What does a Fashion Designer do?

A fashion designer is responsible for creating eye-catching, innovative designs that will propel the brand to the next level. They are responsible for the entire design of the piece of clothing. A few of the main duties of a fashion designer are sketching out a new design, deciding which type of fabric to use, displaying the piece at an event, and creating a manufacturing plan. They also have to test the design on various models and people. Some of the jobs titles that a fashion designer could grow into are art director and head designer.

A fashion designer should have two years of experience in design as well as a Bachelor's or Associate's degree in fashion design. One of the most important skills that a fashion designer will have is great attention to detail. Another skill is self motivated as the fashion designer will have to create innovative designs in order to be successful.

What responsibilities are common for Fashion Designer jobs?
  • Sketch out the design
  • Test different materials for the design
  • Test the design on models and people
  • Display designs to potential customers and vendors
  • Work with production to see if the design is feasible
  • Attend fashion events
  • Increase knowledge of the fashion industry
  • Develop innovative designs for the organization
What are the typical qualifications for Fashion Designer jobs?
  • Bachelor's or Associate's degree in fashion design
  • Ability to create eye-catching designs
  • A good eye for fashion
  • Deep knowledge of the fashion industry
  • Incredible attention to detail
  • The willingness to go the extra mile
  • Incredible creative ability
  • Ability to work alone
  • Ability to collaborate with other designers
EducationBachelor's Degree
Work/Life Balance
3.4 ★
Salary Range--
Career Opportunity
3.3 ★
Avg. Experience2-4 years

Fashion Designer Salaries

Average Base Pay

$52,270 /yr
Same as national average
Not including cash compensation
See More Insights
$35K
Median: $52K
$79K
See More Insights
Glassdoor Estimated Salary

Fashion Designer Career Path

Learn how to become a Fashion Designer, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.

Fashion Designer
$52,270/yr
Senior Fashion Designer
$50,780/yr
Fashion Designer

Years of Experience Distribution

0 - 1
42%
2 - 4
47%
5 - 7
5%
8+
6%
Not including years spent in education and/or training

Fashion Designer Insights

Read what Fashion Designer professionals have to say about their job experiences and view top companies for this career.
Les Indiennes
Fashion Designer
Jun 22, 2021

“While working here i thoroughly enjoyed my experience... my boss was very understanding and fun to work with.”

TeleperformanceTeleperformance
Costumer Executive
Apr 19, 2022

“Teleperformance is an international brand and freshers have an good opportunity to setup their career in a effective way.”

MiintoMiinto
Head of Circular Fashion
Jun 25, 2021

“One thing that for me personally I find the best is the culture top down and bottom up.”

ION MarketingION Marketing
Design Coordinator
May 9, 2023

“One of the best things about working in ION is the opportunity for growth and learning.”

Vero HomeVero Home
Marketing and Design Coordinator
Jun 30, 2022

“You feel good everyday knowing you're making a positive impact in the city/neighborhoods you work in”

initial Fashioninitial Fashion
Assistant Fashion Designer
Feb 15, 2021

“Initial is a good place to start your career because of the resources they can provide.”

Vista HomesVista Homes
Marketing and Design Coordinator
Mar 3, 2023

“I can honestly say I'm one of those lucky people who genuinely love both what they do and who they do it with.”

Ouray SportswearOuray Sportswear
Seamstress
Mar 4, 2021

“In a month and a half they did not give us any solid timeline of when our jobs would be dissolved.”

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Fashion Designer Interviews

Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of fashion designers

A typical day for a fashion designer is spent creating new designs and working on current designs. They sketch out ideas on paper or use computer programs or tablets to create initial designs and do market research on the latest trends.

Fashion design is a good career choice for someone who loves style, fashion, and creativity. It's a highly competitive industry, with designers in major demand globally. You need to have in-depth knowledge of design concepts, sewing, and overall garment construction to succeed in this field.

Fashion designers have the potential to make very good money, but only the best make the top tier. The average salary for fashion designers is $52,270 a year, with entry-level designers making about $34,519 a year. The best-paid designers in the U.S. can make over $79,149 a year.

Working as a fashion designer can sometimes be hard, and it's not an easy business to break into. However, designers who have a passion for the industry and work hard can have a very rewarding career, whether it's creating their own line or working for an apparel company or retailer.

Related Careers

Creative Designer
$52,500
38% skills overlap
Design Manager
$103,473
Creative Director
$107,386
No skills overlap
Designer
$61,393
13% skills overlap

Fashion Designer jobs