Fashion Apparel Designer Career Profile, Salary & Job Outlook
What does a Fashion Apparel Designer do?
A Fashion Apparel Designer works with the Creative Director to research inspiration, develop new concepts, create technical packages, and oversee samples. They lead sample review sessions, provide recommendations, notate feedback, and create sketches for all designs to visualize a cohesive seasonal collection within the brand’s overall aesthetic. Apparel designers primarily focus on clothing such as shirts, blouses, dresses, and trousers. Some further designate the speciality and focus on womenswear and menswear.
How much does a Fashion Apparel Designer make?
According to Ziprecruiter, Fashion Apparel Designers make a national average of $71,263 or $34.26 an hour (as of June 2022). In general, entry-level fashion apparel designers make around $45,000 annually, with senior-level fashion apparel designers making $118,000 a year. This wide range also depends on skill, seniority, company, and location.
What impact does this career have towards the fashion industry?
Apparel Designers are among the most important tastemakers in fashion. They’re ability to anticipate upcoming and re-emerging trends help Creative Directors design seasonal collections that are relevant to the moment, albeit timeless.
What is the job outlook for a Fashion Apparel Designer?
Analysts forecast that global apparel revenue will grow to $2.25 trillion by 2025. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities for design (including Fashion Apparel Designers) are expected to show little to no change during the 2020-2030 decade.
How to kick-off your career:
- Practice sketching and build a portfolio of your favorite creations.
- Start to learn the basics of Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.
- Explore the Parsons School of Design x Teen Vogue Fashion Industry Essentials online course.
- Download Yellowbrick’s Ultimate Fashion Career Guide.
Learn from:
Brandon Maxwell
Designer, Lady Gaga’s Stylist, Fashion Industry Essentials contributor
Related Careers:
Creative Director | Fabric Researcher | Accessories Designer | Garment Technologist | Footwear Designer | Pattern Cutter/Grader | Director of Merchandising & Design | Trend Forecaster | Graphic Designer | Textile Designer | Data Analyst
