HOW TO GET INTO THE FASHION INDUSTRY: TIPS & KEY SKILLS BY PREFINA KUZA | SILVER ARTS AWARD

Obviously I’m not in the fashion industry yet or right now but I know there are certain skills you need that many employers and educators (if applying for universities and colleges) are looking for. These skills are pretty much the foundation of what people are looking for in the fashion industry, but you are expected to develop these skills and adapt them to your style. Doing this is what makes you stand out and different from other fashion designers or stylists (or whatever you want to be in the fashion industry)

THINGS THAT THEY LOOK FOR 1.Highly creative and artistic 2.Strong drawing skills 3.Good eye for detail 4.An understanding of texture, colour and quality of fabric 5.Strong visualisation skills 6.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills 7.A good sense for business 8.A competitive spirit 9.Ability to work well with a team 10.Knowledge and interest in current fashion trends

PORTFOLIOS

When trying to get into the fashion industry having a portfolio is really important, especially in design. A portfolio is ; “A set of pieces of creative work collected by someone to display their skills, esp. to a potential employer”

EXAMPLES

STYLING TERMS

There are many terms that you will need to know in the fashion industry. Styling or image styling requires a lot of knowledge which also applies for fashion. As in a sense, if you are a fashion designer you are styling someone in your designs however a stylist puts everything together including jewellery, makeup etc. So as a fashion designer it is necessary to know all of this key terminology.

THE 5 BODY SHAPES

FACE SHAPES

COLOUR PALETTES NEUTRAL COLOUR PALETTE ADDITIONAL COLOUR PALETTE

FASHION INDUSTRY TERMS

Fad - A short lived fashion that becomes suddenly extremely popular, remains for a short period of time, and fades quickly Fashion - Preferences shared by a large number of people for a particular style that lasts a relatively short time, and then replaced by another style Classic – apparel made in a style likely to remain in style for a long time Trend – a direction of movement in which styles, colours, fabrics and designs are moving Avant-garde – wild or daring fashion that is unconventional or ahead of its time

Retro – a fashion reminiscent of the past (20-25 years ago) Croquis – French term used to describe a rough sketch Couture – French term for the business in which original apparel designs are created by designers and the items are manufactured in the couture house using exceptionally fine sewing Haute Couture – the name for the high fashion designer industry of France; high fashion, individually designed, original garments Flat sketch – drawings of clothing without a human figure Mood board – formal statement of your concepts and intentions through pictures and scraps

Presentation board – professional method used to visually display a design concept Attire – clothing Vintage – clothes and accessories from the past retouched and sold in stores Ready to wear – clothing produced in factories to standardised measurements Collection – clothing and accessories offered to customers during a particular season Pret-a-porter – French term meaning ready to wear