### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Fashion Designers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			fashion designers imageFashion designers decide on a theme for a collection.							
						Quick Facts:     Fashion Designers2023     Median Pay
            						$79,290     per year
										$38.12     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Bachelor's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    24,900Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    3% (As fast as average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    800What Fashion Designers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Fashion designers create clothing, accessories, and footwear.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Fashion designers work in wholesale or manufacturing establishments, apparel companies, retailers, theater or dance companies, and design firms. Most fashion designers work in New York and California.
            
                                                How to Become a Fashion Designer
                                                
                        
Fashion designers typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Employers may prefer to hire creative candidates who have technical knowledge of the production processes for clothing, accessories, or footwear.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for fashion designers was $79,290 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of fashion designers is projected to grow							 3 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
						About 2,300 openings for fashion designers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for fashion designers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of fashion designers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about fashion designers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Fashion Designers Do 
            

			Fashion designersFashion designers sketch designs of clothing, footwear, and accessories.			
Fashion designers create original clothing, accessories, and footwear. They sketch designs, select fabrics and patterns, and give instructions on how to make the products they design.
Duties
Fashion designers typically do the following:
Study fashion trends and anticipate designs that will appeal to consumers
Decide on a theme for a collection
Use computer-aided design (CAD) programs to create designs
Visit manufacturers or trade shows to get samples of fabric
Select fabrics, embellishments, colors, or a style for each garment or accessory
Work with other designers or team members to create prototype designs
Present design ideas to creative directors or showcase their ideas in fashion or trade shows
Market designs to clothing retailers or to consumers
Oversee the final production of their designsLarger apparel companies typically employ a team of designers headed by a creative director. Some fashion designers specialize in clothing, footwear, or accessory design; others create designs in all three fashion categories.
For some fashion designers, the first step in creating a new design is researching current fashion and making predictions about future trends, such as by reading reports published by fashion industry trade groups. Other fashion designers create collections using a variety of inspirations, including art media, their surroundings, or cultures they have experienced and places they have visited.
After they have an initial idea, fashion designers try out various fabrics and produce a prototype, often with less expensive material than will be used in the final product. They work with models to see how the design will look and adjust the designs as needed.
Although most designers first sketch their designs by hand, many now also sketch their ideas digitally with computer-aided design (CAD) programs. CAD allows designers to see their work on virtual models. They can try different colors, designs, and shapes while making adjustments more easily than they can when working with real fabric on real people.
Designers produce samples with the actual materials that will be used in manufacturing. Samples that get good responses from fashion editors or trade and fashion shows are then manufactured and sold to consumers.
The design process may vary by specialty, but it generally takes 6 months, from initial design concept to final production, to release either the spring or fall collection. In addition to releasing designs during the spring and fall, some companies release new designs every month.
The Internet and e-commerce allow fashion designers to offer their products outside of traditional brick-and-mortar stores. These designers ship directly to the consumer, without having to invest in a physical shop to showcase their product lines of collections.
The following are examples of types of fashion designers:
***Accessory designers*** design and produce items such as handbags, suitcases, belts, scarves, hats, hosiery, and eyewear.
***Costume designers*** design costumes for the performing arts and for motion picture and television productions. They research the styles worn during the period in which the performance is set, or they work with directors to select and create appropriate attire. They also must stay within the production’s costume budget.
***Clothing designers*** create and help produce men’s, women’s, and children’s apparel, including casual wear, suits, sportswear, evening wear, outerwear, maternity clothing, and intimate apparel.
***Footwear designers*** create and help produce different styles of shoes and boots. As new materials, such as lightweight synthetic materials used in shoe soles, become available, footwear designers produce new designs that combine comfort, form, and function.
 Work Environment
			Fashion designersFashion designers select fabrics, colors, or styles for each garment or accessory.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Fashion designers held about 24,900 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of fashion designers were as follows:
        Apparel, piece goods, and notions merchant wholesalers
                31%Self-employed workers
                17Management of companies and enterprises
                13Apparel manufacturing
                9Motion picture and video industries
                3Many fashion designers work in-house for wholesalers or manufacturers. These wholesalers and manufacturers sell apparel and accessories to retailers or other marketers for distribution to individual stores, catalog companies, or online retailers.
Self-employed fashion designers typically create high-fashion garments and one-of-a-kind (custom) apparel. In some cases, a self-employed fashion designer may have a clothing line that bears his or her name.
Most designers travel several times a year to trade and fashion shows to learn about the latest trends. Designers also sometimes travel to other countries to meet suppliers of materials and manufacturers who make the final products.
Most fashion designers work in New York and California.
Work Schedules
Fashion designers occasionally work many hours to meet production deadlines or prepare for fashion shows. Generally, designers who freelance are under contract; these designers often have long workdays that require them to adjust to their clients’ schedules and deadlines.
 How to Become a Fashion Designer

