a significant amount of skill. Self-employed photographers are typically required to pay for the backdrops, cameras, computers, lighting equipment, and software, while a photographer working for a commercial photography firm is typically not required to pay for these expenses.
Specific requirements for becoming a fashion photographer vary. For self-employed photographers, most clients require that you have a portfolio that demonstrates your camera skills and that you show proof of technical skills (sometimes including proof of photography courses taken at a technical school or college). A commercial photography firm, on the other hand, will typically require that you have a bachelor’s degree in photography and/or fashion design. Some clients and commercial photography firms will also require you to show that you have obtained some experience in the field as a photography assistant or intern.
Salesperson
A fashion salesperson, sometimes known as a fashion retail salesperson or a fashion sales representative, sells garments and accessories to retailers or consumers. Salespeople are responsible for convincing a retailer or consumer to buy the products that an individual or a company designs. Fashion salespeople assess the needs of each consumer or retailer to determine the accessories or garments that best meet those needs; contact customers to discuss some of the new designs that they may be interested in; discuss payment and delivery options; explain the qualities of the various garments or accessories that are available for sale; fill out order forms for standard orders and special orders; help consumers try on accessories and garments; invite retailers to fashion shows so that they can get a better idea of how the garment will look on an actual person; provide information about the price of each accessory or garment; ring up transactions and record purchase information; and send and hand out advertisements, catalogs, fabric samples, and photographs.
A fashion salesperson typically earns between $17,000 and $45,000 a year, but may make under $15,000 a year if he or she works in a retail location in which it is relatively difficult to sell the store’s accessories and garments, or as much as $105,000 a year if he or she works for a large fashion design firm. The amount that a salesperson earns is also based on his or her experience and clientele. A fashion salesperson may be able to make significantly more than usual with a lot of experience in the sales field, a large number of clients, a number of well-known clients, and/or a number of clients that make large purchases. Fashion salespeople typically make a sizable portion of their income from the money that they make on commission (a portion of the money from the purchase) or the bonuses that they receive for reaching a certain sales quota.
Specific requirements for becoming a fashion salesperson vary from company to company. Most retailers require that you have a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) credential, pass a background check, and have some sort of proof of good communications skills (the specific type of proof may vary, but most stores will require you to demonstrate your skills in an interview and/or take a personality or a sales test). A design company typically has the same requirements as a retailer, but most design companies will also require you to have some sales experience (typically two or more years in a sales position related to the fashion industry).
Stylist
Stylist is another popular fashion job. A stylist, also known as a personal stylist or a makeup artist (depending on the styling tasks that they are required to perform), uses styling techniques and makeup to improve the overall appearance of an actor, model, or other client. These individuals are responsible for making sure that their clients look their best before they step in front of a camera or a crowd. Stylists assess the overall appearance and needs of each client to determine which styling techniques and/or makeup will help the client achieve the desired look; provide advice to clients about the makeup that they should use and/or the garments or accessories that they should wear (especially when trying to emphasize the qualities of a new design); use blush, eyeliner, eye shadow, foundation, lipstick, mascara, nail polish, and other similar types of makeup to cover up skin imperfections and improve the client’s overall appearance; use conditioners, hair dyes, hair gels, hair sprays, mousse, shampoos, spritz, and other similar hair care products to wash and style an individual’s hair; and reapply the client’s makeup and adjust the client’s hair and clothing to make sure that he or she maintains the desired look for as long as necessary.
A stylist typically earns between $25,000 and $40,000 a year, but some may make under $16,000 a year if just starting out and having a limited client base, or as much as a $100,000 a year if having a lot of experience and a large number of well-known clients. The amount that a stylist earns is also based on his or her employer, skills, and reputation. A stylist may be able to make significantly more than usual if he or she works for a major model or celebrity, has a degree in styling and/or fashion design, and is relatively well-known throughout the fashion industry. There are two main types of stylists: makeup artists and personal stylists. A makeup artist specializes in the application of makeup, and a personal stylist specializes in improving an individual’s image through accessories, clothing, hair styling, and/or makeup. A makeup artist should expect to earn less than a personal stylist because the former is usually only familiar with makeup techniques.
