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Working in the fashion industry is the dream of so many people today. It’s creative, exciting, diverse, and challenging at the same time. Those who want to pursue a career in styling and design typically have a strong passion for fashion and dream of doing the job they would fully enjoy. Data shows that the fashion industry is growing, with the expected annual growth rate being 9.99% by 2027. That means it’s the industry you want to be a part of.
But many tend to get confused in terms of the education they should pursue. So, how do you become a professional fashion designer or stylist? What is the right career path? We’ll answer these questions, and more, in the article below.
Explore Fashion Schools
The first step in the process of pursuing a career in fashion is to do thorough research on fashion schools. Luckily, there are tons of different educational institutions you could enroll in that offer programs that suit your aspirations.
To name a few, there’s the Fashion Institute of Technology in NY, the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in LA, the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, and the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah.
These are just a couple of examples, but there are dozens of other fashion colleges across the country where you can earn your fashion degree. Find out what they are and where they are to continue your search.
Learn About the Programs
Next, you’ll want to see exactly what programs these colleges offer. This will help you narrow your choices and see what kind of educational opportunities you have.
Some of the most popular programs are:
- Fashion Design
- Fashion Merchandising
- Fashion Styling
- Fashion Communication
- Textile Development and Marketing
- Textile and Jewelry
You can find precise information about each program on the institution’s website. Read about the course, practical work, teachers, curriculum, and more. Try creating a list and continuing your research.
Learn How to Enroll
Next, and most importantly, you’ll need to learn about the enrollment process and the requirements set by the college for their future and potential students. Luckily, you can read detailed guides on the websites of your chosen institutions and start preparing on time.
Apart from the typical enrollment elements, such as a high school diploma, application form, and academic transcripts, fashion colleges may ask you to submit some additional elements to your application.
In many cases, that includes:
– a statement of purpose
This is an essay you need to write to explain why you’d be a great choice and the right addition to their school. If you need help, there are 100% free essays that can help you nail this statement. The important thing is that it’s honest, unique, and personal.
– a portfolio
Your college will want to see some proof and examples of your creative skills, so it would be great to have a portfolio.
– an entrance exam
Some colleges organize skill-specific entrance exams that test your knowledge and practical, creative work.
The enrollment process is different for every college, so make sure to do your homework and learn how best to prepare.
Non-Official Education
Once enrolling in the desired college and program, you’ll need to focus on your academic work. But that shouldn’t be the only source of your education. You should look for other non-official learning opportunities to improve your skills and gain as much experience as you can.
Depending on your location, free time, aspirations, and possibilities, you can opt for the following:
- apprenticeship
- internship
- workshops
- volunteer work
- charity work
- networking
Look for fashion organizations, events, or companies that offer such opportunities. This will allow you to stay close to the action and learn on the spot from fashion professionals. You could even start a small personal business designing clothes and jewelry and selling it online.
Final Thoughts
The best type of education when pursuing a career in fashion styling or design is the combination of official college education and various non-academic opportunities. You need to diversify in terms of where you’re learning and from who to develop your fashion skills fully.
We hope this guide gave you an idea as to where to start and how to slowly but surely build your fashion career.
