4/21/2011

The Role Of Fashion Design Schools

By Adriana Noton


From the graceful catwalks of London, to the mass produced clothing items on the rails of retail outlets and the department stores in every nook and cranny of central cities, the fashion industry's influence can be seen. It is this pervading influence that makes it one of the most lucrative industries in the world. Fundamentally, every piece begins with a basic design, crafted by gifted artisans of the trade who most commonly receive formal training in fashion design schools.

The origins of garment and accessory design found their beginnings in the 19th century when designer, Charles Frederick Worth sewed his trademark label onto the garments he had produced, thus pioneering this tradition and forming the start of what was to become the designer, haute couture clothing industry. Before this trend was set, manufacturers would have to produce clothing samples to present to potential buyers. After this innovation however, fashion houses hired sketch artists and designers to produce sketches to clients for their approval before creating the final product according to the relevant measurements and style requirements.

Just as with every consumer product, fashion also has its own mass market as seen in clothing franchises and popular outlets. The designers who work for this mass market are responsible for designing ready-to-wear clothes in all the standard sizes and in large numbers. They base the appearance and style of the garments on worldwide high-fashion trends which are simplified to create affordable clothing made from inexpensive materials which can be manufactured most commonly by sewing machinery.

Designers employed by more upmarket, high-end boutiques produce garments which are tailor-made from more expensive fabrics and are cut to meet specific size requirements. These boutiques normally create only one or two in each size, making these pieces more exclusive. These outlets usually create seasonal lines which are not re-produced, are limited in their availability and are generally better-quality than mass produced pieces.

Haute couture (meaning, high-fashion, in French) designers create custom-fitting, tailor-made pieces for specific individuals who commission them for the creation of very specific, one-off garments. No expense is spared on the fabric or necessary embellishments or accessories. What matters is that ii fits the client perfectly, is the exact color that was requested and that it meets with the styling demands of the client. This involves a painstaking amount of arduous hard work and produces final garments which are of the highest quality of material and design.

Various artistic colleges and learning institution provide degrees in this field for aspiring designers wishing to transform their talents into viable and successful career paths. While studying, they will be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to turn static ideas into character-filled pieces which bare their trademark. They will also be trained on how to work according to the specifics of briefs or client orders.

Skills like pattern-making and sewing may be part of the course curricula, but are not always included. These schools are where designers receive their formal training and sharpen their networking skills before beginning their apprenticeships and eventually, becoming designers in their own capacities.

Although the industry may be associated with the houses of Paris, New York, Milan, Tokyo and London, fashion design schools can be found throughout the world. They are the creative hubs where artistic concepts are transformed into designs which represent the texture, hue, contours and embellishments of the final garment.




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