Specific requirements for becoming a stylist vary drastically. Most clients and companies require that you have a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) credential, an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in styling and/or fashion design, a portfolio that shows before-and-after pictures of some of your previous work, and some experience in the styling field (typically more than a year of experience as a fashion assistant, a personal styling apprentice, or a styling intern). You may also need a license to practice styling in some states. However, the main qualification is talent. A high school dropout who can make models look dazzling will never lack for work.
Designer
One highly sought after fashion job is that of designer. A fashion designer, also sometimes known as an accessory designer or a clothing designer (depending on the type of product), designs new accessories and/or garments. Designers are responsible for analyzing the accessories and garments in the stores of other major designers, at fashion shows, and in fashion magazines so that they can use this information to plan out new accessories and garments that may be popular in the near future based on current trends. Fashion designers create design samples with or without the aid of a sewer; discuss their ideas with clients, fashion marketers, managers, and/or other designers to determine if the idea actually makes sense or not; discuss their ideas with textile companies to determine which materials should be used; draw new designs for accessories and garments; provide advice to sketching assistants and pattern makers regarding the appropriate way to create, break down, or assemble a design; use design samples and models to look for problems in the design and make the appropriate alterations; and use models to present their designs in fashion shows and other similar locations.
A fashion designer typically earns between $40,000 and $90,000 a year, but may make under $30,000 a year if just starting out or over $125,000 a year if very well-known and with years of experience in the fashion industry. The amount that a fashion designer earns is also based on his or her employer and skills. A designer may be able to make significantly more than usual if he or she works for a major fashion design company and/or has a strong design portfolio. Most fashion designers will make more in a fashion design firm than they will if they are self-employed.
Specific requirements for becoming a fashion designer vary from client to client and company to company. Most clients and companies require that you have a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) credential, an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in fashion design, and a portfolio with some of the previous accessories and/or garments that you have designed. Some clients and companies may also require or prefer that you have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in marketing or fashion merchandising and/or some experience in the fashion industry (typically more than a year of experience as a custom seamstress or tailor, fashion assistant, fashion design intern, fashion salesperson, pattern maker, personal stylist, or sketching assistant).
Pattern Maker
Pattern maker is another important fashion job. A pattern maker, also sometimes known as a fabric pattern maker or an apparel pattern maker (depending on the type of pattern), takes a fashion designer’s design and breaks it down into a series of pieces. Pattern makers are responsible for making sure that a manufacturer or a sewer can assemble the accessories and garments that a fashion designer has designed. Pattern makers examine each design to determine the best way to break the pattern down into a series of pieces that can be reassembled; make paper outlines of each part of the design to make sure that the design can be reassembled correctly; make a set of instructions that a manufacturer can use to reassemble the design from the pattern; make notes on the pattern to indicate where each piece should be attached and where each feature (button, pocket, zipper, etc.) should be located; determine the best way for a manufacturer to use the pattern in order to produce as many accessories and garments as possible with as few materials as possible; talk to fashion designers and manufacturers about the designs and patterns; and use charts, computers, and other similar equipment to modify the pattern so that a manufacturer can have several different variations to reproduce in different sizes.
A pattern maker typically earns between $25,000 and $50,000 a year, but some may make under $18,000 a year if just starting out in a textile company or over $75,000 a year with a lot of experience and if working for a large apparel company. The amount that a pattern maker earns is also heavily based on the area in which the individual works. A pattern maker may be able to make significantly more than usual if he or she works for a major company located on the East or West Coast of the United States rather than a company located in other parts of the country. A pattern maker may be able to join a textile workers union; union members typically earn more than nonunion workers.
Specific requirements for becoming a pattern maker vary from job to job. Most companies require that you have a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) credential and some experience in the fashion industry (typically more than a year of experience as a custom seamstress or tailor, fashion assistant, fashion design intern, fashion designer, sketching assistant, tailoring intern, or textile worker). While a college degree is not typically required for a pattern-making position, some companies may require or prefer that you complete a series of courses in fashion design or manufacturing at an art school, community college, college, university, or technical school.
