How realistic is wanting to be a "fashion designer"

[crazyquik]

Like a lot of kids, I loved to draw growing up. Occasionally I'd say I wanted to become a fashion designer. Once I got to high school I discarded that idea as being "unrealistic."

But, there are real-live fashion designers. How did they get there? Do they really go to a handful of those 'fashion institutes'? Is there a 4 year degree in fashion design? Can you actually get a paying job?

I suppose the bulk of "fashion designers" work in-house at GAP, Abercrombie, Hollister, Victoria's Secret, Target, Ralph Lauren, etc etc designing stuff, which their buyers will then give to factories in Asia to copy, and sell in malls across America. Is it pure luck to be the next Tom Ford (or Thom Browne)?

 

[Willsw]

Go talk to people, make them like you, talk to more, make them think you can do something worthwhile, talk to more people, make them think you can make money for them, talk to even more people, make them think their lives will be more fulfilling with you successful.

Somewhere along the way, draw something, or not, depending on how good you are at the first part. This is how you succeed in the cultural arts.

 

[crazyquik]

Actually, I guess Get Smart is sort of like SF's own Ralph Lauren. Maybe TaT will be sold in every mall department store in America in 30 years, and there will be a Thick as Thieves Mansion?

 

[bbaquiran]

Ask eric glennie.

 

[dtmt]

Originally Posted by crazyquik

Is it pure luck to be the next Thom Browne?
Judging by the last Thom Browne, I'd say yes.

 

[appolyon]

I know that one of the respected universities in Aus offers a four year degree in fashion design ... I've had friends that tried to get through it and couldn't make it ... apparently its one of the tougher degrees to do

 

[jhao]

Do you know someone that is already in the bussiness? do you have some kind of contacts to help you in the start?

 

[Get Smart]

I dated a girl that was a fashion designer and from her experience as well as her friends in the biz the route you'd most likely end up at is working for a licensee company since nearly everything is sub'd out to smaller companies that make it for the larger one. She worked designing "Tommy Bahama, Anne Klein, Liz Claiborne...." you get the idea.

you could always try out for Project Runway