Five Myths and Five Tips
for Breaking Into a Career
as a Fashion Designer
By Jennie S. Bev, StyleCareer.com Editor-in-Chief

Becoming a fashion designer is a lifelong dream for many of us. We all love
to wear beautiful clothes and make ourselves feel good from the inside out.

We often imagine what it feels like to actually make money doing something
this great: dressing people up and making them feel good, models catwalking
the runway gracefully to showcase our designs, stylists working frantically
at the backstage and we are introduced as "the designer" at the closing. Ah,
pretty tempting, indeed, but somehow it feels so surreal. Can I actually
become a fashion designer?

Despite the misconception that only those who graduate from New York
prestigious fashion schools can make it big in this highly lucrative and
competitive field, many fashion designers literally work their way up
working from home.

Karen and Warren Hipwell, for instance, started and still operate design
studio from their residence in Massachusetts. Despite their humble start,
now their products are sold in 110 retailers nationwide. Pure luck? Think
again.

You, too, can become a fashion designer even if you have never worn
"designer" clothes, don't have a fashion degree, can't draw or sew, and live
far away from New York or Los Angeles. These are no more than myths. Let me
briefly explain them to you.

• Myth One: I have never worn "designer" clothes.
  Reality: All clothes, including those in your closet, are designed by
  fashion designers. Many people confuse designer "collection," which means
  high-priced seasonal line designed by top designers, with "the person" who
  designs clothes.

• Myth Two: I don't have a fashion degree.
  Reality: Unlike the medical professions, which require extensive classroom
  and hands-on training, you can learn how to design anywhere. No special
  education is needed. You'll be surprised to know that many established
  designers don't have any special training.

• Myth Three: I live far away from New York or Los Angeles.
  Reality: While NY and LA are great places to find an internship position
  with established designers, fashion is a part of life and fashion designers
  can be found everywhere. Whether you live in a city of millions or a town of
  10,000, there must be at least a few local fashion designers.

• Myth Four: I cannot draw or sew.
  Reality: Nobody can at the beginning. Strong motivation and perseverance are more important than how well you can draw or sew. Such skills can be learned easily (including using some free resources).

• Myth Five: I don't feel comfortable working in a high-profile industry.
  Reality: Well, this glamorous image is no more than the most over-rated
  trait of the fashion industry. This image is created by the media with the
  help of fashion publicists and marketers to boost sales. Thus, the purpose
  is pure business. The better the coverage, the better the sales will be.
  Fashion designers work very hard for 18 to 24 months to deliver the best
  designs of the season.

Now you're ready to plunge into this often-misunderstood field, here are
some tips:

First, a fashion designer is an artist and an entrepreneur in one. Why?
Because if you design in the name of art without considering the
marketability, it's very likely you won't be successful. Many designers fail
because of this.

Second, you can choose your design specializations from a long list of
classifications. Trivial items, such as beach and leg wears, are highly
profitable products and relatively easy to produce compared with haute
couture pieces.

Third, understand what your career goal is. You can choose whether you want
to work for others or for yourself. Whichever one your choice is,
apprenticeship is always a great option for new designers.

Fourth, keep up with the industry trends and news. Travel and read a lot to
be informed and inspired. New insights will keep your creative skills fresh
and ready to roll.

Fifth, persevere. Perseverance is the most important virtue of all because
without it, nothing can be completed. Perseverance is your ticket to the
peak of your career.

Jennie S. Bev is an author and the Editor-in-Chief of StyleCareer.com. StyleCareer.com publishes eGuides that help fashion job seekers breaking into and succeeding in their dream careers.