Information Provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
In 2004, two-thirds of salaried fashion designers were employed in either New York or California. Employers seek designers with a 2- or 4-year degree who are knowledgeable about textiles, fabrics, ornamentation, and fashion trends. Job competition is expected to be keen as many designers are attracted to the creativity and glamour associated with the occupation, while relatively few job openings arise. More than 1 out of 4 are self-employed.
On average, Fashion Designers earn $ 62,610 per year.
Job Opportunities for Fashion Designers are expected to:
Increase slower than average.
Fashion designers help create the billions of dresses, suits, shoes, and other clothing and accessories purchased every year by consumers. Designers study fashion trends, sketch designs of clothing and accessories, select colors and fabrics, and oversee the final production of their designs. Clothing designers create and help produce mens, womens, and childrens apparel, including casual wear, suits, sportswear, formalwear, outerwear, maternity, and intimate apparel. Footwear designers help create and produce different styles of shoes and boots.
In fashion design, employers usually seek individuals with a 2- or 4-year degree who are knowledgeable about textiles, fabrics, ornamentation, and fashion trends.
Fashion designers held about 20,000 jobs in 2006. About 28 percent of fashion designers worked for apparel, piece goods, and notions merchant wholesalers; and the remainder worked for corporate offices involved in the management of companies and enterprises, clothing stores, performing arts companies, and specialized design services firms. Another 24 percent were self-employed.