Marketer
One of the less glamorous, but still important, fashion careers you can pursue is that of a marketer. A fashion marketer creates advertising campaigns and/or marketing plans that an individual or company can use to sell its products. Fashion marketers are responsible for making sure that each accessory and garment is presented to the retailers or consumers in the best way possible. Fashion marketers analyze current trends to determine if a new idea or design is marketable or not; determine which age group, gender, or geographical area is more likely to buy the product and gather other information about their target market; discuss new ideas and designs with fashion designers to determine the qualities that may make the new design more marketable; draft advertisements and/or marketing plans that emphasize the qualities of a particular design and convince individuals within the target market to purchase it; draft plans for fashion shows that include details about which and how accessories and garments will be displayed; estimate the total cost of an advertising or marketing campaign and create a budget; review and edit advertisements to make sure that they convey the desired message to the target market; and set the suggested retail price for the accessory or garment based on the cost to produce the product, the target market, and other similar factors.
A fashion marketer typically earns between $55,000 and $95,000 a year, but some may make as little as $35,000 a year if just starting out in a small marketing company or as much as $125,000 a year if a senior marketer at a large marketing firm. The amount that a fashion marketer makes is also heavily based on his or her education. A fashion marketer may be able to make significantly more than usual if he or she has a master’s degree in marketing or another similar field. Fashion marketers also typically receive bonuses if their advertising and marketing campaigns are extremely successful; these bonuses can add anywhere from a few thousand dollars to over $15,000 a year to their income.
Specific requirements for becoming a fashion marketer vary. Most companies require that you have a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) credential, a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in advertising or marketing, and some marketing or sales experience (typically two to five years of experience as a fashion salesperson, marketing assistant, marketing intern, or another similar marketing or sales professional). Some companies may also require or prefer that you have a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in marketing, a bachelor’s degree in fashion design, and/or another similar degree, especially if you are attempting to obtain an upper-level position as a fashion advertising manager or a fashion marketing manager.
Retail Manager
If you enjoy dealing directly with the public, you might consider a career as a retail manager. A fashion retail manager, also sometimes known as a fashion store manager, oversees the activities of a store that sells accessories and/or garments to the general public. Retail managers are responsible for making sure that the cashiers, salespeople, and other employees of a store perform the tasks necessary for the store to succeed. Fashion retail managers design and implement sales plans; discuss problems and new sales strategies with the store’s employees and/or the district manager who oversees the area in which the store is located (if the store is part of a large chain); establish a budget for the store and establish strategies that the store can use to stay within its budget; help employees answer questions and find products for customers; help employees handle customer complaints, problems with customers, and transaction issues; hire cashiers, salespeople, and other store employees; order new accessories and/or garments for the store; report the store’s sales and count the money that the store takes in each day; schedule employees to make sure that every shift is covered and that salaries are within budget; set up signs and displays; and supervise and train the store’s employees.
A fashion retail manager typically earns between $25,000 and $50,000 a year, but some may make as little as $20,000 a year if managing his or her first small store or as much as $65,000 a year if managing a large store for quite some time. The amount a fashion retail manager makes is also heavily based on the area in which he or she works. A fashion retail manager may be able to make significantly more than usual if he or she works for a large store or a major retail chain on the East or West Coast of the United States rather than for a company located in another part of the country. Fashion retail managers also typically make a sizable portion of their income from the sales that the store makes on commission (a portion of the money collected from each sale) and/or the bonuses that they receive if the store makes a profit.
Specific requirements for becoming a fashion retail manager vary. Most companies require that you have a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) credential, have at least two years of experience in a customer service or retail position related to the fashion industry, pass a background check, and complete a training program. Some companies may also require or prefer that you have an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in business or management, a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and/or another similar degree.
Buyer
One career in fashion with a lot of influence is that of a buyer. A fashion buyer, also sometimes known as a fashion purchasing agent or a fashion merchandise manager, locates and purchases the accessories, garments, and supplies that a fashion design company or a retail store needs to function. Fashion buyers are responsible for making sure that the company or store is able to acquire all of the products that it sells and all of the supplies that it uses in the most inexpensive way possible. Fashion buyers check inventory levels to make sure that their company or store has all of the supplies and products that it needs; discuss the company’s needs with its salespeople, managers, and suppliers; discuss new products with the company’s managers and salespeople; examine inventory databases and sales records to determine how much the store or company should expect to sell and purchase; establish agreements with suppliers to purchase goods at a fixed rate or a lower rate than the supplier typically charges; and look for suppliers that may offer a similar-quality product at a lower cost.
