Fashion Design

Fashion designers develop clothing, accessories, footwear and other items of personal apparel.

They study the design and construction of clothing, its historical development and styles and the techniques and processes available for its manufacture. They rely heavily on illustration skills and the making of samples to communicate their designs.

They prepare designs to meet marketing, manufacturing and financial requirements and arrive at the optimum design of a product. They consider both functional and aesthetic aspects and pay particular attention to relationship of the apparel to the human form.

They prepare clothing samples to demonstrate and test products. They prepare drawings and illustrations of clothing to assist in the decision making process and support marketing efforts.

They select materials, resolve assembly and manufacturing details and produce patterns for others involved in the manufacturing process. They prepare for production and develop and oversee subsequent adjustments and refinements to the product.

It is common for fashion designers to be employed within manufacturing companies who develop mass produced clothing for the retail trade. Others work in small businesses making specialised lines of clothing for boutique retailers. Others produce custom tailored clothing for personal clients.

Fashion designers may find employment in the wholesaling and retailing of clothing or in the media specialising in fashion and clothing.

ANZSCO (2006) occupation code 232311.