			Fashion designersFashion designers occasionally work long hours to meet production deadlines or prepare for fashion shows.			
Fashion designers typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Employers may prefer to hire creative candidates who have technical knowledge of the production processes for clothing, accessories, or footwear.
Education
Fashion designers typically have a bachelor’s degree in a fine arts or business field such as fashion design or fashion merchandising. These fashion-focused programs teach students about textiles and fabrics and how to use computer-aided design (CAD) technology. Students also work on projects they can add to their portfolio, which showcases their designs.
For many artists, including fashion designers, developing a portfolio—a collection of design ideas that demonstrates their styles and abilities—is essential. Students studying fashion design often have opportunities to develop their portfolios further by entering their designs in student or amateur contests. When making hiring decisions, employers rely on these portfolios to gauge talent and creativity.
The National Association of Schools of Art and Design accredits more than 360 postsecondary institutions with programs in art and design, and many of them award degrees in fashion design. These schools often require students to have completed basic art and design courses before entering a program. Applicants usually must submit sketches and other examples of their artistic ability.
Other Experience
Fashion designers often gain experience in the fashion industry through internships or by working as an assistant designer. Internships introduce aspiring fashion designers to the design process, building their knowledge of textiles and colors and of how the industry works.
Important Qualities
***Artistic ability.*** Fashion designers sketch their initial design ideas, which are used to create prototypes. Designers must be able to express their vision for the design through illustration.
***Communication skills.*** Throughout the design process, fashion designers must be able to communicate effectively. For example, they may need to instruct sewers about garment construction.
***Computer skills.*** Fashion designers must be able to use computer-aided design (CAD) programs and be familiar with graphics editing software.
***Creativity.*** Fashion designers work with a variety of fabrics, shapes, and colors. Their ideas must be unique, functional, and stylish.
***Decision-making skills.*** When working on teams, fashion designers are exposed to many ideas. They must be able to decide which ideas to incorporate into their designs.
***Detail oriented.*** Fashion designers must have a good eye for small differences in color and other details that can make a design successful.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Fashion DesignersMedian annual wages, May 2023Fashion designers$79,290  Art and design workers$51,660  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for fashion designers was $79,290 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,090, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $160,850.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for fashion designers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Motion picture and video industries
                $98,740Management of companies and enterprises
                94,650Apparel, piece goods, and notions merchant wholesalers
                77,700Apparel manufacturing
                75,460Fashion designers occasionally work many hours to meet production deadlines or prepare for fashion shows. Generally, designers who freelance are under contract; these designers often have long workdays that require them to adjust to their clients’ schedules and deadlines.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
              Fashion DesignersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Total, all occupations3%  Art and design workers3%  Fashion designers3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of fashion designers is projected to grow				 3 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
			
			About 2,300 openings for fashion designers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
The increased demand for a constant flow of new fashion designs has been accelerated by social media influencers and by retailers advertising and selling directly to consumers online. Growing consumer preference for sustainable options in the fashion industry also has created a desire for designs that use eco- and vegan-friendly materials. However, there will be fewer opportunities for self-employed fashion designers, who are unable to compete with large-scale clothing production, limiting overall employment growth of these workers.
			

                        Employment projections data for     fashion designers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Fashion designers**
			27-1022
			24,900
			25,700
			3
			800
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Fashion designers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of fashion designers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Art Directors**
            Art directors are responsible for the visual style and images in magazines, newspapers, product packaging, and movie and television productions.
            Bachelor's degree
            $106,500**Floral Designers**
            Floral designers arrange live, dried, and silk flowers and greenery to make decorative displays.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $34,690**Graphic Designers**
            Graphic designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers.
            Bachelor's degree
            $58,910**Industrial Designers**
            Industrial designers combine art, business, and engineering to develop the concepts for manufactured products.
            Bachelor's degree
            $76,250**Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers**
            Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers design, construct, adjust, repair, appraise and sell jewelry.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $47,450**Models**
            Models pose for artists, photographers, and other clients to help advertise products.
            No formal educational credential
            $47,430**Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents**
            Buyers and purchasing agents buy products and services for organizations. Purchasing managers oversee the work of buyers and purchasing agents.
            Bachelor's degree
            $77,180
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about careers in fashion design, visit
Council of Fashion Designers of America
For more information about educational programs in fashion design, visit
National Association of Schools of Art and Design

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Fashion Designers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Fashion Designers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/fashion-designers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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