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Fashion Designer

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Fashion designers are responsible for creating new clothing, accessories, and footwear. They sketch designs, select fabrics and patterns, and oversee the production of their creations. Fashion designers often work for high street brands, luxury labels, or as independent designers with their own collections. The role involves a mix of creative skills, technical knowledge, and awareness of current trends. Fashion designers may work in a studio, attend fashion shows, conduct research, and collaborate with other professionals such as pattern cutters and garment technologists. Success in this field often requires a strong portfolio, an understanding of the business side of fashion, and the ability to adapt to changing styles and consumer demands.

Fashion Designer

📊 Statistics

Average Salary

Fashion designers in the UK typically earn between £20,000 and £50,000 per year, with experienced designers or those working for major brands earning upwards of £60,000.

Job Openings

There are about 29,000 people employed in the UK fashion design sector, with around 2,000 new job openings each year.

Industry Size

The UK fashion industry is worth over £32 billion to the economy and supports nearly 900,000 jobs, making it one of the largest creative industries in the country.

🚀 Careers in this path

Build Creative Foundations

Develop Artistic Skills

Learn to draw, sketch, and understand colour theory to express your fashion ideas.

Take art and design subjects at school, practise sketching clothes and people, and explore different artistic styles. You can improve your skills through online tutorials, art clubs, or by keeping a sketchbook of your ideas.

Study Fashion and Textiles

Gain knowledge of fabrics, garment construction, and fashion history.

Consider taking GCSEs or A-levels in Textiles, Art, or Design and Technology. Understanding how different materials behave, and learning basic sewing techniques, will help you create practical and stylish designs.

Gain Formal Education and Experience

Pursue a Fashion Course

Study fashion design at college or university to develop technical skills and build a portfolio.

Look for courses such as a Level 3 Diploma in Fashion and Textiles, or a BA in Fashion Design. These will teach you about pattern making, digital design, and garment production. Entry requirements may include a portfolio of your work.

Take Part in Work Experience

Gain work experience or internships with fashion houses or clothing retailers.

Work experience helps you understand the industry and build valuable contacts. Look for opportunities during your studies, such as assisting at fashion shows or interning at design studios.

Launch Your Fashion Career

Create a Professional Portfolio

Compile your best designs and finished garments to showcase your style and skills.

A strong portfolio is essential for job applications and freelance opportunities. Include sketches, photos of your garments, and any work from internships or personal projects.

Apply for Fashion Jobs or Start Your Own Label

Seek employment as a junior designer or launch your own fashion brand.

You can apply for roles at fashion houses, retailers, or design studios. Alternatively, start your own label by selling your designs online or at markets. Network with other professionals and promote your work through social media and fashion events.

Available Apprenticeships

Please note that this may not be a comprehensive list of available apprenticeships. To view a more complete collection, visit the Find an apprenticeship service.

Click on any card to be redirected to their vacancy page.

Content Creator Apprentice

ART CLASSES GROUP LIMITED

( Added 18 Sep 2025 - 1 position available )

An opportunity to work as a Content Creator. Working in our art organisation will provide a real-world experience in a dynamic and creative environment. Apprentice will work alongside experienced staff, can gain practical skills and knowledge that can be applied to various roles.

Closing date: in 6 days

Possible start date: 20 Nov 2025

Content Creator Apprentice

PLATINUM K9 LTD

( Added 18 Sep 2025 - 1 position available )

We are looking for a creative, enthusiastic and driven Content Creator to join our team. If you're passionate about filming, editing and social media (and love dogs!), this is the perfect opportunity to develop your skills in a fast-paced, engaging environment.

Closing date: in 4 hours

Possible start date: 20 Oct 2025

Level 3 Content Creator Apprenticeship

EXCELLENCE-SOLUTIONS LIMITED

( Added 22 Sep 2025 - 5 positions available )

This Content Creator Apprenticeship is the perfect opportunity to gain hands-on experience while working with businesses to build their online presence. As an apprentice, you will learn how to plan, create, and distribute digital content across various platforms, including social media, websites, and email marketing.

Closing date: in 11 days

Possible start date: 30 Oct 2025

Content Creator Apprentice

STATESIDE DISTRIBUTION LIMITED

( Added 24 Sep 2025 - 1 position available )

As a Content Creator Apprentice at Stateside Distribution, you’ll play a key role in showcasing our product range and building our online community. Collaborating with various teams, you’ll focus on creating engaging TikTok content, hosting live streams, and developing marketing strategies to boost brand visibility.

Closing date: in 10 days

Possible start date: 30 Oct 2025

Audio-visual apprentice

LIVE WIRE EVENT SOLUTIONS LTD

( Added 25 Sep 2025 - 1 position available )

Northern Skills is recruiting on behalf of Live Wire event Solutions for an audiovisual apprentice. As an apprentice Live Wire Technician, you’ll work your technical magic in an environment that rewards your dedication with challenge and fulfilment. If you’ve got the skillset, mindset and you’re ready for a rewarding time, apply!

Closing date: in 9 days

Possible start date: 30 Oct 2025

Content Creator Apprentice

SPECTRUM BRANDS (UK) LIMITED

( Added 26 Sep 2025 - 2 positions available )

Do you live and breathe TikTok, Insta Reels, and YouTube Shorts? Always filming, editing, and posting? Happy both behind the camera and in front of it? If you’re the friend who’s always making “scroll-stopping” content, we want YOU on our team!

Closing date: in 16 days

Possible start date: 03 Nov 2025

Career Progressions

This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.

Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.

Remember, progressing in your career often involves further learning and training. This page provides insights into future career options as well as those that can lead up to your current one.

These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!

Sample Qualifications

The career title 'Fashion designer' is identical to the given job title, as it directly represents the profession involved in creating clothing and apparel designs. Both share the same qualifications focused on fashion concepts, design skills, and industry knowledge, making them closely matched.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course

University

You'll usually need a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree.

Courses are widely available and include:

  • fashion design
  • art and design
  • garment technology
  • textiles

You should look for a course that covers both design and technical skills to get the practical knowledge needed by the industry.

Several universities and colleges that run courses are members of the British Fashion Council, which promotes strong links with employers in the fashion trade.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need to work in the fashion industry as an assistant.

Subjects include:

  • fashion
  • fashion and textiles
  • craft and design

Once you've gained some experience with an employer, you may be able to do further training to become a fashion designer.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Volunteering

You'll need to get as much work experience as you can, for example through an internship, as there's strong competition for jobs in the fashion industry.

This can help you get a better understanding of the role, and to meet people who may help you to find paid work later on.

The British fashion industry supports initiatives like the National Saturday Club for young people aged 13 to 16, looking to learn about fashion careers.

More Information

Career tips

You can create a portfolio of your design work to showcase your skills, which will help you in course and job interviews.

Your portfolio should include mood boards, designs, technical drawings and examples of completed fashion items you have made.

Further information

You can find more details about working in fashion from:

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