A fashion buyer typically earns between $35,000 and $70,000 a year, but some may make as little as $28,000 a year if just starting out with a small company or as much as $90,000 a year if he or she has been working for a large company for quite some time. The amount that a fashion buyer makes is also heavily based on the area in which he or she works. A fashion buyer may be able to make significantly more than usual if working for a major fashion designer or a large retail chain on the East or West Coast of the United States rather than for a company located in another part of the country. Fashion buyers also typically make a sizable portion of their income from the bonuses that they receive if the company or store makes a profit and/or comes in under budget.
Most companies require that you have a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) credential, have a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in business or economics, and complete a one- to-five-year training program. Some companies may also require or prefer that you have an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in fashion design, a Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP) or another similar certification, and/or some sales experience (typically one to five years of experience in a retail store where you were required to perform some buying activities).
Seamstress/Tailor
Have you considered becming a seamstress or tailor? A seamstress is a female fashion professional who makes accessories and garments, and a tailor is a male fashion professional who makes accessories and garments. Seamstresses and tailors are responsible for turning a pattern into an accessory or garment that someone can actually wear. They create patterns when a pattern is not available; cut fabric according to the pattern to create the various pieces of the garment; discuss accessories, garments, and patterns with their customers and managers; examine fabrics to determine which is best suited for a particular purpose; make alterations to accessories, garments, and patterns to improve the way that an item fits on a specific individual; measure the length of an individual’s arms, legs, neck, waist, and other features to determine the correct size of the accessory or garment; mend damaged accessories and garments; and use bobbins, buttons, fabric, needles, patterns, thread, scissors, sewing machines, and other similar equipment to assemble accessories and garments.
Seamstresses and tailors typically earn between $20,000 and $35,000 a year, but some may make under $17,000 a year if just starting out and self-employed, or over $42,000 a year with years of experience and if working in a large custom shop. The amount that a seamstress or tailor makes is also heavily based on his or her clientele, reputation, and specialty. A seamstress or tailor may be able to make significantly more than usual if he or she is well-known, has a number of famous or wealthy clients, and specializes in custom garments (especially bridal gowns and other unique items). A seamstress or tailor is not necessarily required to work with the garments that are appropriate to his or her gender (even though they frequently do). Their salaries are typically the same regardless of whether they work with menswear, women’s wear, or a combination of the two.
Specific requirements for becoming a seamstress or tailor vary from client to client and company to company. Most clients and companies require only that you have some sewing experience (typically one to five years of experience in a position related to the production of accessories and/or garments). Some clients and companies may also require a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) credential, a certificate or degree in dressmaking or tailoring from a college or technical school, and/or completion of an internship or training program before you begin working.
Visual Merchandiser
One fashion job that allows you to express your creativity is that of visual merchandiser. A visual merchandiser, also sometimes known as a display merchandiser or a fashion merchandiser, determines how all of the accessories and garments in a store will be displayed. Visual merchandisers are responsible for making sure that the customers can see every accessory and garment and that the accessories and garments look like something that a customer might want to buy. Visual merchandisers examine the accessories and garments available on the market to determine if a store might be interested in them; develop, use, and modify product placement plans known as planograms to make sure that it is easy to see each item and that each item will fit in the space allowed; discuss the products that the store typically buys and potential new products with the store’s buyers, salespeople, and managers; hang signs for new products and sales; and set up mannequins, store windows, and other similar displays to show off new designs.
Visual merchandisers typically earn between $37,000 and $58,000 a year, but some may make under $27,000 a year if just starting out in a small company or over $70,000 a year with years of experience and if working in a large store or a major retail chain. The amount that a fashion merchandiser makes is also heavily based on the area in which he or she works. A visual merchandiser may be able to make significantly more than usual if he or she works for a large store or a major retail chain on the East or West Coast of the United States rather than for a company located in another part of the country. Some visual merchandisers may receive bonuses if their store’s or district’s sales meet or exceed the established target number of sales.
Specific requirements for becoming a visual merchandiser vary from company to company. Most companies require that you have a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) credential and some experience in a related field (typically three to five years of experience in customer service, general retail, sales, marketing, or another similar field). Some companies may also require or prefer that you have an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in business, fashion design, fashion merchandising, marketing, or another similar field.