FASHION DESIGNERS create clothing and accessory designs. They may plan the production and marketing of their creations. Designers specialize in one type of garment or accessory such as men' s or women's wear, children's garments, swimwear, lingerie, handbags, or shoes. Some high-fashion Designers are self-employed and design for individual clients. They make fashion news by establishing the silhouette, colors, and kinds of materials that will be worn each season. They design original garments as well as follow the established fashion trends.

Fashion Designers perform the following tasks:

• Sketch their ideas.
• Draw and cut patterns to create sample garments.
• Select fabric and trimmings.
• Combine basic dressmaking and tailoring principles with flat pattern work and draping techniques.
• Fit and modify the finished garment.
• Arrange showings for press and buyers when the sample garment line is ready.
• Compare merchandise with those of the competitors.
• Keep current on trends by reading trade magazines and attending fashion shows.
• Visit textile showrooms to keep up to date on latest fabrics.

Fashion Designers frequently use the following skills, knowledge, and abilities:

• Design - Knowledge of design techniques, principles, tools and instruments involved in the production and use of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Idea Generation - Generating a number of different approaches to problems.
• Active Learning - Working with new material or information to grasp its implications.
• Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
• Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
• Visioning - Developing an image of how a system should work under ideal conditions.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

The work environment for Designers varies. Some Designers work in quiet, spacious, well-lit, and well-ventilated areas. Others may work in small areas close to crowded workrooms. Designers work independently but spend much of their time coordinating their work with workroom personnel, buyers, sales personnel, firm members, patrons, and other artists. Designers may travel out of the country for showings, conferences, or shopping. They may work under pressure for long periods to meet deadlines and budget limitations. Many Designers are busy all year preparing styles for the following seasons. Others work intermittently and are laid off when a line is completed.