The Fashion Designer profession, has recently emerged as one of the most sort out careers among the youths . These youths have their own creative style of dressing and believe in setting a trend rather than following a trend set by others. A career in Fashion Design not only involves meeting glamorous people and interracting with rich and famous but also gives a impetus to the creative flair of the people who possess a sense of style. The major functional areas in the industry are designing garments, cutting the cloth, sewing the pieces together and finally merchandising. Popularising and marketing of the various styles and products is done through ramp shows and fashion write-ups.

The job of a fashion designer is a high profile one and exciting indeed. But another aspect of this profession is a lot of hard work that is needed to be able to reach the top of this line and stay there. It is certainly not as easy as it sounds.

Fashion is a term commonly used in relation to clothes, dresses, garments, textiles, etc. There is an increase in quality textiles and materials for the fashion designers to work with. Fashion is identified today with status, acceptance and it almost implies social involvement.

Bangladesh has recently come to the focus. Along with the world demand, the local market is also altering itself to rapid changes in fashion trends . Bangladesh's largest sector Garments/Textiles is recently looking for Fashion Designers and Highly skilled technical Personnel.

Designing for the future

Fashion Designer create designs for almost anything which is part of the garment of men, women, and children. Designers understanding the needs of their clients create attractive and functional garments and accessories according to the latest trends, market conditions, weather and also keeping a close watch on the fit, style, colour, texture, size and material. The process of making a dress starts with the sketching the original idea on paper. Then shaping the pattern pieces which make the garment. The pieces are then drawn in actual size on paper and cut out on a rough material. These pieces are stitched together and fitted on a model. From the rough model sample garments are made in the final fabric. Much time of the designer is spent in exploration and research. Knowledge about fabric, weave, draping qualities, material, colour and design and the changing trend is important. You could have your own label or start work as a part of a team for a designer with his / her own label.

As an Assistant Designer, you would be required to co-ordinate the activities of the tailors, master cutters and embroiderers. This also includes responsibility for the dyeing of yarn, handling of trims and buttons and cutting and sewing of the samples. Along with the work related to the clothes you would also have to do a lot of market research and work on the design ideas simultaneously.

To become a successful fashion designer, you should know about the latest trends and tastes in this field. This field is highly competitive and you need to be not just talented, but also very determined, ambitious and hardworking with a good business sense. Communication skills are important to be able to put across ideas and concepts clearly for the workers as well as the clients. A good hand at sketching can be helpful. In the long run, to make it on your own, you should have knowledge of colours, styles, shapes and the various types of fabrics. A well-groomed and attractive personality is also important.

Specialization in Work

The main area of work in the fashion industry are :

1. Marketing and Merchandising : Fashion trends are constantly changing, the people in the merchandising and marketing have a good knowledge of fashion trends, of sales data and the organisations marketing objectives. Based on this information the marketing department plans the company's overall direction. It determines the price, product requirement, and hence they often work with the styling department when a new product id concieved.

2. Manufacturing department : The production manager is at the head of the manufacturing unit. He is responsible for scheduling work goals, training of workers, managing all activities in order to maintain quality in production. The Production manager oversees the work of pattern cutting - from pattern grading, spreading and marking to cutting, assembling and finishing. With the production manager are the production assistants who supervise the work at each stage.

3. Fashion coordinators : They coordinate with the buyer and the production manager. The fashion coordinator makes sure production schedules are kept, meets buyers goes through specification for fabrics, colours, designs, and keeps an eye on the quality.When buyers give their own designs, the coordinator helps decide the fabric coloursand accessories that should be used to suit the designs. They explain the design to the production pattern makers and get sample pieces made. The sample is draped on a dummy to see if some changes in details or style are required. Once the sample is finalised, its pieces are measured precisely. It is the coordinator who suggests how the cloth should be cut so as to minimise wastage. The garment is then finally presented for sale.

There are opportunities for work with the various sectors dealing with fashion. The opportunities for job exist in the following sectors :

1. Export houses dealing with garment/textile/handloom exports.
2. Retail and wholesale garment businesses in men's/women's/children clothing in sportswear /casual wear, etc.
3. Haute Couture
4. Government/Semi government-handloom/textile manufacturers
5. Fashion show organisers/Fashion publishers
6. TV/Film fashion programme producers/comperes/costume designers, etc.
   
7. Choreographer for fashion shows or become a fashion writer with one of the fashion publications.

To be a full pledged professional designer you have to knock the door of some of the Fashion Design Institutes of the country. A good institute will ensure that along with the requisite theoretical inputs, you also get adequate practical exposure to the entire gamut of processes right from formation of textiles and fabric to the most elaborate design elements.
Recently several Institutes have started giving training of several kinds, like Merchandising , Knitware Design & Technology, Apparel Manufacturing, Marketing and Merchandizing.
These Institutes are using world standard curriculum and lethodology to build up sharp designers in the demanding Garments & Textile Sector home and abroad.
Persons already working in the Garments/Textile Sector/Buying House/RMG Factories , can attend these courses to develop their career. Freshers also, to become an expert in the Sector can attend these courses.

National Institute of Fashion Design

NIFD, the premier fashion & textile design training institute renowned in India, has also started its activities in Dhaka in January 2002. The NIFD center in Dhaka will cater the students in an exciting environment of learning from an expert faculty in scientifically designed labs and studios with a course that is not just restricted to books, syllabus and exams but also includes field trips, variety of fashion show programs, exhibitions, and industry interaction. NIFD is promoting its commitment to fashion that has been widely acknowledged by professionals, business and media alike.

NIFD (National Institute Of Fashion Design) is a trend setting institute known as "The Cradle of Designers" among the glamour world. It is for those who dream of joining the fascinating fashionable world, and for those who wish to become fashionable themselves. One will learn the basics of fashion and train to develop his/her own spirit of a designer, with a view of the world and the designer collection. Fashion design course prepares you for careers in merchandising fashion, coordination, client servicing, marketing and many more fields. NIFD promises to make its students real professionals having an integrated personality. Besides, you will learn how to make yourself known and to make a living. At NIFD, you will learn not just the art of design, but also the art of being a professional.

The programs being offered by NIFD are outlined below: